The year was yet young, ’twas the day of New Year, + 

And double (as is due) on the dais was served; + 

Soon as the King with his knights had come into hall + 

And the chauntry in the chapel was chanted to an end, + 

Loud cry was uprais’d by common and clerk, + 

Who kept Noel anew and named it full oft; + 

Then hied in the courtiers handsel to offer, + 

Gaily cried Yule-gifts and gave them by hand, + 

All busily debating about the event⁠— + 

Ladies laugh’d loud although they had lost, + 

And the winners were not wroth, well may ye trow. + 

So made they their mirth till meal-time was come, + 

And when they had wash’d, then went they to table, + 

And were rangèd by rank, as the rule is in hall. + 

Queen Guenore full gay was graith’d in the midst + 

On the royal dais, royally array’d + 

With sendal at the sides, and a ceiling above her, + 

Tapestries full rich of the red Tars + 

Embroider’d and beaten with the bravest gems + 

That might be provèd priceless, with pennies to buy, + 

for ay; + 

Loveliest she look’d of all + 

With glancing eyes and gray, + 

The dearest dame in hall, + 

Might each man soothly say. + 