"
'Good Crow,' said the Lion, 'I had liefer die than do so.'
'Will your Majesty deign to make a repast upon me?' asked the Jackal.
'On no account!' replied the Lion.
'Condescend, my Lord,' said the Tiger, 'to appease your hunger with my
poor flesh.'
'Impossible!' responded the Lion.
'Thereupon Crop-ear, not to be behind in what seemed safe, made offer of
his own carcase, which was accepted before he had finished; the Tiger
instantly tearing his flank open, and all the rest at once devouring
him.
'The Brahman,' continued Night-cloud, 'suspected nothing more than did
the Camel; and when the third knave had broken his jest upon him for
bearing a dog, he threw it down, washed himself clean of the
contamination, and went home; while the knaves secured and cooked his
goat.'
'But, Night-cloud,' asked the Rajah, 'how couldst thou abide so long
among enemies, and conciliate them?'
'It is easy to play the courtier for a purpose,' said Night-cloud--
'Courtesy may cover malice; on their heads the woodmen bring,
Meaning all the while to burn them, logs and fagots--oh, my King!
And the strong and subtle river, rippling at the cedar's foot,
While it seems to lave and kiss it, undermines the hanging root.
Pages:
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146