Part 3

The child descended the narrow staircase, and soon appeared in the wide court-yard. He immediately entered into the narrow opening opposite, when the sweet sounds of his flute were heard, but these gradually diminished till at length they finally ceased. The pause was fearful--the solemnity of the proceeding filled the old attendant with apprehension, accustomed as he was to every sort of danger. He declared that he would rather engage the enraged animal himself. But the mother preserved her cheerful countenance, and leaning over the parapet in a listening attitude, betrayed no sign of the slightest fear. At length the flute was heard again. The child had issued from the dark recess, his face beaming with triumph; the lion was slowly following, and seemed to walk with difficulty. Now and then the animal appeared disposed to lie down, but the child continued to lead him quietly along, bending his way through the half-leafless autumn-tinged trees, until he arrived at a spot which was illumined by the last rays of the setting sun.

They were shedding their parting glory through the ruins, and in this spot he recommenced his sweet song, which we cannot refrain from repeating: Hear the Prophet’s song ascending From the cavern’s dark retreat, Whilst an Angel, earthward bending, Cheers his soul with accents sweet. Fear and terror come not o’er him, As the lion’s angry brood Crouch with placid mien before him, By his holy song subdued. The lion in the meantime had lain quietly down, and raising his heavy paw, had placed it in the lap of the child. The latter stroked it gently and continued his chant, but soon observed that a sharp thorn had penetrated into the ball of the animal’s foot. With great tenderness the child extracted the thorn, and taking his bright-colored silk handkerchief from his neck, bound it round the foot of the huge creature, whilst the attentive mother, still joyfully leaning over the parapet with outstretched arms, would probably have testified her approbation with loud shouts and clapping of hands, if the attendant had not rudely seized her and reminded her that the danger was not yet completely over. The child now joyfully continued his song, after he had hummed a few notes by way of prelude: Since the Eternal eye, far-seeing, Earth and sea surveys in peace, Lion shall with lamb agreeing Live, and angry tempests cease. Warriors’ sword no more shall lour, Faith and Hope their fruit shall bear; Wondrous is the mighty power Of Love, which pours its soul in prayer. If it were possible to conceive that the features of so fierce a monster, at once the tyrant of the forest and the despot of the animal kingdom, could display an expression of pleasure and grateful joy, it might have been witnessed upon this occasion; and in very truth, the child, in the fulness of his beauty, looked like some victorious conquerer, though it could not be said that the lion seemed subdued, for his mighty power was only for a time concealed; he wore the aspect of some domesticated creature, who had been content to make a voluntary surrender of the mighty power with which it was endued.

And thus the child continued to play and to sing, transposing his verses or adding to them, as he felt inclined: Holy Angels, still untiring, Aid the good and virtuous child Every noble deed inspiring And restraining actions wild. So the forest king to render Tame as child at parent’s knee, Still be gentle, kind, and tender, Use sweet love and melody. Corrections The first line indicates the original, the second the correction. p. 17 She at once recognized a tiger couched in the attitude to spring She at once recognized a tiger crouched in the attitude to spring p. 22 and the conflagratation immediately extended and the conflagration immediately extended p. 27 The Prince looked sorrowfully at his wife, as though he had only just perceived the danger which had lately threatened him The Prince looked sorrowfully at his wife, as though he had only just perceived the danger which had lately threatened her