This king was at Camelot on Christmas day
with many lovely lords, the most laudable people,
rightly at the Round Table, all that rich brotherhood,
with righteous revelry and reckless mirth.
The men contended in tournaments time and again,
and after jousting jovially, these gentle knights
would carry on to the court for a quick ring-dance;
for the festival lasted fully fifteen days,
with all the meat and the mirth that men could devise.
Such glam and glee was glorious to hear,
the dear din of the day, dancing all night—
all was happy and high in the halls and chambers,
with lords and ladies that loved each other.
With all the wealth of the world they dwelled together,
the most renowned knights ever known under Christ,
and the loveliest ladies that ever lived before,
and the comeliest king that the court ever had;
for all this fair folk were in their first age
            here still,
            the happiest under heaven,
            their king of the highest will—
            and now I could never imagine
            so hardy a host on the hill.