The Tyrant of the Forest issued a proclamation commanding all his
subjects to repair immediately to his royal den.
Among the rest, the Bear made his appearance, but pretending to be
offended with the odour which issued from the Monarch's apartments, be
was imprudent enough to hold his nose in his Majesty's presence.
This insolence was so highly resented that the Lion in a rage laid him
dead at his feet.
The Monkey, observing what had passed, trembled for his skin, and
attempted to conciliate favour by the most abject flattery. He began
with protesting that, for his part, he thought the apartments were
perfumed with Arabian spices; and, exclaiming against the rudeness of
the Bear, admired the beauty of his Majesty's paws, so happily formed,
he said, to correct the insolence of clowns.
This adulation, instead of being received as he expected, proved no
less offensive than the rudeness of the Bear, and the courtly Monkey
was in like manner extended by the side of Sir Bruin.
And now his Majesty cast his eye upon the Fox.
"Well, Reynard," Said he, "and what scent do you discover here?"
"Great Prince," replied the cautious Fox, "my nose was never esteemed
my most distinguishing sense; and at present I would by no means
venture to give my opinion, as I have unfortunately caught a terrible
cold."