3. Whiles Arthur wars abroad and reaps renown, Guenevera prefers his son’s desire; And traitorous Mordred still usurps the crown, Affording fuel to her quenchless fire, But death’s too good, and life too sweet for these, That wanting both should taste of neither’s ease. 4. In Rome the gaping gulf would not decrease, Till Curtius corse had closed her yearning jaws: In Thebes the rot and murrain would not cease, Till Laius brood had paid for breach of laws: In Britain wars and discord will not stent, Till Uther’s line and offspring quite be spent. _The Argument of the Second Act._ 1. In the first scene a Nuntio declareth the success of Arthur’s wars in France, and Mordred’s foil, that resisted his landing. 2. In the second scene, Mordred enraged at the overthrow voweth a second battle; notwithstanding Conan’s dissuasion to the contrary. 3. In the third scene, Gawin (brother to Mordred by the mother) [comes] with an herald from Arthur to imparley of peace, but after some debate thereof, peace is rejected. 4. In the fourth scene, the King of Ireland and other foreign princes assure Mordred of their assistance against Arthur. _The Argument and Manner of the Second Dumb-Show._ Whiles the music sounded, there came out of Mordred’s house a man stately attired, representing a king who, walking once about the stage, then out of the house appointed for Arthur there came three Nymphs apparelled accordingly, the first holding a Cornucopia in her hand, the second a golden branch of olive, the third a sheaf of corn. These orderly, one after another, offered these presents to the king, who scornfully refused: a second after which there came a man bareheaded, with long black shagged hair down to his shoulders, apparelled with an Irish jacket and shirt, having an Irish dagger by his side, and a dart in his hand. Who first with a threatening countenance looking about, and then spying the king, did furiously chase and drive him into Mordred’s house. The king represented Mordred; the three Nymphs with their proffers the treaty of peace, for the which Arthur sent Gawin with an herald unto Mordred, who rejected it: the Irishman signified Revenge and Fury, which Mordred conceived after his foil on the shores, whereunto Mordred headlong yieldeth himself. THE SECOND ACT AND FIRST SCENE. NUNTIUS.