KING.--Strange! My heart inclines towards the boy with almost as much
affection as if he were my own child. What can be the reason? I suppose
my own childlessness makes me yearn towards the sons of others.
SECOND ATTENDANT.--This lioness will certainly attack you if you do not
release her whelp.
CHILD [_laughing_].--Oh! indeed! let her come. Much I fear her, to be
sure. [_Pouts his under-lip in defiance_.
KING.--The germ of mighty courage lies concealed
Within this noble infant, like a spark
Beneath the fuel, waiting but a breath
To fan the flame and raise a conflagration.
FIRST ATTENDANT.--Let the young lion go, like a dear child, and I will
give you something else to play with.
CHILD.--Where is it? Give it me first.
[_Stretches out his hand._
KING [_looking at his hand_].--How's this? His hand exhibits one of
those mystic marks which are the sure prognostic of universal empire.
See!
His fingers stretched in eager expectation
To grasp the wished-for toy, and knit together
By a close-woven web, in shape resemble
A lotus-blossom, whose expanding petals
The early dawn has only half unfolded.
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