The belief that the Mole is unable to see is wide-spread and ancient. Autolycus, in A Winter's Tale (Act iv., Scene 3), says—
"I will bring these two Moles, these blind ones, aboard him."
The Lion, Felis leo.
As may be supposed such a poet and naturalist as Shakspeare has not failed to pay due respect to the "king of beasts," and to avail himself, in his descriptions, of the many attributes of the noble animal. The Lion is mentioned by him upwards of a hundred and twenty times, or about twice as often as any other animal. In the limited space at disposal it would of course be impossible, even if it were desirable, to quote half of them; but a few of the more notable instances may be given as specimens. He has well pictured the
"O'ergrown Lion in a cave
That goes not out to prey."
Measure for Measure. Act i., Scene 4.
and the attitude of the Lionness that
"Lay crouching, head on ground, with cat-like watch."
As You Like It. Act iv., Scene 3.
The animal's terrific roar is often referred to:—
"'Twas a din to fright a monster's ear,
To make an earthquake! sure it was the roar
Of a whole herd of Lions."
Tempest. Act ii., Scene 2.
The question which Shakspeare puts into the mouth of Petrucio —
"Have I not in my time heard Lions roar?"
he could probably have answered himself in the affirmative, leaving it to be inferred that the roar proceeded from behind the strong iron bars of some showman's cage.
"Small curs are not regarded when they grin;
But great men tremble when the Lion roars."
Henry VI. Part II. Act iii., Scene 1.
Readers of the plays will well remember the humourous allusions to the Lion in Midsummer Night's Dream, in the amusing comedy
