I Heard one make a pretty Observation,
How games have in the Court turn’d with the fashion
The first game was the best, when free from crime,
The Courtly gamesters all were in their Prime;
The second game was Post, untill with posting
They paid so fast, ’twas time to leave their bosting.
Then thirdly follow’d heaving of the Maw,
A game without Civility or Law,
An odious play, and yet in Court oft seene,
A saucy knave to trump both King and Queene.
Then follow’d Lodam, hand to hand or quarter,
At which some maids so ill did keepe the quarter,
That unexpected, in a short abode
They could not cleanly beare away their lode.
Now Nody follwd next, as well it might,
Although it should have gone before of right.
At which I saw, I name not any body,
One never had the knave, yet laid for Nody.
The last game now in use is Bankerout,
Which will be plaid at still, I stand in doubt,
Untill Lavolta turne the wheele of time,
And make it come about againe to Prime.
