TORRE (_after an effort_) Tell me the words. ELAINE “Most noble Launcelot ... I was your lover, though you would not love me. (TORRE _forces himself to write_.) You would not love me, and therefore I can endure no longer. I was called the Fair Maid of Astolat, and yet I was not loved. So I make my lament to all fair ladies and to the Queen Guenevere. Sir Launcelot, since you would not come to me, now come I to you. Bury this my body that is dead for love of you....” TORRE Elaine, dear sister, do not speak so--you shall not die. ELAINE It is not finished, Torre. Write. TORRE No, no. ELAINE There is so little time. Write. “This is the last thing that I ask of you that would not love me. And, Sir Launcelot, as you are a knight peerless, pray for my soul.” Is it written? TORRE It is written. ELAINE All? TORRE All. ELAINE Prop my head a little ... Father! Where are you, father? SIR BERNARD I am here, child. ELAINE The letter! While I am still warm, put it in my hand. Bind it there, father, bind it fast. SIR BERNARD It shall be done. ELAINE And when I am cold, clothe me in the fairest dress I have. Put me on the barge. SIR BERNARD On the barge? ELAINE Let old Simon, dumb Simon, take me, and steer downstream to Thames. So I shall come to him. SIR BERNARD It shall be done. You know I never said “Nay” to your desire, little daughter. Perhaps it was not wisdom. ELAINE Is the day nearly done? SIR BERNARD Yes, child, the sun is sinking behind the great trees. ELAINE The flowers are falling.... TORRE Elaine! SIR BERNARD She does not hear us. She does not know us any longer. TORRE What is she saying? ELAINE The rushes are gliding, the rushes are gliding. The water, the water! The flowers are falling upon me. TORRE Oh, father, will she really die? She, so young. SIR BERNARD She will die because she is so young. We that are old, we endure. FOURTH SCENE _Westminster. A vast circular banqueting hall with steps to the river in front. The hall is hidden at first with heavy curtains so that only the stairs are seen._ LAVAINE _by the river steps, leaning pensive on the balustrade_. _Enter_ GARETH _and_ GAHERIS _arm in arm_. GARETH Who’s yonder? GAHERIS Our new courtier, young Lavaine. GARETH Stolen apart to admire his blushing looks In the dark water. LAVAINE (_turning_) Gaheris! Ah, and Gareth! Are you for the banquet? GARETH Come, Narcissus, come; And you shall find a mirror more attractive In ladies’ eyes. LAVAINE My thoughts strayed up the river to my home. I wondered when the ripple that I watched Went by our cowslip meadows. Months it seems Since I was there. GAHERIS Soon they will be acclaiming Your feats and praises in the joust, Lavaine. LAVAINE I did but follow where Sir Launcelot led. GARETH A good road that. GAHERIS