Le Roman de Brut

Now to the court had gathered many tumblers,

harpers, and makers of music, for Arthur's feast.

He who would hear songs sung to the music of the rote,

or would solace himself with the newest refrain of the minstrel,

might win to his wish.

Here stood the viol player,

chanting ballads and lays to their appointed tunes.

Everywhere might be heard the voice of viols and harp and flutes.

In every place rose the sound of lyre and drum and shepherd's pipe,

bagpipe, psaltery, cymbals, monochord, and all manner of music.

Here the tumbler tumbled on his carpet.

There the mime and the dancing girl put forth their feats.

Of Arthur's guests some hearkened to the teller of tales and fables.

Others called for dice and tables,

and played games of chance for a wager.

Evil befalls to winner and loser alike from such sport as this.

For the most part men played at chess or draughts.

You might see them, two by two, bending over the board.

When one player was beaten by his fellow,

he borrowed moneys to pay his wager,

giving pledges for the repayment of his debt.

Dearly enough he paid for his loan, getting but eleven to the dozen.

But the pledge was offered and taken,

the money rendered,

and the game continued with much swearing and cheating,

much drinking and quarrelling,

with strife and with anger.

Often enough the loser was discontented, and rose murmuring against his fellow.

Two by two the dicers sat at table, casting the dice.

They threw in turn,

each throwing higher than his fellow.

You might hear them count,

six, five, three, four, two, and one.

They staked their raiment on the cast, so there were those who threw half naked.

Fair hope had he who held the dice,

after his fellow had cried his number.

Then the quarrel rose suddenly from the silence.

One called across the table to his companion,

"You cheat, and throw not fairly.

Grasp not the dice so tightly in your hand, but shake them forth upon the board.

My count is yet before yours.

If you still have pennies in your pouch bring them out, for I will meet you to your wish."

Thus the dicers wrangled, and to many of Arthur's guests it chanced that he who sat to the board in furs,

departed from the tables clothed in his skin.