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THE SECOND BOOKE 197
the number of the depth is equall unto the bredth, and
the bredth unto the length. Touching magnanimitie
and haughtie courage, it is hard to set it forth more
lively, and to produce a rarer patterne than that of the
dog which from India was sent unto Alexander: to
whom was first presented a stag, then a wilde boare,
and then a beare, with each of which he should have
foughten, but he seemed to make no accompt of them,
and would not so much as remove out of his place for
them ; but when he saw a lion, he presently rouzed
himselfe, shewing evidently he meant onely so noble
a beast worthie to enter combat with him. Concerning
repentance and acknowledging of faults committed, it
is reported that an elephant, having, through rage of
choler, slaine his governour, conceived such an extreme
inward griefe that he would never afterward touch any
food, and suffered himselfe to pine to death. Touching
clemencie, it is reported of a tiger (the fiercest and
most inhumane beast of all), who having a kid given
her to feed upon, endured the force of gnawing hunger
two daies together rather than she would hurt him ;
the third day with maine strength she brake the cage
wherein she was kept pent, and went elsewhere to shift
for feeding ; as one unwilling to seize upon the seelie
kid, her familiar and guest. And concerning privileges
of familiaritie and sympathie caused by conversation, is
it not oft seen how some make cats, dogs, and hares so
tame, so gentle, and so milde, that, without harming
one another, they shall live and continue together?
But that which experience teacheth sea-faring men,
especially those that come into the seas of Sicilie, of
the qualitie and condition of the Halcyon bird, or as
some call it alcedo or kings-fisher, exceeds all mens
conceit. In what kinde of creature did ever nature
so much prefer both their hatching, sitting, brooding,
and birth ? Poets faine that the Hand of l)elos, being
before wandring and fleeting up and downe, was for
the delivery of Latona made firme and setled; but
Gods decree hath beene that all the watrie wildernesse
should be quiet and made calm, without raine, wind,