It was in a vast gothic Hall that they sate, And the Tables were cover’d with rich gilded plate, And the King and his minions were toping in state, ’Till their noddles turn’d round, one and all:— And the Sun through the tall painted windows ’gan peep, And the Vassals were sleeping, or longing to sleep, Though the Courtiers, still waking, their revels did keep, While the minstrels play’d sweet, in the Hall. And, now in their Cups, the bold topers began To call for more wine, from the cellar yeoman, And, while each one replenish’d his goblet or can, The Monarch thus spake to them all: “It is fit that the nobles do just what they please, “That the Great live in idleness, riot, and ease, “And that those should be favor’d, who mark my decrees, “And should feast in the Banquetting Hall. “It is fit,” said the Monarch, “that riches should claim “A passport to freedom, to honor, and fame,— “That the poor should be humble, obedient, and tame, “And, in silence, submit—one and all. “That the wise and the holy should toil for the Great, “That the Vassals should tend at the tables of state, “That the Pilgrim should—pray for our souls at the gate “While we feast in our Banquetting Hall. “That the low-lineag’d CARLES should be scantily fed— “That their drink should be small, and still smaller their bread; “That their wives and their daughters to ruin be led, “And submit to our will, one and all! “It is fit, that whoever I choose to defend— “Shall be courted, and feasted, and lov’d as a friend, “While before them the good and enlighten’d shall bend, “While they sit in the Banquetting Hall.” Now the Topers grew bold, and each talk’d of his right, One would fain be a Baron, another a Knight; And another, (because at the Tournament fight He had vanquished his foes, one and all) Demanded a track of rich lands; and rich fare; And of stout serving Vassals a plentiful share; With a lasting exemption from penance and pray’r And a throne in the Banquetting Hall. But ONE, who had neither been valiant nor wise, With a tone of importance, thus vauntingly cries, “My Leige he knows how a good subject to prize— “And I therefore demand—before all— “I this Castle possess: and the right to maintain “Five hundred stout Bowmen to follow my train, “And as many strong Vassals to guard my domain “As the Lord of the Banquetting Hall! “I have fought with all nations, and bled in the field, “See my lance is unshiver’d, tho’ batter’d my shield, “I have combatted legions, yet never would yield “And the Enemy fled—one and all! “I have rescued a thousand fair Donnas, in Spain, “I have left in gay France, every bosom in pain, “I have conquer’d the Russian, the Prussian, the Dane, “And will reign in the Banquetting Hall!”