Polydorus 1:1 (after Aeschylus) from The Burnt City

A shepherd found a lion cub.

Took it home.

Let it suckle milk.

Little lion with the lambs.

Let it play with his little ones.

How they loved it!

Cuddled it, fondly nuzzled it.

And the old folks smiled to see it

Scampering round about -

Lion cub, children and lambs

All together

Happily at play.

The shepherd nursed the cub with tender care.

In the crook of his arm

Or on his lap

Softly it slumbered.

How we laughed

When the lion cub licked the shepherd's cheek.

What a sight to see!

Sweet little thing.

But nature will not be hid

And in time

The day of the lion

Dawned

Over the whole family.

Screaming

Roaring

Howling

And under the doors

Blood came running

From the lion's work.

See the ceremony:

The high priest of death

At an altar of torn bodies.