=Discussion.= 1. Were Arthur and his knights successful in restoring order in the kingdom? 2. Why were they so successful? 3. What value have union and loyalty in any cause? 4. When did this union of King Arthur and his knights begin to weaken? 5. Whose unfaithfulness and treachery began its destruction? 6. What was the great fault in Modred that prevented him from being loyal? 7. How did “true knights” regard Sir Lancelot? 8. Did Arthur think it right to take the law into his own hands? 9. Read lines which show that he did not think himself greater than the law. 10. Can good government exist without respect for law? 11. Trace the progress of disunion from its beginning in Modred’s jealousy as follows: jealousy; plot; combat; deaths; vengeance; false accusation; decree of death by burning; rescue; deaths; vow of vengeance; war. 12. What proof did Sir Lancelot give of his love for the King, even while at war with him? 13. Was King Arthur at fault when he allowed himself to be persuaded by Sir Gawain to make war on Sir Lancelot? 14. Read the lines that show the King loved Lancelot, in spite of all that had come between them. 15. Read lines that show how Sir Gawain’s love and generosity triumphed over his desire for vengeance. 16. Over what did King Arthur grieve when he lay wounded after the “battle in the West”? 17. Do you think it is the fine ideals of these old legends—union for defense of the weak, mercy to all, and wrongful gain to none—that make them live? =Phrases= boded ill, 149, 2 jealous rage, 149, 11 ill counsel, 150, 33 from the press, 151, 21 rendered me account, 152, 14 safe conduct, 152, 28 housings of the horses, 152, 33 it behooves me, 153, 17 felon knight, 153, 22 under surety of my word, 154, 8 fasten a quarrel upon him, 154, 9 by stealth, 154, 13 fulfilling your behest, 155, 14 to hie us home, 156, 25 the scoff of all men, 156, 25 faith I owe to knighthood, 156, 32 noised abroad, 158, 12 idle rumor, 158, 14 as was his wont, 158, 35 Modred and his array, 159, 2 sorrowing beyond measure, 159, 10 heathen hosts, 160, 6 I charge thee, 162, 24 chafed his hands, 163, 20 donned the serge gown, 165, 31 funeral rites, 166, 15 NARRATIVES IN VERSE [Illustration] SIR PATRICK SPENS FOLK BALLAD The king sits in Dumferling toune, Drinking the blude-reid wine: “O whar will I get guid sailor, To sail this schip of mine?” Up and spak an eldern knicht,[10] Sat at the king’s richt kne: “Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor That sails upon the se.” The king has written a braid[11] letter, And signed it wi his hand, And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens, Was walking on the sand. The first line that Sir Patrick red, A loud lauch lauched he; The next line that Sir Patrick red, The teir blinded his ee.