The Old Lion

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."