Be not so naughty. Do you begin already to show a refractory spirit?

KING. [Listening.

This is no place for petulance. Who can it be whose behaviour calls for such a rebuke?

[Looking in the direction of the sound and smiling.]

A child, is it? closely attended by two holy women. His disposition seems anything but child-like. See!

He braves the fury of yon lioness
Suckling its savage offspring, and compels
The angry whelp to leave the half-sucked dug,
Tearing its tender mane in boisterous sport.

Enter a CHILD, attended by TWO WOMEN of the hermitage, in the manner described.

CHILD.

Open your mouth, my young lion, I want to count your teeth.

FIRST ATTENDANT.