SEVENTH SCENE
TheKing’sCamp 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.
Gawaineenters.
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. (Lucanadvances. A distant trumpet sounds fromLauncelot’sside.) A trumpet sounds from Joyous Gard. Is it peace at last?
TheDamselenters.
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 theKing’sside.) Hark! The King comes!
TheKing’sknights come on, arrayed as for battle. Trumpets answer fromLauncelot’sside.Gawaineenters, and then theKing.
TheKing’sknights come on, arrayed as for battle. Trumpets answer fromLauncelot’sside.Gawaineenters, and then theKing.
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.
[Launcelotand his knights appear. ExitDamsel.
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 inLauncelot’sface. Trumpets fromLauncelot’sside.)
(He throws his glove inLauncelot’sface. Trumpets fromLauncelot’sside.)
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’sknights defend him fromGawaine’sfury, giving ground R. Confused fighting in darkness. Cries of “Launcelot!” “Joyous Gard!” “Arthur!” and “Gawaine!” A flash of lightning discoversGawainehewing his way through the fighters.)
(The storm breaks with blinding violence as the battle begins.Launcelot’sknights defend him fromGawaine’sfury, giving ground R. Confused fighting in darkness. Cries of “Launcelot!” “Joyous Gard!” “Arthur!” and “Gawaine!” A flash of lightning discoversGawainehewing 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 lightBorsandArthurare seen confronting each other alone, the fight having swept off to the L.)
(The storm mitigates a little, and in the dim lightBorsandArthurare seen confronting each other alone, the fight having swept off to the L.)
Bors(calling)
Launcelot!
(ToArthur) 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!
EnterLauncelot.
Launcelot, Launcelot! Shall I make an end?
It is the King.
(He lifts his sword.Arthurstands motionless, leaning on his sword.)
(He lifts his sword.Arthurstands 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.
[ExitBors.
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,