'I went,' said she, 'to pray yet again for his life; but the Lord left me not an mouse's likeness (a proverbial expression, meaning to reprove with such severity that the person reproved shrinks and becomes abashed), and said, 'Beast that thou art!

St. Francis called the birds and beasts his brothers.

Every animal has his element assigned him: the birds have the air, and man and beasts the earth.

But love may beasts excuse, for they Their actions not by reason sway, But their brute appetites obey.

Him the fierce Arab mounts, and with his troop Of bold compeers, ranges the deserts wild, Where by the magnet's aid, the traveller Steers his untrodden course; yet oft on land Is wrecked, in the high-rolling waves of sand 320 Immersed and lost; while these intrepid bands, Safe in their horses' speed, out-fly the storm, And scouring round, make men and beasts their prey.