They did not like his look at all, Still less when he began to call. "Well met; and just in time," quoth he; "Your fellow-traveller I will be; Your toil I wish to freely share, My tribute's light, yet hard to bear; I'm not accustomed to a load; so, please, Take each a quarter at your ease, To you 'tis nothing, that I feel; If robbers come to pick and steal, I shall not be the last to fight: A Lion is not backward in a fray." They welcome him, and he's in pleasant plight; So, spite of Jove-sprung hero, every day Upon the public purse he battens, And on good deer he quickly fattens. They reach at last a meadow land, With flowers besprinkled, fed by brooks; The sheep feed there on either hand, Unguarded by the shepherd's crooks: It is the summer zephyr's home. No sooner has the Lion come, Than he of fever much complains; "Continue, sirs, your embassy," Said he; "but burning, darting pains Torment me now exceedingly. I seek some herb for speedy cure; You must not long delay, I'm sure; Give me my money; quick! I'm hurried." Then quickly out the gold was scurried. The Lion, quite delighted, cried, In tones that showed his joy and pride, "Ye gods! my gold has hatched its brood; And, look! the young ones are all grown Big as the old ones; that is good: The increase comes to me alone." He took the whole, although he was not bid; Or if he didn't, some one like him did. The Monkey and his retinue Half frightened and half angry grew, But did not dare reply; so left him there. 'Tis said that they complained at court; but where Was then the use? in vain their loud abuse. What could he do? Jove's royal scion! 'Twould have been Lion against Lion. 'Tis said when Corsairs fight Corsairs, They are not minding their affairs. [Illustration] [Illustration] FABLE LXXXI. THE HORSE WISHING TO BE REVENGED ON THE STAG.