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him tried, and he was condemned to be put to death, by a furious lion being let looſe upon him. Androcles, on the day ſet, was then brought forth; before an immence number of ſpectators; and the den being opened, the lion burſt forth roaring like thunder; but judge the ſurpriſe, when inſtead of tearing him to pieces, he lay down at his feet calm and peaceable.—The multitude, amazed at this, called on Androcles to explain the circumſtance; when he related how he had helped the lion in his diſtreſs, and that in gratitude he had now ſpared his life. Every one preſent was equally delighted and aſtonifhed at the honeſt narrative, and applying to the governor, Androcles was pardoned, and preſented with the lion, to whom he owed his life.
The ſtory being finiſhed, Tommy ſeemed vaſtly pleaſed with it, and Mr. Barlow obſerved, that even the moſt ſavage beaſt may be ſoftned by gratitude, and moved by humanity.
