(_The knights, rising, respond with a great shout. Deep horns sound a flourish._) ALL KNIGHTS “King Arthur’s fellowship.” GAWAINE You speak to loyal hearts. LADY (_returning_) King Arthur, Madam, Takes private counsel of Sir Launcelot, Who prays to be excused. GUENEVERE As the King wills. BORS It seems new strife is hatching in the West. BEDIVERE These rats gnaw at our realm on every side. GAWAINE So we shall soon be horsed---- GARETH And in the field. GAHERIS Lavaine, there shall be spurs to win. AGRAVAINE These rebels Renown us not. There’s not a knight among them. KAY Enough for Colegrevance to flesh his steel. (_A laugh from_ LAUNCELOT’S _friends_) MORDRED While we go to the wars, ladies lament. BORS What, ladies, Mordred? MORDRED Breaker of hearts, so modest? I thought Sir Launcelot’s comrades boasted more Of sighs than trophies. As for me and mine---- COLEGREVANCE We are blunt men-at-arms. MORDRED But you, Sir Bors; If I were not discreeter than the dusk---- (_A laugh from_ MORDRED’S _followers_.) GUENEVERE Friends, of your charity! MORDRED I say no more. GUENEVERE Your tongues speak trippingly of breaking hearts, Yet of your courtesy remember this: A woman has no armour, has no sword; And absent, how shall she defend herself? If tongues be sharp with malice, A woman must be silent. If defamers Stab at her honour in the dark--why, still She must be silent. I am a woman, a Queen; And yet, how can I fight with evil tongues? I count you all as friends, all of you here; And if your Queen on any day should need Armour and sword, she gives to you her honour; The dearest thing she has she gives to you. GAWAINE Now may the lightning scorch the lips that made Our loyal oaths, if we forget. In peace As in the hour of peril, we are yours In service absolute; and we will shed Our bosom’s last blood to defend our Queen. Do I not speak for all? BEDIVERE (_raising his cup_) For all! The Queen! ALL KNIGHTS We pledge her. GAWAINE Sword and life! ALL KNIGHTS Hail to the Queen! BORS To the most gracious lady in the land! LUCAN To the glory of this isle! KAY The Western star! MORDRED The radiant rose of Britain and the world! GAWAINE Happily spoken. Mordred hits the mark: “The radiant rose of Britain and the world.” ALL KNIGHTS The radiant rose of Britain and the world. (_A great flourish from the horns._) GUENEVERE