Thanks to you all, thanks from my heart that glows Great in my bosom to be pledged so queenly, To have such praises like a crown upon me More golden than this circlet; for I feel Your voices are like swords upon my side Flashing about me. Sir Mordred, specially I thank you, since Too seldom have we seen you grace our table. Honour us more! MORDRED I am honoured past desert. Let me again pledge that most royal beauty Dimming the fame of queens dead and renowned. Drink yet again, knights, to our Queen. ALL KNIGHTS Our Queen! (_Another flourish._) MORDRED Yet something, give me pardon, something lacks Your feast, Queen Guenevere. GUENEVERE Speak your desire. I blame my entertainment that it lacks---- MORDRED Sir Launcelot! GUENEVERE I have word the King requires him In council. MORDRED A light is wanting by your side When Launcelot is absent. You have spoken Of the division that an envy breeds. Lives one who envies not Sir Launcelot? If it be fault, I must confess to it. Fame he has and love, And therefore stands the envy of the world. Where is the man’s hand can prevail against him, Or where the heart of woman? When in the bright lists Launcelot rode on me How was I dazzled? Not by him alone; I marvelled at the red sleeve which he wore, Beauty’s proud badge. That smote me in the eyes. My Queen, it was your red sleeve conquered me. GUENEVERE A red sleeve? Launcelot? MORDRED Knights, Red wine to the red sleeve! (_A pause._) Does no one drink? Have I said aught amiss? GUENEVERE What does Sir Mordred rave of? BEDIVERE Queen, excuse. It is but some extravagance of phrase. LAVAINE (_shyly_) Sirs, This red sleeve is my sister’s. MORDRED Not the Queen’s? (_A pause._) COLEGREVANCE Out of the mouth of babes! MORDRED Oh, pardon me If in my innocence I have offended. GUENEVERE Sir Launcelot wore a red sleeve yesterday? And this sleeve was your sister’s? LAVAINE Yes, my Queen. She supplicated him to wear it. GUENEVERE She Has healed him of his wound. For gratitude He could have done naught else. MORDRED But this is marvel. Never did Launcelot take such badge before Of any lady. More than gratitude This surely meant. GAWAINE Mordred, the Queen has spoken. You slight her word. MORDRED