Peace! Peace to you all! In the name of our Lord Jesu, peace! Our Holy Father on the seat of St. Peter hath sent me hither with his commands. Hasting I come even among your swords and spears; And this is the command that I am charged with. Launcelot shall render his Queen again to King Arthur; she shall not be harmed: And King Arthur shall be accorded with Sir Launcelot. This, upon pain of interdiction of the whole realm of Britain, is the high commandment of God’s regent upon earth, our Holy Father in Rome. My sons, will you obey? (ARTHUR _and_ LAUNCELOT _bow their heads_.) ARTHUR So far as it be peace betwixt us, I obey. LAUNCELOT I go to bring the Queen. (_He goes away R. as_ GAWAINE _is brought in wounded, leaning on two of his knights_.) GAWAINE Ah, there! Let me but reach him; hurt though I be, I will satisfy my vengeance. BISHOP Man of blood, your hour is past. Exorcise from you this vain rage and lust of vengeance. Bethink you of your sins, and of God’s peace. The King receives his Queen again and is accorded with Sir Launcelot. GAWAINE Not all the priests in Christendom shall force My will to this. I’ll say naught of the Queen; But him will I proclaim still to the world Traitor. ARTHUR Ah, Gawaine, have we not enough Of hatred? GAWAINE Though I seek him through seven realms I’ll have my retribution, death for death. (_He faints._) ARTHUR He has swooned. Bear him to his tent. (GAWAINE _is borne off by his friends_.) BISHOP Pass now. My errand is performed. Peace be upon you. [_The priests resume their chant, and the_ BISHOP _and his train pass off_. ARTHUR Look, where she comes. LAUNCELOT _returns, leading_ GUENEVERE _by the hand_. LAUNCELOT My King, I bring to you your Queen again. (_They kneel down before_ ARTHUR, _then_ LAUNCELOT _raises_ GUENEVERE.) ARTHUR Guenevere! GUENEVERE Oh, my lord! ARTHUR What shall I say?... With a sore heart I took this battle up Which now is ended. Launcelot, I loved you, Cherished and honoured you before all others. But now is parting. My reproach is dulled, Fall’n out of use and anger, Like a spent arrow. LAUNCELOT Oh, my King, believe me, Never was it my purpose or my thought To keep your Queen from you, but to defend And shield her from your anger and her foes. ARTHUR