THE LION


Associated deeply with the heart
The Leo is the fifth upon the chart
Of zodiacal signs and symbols bright
At Babylon they called him “The Great Light”.

His kindliness is great, but Oh!- his ire
When challenged can be terrible,- for fire
Is glorious King Leo’s element
That with a roar demands acknowledgement.

He may be tender,  merciful, we are told;-
Strong sinews twine around his heart of gold.
Majestic, dignified, - this king, - the Lion
As fierce-maned progeny, proud heir and scion .
Of the resplendent Sun-God Jupiter
He’ll roar with might to get his Lion’s Share .
.
His purring does bespeak contentedness;
But when annoyed, his roar is ominous;
Announces discontent,- so please beware;
Bow low, but do not go into his lair.
What pity! - little tells mythology
Of Leo’s exploits and ferocity.
.
Aesop alone presents us with a tale,
In which the Lion’s mercy did prevail
When he released  a little mouse with grace;-
The mouse,  in turn, released him from a brace
When he lay vanquished, shackled on the ground
With heavy rope and cruel fetters bound;-
Defeated, doom- consigned, beyond all hope,-
The mouse came nibbling, gnawing on the rope
Until it snapped at last  - What brave a deed!
The lion by the little mouse was freed.!.  .

And Aesop adds onto his tale that since
This episode throughout the vast province
King Leo did proclaim a new decree
That granted mice perpetual amnesty.

The Lion’s eminence, - his high prestige-
Is grounded deeply in “Noblesse Oblige”!
His generosity is proverbial-
A host magnanimous and liberal;
But be respectful, - in all things defer-
Remember his due awe and  “ Lion’s Share”!

El  Haganah* wrote in his star-lit tower:
“The Lion  loves the SPLENDOR of his power;
While old  Uranus,- world-wise,- did admit
He only likes the EXERCISE of it;-.
POSSESSION  though of power’s pithy bone
Belongs to  stolid Capricorn alone”.

Yet, Leo’s image proudly oversees
Cathedral pulpits, temples, palaces,
As undisputed Lord and Sovereign
He rules as guardian his vast domain.
Should independence flout his royal sway-
Fear not! - King Leo gives no rights away.!
Artists portray him with so many a feature;
Such as a winged apocalyptic creature.-.
The promise of whose influence is high
On planet earth and in the starry sky.