[25] Bidpaii, and Lokman. [26] _Belisarius_.--Belisarius was a great general, who, having commanded the armies of the emperor, and lost the favour of his master, fell to such a point of destitution that he asked alms upon the highways.--La Fontaine. The touching story of the fall of Belisarius, of which painters and poets have made so much, is entirely false, as may be seen by consulting Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," chap. xliii.--Translator. * * * * * BOOK XI. I.--THE LION.[1] Some time ago, a sultan Leopard, By means of many a rich escheat, Had many an ox in meadow sweet, And many a stag in forest, fleet, And (what a savage sort of shepherd!) Full many a sheep upon the plains, That lay within his wide domains. Not far away, one morn, There was a lion born. Exchanged high compliments of state, As is the custom with the great, The sultan call'd his vizier Fox, Who had a deeper knowledge-box, And said to him, 'This lion's whelp you dread; What can he do, his father being dead? Our pity rather let him share, An orphan so beset with care. The luckiest lion ever known, If, letting conquest quite alone, He should have power to keep his own.' Sir Renard said, And shook his head, 'Such orphans, please your majesty, Will get no pity out of me. We ought to keep within his favour, Or else with all our might endeavour To thrust him out of life and throne, Ere yet his claws and teeth are grown. There's not a moment to be lost. His horoscope I've cast; He'll never quarrel to his cost; But then his friendship fast Will be to friends of greater worth Than any lion's e'er on earth. Try then, my liege, to make it ours, Or else to check his rising powers.' The warning fell in vain. The sultan slept; and beasts and men Did so, throughout his whole domain, Till lion's whelp became a lion. Then came at once the tocsin cry on, Alarm and fluttering consternation. The vizier call'd to consultation, A sigh escaped him as he said, 'Why all this mad excitement now, When hope is fled, no matter how? A thousand men were useless aid,-- The more, the worse,--since all their power Would be our mutton to devour. Appease this lion; sole he doth exceed The helpers all that on us feed. And three hath he, that cost him nought-- His courage, strength, and watchful thought. Quick send a wether for his use: If not contented, send him more; Yes, add an ox, and see you choose The best our pastures ever bore. Thus save the rest.'--But such advice The sultan spurn'd, as cowardice. And his, and many states beside, Did ills, in consequence, betide. However fought this world allied, The beast maintain'd his power and pride.