The lion now: “Excuse? Thou basest of the base! Is this the time to pay thy court? A pretty case! 275 Unseasonably crowing cock art thou! Reprieved? Excuse from simpleton can never be received. A simpleton’s excuse is worse than was his fault. Excuse of ignorance were science to assault. Excuse from thee, thou hare, were quite devoid of sense. Take thou me not for hare; with me strive not to fence.” The hare to him: “O prince! Have pity on the weak! Lend ear unto the tales of them who justice seek. Thankoffering let it be for thy august estate. Poor supplicant like me, thou’lt not drive from thy gate. 280 Great river like, thy boons stream aye through all canals; Each flower that decks thy hair in price rich pearls excels. The sea is not dried up by yielding showers of rain. Thy ease will not decrease by lessening of my pain.” The lion then: “My clemency I show to those Who’ve it deserved. ’Tis stature rules the length of clothes.” The hare: “Give ear. Should I of grace unworthy prove, I’m at thy feet. My life is thine, I cannot move. At morning’s early hour I set out for thy court. Companion had I with me. True, the way is short. 285 That second hare I speak of, food was for thy maw; By lot selected, as the pact lays down the law. Upon the road, a lion on us onslaught made. The savage, strange invader, rendered us afraid. I remonstrated with him; told him our intent; Said we were coming here; by treaty were we sent. He answered: ‘Prate not to me. Treaty such as this No value has. I’m king. He a usurper is. Thy paltry king and thee I’ll quickly rend in two, If thou and thy companion will not with me go.’ 290 I craved of him permission, him to leave awhile, Till I could come and tell thee of his claim and guile. He granted leave; but kept my fellow as a pledge; Saying otherwise he’d kill me, as his privilege. We strove to coax and pacify the sturdy brute. ’Twas no avail. My mate he’d keep; me he’d depute. My comrade three times was in bulk more full than I; More plump, more sleek, more toothful. Dare I tell a lie? Henceforward, through that lion, who can come this way? The case is so. I’ve told thee truly all my say. 295 From hence, for evermore, thy ration’s lost, forsooth. The truth I speak to thee. Unpleasant oft is truth. Wouldst thou thy ration have, arise and clear the way. Come on. I’ll guide. Let’s see, then, who shall win the day.” The lion now: “In God’s name! Come! Where is the beast? Go thou before, if thou speak truth. Take heed at least. I’ll treat him as he merits, and a hundred such. But should this prove a lie, thou’lt rue it very much.”