[Pg 11]

Arthur. (Rises and staggers.) Ha! yea, yea, that cloud; that cloud about mine eyes!

My crown! My crown! Methought I had a crown!

Merlin. Yea of a truth thou hadst one.

Arthur. And where be it, good father?

Merlin. Stumbling on sudden to the precipice of a golden opportunity,

Thou loosedst thy kingship and straightway it toppled over.

Arthur. And might we not make search, Father?

Might we not take lights, lights, and go find it?

Merlin. Not all the lights that light this glowing world

Might light thee to it.

Arthur. And who art thou that mocketh at me thus?

Merlin. A shadow.

Arthur. And what be I?

Merlin. In truth a shadow.

Arthur. And that, that blackness?

[Pointing at Mordred.

Mordred

Merlin. A shadow also, yea we all be shadows.

Arthur. And is there nothing real, nothing tangible in all this mist?

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