Page:The Fables of Bidpai (Panchatantra).djvu/220

124 vppon the making of the Leape yeare in that countrie, and being the firt time alo of it, o there was no water to be had any where, but onely a little pring in the toppe of the Mountagne called Carcobite. At that time there lay by that pring a braue and fierce Lion, which as we poore beates went to the water to quench our thirt, et vppon vs, and deuoured vs, or at leat lue vs. So that he made a Butchers hambles greater than anye Butcher maketh at Chritmas againt any feat. Fame blewe forth this traunge death and cruelty, o that the beates compelled to aemble dipatched ambaadors to the Lyon, and offered compoition, to giue him daylye ome praye to atisfie him with, and that they might not all die for lack of water. The Lion accepted the condicion, ticking to their offer, as one that had aduied him elfe well, conideringe that if he had not done it, they had all dyed for thirte, and hee for famine, and therevpon agreed. The beats drue lots, and on whome the lotte fell, hee went his waye, to gyue him elfe in pray vnto the Lion. So long thee lottes continued that at length it lighted on the Foxes necke to be wallowed vp of this deuouring Lion, which eeing no remedie but to die hee mut (at leat as he thought) he deuifed to reuenge the death of the ret, and to free his owne. And forth he