Saith, allegeth as his excuse to them who upbraid him with idleness, or persuade him to diligence,
There is a lion without; there are extreme dangers and invincible difficulties in my way.
I shall be slain, by that lion, or some other way.
In the streets; which is added to show the ridiculousness of his excuse; for lions abide in the woods or fields, not in the streets of towns or cities.