Henry Craik, ed. English Prose. 1916. Vol. II. Sixteenth Century to the Restoration
The Fox and the Sick Lion
By Sir Roger L’Estrange (1616–1704)
From Æsop’s Fables translated
A CERTAIN lion that had got a politic fit of sickness, made it his observation, that of all the beasts in the forest, the fox never came at him: And so he wrote him word how ill he was, and how mighty glad he should be of his company, upon the score of ancient friendship and acquaintance. The fox returned the compliment with a thousand prayers for his recovery; but as for waiting upon him, he desired to be excused; for (says he) I find the traces of abundance of feet going in to your majesty’s palace, and not one that comes back again.
