Thy secret to betray,—thy wish to bring to light!
He knows it all, though ignorance he may pretend;—
His smile is but a veil thy aim to comprehend.
The lion, having measured all their secret thought,
Made no remark; he knew how they could both be bought;20
Within his breast revolved their fitting punishment:
“I’ll show you, my fine fellows, what’s by lion meant.
My pleasure’s, for you both, what you should seek to know;
Not calculate beforehand what I may bestow.
Your every thought should but reflect my sovereign will,