SCENE II.--SIR LAUNCELOT’S _apartment, midnight. Enter several

Knights _with torches and swords_.

_Sir Ban._ Hello there! wake up!

_Knights._ Hello! Within! Within! (_Loud knocking heard at the doors. Enter several other knights. Enter_ SIR LAUNCELOT.)

_Laun._ What means this that ye be armed?

_Sir Ban._ Strange horrors woke us frozen from our beds. Hideous nightmares beset us. Some heard moanings, some that grave-bells rang, and others saw strange spectres, and I myself heard clash of mighty arms, and quick each man found himself leaped from his bed, naked blade in hand. What may it portend? We be much affrighted!

_Laun._ ’Tis a true portent. Now the end hath come Of peace and happiness for this dooméd kingdom. To-night on private meeting with the Queen, In her apartments, there was I surrounded, And hounded traitor, slew so many knights, There’s scarce one left to tell the King the story.

_Knights._ A most foul and dastard attack! The kingdom is doomed.

_Enter a_ Messenger.

_Laun._ The Queen! quick! the Queen! what of her?

_Mess._ An order hath come in the King’s name; She is to be burnt tomorrow noon.

_Laun._ Never! by my blade, she shall not die!

_Knights._ She shall not! she shall not! on our lives!