The water and the bridge and the lions
combine so to terrify them that they both tremble with fear, and
say: "Fair sire, consider well what confronts you; for it is
necessary and needful to do so. This bridge is badly made and
built, and the construction of it is bad. If you do not change
your mind in time, it will be too late to repent. You must
consider which of several alternatives you will choose. Suppose
that you once get across (but that cannot possibly come to pass,
any more than one could hold in the winds and forbid them to
blow, or keep the birds from singing, or re-enter one's mother's
womb and be born again--all of which is as impossible as to
empty the sea of its water); but even supposing that you got
across, can you think and suppose that those two fierce lions
that are chained on the other side will not kill you, and suck
the blood from your veins, and eat your flesh and then gnaw your
bones? For my part, I am bold enough, when I even dare to look
and gaze at them. If you do not take care, they will certainly
devour you. Your body will soon be torn and rent apart, for they
will show you no mercy. So take pity on us now, and stay here in
our company! It would be wrong for you to expose yourself
intentionally to such mortal peril.
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