The pipers piped
and dancers griped
as the jester pranced 
out of time
a magician conjured images
while the good king
drank his wine

The queens' veil fluttered
her courtiers muttered
the priest had to cover his grin
a fat man gnawed
on a turkey leg
while the young prince
kicked at his shin

A knight stood proud
and the bishop bowed
as her ladyship smiled their way
while the princess
fretted endlessly
on finding a hair of gray

As the fire roared
the duke seemed bored
the grand duchess
bit at her lips
while merry drunken acrobats
did silly jumps and flips

His eminence blessed
and the maid servants stressed
as the urchins
begged for a story
until an old wrinkled man
with a pipe in his hand
spun them a tale of glory

They reveled on 
until the moon was gone
and the day broke warm and bright
In merry measure
and sinful pleasure
they'd conquered their fear
of the night