Beasts could talk very well; and it wasn’t thought low

For a real live monarch his prowess to brag on,

And bandy high words with an insolent dragon.

Ye Right Ancient Ballad.

The good King Tidrich rode from Bern[3]

(And a funny name had he),

His charger was bay, and he took his way

Under the greenwood-tree;

And ever he sang, as he rode along,

“’Tis a very fine thing