Part 4
_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