Lanval

Cue-sheet for Guinevere

(Bernardo) {To an apprentice, painting.}
 
(Charcoal-burner 2) At least, the Saints be praised for a fair dawn.
(3, 1) 1646 EN'S TOWER, CARDUEL. (Two years later.)
(3, 1) 1647 ~
(3, 1) 1648 Large bay window at back of stage.
(3, 1) 1649 A door {LC} leading to Queen's apartments.
(3, 1) 1650 Another (L) leading to knights' part of Castle.
(3, 1) 1651 Door (R) to stairway leading to the lists.
(Astamor) Still, Meliard, we shall see well from here.
 
(Helène) I think not.
(3, 1) 1809 Lynette!
(3, 1) 1810 What friends support the causes of these knights?
(Lynette) Sir Colgrevance and Pertinas are friends
 
(Lynette) Are the supporters.
(3, 1) 1815 So! A savage pair,
(3, 1) 1816 Geraint, Owain: they will not lightly seize
(3, 1) 1817 On enterprise, but make them well assured
(3, 1) 1818 That they sustain no vessel of slight strength.
(3, 1) 1819 I have heard much of this strange Lanval's power,
(3, 1) 1820 But know him not beyond the courtesy
(3, 1) 1821 That's natural to all of kindly birth.
(3, 1) 1822 But ye should know. How is it, Alysoun,
(3, 1) 1823 That one who is apparently upheld
(3, 1) 1824 By qualities beyond the common scale
(3, 1) 1825 Comes not among us?
(Alysoun) Lady, I know him not
 
(Alysoun) Beyond most men.
(3, 1) 1829 That's but a vaporous
(3, 1) 1830 And stale description. Dost thou know, Lynette,
(3, 1) 1831 What the man is?
(Lynette) I think the common sort
 
(Lynette) To get a name for virtue and great gravity.
(3, 1) 1839 Is he a fool?
(Lynette) I said not so.
 
(Lynette) I said not so.
(3, 1) 1841 Helène,
(3, 1) 1842 What do men say of him?
(Helène) Much good.
 
(Helène) In warlike practice.
(3, 1) 1846 I have heard as much;
(3, 1) 1847 Yet many men with half these qualities
(3, 1) 1848 Are better known. There's something strange in him.
 
(3, 1) 1850 Tell me what passes.
(Alysoun) The heralds cry the cause
 
(Lynette) See, they meet. Well struck!
(3, 1) 1861 What is't, Lynette?
(Lynette) Each lance clean-hearted broke.
 
(Lynette) They bring fresh spears.
(3, 1) 1864 The vantage?
(Lynette) Both unhurt.
 
(Helène) Said I not so, Lynette?
(3, 1) 1872 Who is o'erborne?
(Lynette) Sir Agravaine is down.
 
(Lynette) Now shall the sword prove their arbitrament.
(3, 1) 1879 They are well matched.
(Lynette) This cannot long endure. {Murmurs.}
 
(Lynette) Sir Agravaine, he's beaten to his knees.
(3, 1) 1882 He falls. 'Tis finished.
(Lynette) Oh, incredible!
 
(Lynette) Lanval that has no touch of human fire.
(3, 1) 1887 Peace! He will spare him.
(Lynette) And thou canst be calm?
 
(Lynette) And thou canst be calm?
(3, 1) 1889 Silence! I know Sir Lanval is at heart
(3, 1) 1890 Of kindly nature. Though Sir Agravaine
(3, 1) 1891 Has been at fault, as is so clearly proved,
(3, 1) 1892 This degradation shall bring him no harm.
(Lynette) Nay, but the victor doth become possessed
 
(Lynette) Oh, not the gallows!
(3, 1) 1896 Peace. Go, Alysoun,
(3, 1) 1897 And bid Sir Lanval come attend me here.
 
(3, 1) 1899 Be swift.
 
(3, 1) 1901 What is it, fool, dost love
(3, 1) 1902 Sir Agravaine?
(Lynette) No, but 'tis horrible
 
(Lynette) But sullen strength.
(3, 1) 1910 Think'st thou to so deceive?
(3, 1) 1911 I see thee, girl. Thou lov'st this Agravaine,
(3, 1) 1912 And yet for fear would'st not acknowledge it,
(3, 1) 1913 Thinking that I — by heaven, have a care,
(3, 1) 1914 Thoughts have a habit of becoming deeds.
(3, 1) 1915 This that thou lovest lies within the reach
(3, 1) 1916 Of the dread gallows. Therefore, have a guard
(3, 1) 1917 Upon thy tongue. There are ends as ill
(3, 1) 1918 That wait on women who have not the gift
(3, 1) 1919 Of gentle silence.
 
(3, 1) 1921 What answer, girl?
(Alysoun) Sir Lanval bade me say,
 
(Alysoun) That, once disarmed, he would attend on thee.
(3, 1) 1924 Nay, it is urgent. Go thou, girl, again,
(3, 1) 1925 Bid him attend me armed — he is unhurt?
(Alysoun) He has no wound.
 
(Alysoun) He has no wound.
(3, 1) 1927 Go then, and bid him come
(3, 1) 1928 Instant, accoutred even as he is,
(3, 1) 1929 Say that I have some reason for request,
(3, 1) 1930 And earnestly for his attendance plead.
 
(3, 1) 1932 Mark me, Lynette, I think this Agravaine
(3, 1) 1933 Has been thy lover. Is it not so? Fool,
(3, 1) 1934 What gain is there in a denial. Think;
(3, 1) 1935 Were I in anger, should I not be kind,
(3, 1) 1936 Smile on thy love and shortly be avenged?
(3, 1) 1937 And so I will. I'll beg of Lanval, now,
(3, 1) 1938 His life and body. Thou shalt have them both.
(3, 1) 1939 Things that are fallen are of me despised,
(3, 1) 1940 And interest that I have once displayed
(3, 1) 1941 Can, like a garment, be soon cast aside.
(3, 1) 1942 I'll pledge him to thee. Wished I for revenge,
(3, 1) 1943 Or were I jealous, I could wreak no ill
(3, 1) 1944 So dangerous.
(Lynette) If I am meat for scorn,
 
(Lynette) That watch on thee?
(3, 1) 1948 Have a care, Lynette,
(3, 1) 1949 For I am minded to be generous.
(3, 1) 1950 As for this man who is reputed cold,
(3, 1) 1951 Whose virtues live but in state services,
(3, 1) 1952 I'll handle him and fashion his device
(3, 1) 1953 Unto new purpose. Go!
(Lynette) Good lady, —
 
(Lynette) Good lady, —
(3, 1) 1955 Go.
(3, 1) 1956 Make me not harsh.
 
(3, 1) 1958 Why am I curious now,
(3, 1) 1959 To try the texture of this novel man,
(3, 1) 1960 Whose gravity is so unnatural?
(3, 1) 1961 Doth not knights' duty learn them to serve us?
(3, 1) 1962 Yet, otherwise, he lacks not knightliness;
(3, 1) 1963 In truth his manner is of seemly sort,
(3, 1) 1964 And I do wonder — wonder overmuch!
(3, 1) 1965 Enough, he comes!
 
(3, 1) 1967 Sir Lanval, pardon me
(3, 1) 1968 That I enforce thee to attend me here;
(3, 1) 1969 I have no right to ask of thee a boon,
(3, 1) 1970 But my request is not for mine own cause;
(3, 1) 1971 Another sorrow has made me thus bold.
(3, 1) 1972 Wilt grant a favour?
(Lanval) I shall be most glad
 
(Lanval) To do thy pleasure.
(3, 1) 1975 I pray thee, sit by me;
(3, 1) 1976 Nay, but thy arms will hamper thee.
(Lanval) Not so.
 
(Lanval) Not so.
(3, 1) 1978 Let me unarm thee. Nay, it is but just,
(3, 1) 1979 Since thou wilt grant of thy great courtesy
(3, 1) 1980 My little asking, that I should be swift
(3, 1) 1981 To do thee service. {She disarms him.}
(3, 1) 1982 Now come, sit by me
(3, 1) 1983 And I will tell thee what the gift shall be
(3, 1) 1984 Which thou hast granted; is it not?
(Lanval) 'Tis so.
 
(Lanval) 'Tis so.
(3, 1) 1986 I have a maid attendant on myself,
(3, 1) 1987 Who is possessed of love for Agravaine,
(3, 1) 1988 And now he lies the prisoner of thine arms,
(3, 1) 1989 Proved to be false, caught in a calumny,
(3, 1) 1990 And, if thou wilt, upon the edge of death; —
(3, 1) 1991 I ask his life: it is not hard to give
(3, 1) 1992 Out of the riches of the hour of gain
(3, 1) 1993 So small a guerdon. 'Tis a piteous thing
(3, 1) 1994 That one maid's hopes should hang upon the word —
(3, 1) 1995 The chance — flung breath of careless victory!
(Lanval) Madame, I pray you — I had never thought
 
(Lanval) I did not think I seemed as one of them.
(3, 1) 2006 Forgive me, Lanval. But there are some men
(3, 1) 2007 Born to be bitter; bred in warlike times,
(3, 1) 2008 Whose only passion is to range the world,
(3, 1) 2009 And by its harshness frame their circumstance.
(3, 1) 2010 Such know no kindness, but are wrought by years
(3, 1) 2011 Until their texture is indifference.
(3, 1) 2012 From them the sorrows, gaieties and change,
(3, 1) 2013 That give the colour to existence, fall
(3, 1) 2014 And are rebutted as the idle waves
(3, 1) 2015 By the calm rocks. Even here they move,
(3, 1) 2016 Behind our pleasures, shadows of grim use.
(3, 1) 2017 And thou art stern, I thought thee one of them.
(Lanval) Thou did'st misjudge me.
 
(Lanval) Thou did'st misjudge me.
(3, 1) 2019 Truly I did so:
(3, 1) 2020 I ask thy pardon.
(Lanval) Nay, there is no need;
 
(Lanval) That he will serve thee.
(3, 1) 2028 Tis a kindly gift:
(3, 1) 2029 But, though I thank thee, I do need him not.
(Lanval) I had hoped else. He is of comely build;
 
(Lanval) Holding, in short, the qualities I lack.
(3, 1) 2034 I need him not. I would not speak of him.
(3, 1) 2035 Press me not, Lanval, for I fear thy speech
(3, 1) 2036 Has in it something of the thoughts debased,
(3, 1) 2037 That have their kennels in the courts of kings.
(3, 1) 2038 Never can I shew any favour, smile,
(3, 1) 2039 Look kindly on, or help young enterprise,
(3, 1) 2040 But the foul whispers of the watching herds
(3, 1) 2041 Sneer shame on me. Surely thou didst not
(3, 1) 2042 Think evil of me?
(Lanval) Art thou not my Queen?
 
(Lanval) I may have heard; I have not noticed.
(3, 1) 2053 True,
(3, 1) 2054 As all that's in thee! How could they have said
(3, 1) 2055 Thou wert ungentle, slandered ladies, spoke
(3, 1) 2056 Indifferent of them!
(Lanval) Calumny.
 
(Lanval) Calumny.
(3, 1) 2058 I thought —
(3, 1) 2059 Was half afraid to ask of thee a gift.
(3, 1) 2060 Report did have it thou wast near a boor!
(Lanval) It flatters seldom.
 
(Lanval) It flatters seldom.
(3, 1) 2062 Lanval, wilt thou blame? —
(3, 1) 2063 Ye that hold honour high are hard,
(3, 1) 2064 Swift to rebuke. We women may not seek
(3, 1) 2065 To find expression in our little strength,
(3, 1) 2066 So faulty are we and of such slight power,
(3, 1) 2067 Yet we may kindle sleeping things to fire,
(3, 1) 2068 And by awakening form a part of them,
(3, 1) 2069 Till, by good fortune, we may see our spark
(3, 1) 2070 Light such a beacon that its luminance
(3, 1) 2071 Makes all men fairer. Thus I caught men up,
(3, 1) 2072 Tested and failed, and then cast them aside.
(3, 1) 2073 Have I done wrong?
(Lanval) I cannot think so.
 
(Lanval) I cannot think so.
(3, 1) 2075 Thou
(3, 1) 2076 Wilt never fail me: Lanval, bear my badge;
(3, 1) 2077 Be thou my knight!
(Lanval) I may not do so.
 
(Lanval) I may not do so.
(3, 1) 2079 But to refuse me is no courteous act.
(3, 1) 2080 Must I believe the common talk was just?
(3, 1) 2081 I'll not believe it. Thou art not unkind
(3, 1) 2082 Nor cruel.
(Lanval) {aside} God! those words again!
 
(Lanval) {aside} God! those words again!
(3, 1) 2084 Nay, hear!
(3, 1) 2085 I stand apart, the watcher of this court,
(3, 1) 2086 Hungry as any for the spring of worth,
(3, 1) 2087 And I have listened through the dull sour years
(3, 1) 2088 To foolish babbling and vain braggart speech:
(3, 1) 2089 Never have I seen such a one as thee.
(3, 1) 2090 The power men value, state and exercise,
(3, 1) 2091 Is in my handling; honour, worship, all —
(Lanval) Honour and power are very far apart.
 
(Lanval) Honour and power are very far apart.
(3, 1) 2093 Look at me, Lanval. Have you lust for place,
(3, 1) 2094 Desire for rule, all these are in my gift.
(3, 1) 2095 There shall be nothing, nothing in the world,
(3, 1) 2096 To be denied thee.
(Lanval) Madam, my deserts
 
(Lanval) Have not earned this.
(3, 1) 2099 I know your merits well,
(3, 1) 2100 And love you for them. Will you make me speak,
(3, 1) 2101 When any soul should surely recognise
(3, 1) 2102 My meaning?
(Lanval) I may not.
 
(Lanval) I may not.
(3, 1) 2104 Why not?
(3, 1) 2105 Am I not fair? We shall soon forget
(3, 1) 2106 The foolish customs, detriments that bar
(3, 1) 2107 Our intercourse, for what are they to us?
(3, 1) 2108 For I do love thee. Is it shame? What's shame,
(3, 1) 2109 But discipline to suit a baser sort?
(Lanval) I pray you, spare me.
 
(Lanval) I pray you, spare me.
(3, 1) 2111 Put me not away,
(3, 1) 2112 For we are lifted to a pinnacle
(3, 1) 2113 Whereon stands nothing but ourselves alone,
(3, 1) 2114 And all else is a sleeping cloud, a mass
(3, 1) 2115 Of gentle, distant, white inconsequence.
(Lanval) I will not.
 
(Lanval) I will not.
(3, 1) 2117 Wherefore? Hast another love?
(Lanval) Nay, I have none.
 
(Lanval) Nay, I have none.
(3, 1) 2119 What can then impede
(3, 1) 2120 Our loves' progression? If thou lov'st me not,
(3, 1) 2121 My simple passion shall infect thy blood.
(3, 1) 2122 Such fire lives in me that my flesh is flame,
(3, 1) 2123 And I know well, life has no ore to stand
(3, 1) 2124 So fierce a blast, but that its metalled veins
(3, 1) 2125 Must yield their substance.
(Lanval) What of my fealty,
 
(Lanval) And play the traitor to my King?
(3, 1) 2129 What bonds
(3, 1) 2130 Of such convention stand against plain life?
(3, 1) 2131 Can man play master to the natural world,
(3, 1) 2132 Make laws to hold the elements in place?
(3, 1) 2133 Why, it is foolish. Let the passions reign,
(3, 1) 2134 For in their presence all existence stands
(3, 1) 2135 Free and unfettered.
(Lanval) I will not betray
 
(Lanval) My life for lust.
(3, 1) 2138 This is false modesty —
(3, 1) 2139 The state wherein the shackled soul is blind,
(3, 1) 2140 And may not face the common light of day.
(3, 1) 2141 If I can bear it, wilt thou be afraid?
(3, 1) 2142 Come, kiss me, Lanval. I do thee no harm.
(3, 1) 2143 Why art thou harsh?
(Lanval) Let me go, I say.
 
(Lanval) Let me go, I say.
(3, 1) 2145 Why should I so?
(Lanval) My fealty is pledged.
 
(Lanval) My fealty is pledged.
(3, 1) 2147 So be it, Lanval. Fealty's the term;
(3, 1) 2148 A fair excuse; and now I see it clear,
(3, 1) 2149 Life scorns not love unless well fortified
(3, 1) 2150 By love itself. Thou hast a paramour,
(3, 1) 2151 And this aped virtue is the mask of vice.
(3, 1) 2152 Why, I was fool to think there lived a man
(3, 1) 2153 That spotted not his arms with that disgrace.
(3, 1) 2154 I pray thy pardon. I myself prefer
(3, 1) 2155 The common practice that will not disguise
(3, 1) 2156 Humanity beneath the hypocrite:
(3, 1) 2157 And I must think I shall be made a sport,
(3, 1) 2158 A credulous poor being that believed
(3, 1) 2159 In manhood's truth; my love a jest of clowns,
(3, 1) 2160 Worn as a garish triumph in base lists!
(3, 1) 2161 Shall I endure it?
(Lanval) And shall I endure
 
(Lanval) For insolence?
(3, 1) 2167 Insolence?
(Lanval) What else?
 
(Lanval) And I am patient unless pricked too far!
(3, 1) 2173 Thus do I gall thee! Be it a challenge then!
(3, 1) 2174 Swear to me, Lanval, by the blood of Christ,
(3, 1) 2175 By thine own honour and thy knighthood's oath,
(3, 1) 2176 By everything that can ensure thy soul
(3, 1) 2177 Unto the devil if thou art forsworn —
(3, 1) 2178 Hast thou a love?
(Lanval) I love many things:
 
(Lanval) Beyond its limits.
(3, 1) 2182 Hast thou not a love?
(3, 1) 2183 A keen desire to any woman? Strange
(3, 1) 2184 Thou dost not answer. Nay, take time, my lord,
(3, 1) 2185 Evasion springs not easily to lips
(3, 1) 2186 That speak of honour; and it is even so,
(3, 1) 2187 The sudden idol of a people's choice,
(3, 1) 2188 The fortunate applauded aspirant
(3, 1) 2189 Has human failings. Nay, I blame thee not,
(3, 1) 2190 Many are thus; shamed to acknowledge sins,
(3, 1) 2191 That — did they know it — are of greater worth
(3, 1) 2192 Than all their virtues. But, I fear, the king
(3, 1) 2193 Is but ill-served with traitors in his court;
(3, 1) 2194 His council, aided by sleek hypocrites,
(3, 1) 2195 Earning rewards of virtue undeserved.
(3, 1) 2196 Therefore I term thee coward, recreant knight,
(3, 1) 2197 A chance-bred upstart of presumption born!
(3, 1) 2198 Thou hast deceived me. Take it as a gain
(3, 1) 2199 That slime can match the sheen of metals true,
(3, 1) 2200 And filthy favours mock clean services.
(3, 1) 2201 Need I say more? I pray thee let me pass!
(Lanval) One moment, madam: I have some defence.
 
(Lanval) One moment, madam: I have some defence.
(3, 1) 2203 Defence! I doubt not there's a pretty talk,
(3, 1) 2204 But I have little patience to endure
(3, 1) 2205 Its full recital. There are taverns near
(3, 1) 2206 And other places of foul ill-repute
(3, 1) 2207 Which can enjoy it.
(Lanval) Madam, at the least,
 
(Lanval) Hear my excuse.
(3, 1) 2210 If there were excuse,
(3, 1) 2211 What is't to me? Either thou canst not
(3, 1) 2212 Be natural or courteous in thy ways —
(3, 1) 2213 Either thou art a shadow lacking strength;
(3, 1) 2214 Something inhuman that has crept to us,
(3, 1) 2215 Wearing the fashion of a very man,
(3, 1) 2216 And by enchantment gaining men's renown;
(3, 1) 2217 Or else shame bids thee cover up thy life,
(3, 1) 2218 Lest the foul taint of thy dishonoured love
(3, 1) 2219 Smirch thine existence till men turn from thee,
(3, 1) 2220 And all men know thee for the loathsome thing,
(3, 1) 2221 The recreant, base coward and defiled!
(3, 1) 2222 Which shall it be?
(Lanval) Neither, by all Heaven!
 
(Lanval) And slurs the fairness of my love.
(3, 1) 2229 I knew —
(3, 1) 2230 Some drab —
(Lanval) Enough. If there be fault in us,
 
(Arthur) Its sullen meaning.
(3, 3) 2496 Thou did'st send for me?
(Arthur) True, I did so. We meet not often now,
 
(Arthur) There is much severance.
(3, 3) 2501 Thou hast need of me
(3, 3) 2502 For other usage than the tale of hours
(3, 3) 2503 Of solemn counsel, measures, means and ends;
(3, 3) 2504 At least I trust so, for I have no love
(3, 3) 2505 For the gross detail of this governance.
(Arthur) Why, Guinevere, thou knowest all too well
 
(Arthur) Becomes mine office. Do I use thee ill?
(3, 3) 2511 Do I complain?
(Arthur) But thou art not so kind
 
(Arthur) Of his endeavour.
(3, 3) 2519 What is it?
(Arthur) We march
 
(Arthur) To bitter autumn.
(3, 3) 2527 If it must be so
(3, 3) 2528 I shall not care.
(Arthur) So should every Queen
 
(Arthur) In silk and samite. Will it please thee, sweet?
(3, 3) 2540 How can I tell?
(Arthur) Nay, come, be kindly now,
 
(Arthur) And might have slain him.
(3, 3) 2548 True,
(3, 3) 2549 I did behold it.
(Arthur) He's a worthy knight.
 
(Arthur) And earn a lesson.
(3, 3) 2558 Men can gain a cause
(3, 3) 2559 By other methods than their skill or strength.
(Arthur) By what means?
 
(Arthur) By what means?
(3, 3) 2561 Foul means,
(3, 3) 2562 Or else enchantment.
(Arthur) Nay, thou art unjust,
 
(Arthur) Him his advancement.
(3, 3) 2571 It will shame thee more
(3, 3) 2572 To lack discernment, find thy judgment false.
(Arthur) I shall not do so. There is none I trust
 
(Arthur) For his assistance: is he too deceived?
(3, 3) 2578 And wherefore not; is it the privilege
(3, 3) 2579 Of kings to be deceived? This man
(3, 3) 2580 That stands so high in all your estimates
(3, 3) 2581 Is but a traitor.
(Arthur) This is intolerance
 
(Arthur) Mated with folly.
(3, 3) 2584 Can I not shew cause
(3, 3) 2585 For accusation?
(Arthur) I will hear it out.
 
(Arthur) I will hear it out.
(3, 3) 2587 Did not Sir Lanval leave this Court in wrath
(3, 3) 2588 Two years ago?
(Arthur) Have I not said, I know
 
(Arthur) I was at fault?
(3, 3) 2591 He left in wrath unmarked
(3, 3) 2592 Because his merit was unrecognised,
(3, 3) 2593 Or that the wastage of his life had left
(3, 3) 2594 Him no subsistence. Since in idle pomps
(3, 3) 2595 He aped the manner and the shape of kings,
(3, 3) 2596 Scattered his gold to all that asked of him,
(3, 3) 2597 So came at last to be impoverished,
(3, 3) 2598 His fellows' scorn!
(Arthur) Then they lacked courtesy
 
(Arthur) To so disdain him.
(3, 3) 2601 Beggared, he left the court;
(3, 3) 2602 Within three months returned with Prince Geraint,
(3, 3) 2603 Who swore to trace him for some wager made
(3, 3) 2604 With Agravaine.
(Arthur) For the cause, I think,
 
(Arthur) During his absence.
(3, 3) 2608 It may be so, I know
(3, 3) 2609 That he returned enriched, who had been poor,
(3, 3) 2610 Within three months: now, aided by Geraint,
(3, 3) 2611 He climbs to honour, and his falseness masks
(3, 3) 2612 In easy gifts and prodigal display.
(Arthur) This may be foolish but not treasonable.
 
(Arthur) This may be foolish but not treasonable.
(3, 3) 2614 Whence came this wealth? He will not speak of it,
(3, 3) 2615 Whither he travelled, how he fared or lived.
(Arthur) Is that a treason? Am I king to spy
 
(Arthur) Some proof be present.
(3, 3) 2624 But I have a proof.
(Arthur) Some dull suspicion born of prejudice.
 
(Arthur) Some dull suspicion born of prejudice.
(3, 3) 2626 Not so, great King, but just that evidence
(3, 3) 2627 Of nature's turning that will bring thee grief.
(3, 3) 2628 Out of the shadow of suspected aims
(3, 3) 2629 I would have woven some sufficient tale,
(3, 3) 2630 Whereby the guilty might find punishment,
(3, 3) 2631 And thine own soul remain unwrung by shame.
(3, 3) 2632 But I have lost the counsel of thy heart,
(3, 3) 2633 And lack thy kindness, even thy belief.
(Arthur) Nay, Guinevere, my fashion has not changed.
 
(Arthur) Such bitter business.
(3, 3) 2642 I would not, my lord,
(3, 3) 2643 Were I not hungry for thine honour's sake,
(3, 3) 2644 Which I see threatened.
(Arthur) Thou?
 
(Arthur) Thou?
(3, 3) 2646 'Tis true.
(3, 3) 2647 But one hour since I bade Sir Lanval come
(3, 3) 2648 Into my presence. I did then intend
(3, 3) 2649 To plead with him, since he had won the life
(3, 3) 2650 Of his opponent. He had power and right
(3, 3) 2651 Over his person.
(Arthur) That was not well done.
 
(Arthur) To make a plaything.
(3, 3) 2657 Sire, I found Lynette,
(3, 3) 2658 One of my maidens, loved Sir Agravaine,
(3, 3) 2659 And was so moved by pity to this course.
(Arthur) There was no need to fear so ill an end.
 
(Arthur) There was no need to fear so ill an end.
(3, 3) 2661 I could not know, I liked Sir Lanval not,
(3, 3) 2662 And thought him cruel.
(Arthur) Did he refuse thee?
 
(Arthur) Did he refuse thee?
(3, 3) 2664 Nay.
(Arthur) Then be content: there's naught of harm in this.
 
(Arthur) Then be content: there's naught of harm in this.
(3, 3) 2666 But after that I spoke with him alone.
(Arthur) And what of that?
 
(Arthur) And what of that?
(3, 3) 2668 Canst not guess th' offence?
(3, 3) 2669 Must I be forced to put my shame in words?
(3, 3) 2670 Sire, thou dost know the baseness that's in man,
(3, 3) 2671 And how success can feed his soul with flame,
(3, 3) 2672 Until the fever of his arrogance
(3, 3) 2673 Inflames his senses, and destroys restraint
(3, 3) 2674 In all his nature.
(Arthur) In some men, perhaps,
 
(Arthur) I'll not believe.
(3, 3) 2678 Can I say nothing, then,
(3, 3) 2679 With truth in it?
(Arthur) I cannot so believe.
 
(Arthur) They cannot wander.
(3, 3) 2689 Yet thou wilt not believe
(3, 3) 2690 Men grow infected?
(Arthur) All folly's possible,
 
(Arthur) Avoid my presence.
(3, 3) 2740 Now wilt thou believe?
(3, 3) 2741 Nay! 'tis no matter, let all seek my love;
(3, 3) 2742 Each battle-brute entreat me like a drab.
(3, 3) 2743 How should mine honour or thine own outweigh
(3, 3) 2744 One lance's value? Let him, being scorned,
(3, 3) 2745 Taunt me with praises of his paramour,
(3, 3) 2746 Swear her handmaidens are more fair than I.
(3, 3) 2747 What is an insult, or gross laughter's scorn,
(3, 3) 2748 Beside the merit of a practised sword?
(3, 3) 2749 The King of Britain, lauded through the world,
(3, 3) 2750 Must prostitute his honour to the need
(3, 3) 2751 Of keeping servants. Oh, the shame of it!
(Arthur) Come, Guinevere, what need is there of tears?
 
(Arthur) Thy cause of grief, I will be swift to heal.
(3, 3) 2767 Nay, touch me not, for I have lost thy love —
(3, 3) 2768 For such a loss there is no remedy —
(3, 3) 2769 And I am lonely, left to be the butt
(3, 3) 2770 Of scorn and insult.
(Arthur) Nay, I have not changed,
 
(Arthur) Unto their being.
(3, 3) 2776 I did so believe,
(3, 3) 2777 And had such comfort of the fancied love,
(3, 3) 2778 Thou might'st have borne me, that I cannot bear
(3, 3) 2779 The trickery of words that have no truth.
(Arthur) Nay, Guinevere —
 
(Arthur) Nay, Guinevere —
(3, 3) 2781 I think thou would'st be kind,
(3, 3) 2782 But it is better to be honest now.
(Arthur) Indeed, I love thee as I ever did.
 
(Arthur) Make me infrequent!
(3, 3) 2791 The same farce of words.
 
(3, 3) 2793 Nay, touch me not, for I will not be gulled
(3, 3) 2794 By any speech.
(Arthur) Come, what is this strange mood?
 
(Arthur) Come, what is this strange mood?
(3, 3) 2796 I do refuse thy love. Now be assured
(3, 3) 2797 And tell me that denial matters not,
(3, 3) 2798 And thou dost love a hundred fairer maids
(3, 3) 2799 Than I. So slow! Thy very lackeys hold
(3, 3) 2800 That answer at their lips.
 
(3, 3) 2802 Nay see, my lord,
(3, 3) 2803 Since love is perished I must use this shame
(3, 3) 2804 To trick thy quiet to a nobler fire.
(Arthur) {Turning to her.} Have I not said that I remain unchanged,
 
(Arthur) That war and wonder?
(3, 3) 2810 And thou lov'st me still?
(Arthur) How should I not?
 
(Arthur) How should I not?
(3, 3) 2813 No, touch me not.
(Arthur) How strange!
 
(Arthur) Thou'lt not believe me faithful?
(3, 3) 2816 Well, perchance!
(3, 3) 2817 Yet how can I believe it, give me proof.
(Arthur) {eagerly} What proof you will!
 
(Arthur) {eagerly} What proof you will!
(3, 3) 2819 Some earnest that this love
(3, 3) 2820 Looks further than its consummation, and enrings
(3, 3) 2821 My life.
(Arthur) What then?
 
(Arthur) What then?
(3, 3) 2823 If protestation's true,
(3, 3) 2824 Its act is fulness. If our lives are twin,
(3, 3) 2825 My shame is thine. I come to sanctuary,
(3, 3) 2826 Hang to the ring of honour and demand
(3, 3) 2827 More than protection. I have been ashamed,
(3, 3) 2828 Hunted of clashing, careless, stranger knights,
(3, 3) 2829 Both sought and scorned. Shall I appeal in vain?
(3, 3) 2830 The King is justice and my husband's man,
(3, 3) 2831 Surely, I cannot be denied of both.
(Arthur) What would you?
 
(Arthur) What would you?
(3, 3) 2833 Judgment. Is it not enough
(3, 3) 2834 That I should love — that one should offer love
(3, 3) 2835 And thus offend me? Must I bear as well
(3, 3) 2836 His constant presence, the vile memory
(3, 3) 2837 Of insolence?
(Arthur) {aside} He was of gentle birth,
 
(Arthur) Many sweet gifts and gentle qualities.
(3, 3) 2842 And I have none! I am not gentle, sweet,
(3, 3) 2843 Nor worth a kindness! I was sure thy love
(3, 3) 2844 Ran not beyond the sating of thine hours
(3, 3) 2845 Of leisure. Now at least we have this gain:
(3, 3) 2846 Henceforth we shall not any more pretend,
(3, 3) 2847 But hold our course apart. {She goes away from him.}
(Arthur) {Attempting to restrain.} Nay, Guinevere —
 
(Arthur) {Attempting to restrain.} Nay, Guinevere —
(3, 3) 2849 I'll not be handled. If thou must fondle, send
(3, 3) 2850 For this beloved and foul-speaking knight.
(3, 3) 2851 Nay, let me speak. Since thou wilt do for me
(3, 3) 2852 Nothing, since nothing is the very weight
(3, 3) 2853 Of all my honour, since all ill conceived
(3, 3) 2854 Against me's nothing, let this nothing be
(3, 3) 2855 Hereafter our relation. So from this time forth
(3, 3) 2856 Between us — nothing! {She moves away.}
(Arthur) Must it be so? O God!
 
(Arthur) Go, bring them here, I say.
(3, 3) 2869 My King, I thought thou hadst forgotten me
(3, 3) 2870 And feigned a love from kindness.
(Arthur) An ill thought,
 
(Arthur) And a harsh proving!
(3, 3) 2873 We'll forget it.