Wonderful shield, that has endured such blows And borne your mortal wounds for you, and been Where I would fain have been! I feel as if Those dreadful murderous thrusts were in my body. How had I gloried to be this, that saved you! Leave me the shield that has your story on it Till I have all its battles in my heart. LAUNCELOT How should a knight do battle without his shield? ELAINE I must resign it then. Take your good shield, But I will keep its case. Look! I have stitched Upon it with my needle every scar That gashed its brightness. And now you will forsake me? LAUNCELOT Have you no boon to ask me, ere I go? I owe you all. Ask what you will. ELAINE A boon? And you will grant me anything I ask? LAUNCELOT If it be in my power, and in my honour. ELAINE I have heard that a knight wears his lady’s favour When he goes into battle. Wear you mine? LAUNCELOT I never did that yet for any maid, For any woman. Ask some other boon, Not this. ELAINE But this is all I have to ask. LAUNCELOT Think, and then choose again. ELAINE You promised me. Is my poor favour so contemptible? I have it here. LAUNCELOT What is it? ELAINE A red sleeve Sewn with pearls. LAUNCELOT If I wear this for your sake, Since you have won me from my wound, Elaine, You did more than you knew. I had fled the world. Because I had in my tormented heart Something it was too weak to endure against. But now you have made me strong. I fear no more. ELAINE Never was fear, never was aught but honour Within the great heart of Sir Launcelot. And you will wear this? I will bind it on. LAUNCELOT I never did so much for any woman; But I will wear it. ELAINE I have bound it on. And now you are my knight! I see it far, My sleeve, my red sleeve, far among the spears, Among the helmets: none dare follow it. I know my knight shall triumph over all, Over the world. LAUNCELOT Elaine, you cannot tell How like a fountain that pure trust you have Cleanses me through. God keep me true to it. And now, farewell. ELAINE But you will come again? LAUNCELOT My child, I will not. ELAINE Oh, my lord, have mercy Without you I shall die. LAUNCELOT Elaine! ELAINE Have mercy. I cannot live, but if you love me. LAUNCELOT Ah! ELAINE Take me for wife, or no wife if you will. But if you do not love me, I must die. LAUNCELOT