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194 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
some ease In his griefe, and his paine to cease, still
holding his foot betweene my hands, began to sleep
and take some rest Thence forward he and I lived
together the full space of three yeares in his den, with
such meat as he shifted-for; for what beasts he killed,
or what prey soever he tooke, he ever brought home
the better part and shared it with me, which for want
of fire I rosted in the Sunne, and therewith nourished
my selfe all that while. But at last, wearied with this
kinde of brutish life, the Lion being one day gone to
purchase his wonted prey, I left the place, hoping to
mend my fortunes, and having wandred up and downe
three dayes, I was at last taken by certaine Souldiers,
which from Africa brought me into this Citie to my
Master againe, who immediately condemned me to
death, and to be devoured by wilde beasts. And as
I now perceive, the same Lion was also shortly after
taken, who as you see hath now requited me of the
good turne I did him, and the health which by my
meanes he recovered. Behold here the historic Androclus
reported unto the Emperour, which after he
caused to be declared unto all the people, at whose
generall request he was forthwith set at libertie, and quit
of his punishment, and by the common consent of all
had the Lion bestowed upon him. Appion saith further,
that Androclus was daily seen to lead the Lion up and
downe the streets of Rome, tied onely with a little twine,
and walking from taverne to taverne, received such
money as was given him, who would gently suffer himselfe
to be handled, touched, decked, and strowed with
flowers, all over and over, many saying when they met
him: ' Yonder is the Lion that is the mans hoste, and
yonder is the man that is the Lions Physitian." We
often mourne and weepe for the losse of those beasts
we love, so doe they many times for the losse of us.
Pott bellator equus positis intignibus AEthon
It lacrimans guttisque humectat grandibus ora. 1
Next AEthon horse of warre, all ornaments laid downe,
Goes weeping, with great drops bedewes his cheeckes adowne.
¹ VIRG. AEn. 1. xi. 89.