A LION, worn out with years and powerless from disease, lay on

　　the ground at the point of death. A Boar rushed upon him, and

　　avenged with a stroke of his tusks1 a long-remembered injury.

　　Shortly afterwards the Bull with his horns gored2 him as if he

　　were an enemy. When the Ass3 saw that the huge beast could be

　　assailed with impunity4, he let drive at his forehead with his

　　heels. The expiring Lion said, "I have reluctantly brooked5 the

　　insults of the brave, but to be compelled to endure such

　　treatment from thee, a disgrace to Nature, is indeed to die a

　　double death."