6369. 'He crouched, he lay down like a lion, and like an old lion' means the good of love and the truth from that good in their power. This is clear from the meaning of 'crouching' as summoning up one's power, for when a lion crouches he stiffens his sinews and makes himself powerful, as happens when he sees his prey; from the meaning of 'lying down' as lying in safety and without any fear; and from the meaning of 'a lion' and 'an old lion' as the good of love and the truth from that good in their power, dealt with just above in 6367. 'A young lion' is one whose power comes through truth from good, and 'an old lion' one whose power comes through good. For those with whom celestial good exists do not ever engage in fighting but are kept safe by means of good. For the moment they arrive the evil flee since the evil cannot stand the presence of them, see 6365. They are the ones who are meant by 'an old lion'.