An old Lion, finding that many of the beasts had become too nimble
for him, and that he could not come at his prey so readily as before,
craftily gave out that he had long studied physic and surgery in
foreign countries, and that he could cure every kind of disorder
to which the beasts were liable. These professions having been
spread abroad, he hoped to get many of the animals to come within
his clutches. The Horse seeing through the whole of the scheme, was
resolved to be even with him; and so humouring the thing as if he
suspected nothing, he feigned himself to be in great pain from a wound
in his foot, and limping up to the Lion, he begged he would examine the
part and administer relief. The Lion, though intent only upon making
a good meal of horse-flesh, begged the Horse to hold up his foot that
he might see it: this was no sooner done, than the Horse gave him so
violent a blow on the nose, as quite stunned him, and scampered off,
neighing at the success of a trick, which had defeated the purpose of
one who intended to have tricked him out of his life.