as he was one day exploring
the woods, discovered the den of a she-wolf, in which she had left her
young ones while she went out to search for prey. By a caprice that was
natural to his temper, he chose out the largest of the whelps, carried
it home to his house, and brought it up as if it had been a useful and
harmless animal. While it was yet but young it was incapable of doing
mischief; but as it increased in age and strength, it began to show
signs of a bloody and untameable disposition, and made all the
neighbouring shepherds tremble for the safety of their flocks. But as
the courage and fierceness of Tigranes had now rendered him formidable
to all his associates, and the violence of his temper made him impatient
of all opposition, they did not speak to him on the subject; and as to
his own parents, he had long learned to treat them with indifference and
contempt. Sophron alone, who was not to be awed by fear, observing the
just apprehensions of the neighbourhood, undertook the task of
expostulating with his friend, and endeavoured to prevail upon him to
part with a beast so justly odious, and which might in the end prove
fatal whenever his natural rage should break out into open acts of
slaughter. Tigranes heard him with a sneer of derision, and only
answered, that 'if a parcel of miserable rustics diverted themselves
with keeping sheep, he, who had a more elevated soul, might surely
entertain a nobler animal for his diversion.' 'But should that nobler
animal prove a public mischief,' coolly replied Sophron, 'you must
expect that he will be treated as a public enemy.' 'Woe be to the man,'
answered Tigranes, brandishing his javelin, and sternly frowning, 'that
shall dare to meddle with anything that belongs to me.' Saying this, he
turned his back upon Sophron, and left him with disdain.

"It was not long before the very event took place which had been so long
foreseen. The wolf of Tigranes, either impelled by the accidental taste
of blood, or by the natural fierceness of his own temper, fell one day
upon the sheep, with such an unexpected degree of fury that he
slaughtered thirty of them before it was possible to prevent him.
Sophron happened at that time to be within view; he ran with amazing
swiftness to the place, and found the savage bathed in blood, tearing
the carcass of a lamb he had just slain. At the approach of the daring
youth the wolf began to utter a dismal cry, and, quitting his prey,
seemed to prepar