William Wilfred Campbell - Mordred: Act II, Scene 5 lyrics

PLACE—The Court. Enter VIVIEN disguised as a strange maiden, followed by men bearing a great stone with a sword thrust in it. AR. Whence comest thou unto our Court, strange maiden, And on what quest art sent? VIV. Nine days are past and gone, O noble King, Since thou didst advertise throughout the land The kingdom be gathered for tests at Camelot, And marvellous feats might here performèd be. Wherefore I, knowing of that noble pride With which you hold the flower of your great Court For manhood's purity, woman's chastity, Have deigned to show before the world, great King, The truth whereof thou boastest. AR. It is bold, indeed, but Arthur keeps his word. What be the tests? VIV. First, here to test thy knighthood's purity, We bring a sword sunk fast in yonder stone By magic's force, and he who plucks it forth Must be a knight who hath not known a woman, Save in the lawful mode of marriage bed. (to LAUNCELOT) Wouldst try, pure knight? LAUN. Yea, I would, doth great Arthur will, Though all the fiends of hell clutched nether end. Do other knights but make the trial first. [A number of knights come forward, try to pull the sword out of the stone, but fail. LAUNCELOT then places his feet on the stone and grasps the sword and pulls with all his might, but the sword remains fixed. AR. It is in sooth a marvel! LAUN. It seemeth grown therein, Yea, I will bend and strain until it comes. It will not. [Stands to take breath. GUIN. It is enough! VIV. Wouldst thou try again, pure knight? LAUN. Yea, I will try till I die, if it come not. [Tries again, bends his whole strength, then staggers to his feet. Methought the earth's roots hung thereon. I am shamed! AR. 'Tis enough! VIV. Wilt not try again, pure knight? LAUN. (with set face) Yea, now for Camelot's glory. Launcelot's manhood pulls on his side, Hell on that. [Braces himself and gives one terrible tug, then falls back fainting. EL. 'Tis he! [Rushes out and falls fainting on his breast. The Queen's women lift her and bear her out. GUIN. Great Heaven! AR. 'Tis enough! away with it, maiden; thy magic hath outdone our noblest worth. VIV. (scornfully) Is there no pure man here will make a trial? GWA. (emerges from the throng still dressed in scullion's dress) Yea, I will try, although I rend the stone. [Leaps on to the stone and plucks the sword out with both hands with a great pull, and waves it aloft with an exultant shout. The throng starts back. How now, mighty King? AR. 'Tis a great marvel! LAUN. (steps forth) Thou must face Launcelot to the d**h—the d**h! [Faces GWAINE and draws. GUIN. My God! [Her maids support her; she hides her face in her mantle. GWA. I would not slay thee. LAUN. Thou canst not!—Keep you! [They fight. Knights try to separate them. AR. Nay, back, more room! give them more room! [Continue fighting; each draws blood, but neither gives way. GUIN. (aside to the maids) Be he slain? A Maid. Neither be slain, madam. AR. Enough! I say enough! LAUN. Sire! GWA. Must we stop the exercise? AR. It is enough, you are both brave knights. LAUN. Gwaine, thou art better than I. GWA. Thou art the best I have met. Wilt thou take the hand of Gwaine? LAUN. Yea, I will, though it hath pressed me hard. AR. Clear the Court. [Trumpets blow and the throng falls back. CURTAIN.