'All men scorn the soulless coward who his manhood doth forget:—
On a lifeless heap of ashes fearlessly the foot is set,'
'Then Damanaka the Jackal returned to the Lion, and said to him:—
'If it please your Majesty, the traitor is now coming; let your Majesty be on your guard, with ears pricked and paw upraised.'
'The Bull meanwhile approached, and observing the hostile attitude of King Tawny-hide, he also lowered his horns, and prepared for the combat. A terrible battle ensued, and at the last King Tawny-hide slew Lusty-life the Bull. Now when the Bull was dead, the Lion was very sorrowful, and as he sat on his throne lamenting, he said—
'I repent me of this deed!—
'As when an Elephant's life-blood is spilt,
Another hath the spoils—mine is the guilt.'
'Sire,' replied the Jackal, 'a King over-merciful is like a Brahman that eats all things equally. May all your Majesty's enemies perish as did this Bull.'
"Thus endeth," said the Sage Vishnu-Sarman, "the 'Parting of Friends.'"
"We are gratified exceedingly thereby," replied the Sons of the King.
"Let me then close it thus," said their Preceptor—