he
duke smile, for he did not suspect the pretty shepherd-boy came of royal
lineage. Then seeing the duke look well and happy, Ganymede was content
to put off all further explanation for a few days longer.

One morning, as Orlando was going to visit Ganymede, he saw a man lying
asleep on the ground, and a large green snake had twisted itself about
his neck. The snake, seeing Orlando approach, glided away among the
bushes. Orlando went nearer, and then he discovered a lioness lie
crouching, with her head on the ground, with a cat-like watch, waiting
until the sleeping man awaked (for it is said that lions will prey on
nothing that is dead or sleeping). It seemed as if Orlando was sent by
Providence to free the man from the danger of the snake and lioness; but
when Orlando looked in the man's face, he perceived that the sleeper who
was exposed to this double peril, was his own brother Oliver, who had so
cruelly used him, and had threatened to destroy him by fire; and he was
almost tempted to leave him a prey to the hungry lioness; but brotherly
affection and the gentleness of his nature soon overcame his first anger
against his brother; and he drew his sword, and attacked the lioness,
and slew her, and thus preserved his brother's life both from the
venomous snake and from the furious lioness; but before Orlando could
conquer the lioness, she had torn one of his arms with her sharp claws.

While Orlando was engaged with the lioness, Oliver awaked, and
perceiving that his brother Orlando, whom he had so cruelly treated, was
saving him from the fury of a wild beast at the risk of his own life,
shame and remorse at once seized him, and he repented of his unworthy
conduct, and besought with many tears his brother's pardon for the
injuries he had done him. Orlando rejoiced to see him so penitent, and
readily forgave him: they embraced each other; and from that hour Oliver
loved Orlando with a true brotherly affection, though he had come to the
forest bent on his destruction.

The wound in Orlando's arm having bled very much, he found himself too
weak to go to visit Ganymede, and therefore he desired his brother to go
and tell Ganymede, "whom," said Orlando, "I in sport do call my
Rosalind," the accident which had befallen him.

Thither then Oliver went, and told to Ganymede and Aliena how Orlando
had saved his life: and when he had finished the story of Orlando's
bravery, and his own providential escape, he owned to them th