Now you go Into your mortal peril, and go alone, Maimed of your strong right hand, Of Launcelot, that loved you. Woe on me! The very meanest of your serving men That bears a weapon has the better right Than she who was your Queen to follow you Even with her prayers. ARTHUR Give me your prayers, I ask them. Christ, that loved men and women, comfort you. GUENEVERE God keep my lord. I have no words any more. ARTHUR The day goes to the night, And I to darkness, with my toil undone. Yet something, surely, something shall remain. A seed is sown in Britain, Guenevere; And whether men wait for a hundred years Or for a thousand, they shall find it flower In youth unborn. The young have gone before me, The maid Elaine, Gareth, and Gaheris--hearts Without a price, poured out. But now I know The tender and passionate spirit that burned in them To dare all and endure all, lives and moves, And though the dark comes down upon our waste, Lives ever, like the sun above all storms; This old world shall behold it shine again To prove what splendour men have power to shape From mere mortality. Farewell! That peace Which can remember, and yet hope, because Love makes us greater than we know, come to you, Guenevere! [_He disappears into the shadows, and the scene closes in._ NINTH SCENE _Same as Eighth Scene. Early light._ GUENEVERE _is discovered with a young_ NOVICE. GUENEVERE What hour is it? FIRST NOVICE Madam, struck six. GUENEVERE Still rumour, And never the one certain thing. Two hours Since any word came how the battle goes. Yet all night long Have our replenished torches flamed to guide The bearers of the wounded to our gates. FIRST NOVICE Cloister and ante-chapel both are filled; And still they bring them in, dying and dead. Never was seen such slaughter in the world. GUENEVERE Still no news of the King! (_A pause._) _Enter_ SECOND NOVICE. SECOND NOVICE News, Madam! GUENEVERE Speak. SECOND NOVICE There came a rider spurring from the West; His head was badged with blood. He implored speech Passionately, as heavy with his news, Of the Sister Lynned. She has quit the task That keeps her with those wounded ones, and gone To the gate to meet him. He is named, they say, Sir Bedivere. GUENEVERE The King’s friend. He will bring News of the King. FIRST NOVICE Madam, the Sister comes. _Enter_ LYNNED. LYNNED Our Reverend Mother Abbess needs more hands To bind those many wounds up. Go to her.