English Original
Two soldiers travelling together were set upon by a robber. One of them ran away, but the other stood his ground, and laid about him so lustily with his sword that the robber was fain to fly and leave him in peace.
When the coast was clear the timid one ran back, and, flourishing his weapon, cried in a threatening voice, "Where is he? Let me get at him, and I'll soon let him know whom he's got to deal with."
But the other replied, "You are a little late, my friend: I only wish you had backed me up just now, even if you had done no more than speak, for I should have been encouraged, believing your words to be true. As it is, calm yourself, and put up your sword: there is no further use for it. You may delude others into thinking you're as brave as a lion: but I know that, at the first sign of danger, you run away like a hare."
中文翻译
两个士兵结伴赶路，途中遭遇一个强盗袭击。其中一个士兵立刻逃跑了，而另一个则坚守阵地，奋力挥剑，迫使强盗落荒而逃。
当危险解除后，那个胆小的士兵跑了回来，挥舞着他的武器，用威胁的口吻喊道：“他在哪儿？让我来对付他，我要让他知道他在跟谁打交道。”
但另一位士兵回答道：“你来晚了，我的朋友。我真希望你刚才能支持我，哪怕只是说句话也好，那样我会备受鼓舞，并相信你的话是真的。事已至此，请你冷静下来，把剑收好吧：它已经没用了。你或许能欺骗别人，让他们以为你像狮子一样勇敢；但我知道，一有危险迹象，你就会像兔子一样逃跑。”