Where erst we sought abroad for foes to foil, Behold, our Fates had sent us foes unsought. When foreign realms supplanted want supply, O blessed home, that hath such boon in store! But let this part of Arthur’s prowess lurk, Nor let it e’er appear by my report, What monstrous mischiefs rage in civil wars. O, rather let due tears and wailings want! Let all in silence sink what hence ensu’d. What best deserveth mention here is this: That Mordred vanquish’d trusted to his flight, That Arthur eachwhere victor is return’d. And lo, where Mordred comes with heavy head: He wields no slender weight that wields a crown. [_Exit._ THE SECOND SCENE. MORDRED, CONAN. MORDRED. And hath he won? Be strands and shores possessed? Is Mordred foil’d? the realm is yet unwon, And Mordred lives, reserv’d for Arthur’s death! Well, ’twas my first conflict: I knew not yet What wars requir’d: but now my sword is flesh’d, And taught to gore and bathe in hottest blood. Then think not, Arthur, that the crown is won! Thy first success may rue our next assault; Even at our next encounter (hap when ’twill) I vow by heaven, by earth, by hell, by all, That either thou or I, or both shall die! CONAN. Nought should be rashly vow’d against your sire. MORDRED. Whose breast is free from rage may soon b’ advised. CONAN. The best redress from rage is to relent. MORDRED. ’Tis better for a king to kill his foes. CONAN. So that the subjects also judge them foes. MORDRED. The subjects must not judge their king’s decrees. CONAN. The subjects’ force is great. MORDRED.[261] Greater the king’s. CONAN. The more you may, the more you ought to fear. MORDRED. He is a fool that feareth what he may. CONAN. Not what you may, but what you ought, is just. MORDRED. He that amongst so many so unjust Seeks to be just, seeks peril to himself. CONAN. A greater peril comes by breach of laws. MORDRED. The laws do licence as the sovereign lists. CONAN. Least ought he list, whom laws do licence most. MORDRED. Imperial power abhors to be restrain’d. CONAN. As much do meaner grooms[262] to be compell’d. MORDRED. The fates have heav’d and rais’d my force on high. CONAN. The gentler should you press those that are low. MORDRED. I would be fear’d. CONAN. The cause why subjects hate. MORDRED. A kingdom’s kept by fear. CONAN. And lost by hate. He fears as man[y] himself whom many fear. MORDRED. The timorous subject dares attempt no change. CONAN. What dares not desperate dread? MORDRED.[263] What? torture, threats. CONAN. O spare! ’twere safer to be lov’d. MORDRED. As safe to be obey’d. CONAN. Whiles you command but well. MORDRED. Where rulers dare command but what is well, Pow’r is but prayer, commandment but request.