Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Lion
Rouse the lion from his lair.
Scott.—The Talisman, Chap. VI.
[And see the opening of St. Gregory’s Poem entitled “An address to his Soul,” in Blakey’s Lives of the Primitive Fathers, Page 136.]
Hear the lion roar.
Shakespeare.—King John, Act II. Scene 1. (The Bastard to Austria.)
Dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar?
Shakespeare.—Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act IV. Scene 1. (Boyet to the Princess.)
A living dog is better than a dead lion.
Ecclesiastes, Chap. ix. Ver. 4; and see Swift, “An Excellent new Song.”
A lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing; for there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion, living.
Shakespeare.—Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III. Scene 1. (Bottom to his Companions.)
Dost thou now fall over to my foes?
Thou wear a lion’s hide! doff it for shame,
And hang a calf’s skin on those recreant limbs.
Shakespeare.—King John, Act III. Scene 1. (Constance to Austria.)