The Lion, touched with gratitude¹ by the noble procedure of a Mouse, and resolving not to be outdone in generosity² by any wild beast whatsoever³, desired his little deliverer to name his own terms, for that he might depend upon his complying with any proposal he should make. The Mouse, fired with ambition at this gracious offer, did not so much consider what was proper for him to ask, as what was in the powers of his prince to grant; and so demanded his princely daughter, the young lioness, in marriage. The Lion consented; but, when he would have given the royal virgin⁴ into his possession, she, like a giddy thing as she was, not minding how she walked, by chance set her paw upon her spouse⁵, who was coming to meet her, and crushed him to pieces.

Beware of unequal matches. Alliances prompted by ambition often prove fatal.