Of the Lyon, the Ich••um••n, and those other Beasts which are not easily terrified.
* 1.1THe Lion when he goes, hath his claws alwayes clutched, and (as it were) put up in their sheaths, not only because he would leave no mark in his feet, whereby he may be traced and so taken, but because by continual walking he should wear off, and blunt the points of his claws. B••ls when they fight, charge one another with their horns, and like valiant Souldiers provoke and animate one another to the battail.
The Ichne••mon seems to imitate the most valiant Souldier in his preparation and access to bat∣tail; for he bedaw••s himself with mud, and doth (as it were) buckle and make tite his armor, especially when he is to encounter with the Crocodile; who although he be a vast Beast, is put to fl••ght by this little creature.* 1.2 And this truly hath been observed to be by the singular Provi∣dence of Nature, that the most vast creatures are terrified by the least things, and such from whence there can arise no danger; so they say, the Elephant doth startle at the granting of a Hog; and the Lion, at the crowing of a Cock; although it be reported of the Lion, that no fear can make him turn his face. These kind of fears, terrors, and affrightments, arising upon light and most ridiculous occasions, we find as well in the ancient as modern Histories of our times, to have dispersed and put to flight mighty legions of Souldiers, and most potent Armies.