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

PLACE—A corridor in the palace. Enter two Gentlemen. 1st Gent. Hast heard the news? Mordred's usurped the kingdom, hath seized the Queen, and, backed by half the realm, doth challenge Arthur to a warm home-coming. 'Tis said he hath plotted this long time, and now hath proved his chances. How stand you in this most bitter struggle? 2nd Gent. I'm for Arthur, and now for Dover and France this coming night. 1st Gent. Then I am with you. May we bring these shores New peace from this usurper when we come! [Exeunt both. Enter VIVIEN with a dagger. VIV. Nay, he shall never make her Queen. Nay, never! She shall die first! No Queen but Vivien Shall royal it while Mordred lifts the crown. His slave, his creature, yea, in all save this. I'll make her beauty wan, I'll curtain her lights. Yea, she shall queen in Tartarus this night. [Sounds heard without. VIVIEN gets behind the tapestry. Enter MORDRED as King. MOR. Now have I reached the pinnacle of my revenge In these uncertain heights of Arthur's glory. And even now I sicken of the struggle; Even now I top a tower of fear. A thousand swords, would leap at my command, And swim this land in blood at my one word, Would at a stronger power but turn and rend me. The thousand throats that this morn shouted “Mordred!” To-morrow morn may shout as loud for Arthur. 'Tis but a petty thing to be a King, And strut an hour to crown a people's will And make them think they wield a majesty, And hold a phantom rule; then pa** and be A little dust in a forgotten heap. Nay, 'tis not worth the blacking of a soul, The letting of a single human life, The fouling o'er of youthful memory. And I am now this self-contemnèd thing, A man of truest sorrows who descended From out the pedestal of nobler dreams, And used the subtle intrigues of this world To climb this pyramid of human weakness. And now I hate it as I hate myself Who stooped to gain it. Yet must Mordred king This realm with a tyranny that fear Wields o'er a monarchy that knows not love, And burn his heart out for a woman's scorn. Yea, she shall be my queen if love can win her. Enter GUINEVERE as a State Prisoner. MOR. Madam, I would detain you. GUIN. Usurper! why this bringing of me here? I deemed the shelter of a sisterhood Were not denied me. MOR. Madam, I would to you unfold this matter. I am not all you think me in your scorn. Though I be born misshapen, yet my soul Hath appetite for beauty like a man's That shows the inward in the outward mien. Madam, I would lay the matter plainly: I have long been a victim to thy beauties, And would new-make thee Queen of this old kingdom. GUIN. Never! Were Launcelot or Arthur standing by, Insulter of thy Queen, thou quick wouldst die. Make way! Make way! MOR. Madam, have compa**ion on my weakness! A soul is lodged within this crooked body. No man hath ever loved as Mordred loves. GUIN. Make way! this be hideous! MOR. Let your sorrow plead for Mordred's sorrow. As thou hast loved Launcelot unhappy, So he loves thee. GUIN. Show it by closing quick this audience. I am all Launcelot's, this world and the next, As Heaven knoweth. MOR. Then thou wilt not have compa**ion? GUIN. I pity thee, but this may never be. MOR. Never? GUIN. As I am a Queen, never! MOR. Lady, thy pity doth but lttle help me. Yet will I show thee Mordred hath a heart. Know thou hast k**ed the spark of Mordred's hope, And silenced the music of this world for him; Yet, lady, as rightful King of this great land, He grants thee safest pa**age where thou wilt. GUIN. I would go to a nunnery. MOR. As thou wilt. Not one word? Not one token? GUIN. Prince, thou hast my respect and gratitude For this thine act. [Exeunt GUINEVERE and her train. VIVIEN comes forward. VIV. Ha, ha, ha! King Mordred! MOR. (springs forward and draws) Fiend! thou diest! (He clutches her, they stand confronting each other) Nay, nay, and thou didst hear all? Nay, I will not k** thee. Thy punishment hath been more than I could mete thee. I see sharp agony in thine evil face. Yea, woman, thou hast suffered. VIV. O God! My love! My love! [Would stab herself. MOR. Nay, die not! (throws the dagger away) Thou deservest thy reward. Mordred will crown this farce and make thee Queen. VIV. Me! thy wife? MOR. Nay, nay, or mistress even; only Queen. CURTAIN.