Two men symbolizing France and Spain are in charge of a dancing bear which represents England. France (l.), dressed as a French fop, plays the violin; Spain, in cloak and slashed doublet, holds the rope attached to the animal's head. The bear has a shield on its forehead ornamented with the combined crosses of St. George and St. Andrew as in the Union flag. Round its body are scrolls inscribed "Evil be to him that Evil thinks", and "Quisque me impune lacessit". In the background (r.) are two sovereigns in crowns and ermine-trimmed robes, one leaning on the shoulder of the other; they watch the scene with amusement. Above the head of the bear-leader and in the centre of the design are two circles representing the reverse and obverse of a coin. On one (l.) are three heads, two resembling those of the fiddler and the bear-leader, the central one that of George III; the first two have expressions of cunning satisfaction. Above it is engraved "The triple alliance". On the other are three clasped hands meeting in the centre of the circle; above it is engraved "Tria juncta in uno". Beneath the design is engraved "Music hath charms to soothe a savage Beast".  1 May 1773
<br>Etching
1773<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1773-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0808-10040">https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0808-10040</a>