The King lay at Camelot at Christmastide, + 

With many a lovesome lord, leal men of the best, + 

All the royal brethren of the Round Table, + 

Amid revel full rich and reckless mirths. + 

There true knights tourney’d, by times, full many, + 

Jousted right jollily these gentle peers, + 

Then came to the court their carols to dance. + 

For the feast went on full fifteen days, + 

With all the meat and mirth that men could avise⁠— + 

Such gladsome glee glorious to hear, + 

Merry din by day, and dancing o’ nights, + 

That all was happiness in hall and in chamber + 

Among lords and ladies: ’twas the liege king’s pleasure. + 

With all the weal of the world they wonèd together⁠— + 

Knights noblest known under Christ himself, + 

And the loveliest ladies that life ever had, + 

And he the comeliest King, that the court ruled, + 

And these fair folk all, in the flower of their age, + 

so free, + 

On earth the happiest ay, + 

And the proudest Prince was he; + 

Ye might not find today + 

So brave a company. + 