'Will your Majesty deign to make a repast upon me?' asked the Jackal.
'On no account!' replied the Lion.
'Condescend, my Lord,' said the Tiger, 'to appease your hunger with my poor flesh.'
'Impossible!' responded the Lion.
'Thereupon Crop-ear, not to be behind in what seemed safe, made offer of his own carcase, which was accepted before he had finished; the Tiger instantly tearing his flank open, and all the rest at once devouring him.
'The Brahman,' continued Night-cloud, 'suspected nothing more than did the Camel; and when the third knave had broken his jest upon him for bearing a dog, he threw it down, washed himself clean of the contamination, and went home; while the knaves secured and cooked his goat.'
'But, Night-cloud,' asked the Rajah, 'how couldst thou abide so long among enemies, and conciliate them?'
'It is easy to play the courtier for a purpose,' said Night-cloud—
'Courtesy may cover malice; on their heads the woodmen bring,
Meaning all the while to burn them, logs and fagots—oh, my King!
And the strong and subtle river, rippling at the cedar's foot,
While it seems to lave and kiss it, undermines the hanging root.'
Indeed, it has been said—