Men and
women of handsome appearance danced and sang, and many came hither from
the Street of Pride in order to be praised and worshipped. Within the
houses we perceived some on silken beds wallowing in debauchery; some at
the gaming-table, cursing and swearing, others tossing dice and shuffling
cards. Some from the Street of Lucre, having a room here, ran hither to
count their money, but stayed not long lest aught of the countless
geegaws that are here should entice them to part with their money without
interest. Others I saw at tables feasting with somewhat of every created
thing before them; and when everyone, mess after mess, had guzzled as
much of the dainties as would afford a moderate man a feast for a whole
week, grace followed in the form of blasphemous howling; then the king's
health was called for, and that of every boon companion, and so on to
quench the taste of the viands, and drown their cares. Then came
tobacco, and then each one began to talk scandal of his neighbour--
whether true or false it mattered not as long as it was humorous or
fresh, or, best of all, degrading. At last, what with a round of
blasphemy, and the whole crowd with clay pistols belching smoke and fire
and slander of their neighbours, and the floor already befouled with
dregs and spittle, I feared lest viler deeds should happen, and craved to
depart.
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