Lanval

Cue-sheet for Arthur

(Bernardo) {To an apprentice, painting.}
 
(Geraint) I knew.
(3, 3) 2274 Truly, our time gives us but little ease,
(3, 3) 2275 And scarce a space wherein to rest our limbs:
(3, 3) 2276 No sooner have we slipped our wearied arms
(3, 3) 2277 From their hacked harness than the trumpet breeds
(3, 3) 2278 Another discord. Again, and yet again!
(3, 3) 2279 They hunt us hard, these senseless, savage hordes
(3, 3) 2280 Who waste their lives indifferent on our spears —
(3, 3) 2281 And yet return new-hearted to their task.
(3, 3) 2282 Where shall we soil —
(Gawain) Sire?
 
(Gawain) Sire?
(3, 3) 2284 Where shall we be bayed?
(3, 3) 2285 We shall soon lack the strength to meet our foes
(3, 3) 2286 In the full field. Then shall we need to lurk
(3, 3) 2287 Behind our walls or in the forest deeps.
(3, 3) 2288 Then discontent, long drugged with victory,
(3, 3) 2289 Will wake again. Our lovers will fall off,
(3, 3) 2290 And all who nourish malice in their hearts
(3, 3) 2291 Be quick and active.
(Gawain) There are none.
 
(Gawain) There are none.
(3, 3) 2293 Gawain,
(3, 3) 2294 Thou knowest well that there are many here
(3, 3) 2295 Who love me not. The bondage of our fears
(3, 3) 2296 And common ills hold many in my train.
(3, 3) 2297 Let but success once turn her face from me,
(3, 3) 2298 And then the substance of this state is gone,
(3, 3) 2299 Its shape dissolved, and all its elements
(3, 3) 2300 Content to snatch existence as they can.
(Gawain) You do not trust us?
 
(Gawain) You do not trust us?
(3, 3) 2302 Nay, I do, Gawain.
(3, 3) 2303 I know thy nature; thine, good Cornwall, too,
(3, 3) 2304 And many others: but I know the mass
(3, 3) 2305 No less than you. No matter, let us turn
(3, 3) 2306 To present measures. Thou art sure, Gawain,
(3, 3) 2307 Of these advices?
(Gawain) Sire, there is no doubt
 
(Gawain) From out their coasts.
(3, 3) 2313 God! Is there no end
(3, 3) 2314 To their resources? Let me think. The Picts
(3, 3) 2315 Will prey and ravage: thus at Arthuret
(3, 3) 2316 We may withstand them. Tell me now, Gawain:
(3, 3) 2317 What forces have we?
(Gawain) Here? Geraint, alone,
 
(Gawain) And his own levies.
(3, 3) 2320 They are now at hand?
(Gawain) An hour will find them.
 
(Gawain) An hour will find them.
(3, 3) 2322 They shall lead the van.
(3, 3) 2323 The men of Cornwall?
(Cador) I shall need three days.
 
(Cador) I shall need three days.
(3, 3) 2325 So much?
(Cador) Thy pardon, Sire, I had not thought
 
(Cador) If there be blame, I trust it may be mine.
(3, 3) 2331 Three days, Gawain. Send word unto Owain,
(3, 3) 2332 To gather up the forces of North Wales.
(3, 3) 2333 Send a swift summons to our own estate,
(3, 3) 2334 Our personal adherents and all knights
(3, 3) 2335 Who owe us service.
(Gawain) I will go.
 
(Gawain) I will go.
(3, 3) 2337 No, stay.
(3, 3) 2338 What think you, lords, shall we encounter first
(3, 3) 2339 The painted men, or bend our courses straight
(3, 3) 2340 Against the Angle?
(Gawain) Gainst the Picts, say I.
 
(Cador) Our whole destruction.
(3, 3) 2354 True; and more, the force
(3, 3) 2355 We have at Chester should make sure the pass
(3, 3) 2356 Of Arthuret. Therefore, let us go
(3, 3) 2357 Against the Angles. Go, Gawain, and raise
(3, 3) 2358 Our utmost forces. I would march from here
(3, 3) 2359 Within five days —
 
(3, 3) 2361 O! I am tired, Cador. {Goes to the window.}
(3, 3) 2362 I front the menace of this age alone.
(Cador) I serve you still.
 
(Cador) I serve you still.
(3, 3) 2364 Nay, I mean not that.
(3, 3) 2365 You hear the murmur of my court below?
(Cador) I hear it.
 
(Cador) I hear it.
(3, 3) 2367 Strange they cannot realise
(3, 3) 2368 How close we lie to very bitter days.
(3, 3) 2369 We can see far.
(Cador) The tower is high.
 
(Cador) The tower is high.
(3, 3) 2371 The woods
(3, 3) 2372 Are deep in shadow. Clouds and ever clouds
(3, 3) 2373 Lie on the rim that circles us. How long
(3, 3) 2374 Before the storm burst? All my life is cloud,
(3, 3) 2375 And I am like a shadow in a mist.
(3, 3) 2376 The constant greyness rots my very heart
(3, 3) 2377 And leaves me faithless. I have built my schemes
(3, 3) 2378 Higher than this, and still I cannot see
(3, 3) 2379 For clouds.
(Cador) Nay, Sire, this poor despondency
 
(Cador) Befits you not.
(3, 3) 2382 Eight battles have I won;
(3, 3) 2383 Two fortresses; but I have lost as much
(3, 3) 2384 In confidence. For there's a change, Cador,
(3, 3) 2385 In quality, I cannot understand,
(3, 3) 2386 Amongst my people.
(Cador) I am still the same.
 
(Cador) I am still the same.
(3, 3) 2388 I think you are; but we are growing old.
(3, 3) 2389 The phantom outposts of a vanished world,
(3, 3) 2390 The weary servants of a state long dead —
(3, 3) 2391 Such are we. Time outstrides our slender use,
(3, 3) 2392 And I have only striven for an end
(3, 3) 2393 To find it worthless. God must have some plan
(3, 3) 2394 Which we in faith most diligently baulk.
(Cador) What can I say?
 
(Cador) What can I say?
(3, 3) 2396 Some comfort. No! More truth
(3, 3) 2397 Lives in your silence than a wealth of words.
(Cador) {Laughs, and is silent for a time.}
 
(Cador) Is doomed!
(3, 3) 2401 I think so.
(Cador) Let it be. The end
 
(Cador) Than conquerors —
(3, 3) 2417 High speech!
(Cador) My King, be strong!
 
(Cador) My King, be strong!
(3, 3) 2419 The stamped fire smoulders, and oppression fails
(3, 3) 2420 To quench its ardency. I'll stand.
(3, 3) 2421 I will persist: our breed's too hot to end!
(3, 3) 2422 No more exalting: common measures now!
(3, 3) 2423 We must make sure these Saxons gain no ground.
(3, 3) 2424 After Mount Badon we did press them hard,
(3, 3) 2425 And by our swiftness had the space to foil
(3, 3) 2426 Their certain purpose. All's to do again!
(3, 3) 2427 Since we must strike, let it be quick and sure!
(3, 3) 2428 Therefore, I purpose to detach the best
(3, 3) 2429 Of all my forces for thine own command
(3, 3) 2430 To hold these Angles, till I am assured
(3, 3) 2431 Of the true moment when I may deal well
(3, 3) 2432 And strongly with them.
(Cador) I do understand.
 
(Cador) I do understand.
(3, 3) 2434 Take whom thou wilt, for there's a need in this
(3, 3) 2435 Of subtle leading.
(Cador) I'll take Lanval, then:
 
(Cador) Expect of him.
(3, 3) 2440 He is a noble knight,
(3, 3) 2441 Much loved of me. Your commendation proves
(3, 3) 2442 That we have yet amongst our younger men
(3, 3) 2443 Something of worth.
(Cador) For his nobility
 
(Cador) When steel's in question.
(3, 3) 2453 Cador, enough of this
(3, 3) 2454 Stale babbling talk. I am now concentrate
(3, 3) 2455 And set upon the problem of this hour.
(3, 3) 2456 Trouble me not: I am at chess with fate,
(3, 3) 2457 And faiths, opinions, personal device
(3, 3) 2458 May be considered, weighed, but not abused
(3, 3) 2459 By answering. I have my text and view,
(3, 3) 2460 My sight of honour. I know well enough,
(3, 3) 2461 The world is coloured different for each soul,
(3, 3) 2462 That vice and virtue are convenience,
(3, 3) 2463 But for the action of my simple self
(3, 3) 2464 I have rough rules. There is a justice set
(3, 3) 2465 Which, good or ill, suffices for the time,
(3, 3) 2466 O'erstep it not!
(Cador) Pardon, Sire.
 
(Cador) Pardon, Sire.
(3, 3) 2468 Go now,
(3, 3) 2469 And haste our measures. No, no words, go now.
 
(3, 3) 2471 I grow too harsh. O God, I do not dread
(3, 3) 2472 The chance of battle, favour of the field
(3, 3) 2473 Strange as it is, so much as the grim fall
(3, 3) 2474 That one endures by constant savagery.
(3, 3) 2475 Strife gets a hold upon the growth of man
(3, 3) 2476 As fire upon a thicket. There will stand
(3, 3) 2477 But the bare trunks where once a forest swelled;
(3, 3) 2478 Our leaf and flower will be all consumed,
(3, 3) 2479 And all our lawns be ash, grey shifting ash.
(3, 3) 2480 Flame could not bite, was not our herbage rank
(3, 3) 2481 And dry and sapless? Let it go, the stuff
(3, 3) 2482 Is better burned. Aye, all our imagery,
(3, 3) 2483 Our time-worn fashions, fruitless, lush beliefs
(3, 3) 2484 Shrivel and smoulder to enrich the soil.
(3, 3) 2485 Still, there are roots — no fire can reach to them;
(3, 3) 2486 Though we seem bare, our tangled strength remains
(3, 3) 2487 The base of things. Plain service to the world,
(3, 3) 2488 Common fulfilment, common life and blunt
(3, 3) 2489 Plain honour. Off, all foul complexity!
(3, 3) 2490 And folly reign! {Enter The Queen.}
(3, 3) 2491 Ah! Guinevere, well met.
(3, 3) 2492 I need thy presence to divert my thoughts,
(3, 3) 2493 For I do feel this time looks hungrily
(3, 3) 2494 Upon us all. But we will now forget
(3, 3) 2495 Its sullen meaning.
(Guinevere) Thou did'st send for me?
 
(Guinevere) Thou did'st send for me?
(3, 3) 2497 True, I did so. We meet not often now,
(3, 3) 2498 For 'twixt the pleasures of a gentle court,
(3, 3) 2499 And the bare motion of a state at work
(3, 3) 2500 There is much severance.
(Guinevere) Thou hast need of me
 
(Guinevere) For the gross detail of this governance.
(3, 3) 2506 Why, Guinevere, thou knowest all too well
(3, 3) 2507 I irk thee not with aught of government;
(3, 3) 2508 But bid thine eyes look gently on the world
(3, 3) 2509 And see but fairness. All that's grim and harsh
(3, 3) 2510 Becomes mine office. Do I use thee ill?
(Guinevere) Do I complain?
 
(Guinevere) Do I complain?
(3, 3) 2512 But thou art not so kind
(3, 3) 2513 As thou wast once. I would not thus intrude
(3, 3) 2514 Necessity upon thy pleasures' room
(3, 3) 2515 Were I not driven. But a king's no man,
(3, 3) 2516 His soul is swallowed in his offices,
(3, 3) 2517 And though he guides he's but the instrument
(3, 3) 2518 Of his endeavour.
(Guinevere) What is it?
 
(Guinevere) What is it?
(3, 3) 2520 We march
(3, 3) 2521 Once more against our enemies, and thus
(3, 3) 2522 I am compelled to close our Court again.
(3, 3) 2523 There'll be no pleasure, feasting, tilt, or joy
(3, 3) 2524 Within these Halls for many weary days.
(3, 3) 2525 The age grows angry, and our climate turns
(3, 3) 2526 To bitter autumn.
(Guinevere) If it must be so
 
(Guinevere) I shall not care.
(3, 3) 2529 So should every Queen
(3, 3) 2530 Accept such knowledge. I am heartened now
(3, 3) 2531 To front the worst our sullen fortune brings:
(3, 3) 2532 Let us forget it. I have troubled thee
(3, 3) 2533 With terms thou hatest; I'll do so no more,
(3, 3) 2534 But turn myself into the gentle world
(3, 3) 2535 Wherein thou livest. I will try to think
(3, 3) 2536 Of pleasant phrases. In my mind break lance,
(3, 3) 2537 Hunt in the forest, fly my hawks abroad,
(3, 3) 2538 Assume the manner of steel sweetly hid
(3, 3) 2539 In silk and samite. Will it please thee, sweet?
(Guinevere) How can I tell?
 
(Guinevere) How can I tell?
(3, 3) 2541 Nay, come, be kindly now,
(3, 3) 2542 Forget the shadows that live over us,
(3, 3) 2543 And be content to welcome the dull beams
(3, 3) 2544 That glance between them. Tell me, did'st thou see
(3, 3) 2545 The recent combat? Sir Lanval, I am told,
(3, 3) 2546 O'erthrew with ease Sir Agravaine, his foe,
(3, 3) 2547 And might have slain him.
(Guinevere) True,
 
(Guinevere) I did behold it.
(3, 3) 2550 He's a worthy knight.
(3, 3) 2551 It is not often that I grant the field
(3, 3) 2552 On such a question. Many make their name
(3, 3) 2553 A cause of battle: hang their honour out
(3, 3) 2554 As't were a sign to lure some customer
(3, 3) 2555 To challenge it. Then they grow overbold,
(3, 3) 2556 Assume a greatness from a lack of trade,
(3, 3) 2557 And earn a lesson.
(Guinevere) Men can gain a cause
 
(Guinevere) By other methods than their skill or strength.
(3, 3) 2560 By what means?
(Guinevere) Foul means,
 
(Guinevere) Or else enchantment.
(3, 3) 2563 Nay, thou art unjust,
(3, 3) 2564 And hast been so since the first day he came
(3, 3) 2565 Into my court. I know I was at fault
(3, 3) 2566 In my neglect of his good qualities,
(3, 3) 2567 And came near losing some sweet services
(3, 3) 2568 By lack of notice. That is remedied,
(3, 3) 2569 And it doth shame me that I once forbade
(3, 3) 2570 Him his advancement.
(Guinevere) It will shame thee more
 
(Guinevere) To lack discernment, find thy judgment false.
(3, 3) 2573 I shall not do so. There is none I trust
(3, 3) 2574 More heartily. Why, I am even now
(3, 3) 2575 Content to lay the safety of this realm
(3, 3) 2576 Within his keeping. Cador of Cornwall asks
(3, 3) 2577 For his assistance: is he too deceived?
(Guinevere) And wherefore not; is it the privilege
 
(Guinevere) Is but a traitor.
(3, 3) 2582 This is intolerance
(3, 3) 2583 Mated with folly.
(Guinevere) Can I not shew cause
 
(Guinevere) For accusation?
(3, 3) 2586 I will hear it out.
(Guinevere) Did not Sir Lanval leave this Court in wrath
 
(Guinevere) Two years ago?
(3, 3) 2589 Have I not said, I know
(3, 3) 2590 I was at fault?
(Guinevere) He left in wrath unmarked
 
(Guinevere) His fellows' scorn!
(3, 3) 2599 Then they lacked courtesy
(3, 3) 2600 To so disdain him.
(Guinevere) Beggared, he left the court;
 
(Guinevere) With Agravaine.
(3, 3) 2605 For the cause, I think,
(3, 3) 2606 That Agravaine had called him coward, here
(3, 3) 2607 During his absence.
(Guinevere) It may be so, I know
 
(Guinevere) In easy gifts and prodigal display.
(3, 3) 2613 This may be foolish but not treasonable.
(Guinevere) Whence came this wealth? He will not speak of it,
 
(Guinevere) Whither he travelled, how he fared or lived.
(3, 3) 2616 Is that a treason? Am I king to spy
(3, 3) 2617 On free men's action; hoard the life and ways
(3, 3) 2618 Of my own followers as a miser gold?
(3, 3) 2619 Beyond the measure that our honour needs,
(3, 3) 2620 And our state's standing, I have nought to do.
(3, 3) 2621 Let cease this folly. 'Tis not well to cast
(3, 3) 2622 Such calumny on any knight unless
(3, 3) 2623 Some proof be present.
(Guinevere) But I have a proof.
 
(Guinevere) But I have a proof.
(3, 3) 2625 Some dull suspicion born of prejudice.
(Guinevere) Not so, great King, but just that evidence
 
(Guinevere) And lack thy kindness, even thy belief.
(3, 3) 2634 Nay, Guinevere, my fashion has not changed.
(3, 3) 2635 If I am short, I pray thee, pardon me.
(3, 3) 2636 The iron savour of these days is foul
(3, 3) 2637 And clogs the palate. I stand like a hart,
(3, 3) 2638 Bayed by such dangers and so many forms,
(3, 3) 2639 I cannot watch them. Am I harsh? Forgive!
(3, 3) 2640 But I would not that thou shouldst mingle with
(3, 3) 2641 Such bitter business.
(Guinevere) I would not, my lord,
 
(Guinevere) Which I see threatened.
(3, 3) 2645 Thou?
(Guinevere) 'Tis true.
 
(Guinevere) Over his person.
(3, 3) 2652 That was not well done.
(3, 3) 2653 These questions lie 'twixt men, and men alone,
(3, 3) 2654 And ye the watchers have no part in them.
(3, 3) 2655 I do not grant the right of the closed field
(3, 3) 2656 To make a plaything.
(Guinevere) Sire, I found Lynette,
 
(Guinevere) And was so moved by pity to this course.
(3, 3) 2660 There was no need to fear so ill an end.
(Guinevere) I could not know, I liked Sir Lanval not,
 
(Guinevere) And thought him cruel.
(3, 3) 2663 Did he refuse thee?
(Guinevere) Nay.
 
(Guinevere) Nay.
(3, 3) 2665 Then be content: there's naught of harm in this.
(Guinevere) But after that I spoke with him alone.
 
(Guinevere) But after that I spoke with him alone.
(3, 3) 2667 And what of that?
(Guinevere) Canst not guess th' offence?
 
(Guinevere) In all his nature.
(3, 3) 2675 In some men, perhaps,
(3, 3) 2676 But not in this one. Nay, thou wast deceived,
(3, 3) 2677 I'll not believe.
(Guinevere) Can I say nothing, then,
 
(Guinevere) With truth in it?
(3, 3) 2680 I cannot so believe.
(3, 3) 2681 It is too easy in the air of Courts,
(3, 3) 2682 When silken speech takes precedence of truth,
(3, 3) 2683 And the world swings in a vain round of ease,
(3, 3) 2684 To find lust hidden in most common words.
(3, 3) 2685 Ye women live in a thick air of dreams,
(3, 3) 2686 In talk of love, light music of the same,
(3, 3) 2687 Until the thoughts become so bound by it
(3, 3) 2688 They cannot wander.
(Guinevere) Yet thou wilt not believe
 
(Guinevere) Men grow infected?
(3, 3) 2691 All folly's possible,
(3, 3) 2692 But I have trusted and will not believe
(3, 3) 2693 A knight of mine can fail in fealty.
(Gawain) Thy pardon, sire, I have sent forth the call
 
(Gawain) Also fresh news from Persant in the north.
(3, 3) 2698 What now, Gawain?
(Gawain) The Angles march in strength.
 
(Gawain) The Angles march in strength.
(3, 3) 2700 Whither?
(Gawain) Toward the wood of Celyddon.
 
(Gawain) Toward the wood of Celyddon.
(3, 3) 2702 'Tis not unlikely. Bid all haste, Gawain;
(3, 3) 2703 Within five days we set our standards up,
(3, 3) 2704 And if it be they seek the forest ways,
(3, 3) 2705 We shall not fail them. Let our cause be known
(3, 3) 2706 So may the fire of our intent take hold,
(3, 3) 2707 And all the hate that smoulders in our souls
(3, 3) 2708 Flame to fresh fury.
(Gawain) Sire, Sir Lanval waits
 
(Gawain) Of his petition.
(3, 3) 2712 Let him enter. Go
(3, 3) 2713 And bid all barons that have love for us
(3, 3) 2714 Or for their land, call up their vassalage.
 
(3, 3) 2716 Welcome, Sir Lanval, what would'st thou of me?
(Lanval) Permission, sire, to leave this Court at once,
 
(Lanval) To render up my offices and place.
(3, 3) 2719 At such a time?
(Lanval) Sire, I have a quest
 
(Lanval) That I would follow.
(3, 3) 2722 Strange, could'st thou
(3, 3) 2723 Not find some leisure in our days of peace
(3, 3) 2724 For such a purpose?
(Lanval) I would not have asked
 
(Lanval) Doth urge me to it.
(3, 3) 2729 'Tis impossible
(3, 3) 2730 At such an hour. I cannot spare a lance.
(3, 3) 2731 The tide that threatens our existence
(3, 3) 2732 Turns to its onset. I am not well pleased
(3, 3) 2733 That thou, Sir Lanval, should'st ask this of me.
(Lanval) Sire, I entreat thee.
 
(Lanval) Sire, I entreat thee.
(3, 3) 2735 I will hear no more.
(3, 3) 2736 Since I have use for thy slight services,
(3, 3) 2737 The Duke of Cornwall shall have aid of them.
(3, 3) 2738 Avoid my presence.
(Guinevere) Now wilt thou believe?
 
(Guinevere) Of keeping servants. Oh, the shame of it!
(3, 3) 2753 Come, Guinevere, what need is there of tears?
 
(3, 3) 2755 God! How misfortune and ill chance attend
(3, 3) 2756 My course together. Why should Lanval come
(3, 3) 2757 And ask this of me? Shame, perchance regret,
(3, 3) 2758 It may be; yet, the gateway of my faith
(3, 3) 2759 Was barred so firm with confidence in him,
(3, 3) 2760 It hardly yields to reason. Oh! I could
(3, 3) 2761 Be parched with anger, had not life withdrawn
(3, 3) 2762 All wrath from me and poured into my soul
(3, 3) 2763 Nothing but sorrow. I am sick to think
(3, 3) 2764 Of this base happening. {To Guinevere.} Dearest, trust in me:
(3, 3) 2765 If I have been thus slow to apprehend
(3, 3) 2766 Thy cause of grief, I will be swift to heal.
(Guinevere) Nay, touch me not, for I have lost thy love —
 
(Guinevere) Of scorn and insult.
(3, 3) 2771 Nay, I have not changed,
(3, 3) 2772 Come, tell me all, for surely there should be
(3, 3) 2773 No shame between us. {He sits down by Guinevere.} I can scarce be wroth
(3, 3) 2774 That men grow mad, with such a fairness close
(3, 3) 2775 Unto their being.
(Guinevere) I did so believe,
 
(Guinevere) The trickery of words that have no truth.
(3, 3) 2780 Nay, Guinevere —
(Guinevere) I think thou would'st be kind,
 
(Guinevere) But it is better to be honest now.
(3, 3) 2783 Indeed, I love thee as I ever did.
(3, 3) 2784 Thou art to me a very favoured isle,
(3, 3) 2785 Full of sweet shadows and kind silences,
(3, 3) 2786 Where, by good chance, the sea-chafed mariner
(3, 3) 2787 May call at times. Alas, that voyages
(3, 3) 2788 For the grim commerce of disordered life
(3, 3) 2789 Make me infrequent!
(Guinevere) The same farce of words.
 
(Guinevere) By any speech.
(3, 3) 2795 Come, what is this strange mood?
(Guinevere) I do refuse thy love. Now be assured
 
(3, 3) 2806 The same bewildered servant of thine eyes,
(3, 3) 2807 As when thy father King Leodegrance
(3, 3) 2808 First led thee to me? Hast forgotten, sweet,
(3, 3) 2809 That war and wonder?
(Guinevere) And thou lov'st me still?
 
(Guinevere) And thou lov'st me still?
(3, 3) 2811 How should I not?
(Guinevere) No, touch me not.
 
(Guinevere) No, touch me not.
(3, 3) 2814 How strange!
(3, 3) 2815 Thou'lt not believe me faithful?
(Guinevere) Well, perchance!
 
(Guinevere) My life.
(3, 3) 2822 What then?
(Guinevere) If protestation's true,
 
(Guinevere) Surely, I cannot be denied of both.
(3, 3) 2832 What would you?
(Guinevere) Judgment. Is it not enough
 
(3, 3) 2839 Of good condition, learned in all arts
(3, 3) 2840 That live with honour, and I have found in him
(3, 3) 2841 Many sweet gifts and gentle qualities.
(Guinevere) And I have none! I am not gentle, sweet,
 
(Guinevere) Between us — nothing! {She moves away.}
(3, 3) 2857 Must it be so? O God!
(3, 3) 2858 Why will the lust that lurks in living things
(3, 3) 2859 Afflict men's being. What's the man to me?
(3, 3) 2860 Stay, Guinevere, I grant thy cause! {Going to door} Gawain!
 
(3, 3) 2862 Arrest Sir Lanval, keep him in thy ward,
(3, 3) 2863 Then bid Geraint, Owain and Cornwall here.
(3, 3) 2864 I have a cause which must be tried of them,
(3, 3) 2865 And swiftly.
(Gawain) Sire!
 
(Gawain) Sire!
(3, 3) 2867 Go, bring them here, I say.
(Guinevere) My King, I thought thou hadst forgotten me
 
(Guinevere) And feigned a love from kindness.
(3, 3) 2871 An ill thought,
(3, 3) 2872 And a harsh proving!
(Guinevere) We'll forget it.
 
(Guinevere) We'll forget it.
(3, 3) 2874 Aye,
(3, 3) 2875 Perhaps we shall, for time's a thief of thoughts;
(3, 3) 2876 But it is bitter to be told of deeds
(3, 3) 2877 That sully knighthood, and to hear of men
(3, 3) 2878 Of noble bearing fallen into fault.
(3, 3) 2879 How many souls wilt thou drag down to death
(3, 3) 2880 Before the end? Me, too, perhaps!
(Guinevere) {Flinging her arms round him.} My King!
 
(Cador) Enough, the King is here.
(4, 1) 3289 Your verdicts, lords! Ye dally overlong.
(Cador) Sire, we agree.
 
(Cador) To be unknown among us.
(4, 1) 3297 It is well.
(Geraint) Is there no court in all the world but this?
 
(Geraint) Unto Sir Lanval.
(4, 1) 3303 It is not well, Geraint,
(4, 1) 3304 To so outface me, nor to lay thy speech
(4, 1) 3305 Against the manner of thy peers' consent.
(4, 1) 3306 I did not think Geraint should prove him false.
(Geraint) Were I to yield and idly acquiesce
 
(Geraint) Refuse a shelter to what soul I will?
(4, 1) 3316 Thy fealty doth bind thee to my cause,
(4, 1) 3317 And this defection is as sour a crime
(4, 1) 3318 As e'er was thought on.
(Geraint) But there is no need
 
(Gawain) Is this not treason?
(4, 1) 3329 Stay.
(4, 1) 3330 Proclaim the verdict of these lords abroad;
(4, 1) 3331 Let all the followers and our retinue
(4, 1) 3332 Know that Sir Lanval is adjudged as base,
(4, 1) 3333 False to his order, to his fealty,
(4, 1) 3334 To all thats honest.
(Geraint) {Aside} Gyfert!
 
(Gyfert) I will, my lord.
(4, 1) 3340 I could be wroth, Geraint,
(4, 1) 3341 For I have trusted much to thy great soul;
(4, 1) 3342 But all prove false. So we'll not speak of it,
(4, 1) 3343 For this dishonour is to me the man,
(4, 1) 3344 And for my kingship I'll endure it so,
(4, 1) 3345 Being no longer man, but only king.
(4, 1) 3346 Amid the turmoil of these troubled days
(4, 1) 3347 The mist and wrack where wallows all our state,
(4, 1) 3348 My happiness, my pleasure and my faith
(4, 1) 3349 Are all gone down. Let then my honour go
(4, 1) 3350 And sink with them. Geraint, take thou thy task.
(Geraint) I lead the van.
 
(Geraint) I lead the van.
(4, 1) 3352 I have not yet deprived
(4, 1) 3353 Thee of thine office. Go, be false or true
(4, 1) 3354 As it shall please thee! I must cringe to man
(4, 1) 3355 And beg his service.
(Geraint) Sire, if I offend
 
(Triamour) Release!
(4, 2) 4022 Halt here. Go thou, Gawain, and seek
(4, 2) 4023 This conflict's meaning.
 
(4, 2) 4025 We are not too soon,
(4, 2) 4026 For see the pallor which precedes the birth
(4, 2) 4027 Of the wan day.
(Agravaine) Here is an early fruit
 
(Agravaine) Of this encounter.
(4, 2) 4030 Who is it?
(Agravaine) No man
 
(Cador) I know that shape.
(4, 2) 4036 No, let it be, Cador,
(4, 2) 4037 Whate'er his rank he'll wait full patiently
(4, 2) 4038 For the last service.
(Agravaine) {Turns the body over.}
 
(Agravaine) Should so regret him.
(4, 2) 4062 Hark, Cador, who's here?
 
(4, 2) 4064 What now, Gawain? How goes it?
(Gawain) Well for us,
 
(Gawain) The ridge beyond us.
(4, 2) 4068 Nobly done.
(Gawain) Geraint
 
(Gawain) Is dead.
(4, 2) 4071 We'll venge him —
(Gawain) But Owain
 
(Gawain) And stand uncertain. We have but to strike.
(4, 2) 4075 Art sure, Gawain?
(Gawain) I know not how it comes,
 
(Agravaine) Strike, Sire!
(4, 2) 4082 I will. Ye lords
(4, 2) 4083 And 'sembled barons of this British realm,
(4, 2) 4084 Reveal your favour. Set my standards on,
(4, 2) 4085 Let the red dragon flame above our helms.
(4, 2) 4086 Up, all ye lances that defend this state,
(4, 2) 4087 All hearts that bar oppression, and all blades
(4, 2) 4088 That stand for Britain. 'Tis the hour at last
(4, 2) 4089 Wherein we triumph, and henceforth our foe
(4, 2) 4090 Shall know this valley by the name of woe.