And dar'st thou then

To beard the lion in his den,

The Douglas in his hall?

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832): Marmion. Canto vi. Stanza 14.

'T is merry in hall

Where beards wag all.

Thomas Tusser (Circa 1515-1580): Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry. August's Abstract.

I will tell you now

What never yet was heard in tale or song,

From old or modern bard, in hall or bower.

John Milton (1608-1674): Comus. Line 43.