Ay, the proof. Proof, and if no proof, banishment: nay, death. To-morrow this shall all be cleared. To-morrow! Get to bed. (GAWAINE _is going, when a loud knock is heard without, and_ MORDRED’S _voice, “The King!” The guard opens the door._) GUARD My lord, it is Sir Mordred. ARTHUR Let him in. MORDRED _appears, all bloody_. GAWAINE Mordred! And there is blood upon his hands. MORDRED Justice, O King, on a murderer and traitor. GAWAINE What have you done? What villainy? ARTHUR Peace, Gawaine. Now, speak. MORDRED I grieve to tell what I must tell, But truth is worth its wound, Launcelot, your friend, The man whom you have trusted, whom you hold Dear as your life and honour, he it is I must accuse. ARTHUR To the accusation. Speak! And yet beware! Speak not without the proof! MORDRED I have the proof. GAWAINE Is that his blood upon you? ARTHUR Where is Launcelot? MORDRED Launcelot is ... where we found him, With the Queen, in her own chamber. Pardon me That loyalty must speak of shame so gross. ARTHUR You have slain him, Mordred? MORDRED Nay, he has lived to heap A second guilt upon his head. Murder! This is my own blood, where he wounded me, And Agravaine is dead, and Colegrevance, Patrice, and Mador. On the Queen’s threshold Launcelot slew them, thinking that one stroke Should silence all that caught him in his guilt. I cry upon your justice! ARTHUR Launcelot lives? MORDRED Being taken, he set upon us like the fiend. The darkness, and his trickery, aided him. GAWAINE One against five, and you all armed like men That go to battle! ARTHUR A marvel is this Launcelot, A marvellous proud fighter! There is none In Christendom or heathendom, I swear To match him. So he lives? MORDRED He has escaped: But now I cry your justice; banishment For Launcelot, the traitor! ARTHUR There shall be justice done. Look to your wound. To-morrow I will have the proof of all, Mordred--full proof, or on your own head be it. MORDRED You shall have proof, my King. Peace be to you. [MORDRED _goes out_. ARTHUR Arm you now, Gawaine, arm! Arrest the Queen. Seek Launcelot out, and take him. GAWAINE Never, sir. That will I never do. If I did this, It would be said Gawaine abetted what To him is shame and an unreason both. It may be Mordred lured him to the Queen With some feigned message. ARTHUR