Chapter II: Part 2

Peace, sirs, peace.
The Queen bade us be merry.
I ask your pardon if I spoke amiss,
I marvel that a sleeve, a mere red sleeve----

GAWAINE, BEDIVERE, BORS, KAY

Mordred!

GUENEVERE (_rising in wrath_)

Unmannerly dastard!

(_Pause and a low laugh from_ AGRAVAINE.)

Nay, forgive me, sirs;
I am not all recovered from my sickness:
Pardon me if I leave you; stir not. Come.

[_Exit with ladies._

GAWAINE (_after a pause, to_ MORDRED)

What devil pricked your tongue to speak of that?

MORDRED

Why should I not?...
Were it not injury to think such thoughts
I would say----

GAWAINE

To your meaning, and be done.

MORDRED (_slowly_)

I would say Gawaine hints of some dishonour,
Some secret that must not be told abroad.
Would Gawaine say the Queen
Is jealous because Launcelot----

GAWAINE

Slanderer!

MORDRED

It was not I that hinted.

LAVAINE

The red sleeve,
I tell you again, Sir Mordred, was my sister’s.
For Elaine’s sake and in mere courtesy
Sir Launcelot wore it.

MORDRED

Needs the Queen these defenders?

COLEGREVANCE

What fool boy’s talk is this? A paramour
The more, say I.

AGRAVAINE

False to one, false to all.

LAVAINE

Liar!

AGRAVAINE

I will have blood for that.

COLEGREVANCE

And I.

BEDIVERE

For shame! Be silent. Here in the King’s hall!

AGRAVAINE

Off, masks! We have slobbered phrases long enough.
The Queen confessed, you know it by her eye
And cheek of flame that spoke clear as a trumpet
“Launcelot is mine! None else shall have his love
While I have breath and can deceive the King.”
Shall the King be deceived?

BORS

Drag him away!

AGRAVAINE

To the King!

COLEGREVANCE, MADOR, PATRICE

To the King!

BEDIVERE, LUCAN, KAY, BORS

To the King? No.

GAWAINE

Silence! To the King? And shame
The very floor we stand on? To the King,
And with what pitiable pretext? Why,
But that the wine is flown into your brains,
What colour is in this tale? The morning air
Will blow it into nothing.

AGRAVAINE

That we’ll see.

BEDIVERE

Mordred, you vowed devotion to the Queen.

MORDRED

I have said naught against her.

BORS

Hypocrite!

AGRAVAINE

Do you dare insult my brother?

LUCAN

Are Britain’s peers
Grown tavern brawlers?

KAY

Launcelot shall hear you
And prove upon your bodies that you lie.

AGRAVAINE

The truth is out, and Launcelot shall die
For all his champions.

PATRICE

Come we to the King.

BEDIVERE

Are knightly vows then turned to drunkards’ oaths?

KAY

Is loyalty in the gutter?

GAWAINE

Shame on all
If one word come to the King’s ear of this.

BEDIVERE

And with this hubbub we affront the Queen
Most shamefully. Remove we all, at once.

(_The knights pass out in great turmoil_, MORDRED
_lingering last_.)

MORDRED

I have pulled the sluice. Now let the torrent stream.

[_Exit._

GUENEVERE _enters with one of her women_.

GUENEVERE

Sir Launcelot, have you found him?

WOMAN

He is here.

(GUENEVERE _dismisses the woman with a gesture_. LAUNCELOT
_enters, grave and preoccupied_.)

LAUNCELOT

My Queen!

GUENEVERE

Perjurer! The truth leaps to light at last!
Ah God, Launcelot, that I trusted you,
Loved you with such a love, such a mad love,
So weak! But now my heart turns into hate
And all my blood into one river of scorn.
Oh, that I were the lightning and could strike
To the false heart of you; there, there,
Behind the lips that vowed me endless love
To the false heart that laughed those vows away,
False as the sea, cruel and false with smiles
And sighs and perjured protestation.

LAUNCELOT

Queen!

GUENEVERE

Who fills your secret bosom, fires your thought?
Who speeds her champion’s onset in the lists?
Not I, but she whose dear red sleeve you wore.

LAUNCELOT

Guenevere, hear me!

GUENEVERE

A milky-hearted maid,
A tender maid, the maid of Astolat,
She for whose sake you did what never yet
You did for any woman. And you came
Fresh from her clasp, and her cold kiss, to me!
Get to her, haste to her.
Run to that adoration of meek eyes----

LAUNCELOT

Guenevere, Guenevere! you are much deceived.

GUENEVERE

Deceived indeed! Ah, did you ever love?
Is all that sweetness, ah God, all that seemed
So sweet, it tortures me to think of it,
Ashes and dust? Horrible! Now I know
Why you came sainted and exalted back--
Loyalty and compunction on your lips,
But in your heart a love you dared not own.
It is this girl that’s changed you. Go to her!

LAUNCELOT

I am not changed, my Queen. It is you change.

GUENEVERE

I?

LAUNCELOT

Has some devil entered into you
That you rave slander?
Speak not, for you shall hear me. You have wronged
One that you know not, and me too you wrong
That never loved any but you, have spent
Blood for you, fought for you, have many times
Been in death’s peril for you, and would to God,
If so I am requited, would to God
That I had never loved.

GUENEVERE

Ah, you have said it.

LAUNCELOT

I love her not, you know it.

GUENEVERE

Yet you wore
Her sleeve, her favour.

LAUNCELOT

What I did, I did
For pity, and for the shielding of your name.
I would not wear your favour for that cause.

GUENEVERE

And yet you never did so much for love.

LAUNCELOT

She had won me back from death. How otherwise
Could I requite her, since I could not love?
So earnestly she asked me for that boon.

GUENEVERE

It was a token to the world you loved her.
You had no thought of me, never a thought.

LAUNCELOT

Rack me no more! Day and night, night and day,
The image of your eyes and voice and hair
Burns me; you are twisted in my heart strings, I have sought
To cut love from my bosom, but I cannot,
I cannot; and because it saps, divides,
Undoes this realm, and wrongs the King I love--
Never can I enough repent that wrong----

GUENEVERE

Ah, false and faithless, you will go to her.

(_At the height of this scene, suddenly from the right a
barge appears with the body of_ ELAINE _upon it. It is
steered by a very old dumb servant. It glides very slowly
to the steps which lead down to the river._ LAUNCELOT
_alone sees it first_.)

GUENEVERE

What comes into your eyes and sends you pale?

LAUNCELOT

Is it a vision?

GUENEVERE (_to the steersman_)

Whom do you bring, cold on her bier, so strangely?
(_To_ LAUNCELOT) Why does he speak no word?

LAUNCELOT

What need of words?

GUENEVERE

Is it she?

LAUNCELOT

Yes.

GUENEVERE

What have you done to her?

LAUNCELOT

Speak! Can you answer nothing?

(_The steersman signs that he is deaf and dumb_)

He is dumb.

(_The steersman points to the letter_)

GUENEVERE

There is a folded paper in her hand.

(LAUNCELOT _steps into the barge, and unties the letter and
reads it_.)

LAUNCELOT

“Most noble Launcelot, I was your lover, though
you would not love me. You could not love me,
and therefore I can endure no longer. I was
called the Fair Maid of Astolat, and yet I was not
loved. So I make my lament to all fair ladies,
and to the Queen Guenevere. Sir Launcelot,
since you would not come to me, now come I to
you. Bury this my body that is dead for love of
you. This is the last thing that I ask of you
who would not love me. And, Sir Launcelot, as
you are a knight peerless, pray for my soul.”

ARTHUR _appears, entering slowly_

ARTHUR

What wonder’s here?

LAUNCELOT

The wonder of a death;
The wonder and the beauty and the sorrow.

ARTHUR

Who is this maid?

LAUNCELOT

One that loved overmuch;
It is Elaine.

ARTHUR

The maid of Astolat
That healed your wound? How comes she dead?

LAUNCELOT

Read here.

(ARTHUR _reads the letter to himself_.)

GUENEVERE (_Gliding away with bowed head_)

Pardon, pardon, pardon!

ARTHUR

Is love so terrible? I did not know.
I would that you had married her.

LAUNCELOT

I could not.

ARTHUR

Why, Launcelot?

LAUNCELOT

I could not,
Love cannot be constrained. Love must be free.
Where love is bound, it breaks free.

ARTHUR

It breaks free
Where it is bound. Bound, and breaks free! Think you
That other women can love like to this?

LAUNCELOT

Doubt it not.

ARTHUR

Even to death?

LAUNCELOT

Even to death.

(_A pause, each thinking his own thoughts._)

ARTHUR

It is as if a flame had leapt from her
And stung me in the brain.
Lives such a world of fire in Guenevere
And I have never known it?
She is smiling, yet she suffered even to death.
Heart of a woman! Is a realm so strong,
Armies, or battlements? Is faith? Is justice?

LAUNCELOT

I pray you let me go apart awhile
For I am charged with a burial.

ARTHUR (_with a change of tone_)

Be it so,
There’s something hidden from me. Why that clamour
And then the silence when I came among them?
(_Going away, he turns_) Launcelot, I have trusted you.

LAUNCELOT

My King,
Trust me still.

[ARTHUR _goes out_.

There’s no end now but exile, I must hence,
Back with to-morrow’s dawn to my own land,
To Brittany. (_He motions to the steersman, and
steps into the barge._)
Steer down the stream, and I
Will bring you to that place
Where this must leave the light.
Have mercy, Jesu, on that wounded heart!
Give me a soul so constant, flight so straight!
Some angel of compassion bear her now
Where innocence may haven, far from me!
Steer on!

(_The barge passes down stream._)

FIFTH SCENE

_The_ QUEEN’S _tower. Night. At the back a bolted door. At one side a prie-dieu, with a footstool before it. A single lamp burning on a tripod._ GUENEVERE _stands by a window, holding the curtain and peering out_.

GUENEVERE

It has not moved.... It’s nothing; fancy’s fever,
That shapes the shadows into forms of fear!
And yet there is a shadow among those shadows,
And I could swear that shadow had human eyes,
Watching. It stirs not. Is it a tree-stem
Gives body to the dark? No tree was there.

(_She drops the curtain._)

Can someone have found out the secret way
And even now be spying on Launcelot?
Pray Heaven he comes not! Why is the air so still
With such a mortal stillness?
There’s the owl again, crying, and there again!
As if it knew the secret of the night
And called me warning notes. Was that a step?
I am all imagination and sick scares;
And that dead face returns, ever returns--
Elaine’s face, smiling cold upon her bier.
She burnt her very heart out. Yet her face
Had peace on it, and joy! Dead! Did she love
Better than I?

(_She looks out again._)

It has not moved. It must be fear’s invention.

(_She throws herself before the Virgin’s image._)

Mother of God, Mother.... She is dead;
And yet she triumphs and she humbles me.
I _will_ pray. O thou seven-times wounded one,
Because thou didst so suffer, look on me;
Look in my heart, thou hadst a bleeding heart;
Thou knowest how I sinned, but how I suffer....
I cannot pray. I only see that face
Dead, with the joy on it. I want, I want----

LAUNCELOT _enters with a cloak wrapped about his head_

Who is it?

LAUNCELOT (_showing his face_)

I. I came the secret way.
I come from burying the dead. Elaine
Is laid in earth. She sleeps. I have no sleep.

GUENEVERE

Hush!

(_She goes to the window_)

It is gone!

LAUNCELOT

What is it?

GUENEVERE

A dark shape,
That stood within the shadow of the wall
This hour past.

LAUNCELOT

I saw nothing.

GUENEVERE

If it be
Mordred, or Mordred’s spy? Launcelot, go
Now, or we are both lost.

LAUNCELOT

What’s Mordred’s hate but a nettle on a dunghill?
What is it to me, that go from you for ever?
Look on me, Guenevere, for the last time.
The hard hour’s here, the bitter moment’s come;
To-morrow I hoist for Brittany.

GUENEVERE

Not yet!
Oh no, not yet!

LAUNCELOT (_embracing her_)

Once, once again, and then never again!

GUENEVERE

Never? Never?

(_She half swoons in his arms._)

LAUNCELOT

O Queen, Queen of the World! Endure! Dear God,
Have pity on her Thou madest beautiful
With such a beauty as those burning stars
In the waste heavens.

GUENEVERE

Launcelot!

LAUNCELOT

Guenevere!
Oh for a stream in a wood beneath the stars!
A stream to bathe our souls in, Guenevere!
I wish I had a giant’s strength to break
This walling world down, hurl it stone from stone,
Break from this dungeon into burning life,
Free--lost, but free!

GUENEVERE (_pushing him from her_)

Go now, or I shall keep you
For ever in my arms.

(_As they gaze silent on one another, voices are heard
without. A knocking at the door; then the voice of_
AGRAVAINE _calling aloud_.)

AGRAVAINE

Launcelot! Traitor knight!

GUENEVERE

What voice is that?

VOICES

Traitor! Come forth!

GUENEVERE

What insolent clamour at my very door!
I am a Queen, and daughter of a Queen.

(_A laugh and voices._)

AGRAVAINE

Traitor, come forth to us.

LAUNCELOT

It’s Agravaine!

AGRAVAINE

You are taken!

OTHER VOICES

Taken, traitor; taken at last!

AGRAVAINE

Come you out, Launcelot; there is no escape.

GUENEVERE

Ah, Launcelot, they are come to murder you!

VOICES

Come out! Come out!

LAUNCELOT

Unclasp your hands; I am a man again!
The secret way! Farewell, my Queen!

GUENEVERE (_stopping him_)

Wait.
That shape I saw in the shadow! If they have set
A watch below? Stay an instant. Let me look.

(_She looks out, and her appearance is met with a hoarse
and mocking laugh from below._)

LAUNCELOT

Trapped!
Is there no armour, not a coat of mail?
Nothing?

GUENEVERE

Alas, nothing.

VOICES

Out, come out!

LAUNCELOT

Not a sword even?

GUENEVERE

Alas, not even a sword.

LAUNCELOT

I would to God I had my armour on me.

(MORDRED _laughs_.)

Mordred’s laugh. It is he that has done this.

MORDRED

In the King’s name, we come to avenge the King
And the King’s honour.

VOICES

Recreant knight, come out.

LAUNCELOT

God strike them!
Such shameful crying at your very doors!
Better death straight.

GUENEVERE

Let them kill me, so that they let you go.

LAUNCELOT

Heaven defend me from such shame as that.
No, I’ll sell life as dearly as I may,
But I would sooner have my armour on me
And a sword within my hand than all the crowns
Of Christendom. Then, then would I have done
Some deeds that men might tell of.

(MORDRED _and his men have brought a bench and begin to
batter at the door_.)

GUENEVERE

They will break in the door.

COLEGREVANCE

Come out to us,
And let us kill you.

LAUNCELOT

That was the voice
Of Colegrevance. He has the wits of an ox.
Be still. Muffle the light. I have a thought.
If I am slain, my Queen, pray for my soul.

GUENEVERE (_muffles the lamp_)

You will not open to these hounds of blood?

LAUNCELOT

Be still.

(_He opens the door a little._ COLEGREVANCE _comes in, and_
LAUNCELOT _shuts the door and bolts it in an instant_.)

COLEGREVANCE

There is no light.

(LAUNCELOT _with a great buffet stuns_ COLEGREVANCE. _He
draws_ COLEGREVANCE’S _sword and thrusts it into his
throat_.)

LAUNCELOT (_to_ GUENEVERE)

The lamp.

(GUENEVERE _uncovers the lamp_.)

Now help me. Quick! Help me to arm.

(_He tears off_ COLEGREVANCE’S _coat of mail and puts it
on_.)

Why, what a girth is here. Yet it shall serve.

AGRAVAINE

Colegrevance! Colegrevance!

LAUNCELOT

Now I can defy them.

AGRAVAINE

Vengeance! We’ll break the door, and drag you out.
False fighter! You are caught, for all your wiles.

LAUNCELOT

Listen! Cease your slanderous clamour! Listen!
Go from this door, each of you get you home.
To-morrow come you all before the King.
There I will meet you and there answer you.
That’s my last word.

AGRAVAINE

Say your prayers now, and we will cry Amen
Before we kill you.

LAUNCELOT

Is that your answer? Then
Look to yourselves!

(_He sets open the door suddenly, sword in hand._
AGRAVAINE, MADOR, PATRICE, _and_ MORDRED _enter. There is a
rush and furious combat._ AGRAVAINE _falls mortally wounded
within the room_.)

VOICES

Have at him!

LAUNCELOT

Mouths of shame!

GUENEVERE

Ah, Jesu, help!

AGRAVAINE

I am dead. Mordred, Mordred!

PATRICE (_falling_)

It is the fiend.

LAUNCELOT

To the black heart of you!

(MORDRED _falls wounded, but rises and escapes_.)

MADOR

Help, Mordred, help!
The fiend is in him. He has seven swords.

(MADOR _falls_.)

LAUNCELOT

Bring me the lamp.

(GUENEVERE _brings lamp_.)

Ah, never more to insult you now, my Queen.

(_He turns over the body of_ AGRAVAINE.)

It is Agravaine, not Mordred!

(_He holds the lamp over the other bodies._)

Patrice! and Mador! Mordred’s fled, the coward!
Why did I not make sure? Fled!

GUENEVERE

Save yourself!
Launcelot, from this hour all’s war and ruin.
I forsee it, I that made it. It has come,
Doom! Doom!

LAUNCELOT

I’ll to the King.

GUENEVERE

Your enemy!

LAUNCELOT

Arthur, my enemy?

GUENEVERE

From this night forth. Away! Gather your friends.
Mordred is working while you linger. Ride.
Ride without rein to your castle in the North,
To Joyous Gard.

LAUNCELOT

To fight against my King?
I cannot.

GUENEVERE

Will you then be taken? Mordred
Will be before you with the King. Hasten!
Arm; gather every sword that’s on your side.

LAUNCELOT

I cannot fight against my King.

GUENEVERE

Then fly!

LAUNCELOT

Fly and desert my Queen? Fly in her hour
Of utmost peril?...
Ah, Guenevere, what’s done nothing revokes,
Neither repentance, nor new deeds, nor tears.
See, we had parted: the great joy we had
Was over; all was anguish and farewell.
And now, and now, when we had torn asunder,
We are driven together, and we cannot part.

GUENEVERE

But part we must.
This blood all cries against us. Save yourself,
I have wrought you wrong enough.

LAUNCELOT

I’ll to the King.
He trusted me; and I must tell him all.
I am more to him than many Mordreds.

GUENEVERE

Blind!
But if it must be, go this very night,
Now! Dawn will soon be upon us.

LAUNCELOT

Call your women,
And lock yourselves within some inner room,
That no harm come, till I have seen the King.
I’ll rouse my friends that should have sailed with me
For Brittany to-morrow. With my friends
I’ll go to Arthur.
Guenevere, if a hair upon your head
Be threatened, I’ll not suffer it.

GUENEVERE

Away!

SIXTH SCENE

_The King’s Tower. The same night. Sentinels discovered who move off at a motion from the King._

ARTHUR _pacing up and down_.

(_Enter_ GAWAINE.)

GAWAINE

Does not the King sleep?

ARTHUR

Gawaine, there are things
Will not be put to sleep: thoughts in the blood....

GAWAINE

You called me. Midnight’s past. It is near dawn.

ARTHUR

There’s something secret round me.

GAWAINE

Not in me,
That with my life would guard you.

ARTHUR

Guard? From what?
What, Gawaine? Why, too, when I came among you--
Bedivere, Mordred, all of you--I heard
Hot cries of quarrel called and answered back--
Why was there silence? When I questioned, none
Found voice.

GAWAINE

They were ashamed.

ARTHUR

Were you ashamed,
Gawaine?

GAWAINE

Not I.

ARTHUR

And yet you answered not.

GAWAINE

My King, you know that Mordred and his friends
Are glib in slander.

ARTHUR

Slander of whom? The truth!

GAWAINE

They hate and envy Launcelot. To-morrow
Let them face Launcelot. You shall hear them then.

ARTHUR

This was no cause they should not speak to-night.
How fell this quarrel out? At my Queen’s feast!
Her guests! and Launcelot absent.

GAWAINE

I forget.

ARTHUR

Remember. It was insult to my Queen.
How could you suffer it?

GAWAINE

I did not, sir.
Nor any of your friends.

ARTHUR

And she, and she?
Said they aught of her, of Guenevere?

GAWAINE

Ah, King,
My blood’s all rage. Pardon my silence now.

ARTHUR

They spoke of her! They have talked of her abroad!
My royal Guenevere! I did not know.
I have been housed in my own roof of cares.
I have been strange to her, that needed me.
Where’s Launcelot?

GAWAINE

He took the young Lavaine,
And they together have buried that fair maid
Who died for Launcelot’s love. He’ll be abed
Ere this.

ARTHUR

Ah!

GAWAINE

Surely.

ARTHUR

Launcelot fled me. Why?

GAWAINE

Think not of Launcelot ill. Who sought your good,
Who fought for you, who toiled, who suffered, who
Gave of his marrow and heart’s faith for you?
Launcelot! Has Mordred? Not a jot. If ever
There is dissension, rancour, envy, strife,
Seek Mordred: you will find him under it
Like a snake. Mordred loves you not.

ARTHUR

I know it,
And therefore must be just, more strictly just
Where I love least.

GAWAINE

Believe me, Launcelot loves you.

ARTHUR

Do I not know it? Ah,
What curse of a sharp sight is come to me?
This very love: why was that pain in it?
Why was the torment in that loyal voice?

GAWAINE

I would I had smitten Mordred to the earth
And silenced him for ever.

ARTHUR

Woman’s love!
It is a fire that eats upon the heart.
It is past comprehension; it exceeds
And feeds upon excess.
Duty, duty can be taught and learned;
But this love, it is out of all our laws
And all our wisdom; none can measure it....
If it be true--ah, Christ, if it be true!

GAWAINE

Doubt not that it is false.

ARTHUR

Heaven knows my heart
Has nothing willing in it: slow and heavy
Moves my thought thither where the fear is, slow
And heavy as sea-tides against the wind.
Yet little things hurt in the memory,
Like a mote pricking in the eyelid: words
That may be fondest innocence, and may not.
A look, a flying colour in the cheek,
Soft hand-takings and silence of farewells;
These may be friendship’s language, but if not,
Friendship is foul.

GAWAINE

These are the fears of the dead night that tempt
Reason against our own heart’s truth. Now, sleep.

ARTHUR

I put them from my mind, and then again
They creep back, like a stain across the floor.

GAWAINE

Launcelot’s true, my life on it. Shake this off
Like a foul nightmare that the witches send.

ARTHUR

What days were those when we were young together,
The morning of the world! Gawaine, you know
How many a time Launcelot took on his shield
A blow that might have emptied me of life;
At Solway, Celidon, at Badon Hill....
Why should his hand have saved me, why, if....

GAWAINE

Ah,
Launcelot is the truest knight on earth.

ARTHUR

And yet he fled from me; fled from himself,
If this my hand should suddenly take will,
Against my own, to strike at one I loved,
It would not more affront my reason. Oh,
Gawaine, I love this man.

GAWAINE

As he loves you.

ARTHUR

But woman, woman! I am mad to have these thoughts.
If it be true, Gawaine, if it be true!

GAWAINE

It’s false; Mordred shall own it.

ARTHUR

Ay, the proof.
Proof, and if no proof, banishment: nay, death.
To-morrow this shall all be cleared. To-morrow!
Get to bed.

(GAWAINE _is going, when a loud knock is heard without,
and_ MORDRED’S _voice, “The King!” The guard opens the
door._)

GUARD

My lord, it is Sir Mordred.

ARTHUR

Let him in.

MORDRED _appears, all bloody_.

GAWAINE

Mordred! And there is blood upon his hands.

MORDRED

Justice, O King, on a murderer and traitor.

GAWAINE

What have you done? What villainy?

ARTHUR

Peace, Gawaine.
Now, speak.

MORDRED

I grieve to tell what I must tell,
But truth is worth its wound, Launcelot, your friend,
The man whom you have trusted, whom you hold
Dear as your life and honour, he it is
I must accuse.

ARTHUR

To the accusation. Speak!
And yet beware! Speak not without the proof!

MORDRED

I have the proof.

GAWAINE

Is that his blood upon you?

ARTHUR

Where is Launcelot?

MORDRED

Launcelot is ... where we found him,
With the Queen, in her own chamber. Pardon me
That loyalty must speak of shame so gross.

ARTHUR

You have slain him, Mordred?

MORDRED

Nay, he has lived to heap
A second guilt upon his head. Murder!
This is my own blood, where he wounded me,
And Agravaine is dead, and Colegrevance,
Patrice, and Mador. On the Queen’s threshold
Launcelot slew them, thinking that one stroke
Should silence all that caught him in his guilt.
I cry upon your justice!

ARTHUR

Launcelot lives?

MORDRED

Being taken, he set upon us like the fiend.
The darkness, and his trickery, aided him.

GAWAINE

One against five, and you all armed like men
That go to battle!

ARTHUR

A marvel is this Launcelot,
A marvellous proud fighter! There is none
In Christendom or heathendom, I swear
To match him. So he lives?

MORDRED

He has escaped:
But now I cry your justice; banishment
For Launcelot, the traitor!

ARTHUR

There shall be justice done. Look to your wound.
To-morrow I will have the proof of all,
Mordred--full proof, or on your own head be it.

MORDRED

You shall have proof, my King. Peace be to you.

[MORDRED _goes out_.

ARTHUR

Arm you now, Gawaine, arm! Arrest the Queen.
Seek Launcelot out, and take him.

GAWAINE

Never, sir.
That will I never do. If I did this,
It would be said Gawaine abetted what
To him is shame and an unreason both.
It may be Mordred lured him to the Queen
With some feigned message.

ARTHUR

He was found with her.
Why came he not to speak in his own cause?

GAWAINE

I am not of your counsel.

ARTHUR

Then call me Gaheris and Gareth here,
Your brothers. They shall do this.

GAWAINE

Ah, my lord,
They will be as loth as I, but they are young
And cannot say you nay. Yet I beseech you----

ARTHUR

Fetch them. They lodge with you.

GAWAINE

If it must be.

ARTHUR

It must.

(GAWAINE _goes out_. ARTHUR _pulls back the curtains at the
window_.)

Dawn. Is it dawn so soon?
The birds sang soft so when I wooed her, soft
And thrilling with low pipe. Smell of the grass,
Dew, and her face, wonderful, coming towards me....
Ah, God, that it were night again, the night,
The dark, where I knew nothing, where I loved
And trusted, where I had a wife, a friend.

(_He falls on his knees._)

Saviour of men, dear Christ, though my flesh bleed,
Lift me to see, distinguish, and be just.
The King must needs be just. Let me not fail,
Now when thou seest me humbled. I have lost her.
Have mercy upon us both. (_He rises._)
I am the King,
And therefore justice. If I fail, that fails
Which is of costlier essence than a King,
Which salts corruption. (_Goes towards table._)

GARETH _and_ GAHERIS _enter, and stand by the door_. ARTHUR _turns_.

Gareth and Gaheris, enter!
Fear not; come hither.

GARETH

We fear, my liege, what errand
This midnight summons, hailing us from sleep,
May mean.

ARTHUR (_signing and giving them a warrant_)

Fear not; go, seek Queen Guenevere,
And take her into ward, as one that must
Be judged. Then find Sir Launcelot, and take
Him too. Be armed. Have force with you. Go quickly.

GARETH

The King commands, and we must do his will.

GAHERIS

Yet it is sore against our own will, sir.

GARETH

And therefore we will take a guard of force,
But for ourselves, we pray you pardon us,
But we will not be armed, for we but do
The King’s commandment.

_Re-enter_ GAWAINE.

GAHERIS

Which ourselves would not.

ARTHUR

Are you all so stubborn? Get you gone, then; do
What I command; be it done instantly.

[GARETH _and his brother retire_.

GAWAINE

This is ill done, and no good comes of it.

ARTHUR

That which I do my will does; I am borne
Onward, and cannot stay. The graves are dug
For all mortality; our woes have been
Wept for from the beginning of the world.
I feel the creeping of the rust that dims.
Excalibur, and those lamenting Queens
That come to take me draw like shadows near
Upon the shores of time.

GAWAINE

This is ill done, and no good comes of it.

ARTHUR

What comes has come already.

BORS, LAVAINE, _and other friends of_ LAUNCELOT, _appear with drawn swords in the doorway_.

Are you ghosts?
That visit me, so haggard, pale and silent?
Your swords are bare and in your eyes are looks
Of fear. This dim light has a ghastness in it
Making the vision of you strange.

BORS

Sire, pardon!
But some of us had terrors in our dreams
And leapt awake in sweat, and snatched our swords.
It was as if a cry rang in our ears.
We thought some danger happened to Launcelot;
And lo, we cannot find him.

GAWAINE

Launcelot!

BORS

Where is he! Tell us!

ARTHUR

Ask of the King’s foes.
Launcelot is a traitor.

BORS

Woe is me
The King should say it. Launcelot loves him more
Than all his friends.

ARTHUR

Choose: choose between your King
And Launcelot.

BORS

What miserable cloud
Is fallen about us, or what evil dream!
Gawaine!

GAWAINE (_shrugging his shoulders_)

All idle! Waves upon a rock.

ARTHUR

Choose: if your will be on the King’s side, stay:
But if on Launcelot’s, turn your faces from me.
It shall be battle when we meet again.

[BORS _and his friends look at each other, then silently
turn and go out_.

ARTHUR

So breaks my kingdom. It is gashed in two.
Oh, Gawaine! Gawaine! (_He falls upon_ GAWAINE’S _neck_.)

(A MAN-AT-ARMS _is heard without crying: “The King! Where
is the King?”_)

GAWAINE

Terror’s in that cry!

_The_ MAN _stumbles in breathless_.

MAN (_falling on his knee_)

Pardon me, King!

GAWAINE

My heart forebodes an evil.

MAN

I am come breathless.

ARTHUR

Speak!

GAWAINE

All news is ill.

ARTHUR

Tell all.

MAN

I am afraid.

ARTHUR

Your King commands.

MAN

The Queen.... Sir Launcelot.

ARTHUR

Taken?

MAN

They are fled.
Sir Launcelot has carried off the Queen.

ARTHUR (_starting up_)

Do you live and tell it to me?

MAN

Patience, my lord,
And I will tell you all. The dawn was breaking.
The guard had just relieved us. It was then
Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris summoned me
On the King’s business. I knew not what it was.
We went with them. They had no arms. We went;
We came to the Queen’s door, and it was open.
The Queen stood there, like one that waited us.
There was a lamp burning above her head;
Oh, very pale she seemed and very calm.
“Do you come at my lord’s bidding?” so she asked.
And then Sir Gareth bowed his head. He spoke
No word, nor did Sir Gaheris; not a word.
And we were awed by her, she was so calm.

ARTHUR

So calm! And after?

MAN

I am telling all.
The Queen said “I am ready,” and so she passed
Between Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris,
And we about them followed. It was dark
In the shadow by the walls. There was a mist,
A summer mist. The dawn was far above.

ARTHUR

And then?

MAN

We were all sorrowful at heart,
Knowing not----

ARTHUR

To the issue!

MAN

Some one cried
“Look where the Queen is taken to her death!”
Men had thronged up, and women; the cry passed
From lip to lip, “She is taken to her death.”
And sudden like a lion burst on us
Sir Launcelot.

ARTHUR

Ah!

MAN

I know not whence he came,
Out of the mist; his sword flashed in his hand,
But not so terrible as his eyes. They flamed,
You would have thought that when he saw the Queen
His very reason rushed right out of him.

GAWAINE

Ah, God defend my brothers!

MAN

He was mad,
Blood-mad he seemed; he knew not what he did,
He struck so sudden.

GAWAINE

My brothers!

MAN

Right and left
His sword was like a score of blades flashing.
I swear no man could have prevailed against him.
’Twas quicker than a hawk upon a hare.
Myself was thrown down. He had caught the Queen,
And borne her off--men say, to Joyous Gard.

ARTHUR

War! It is war!

GAWAINE

My brothers? Where are they?
Speak, wretch.

MAN

I know not.

GAWAINE

Speak.

MAN

Oh, my good lord,
Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris are dead.

GAWAINE (_utters a great cry_)

Launcelot slew them?

MAN

He knew not what he did.

GAWAINE

They had no arms!

ARTHUR

Woe is me!

GAWAINE

Launcelot!
He saw them and he slew them!

ARTHUR

Woe is me!
I let them go. Ah, Gawaine!

GAWAINE

Blood for blood!
I will believe all evil of him now,
I am with you now, my King, and he shall die.
My brothers! (_Sinking down._)

_A_ MESSENGER _enters hurriedly_.

MESSENGER

My lord, the King!

ARTHUR

What, more? Worse cannot be.

MESSENGER

Sir Mordred!

ARTHUR

Speak!

MESSENGER

He is fled.

ARTHUR

He, too! How fled?

GAWAINE

Who recks of Mordred! Drop him down the wind
To his own hell. But Launcelot that I loved
Has slain my brothers. Death to Launcelot!

ARTHUR

Sir Mordred?

MESSENGER

He has flown and taken all
His following with him; armed; an army!

ARTHUR

So,
He has shot his shaft and left it in the wound.

MESSENGER

My lord, the word goes openly about
Sir Mordred’s leagued with rebels in the West.
They have summoned him to head them, and revolt
Against your crown and kingdom.

ARTHUR

Gawaine, hear!

GAWAINE

I hear. But it’s from Launcelot I’ll have
Most bitter satisfaction.

ARTHUR

Northward now!
Summon my knights about me in the hall.

[_Exit_ MESSENGER.

Send a strong force on Mordred’s heels to hold
The traitor back. Ourselves will swiftly ride
To take the Queen from Launcelot. Day is come,
And friends are friends and foes are foes at last.

[_Exeunt._

SEVENTH SCENE

_The_ KING’S _Camp before Joyous Gard. Stormy weather. Black skies against which the earth shows up white and livid. The towers of the Castle appear above rising ground._

BEDIVERE

Black skies!

LUCAN

God’s anger.

BEDIVERE

How shall this end? Saw you the King?

LUCAN

But now he passed into his tent, slowly, with head dejected. His heart is weary of this war.

BEDIVERE

Sick and sated. The heavy clouds seem to fall on us. One would say that all the tempests of the world had gathered in that storm, which soon will break about us.

LUCAN

There’s something monstrous in the season, a curse and an infection. Storm after storm! The corn rots unripened, there’s mildew in the orchards.

BEDIVERE

And here, unnatural strife. Arthur and the brother of his heart.

LUCAN

And the Queen betwixt them, like some baleful star.

BEDIVERE

And Gawaine mad with hate.

LUCAN

How long is it since we have besieged this Joyous Gard of Launcelot’s?

BEDIVERE

I cannot count the days.

LUCAN

This quarrel fills all Christendom. Men say the noise of it goes over the seas even to Rome. Were it not for Gawaine, the King, I think, would make his peace, and Launcelot deliver up his Queen to him.

BEDIVERE

Not while the King is fixed to bring the Queen to judgment. To that Launcelot will never yield. So stands our wrestle in a deadlock; meanwhile this dear realm splits in two.

LUCAN

And Mordred!

BEDIVERE

The wedge that drives into the crack.

LUCAN

I fear Mordred most. The rebel tribes gather to him in the West, while we waste ourselves before Joyous Gard. We should have caught him before he could join and head them.

BEDIVERE

The King’s force holds him at bay yonder.

LUCAN

Yet men begin to cry that with the King all is profitless fighting, but with Mordred feasting and plunder.

BEDIVERE

Would God we were fighting him, not Launcelot.

GAWAINE _enters_.

GAWAINE

Where is the King?

BEDIVERE

He has passed into his tent. He rests.

GAWAINE

What, can remembrance sleep? The wrong that Launcelot has done is red before my eyes, day and night. Can he forget?

BEDIVERE

The King were a glad man, if he could forget. At the bottom of their hearts is a dear love one to the other.

GAWAINE

He shall not forget while I can sting remembrance.

BEDIVERE

Gawaine, if any man was your friend, it was Launcelot.

GAWAINE

The dearer friend, the dearer foe. It grows to madness in my brain, that ever I held that traitor in my heart.

BEDIVERE

However it be, right or wrong, we are sore grieved to be against him.

LUCAN

Sore and sorrowful, Gawaine.

GAWAINE

It is you that are against the King, then?

BEDIVERE

We?

LUCAN

Never.

GAWAINE

I say you are against him. It is you that blunt his justice, it is you that soften him with fond reluctances, like women looking backward. Who would be a man, and in the cause he has espoused not trample down such weakness?

BEDIVERE

Who would be a man and utterly forget the friendship of his friend?

GAWAINE

Forget! Forgotten! Never! And never forgiven! Had you but the flint in you that a just cause strikes her flame from, we should have overturned these proud towers long ago. But overturned they shall be. I’ll to the King, and rouse him.

[_Exit._

BEDIVERE

How like a frenzy is his hatred!

LUCAN

He is narrowed to one point, vengeance. Look, what’s yonder?

BEDIVERE

A damsel riding hither from Joyous Gard.

LUCAN

Upon a milk-white ass! Look, a gleam follows her from the stormy heaven. A happy omen!

BEDIVERE

She is in white; like a white dove; like peace. Go, Lucan, go to meet her. (LUCAN _advances. A distant trumpet sounds from_ LAUNCELOT’S _side_.) A trumpet sounds from Joyous Gard. Is it peace at last?

_The_ DAMSEL _enters_.

LUCAN

God be with you, maiden.

DAMSEL

Peace to you, fair lord.

LUCAN

Come you from Joyous Gard?

DAMSEL

I am Sir Launcelot’s herald. I go before him. He comes to parley with King Arthur.

LUCAN

I will tell the King.

[_Exit._

BEDIVERE

Would that the issue might be gracious as the forerunner. What sends Sir Launcelot? Is it peace? (_Trumpet sounds from the_ KING’S _side_.) Hark! The King comes!

_The_ KING’S _knights come on, arrayed as for battle.
Trumpets answer from_ LAUNCELOT’S _side_. GAWAINE _enters,
and then the_ KING.

ARTHUR

I hear the trumpet blow from Joyous Gard;
Is a lily come against us?

GAWAINE

What’s this mockery?
What brought this maiden hither?

DAMSEL

Oh, most noble,
Noble King Arthur, graciously hear me!
Your servant, Launcelot, comes from Joyous Gard
And prays to parley with his lord, the King.
You see in me what gentle thoughts are his----

ARTHUR

White and fair! What avails?

GAWAINE

A treacherous trick,
To clothe his blackness white, and let it speak
In virgin syllables of gentleness.

ARTHUR

Softly. How is it with the Queen?

DAMSEL

The Queen weeps.

GAWAINE

Send her to her lord again.

(_Trumpet._)

DAMSEL

Sir Launcelot is here.

[LAUNCELOT _and his knights appear. Exit_ DAMSEL.

GAWAINE

No parley, King,
Let us out swords and make an end at once.

ARTHUR

Such embassy must have its honour.

GAWAINE

Nay.

ARTHUR

This is the royal office;
Usurp not----

LAUNCELOT

May I speak, my lords?

ARTHUR

Speak on!

LAUNCELOT

Fair lords, and you my own King----

GAWAINE

Perjurer!

LAUNCELOT

I make no war on you, my King. Assure me
With confirmation of your kingly oath
That harm come not to her that is your Queen,
And I restore her straightway and depart.

ARTHUR

Do you enjoin your terms upon your King?

GAWAINE

False once, false always!

LAUNCELOT

To my King I speak.
Make me that promise.

ARTHUR

Justice asks her due.

LAUNCELOT

Never, my lord, shall the Queen stand this charge
On testimony of that traitor Mordred.

GAWAINE

Yourself’s the traitor! We will take your towers
And you shall cry his pardon on your knees.

LAUNCELOT

Knights, lords of Britain, you’ll not take my towers;
And if I choose to come forth on the field
Soon shall I make an end, and that you know.

ARTHUR

An end, an end! But God shall make the end.
Bring all your boast of knights into the field,
Set your array, and sound your trumpets; then
The desolate seashores shall have renown
And you dishonour!

LAUNCELOT

Ah, my lord Arthur, God defend that ever
I should lift arms against my only King!

ARTHUR

Give me your enmity! We are met in storm
And under angry heaven, but were these clouds
Of imminent tempest rolled away, and light
Before us endless on a path of peace,
Our quarrel stretches to the world’s end still
And sleeps but in the grave. You have done that
Which time can never undo, never amend
Or alter into kindness, nor can words
That use old fondness reach their lodge again
Within this heart. Strike, you shall find it iron.

LAUNCELOT

Say what you will, with you I cannot strive.

ARTHUR

Ah, Launcelot, you have done me wrong enough----

LAUNCELOT

And I repent it sorely. It is too true,
Many of your best have spilt Life in this quarrel.
Yet, that I did, I did but in defence
Of your own Queen.

ARTHUR

My Queen whom you have taken,
And by force held.

LAUNCELOT

From death and cruel shame
I hold her and will hold her.

GAWAINE

He has said it!
Why parley here?

ARTHUR

Back to your towers then! Go,
Ere we set on. There is no ending here,
And no amending save through judgment.

LAUNCELOT

First
Listen!
Remember, my lord Arthur, how I vowed
Long ago, how I vowed, you smiling on,
To be your Queen’s true servant all my days.
Remember how it pleased her, and you too,
To cherish and uphold me more than all
And any of your knights; past my desert
Indeed, and yet some love did I deserve,
Who ever fought for you and for your Queen
In many another quarrel than my own.
Remember----

ARTHUR

Speak no more. It’s now; not then.

LAUNCELOT

Yet one word more! Had Mordred and his crew
Not set their miserable snare for me
That night----

ARTHUR

That night?

LAUNCELOT

You had been rid of me,
Rid of this abjured, exiled Launcelot,
And in a realm at peace.

ARTHUR

What mystery speaks
In such a protestation, I know not.
Your deeds have deafened us to that.

LAUNCELOT

My King,
Even while those felons feasted on the death
They plotted for me, out of hate for you,
Even when their shameful cries were at the door,
I had already made my hard farewell
And everlasting absence from your Queen,
Because of ill tongues, and because I knew
Their worst plot was to part us, and to rend
This realm of yours in twain.

ARTHUR

What avails words?
You stole her.

LAUNCELOT

Saved her! Could I leave her then
A prey to those fanged foxes? To the wrath
They were so cunning with their stratagems
To fire in you? I had vowed to be your Queen’s
Unalterable knight and steadfast sword.
Could I forswear her in her hour of danger?

(ARTHUR, _moved, is silent_.)

Speak!

ARTHUR

Yield her up.

LAUNCELOT

And she shall be unharmed?

ARTHUR

Justice must stand, and she abide by that.

LAUNCELOT

On the accusation of a miscreant
Proved false as hell? Arraigned in such a cause?
Never!

ARTHUR

Your own guilt, Launcelot, stands clear.

GAWAINE

Enough of words. To arms!

LAUNCELOT

Ere that my words
Be scattered in this tempest, hear me out.
Think of her dead.
Think of that royal beauty in its grave!
Did Guenevere, your Queen, lie here before you
With the eyes that see not, with the ears that hear not,
Ignorant of a pardon come too late,
Past beyond all repentance, cold to all
Tears of your supplication, locked away
In silence answerless, would that content you?
Oh, take her sorrow to your grace, my King,
Take that most noble lady to your grace,
And be it peace between us.

ARTHUR

Peace? Alas!
The dear cords that have bound us are all frayed
And ragged on the sore.

GAWAINE

Insolent thief!
The King shall have his Queen, despite of you.

LAUNCELOT

Put me to proof, Gawaine, put me to proof!
Hazard your force upon me, and I swear
It shall be easier for your single hand
To storm a barricaded city, than
By force or threat to take the Queen from me,
Except I have the King’s oath.

GAWAINE (_drawing his sword_)

Now and here!
Now and here! Put it to the proof.

ARTHUR

Gawaine,
Put up your sword!

(_Lightning._)

GAWAINE

The heavens strike at him.

ARTHUR

Launcelot!

LAUNCELOT

Arthur!

GAWAINE

I have stemmed my wrath
Too long! I have my quarrel in this cause
And no fond word shall end it. Murderer!
My blood is on you, you are spotted with it,
The blood of my young brothers whom you slew.

(_Thunder._)

Cover your eyes! You cannot shield your soul
From my full vengeance.

LAUNCELOT

All my soul is grief
For what I did that day, and did not know it.
Sooner than Gareth I’d have slain myself.
I loved him.

GAWAINE

And you butchered both defenceless!
Red in their blood I see you, hair to heel.

LAUNCELOT

If the King will, I shall do penance for it.
I will build chantries over all the land
From Cabelot to Dover, and will go
A barefoot pilgrim, praying for the souls
Of Gareth and of Gaheris whom I loved.

GAWAINE

You lie; you did it of your evil will
And devilish delight.

LAVAINE

You shall not say it.
Sir Gawaine, I loved Gareth and I know
Sir Launcelot killed him in pure ignorance.

ARTHUR

Cease, Gawaine, cease!

(_Lightning._)

GAWAINE

I will not cease, until
That innocent dear blood be wiped away.

BORS

Shall we endure this more?

LAVAINE

Speak, Launcelot!

(_Thunder._)

GAWAINE

Liar and traitor!

(_He throws his glove in_ LAUNCELOT’S _face. Trumpets from_
LAUNCELOT’S _side_.)

BORS

Out swords!

LAVAINE

We are ashamed.

GAWAINE

Blow, trumpets, blow my vengeance.

(_Thunder._)

ARTHUR

It is fated!
War and no peace; in earth and heaven, war.

(_The storm breaks with blinding violence as the battle
begins._ LAUNCELOT’S _knights defend him from_ GAWAINE’S
_fury, giving ground R. Confused fighting in darkness.
Cries of “Launcelot!” “Joyous Gard!” “Arthur!” and
“Gawaine!” A flash of lightning discovers_ GAWAINE _hewing
his way through the fighters_.)

GAWAINE

Gash this accursed darkness, flame of heaven,
And find me him.

(_He is borne backwards L. by superior force._)

I’ll find him, spite of you.
Spite of all.

(_More thunder. Confusion and fighting as before._)

A VOICE

Help!

ANOTHER

Christ and Arthur!

ANOTHER

Better call the fiend
That rides this tempest!

(_Thunder again._)

ANOTHER VOICE

Never was such war
Since the angels fell.

ANOTHER

We are stricken out of heaven.

MANY VOICES

Gawaine! Gawaine!

OTHERS

Launcelot! Launcelot!

A VOICE

Death to you!

ANOTHER

Brother! I have killed my brother,
Woe!

A VOICE

The King! Where is the King?

VOICES

The King is slain!

ANOTHER

We are lost!

ANOTHER

A curse, the curse of God!

BORS (_in the distance_)

Fight on!
Fight on!

VOICES

Joyous Gard! Joyous Gard!

BORS

Press!

VOICES

Where is Gawaine?

BORS

Now pursue, pursue;
They have no captain.

VOICES (_retreating_)

Lost, we are all lost!

(_The storm mitigates a little, and in the dim light_ BORS
_and_ ARTHUR _are seen confronting each other alone, the
fight having swept off to the L._)

BORS (_calling_)

Launcelot!
(_To_ ARTHUR) Yield you. There is none to aid.

ARTHUR

But that my heart is weary unto death
And my soul sadder than despair----

BORS

The King!

_Enter_ LAUNCELOT.

Launcelot, Launcelot! Shall I make an end?
It is the King.

(_He lifts his sword._ ARTHUR _stands motionless, leaning
on his sword_.)

LAUNCELOT

On your life’s peril, hold,
O friend, against that sacred head!

BORS

Yet here
Should end all quarrels.

LAUNCELOT

Down that impious sword,
Or never breathe again.
My King! Is there a hurt?

ARTHUR

Not in my flesh.
It is of stone, and feels not any more.

(_A long-drawn note is sounded by a distant trumpet._)

LAUNCELOT

What strange note blows upon that trumpet?

BORS (_looking down the slope_)

See,
The fighting ceases, and the fighters all
Stand motionless.

LAUNCELOT

Go, Bors, and bring me word.

[_Exit_ BORS.

ARTHUR

Oh, Launcelot, would this war had never been!

(_Thunder retreating._)

Hark! how the heavens groan over us. Out of me,
Had I capacity for utterance, would
Like storm of woe from this dark bosom burst,
Filling the world.

LAUNCELOT

Oh, Arthur! Oh, my King,
Had we but met before, thus, face to face!
Arthur, you trusted me; and though I guard
Your Queen from death, I have not failed you since.
But now, since we are met as naked souls
Beneath dark heaven, I will confess me. I
Have done you wrong that nothing can undo,
Not though this thunder cracked the frame of things
And spilled the molten world. Since first my eyes
Saw Guenevere, I loved her.

ARTHUR

Launcelot!

LAUNCELOT

Oh!
With wrestlings and with torture, yet with such
Extreme necessity of love as bound me,
Blinded! Against that storm I was not strong;
I was a madman, rushing on a spear
In rapture. Take your Queen back to your heart,
Forgiven, but as for me--lift up your sword
And claim this forfeit soul.

(_A distant chanting is heard._)

ARTHUR (_raising his sword_)

I have good cause.
I loved, and you have shamed me; more, undone
My life, my hope, my kingdom! (_Letting his point fall._) No, I cannot.
Were we but met in the hot battle’s blood
I’d kill you for that cause. Now I am numbed;
And something from within me stays my hand.
Take my Queen pardoned to my heart, you plead.
Ah, Launcelot! were it merely man and woman,
Love should be wide and infinite as air
To meet her at the world’s end with my arms,
Even at the farthest erring. There’s no help.
A man may pardon, but the King may not.
The King is justice, or no more a King.

LAUNCELOT

Forgiveness is yet kinglier. Harden not
Your heart for ever.

ARTHUR

Were there but a sign
From this charged heaven----

LAUNCELOT

Look!

(_A gleam has appeared in the paling sky and the chant
grows nearer._)

ARTHUR

Is there light
On earth again?

LAUNCELOT

What strange stillness has seized upon the host?
What chant is that?

VOICES

The King! The King! A wonder! Rome! Rome!

(_Certain knights of either party return on the scene, and
in their midst a white banner preceding a_ BISHOP, _with
a train of priests chanting. With a last remote peal of
thunder the storm passes away_.)

BISHOP

Peace! Peace to you all! In the name of our Lord Jesu, peace! Our Holy Father on the seat of St. Peter hath sent me hither with his commands. Hasting I come even among your swords and spears; And this is the command that I am charged with. Launcelot shall render his Queen again to King Arthur; she shall not be harmed: And King Arthur shall be accorded with Sir Launcelot. This, upon pain of interdiction of the whole realm of Britain, is the high commandment of God’s regent upon earth, our Holy Father in Rome. My sons, will you obey?

(ARTHUR _and_ LAUNCELOT _bow their heads_.)

ARTHUR

So far as it be peace betwixt us, I obey.

LAUNCELOT

I go to bring the Queen.

(_He goes away R. as_ GAWAINE _is brought in wounded,
leaning on two of his knights_.)

GAWAINE

Ah, there! Let me but reach him; hurt though I be, I will satisfy my vengeance.

BISHOP

Man of blood, your hour is past. Exorcise from you this vain rage and lust of vengeance. Bethink you of your sins, and of God’s peace. The King receives his Queen again and is accorded with Sir Launcelot.

GAWAINE

Not all the priests in Christendom shall force
My will to this. I’ll say naught of the Queen;
But him will I proclaim still to the world
Traitor.

ARTHUR

Ah, Gawaine, have we not enough
Of hatred?

GAWAINE

Though I seek him through seven realms
I’ll have my retribution, death for death.

(_He faints._)

ARTHUR

He has swooned. Bear him to his tent.

(GAWAINE _is borne off by his friends_.)

BISHOP

Pass now.
My errand is performed. Peace be upon you.

[_The priests resume their chant, and the_ BISHOP _and his
train pass off_.

ARTHUR

Look, where she comes.

LAUNCELOT _returns, leading_ GUENEVERE _by the hand_.

LAUNCELOT

My King, I bring to you your Queen again.

(_They kneel down before_ ARTHUR, _then_ LAUNCELOT _raises_
GUENEVERE.)

ARTHUR

Guenevere!

GUENEVERE

Oh, my lord!

ARTHUR

What shall I say?...
With a sore heart I took this battle up
Which now is ended. Launcelot, I loved you,
Cherished and honoured you before all others.
But now is parting. My reproach is dulled,
Fall’n out of use and anger,
Like a spent arrow.

LAUNCELOT

Oh, my King, believe me,
Never was it my purpose or my thought
To keep your Queen from you, but to defend
And shield her from your anger and her foes.

ARTHUR