Rudyard Kipling

True Royalty

There was never a Queen like Balkis,

From here to the wide world's end;

But Balkis talked to a butterfly

As you would talk to a friend.


There was never a King like Solomon,

Not since the world began;

But Solomon talked to a butterfly

As a man would talk to a man.


She was Queen of Sabaea—

And he was Asia's Lord—

But they both of 'em talked to butterflies

When they took their walks abroad.