[Illustration: THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS.]
Four Bulls, which had entered into a very strict friendship, kept always
near one another, and fed together. The Lion often saw them, and as
often had a mind to make one of them his prey; but, though he could
easily have subdued any of them singly, yet he was afraid to attack the
whole alliance, as knowing they would have been too hard for him, and
therefore contented himself, for the present, with keeping at a
distance. At last, perceiving no attempt was to be made upon them, as
long as this combination held, he took occasion, by whispers and hints,
to foment jealousies, and raise divisions among them. This stratagem
succeeded so well, that the Bulls grew cold and reserved towards one
another, which soon after ripened into a downright hatred and
aversion; and, at last, ended in a total separation. The Lion had now
obtained his ends; and, as impossible as it was for him to hurt them
while they were united, he found no difficulty, now they were parted, to
seize and devour every Bull of them, one after another.