I seem like one who walketh in dreams where all are shadows

Till I seem but a shadow-king walking in a realm of shadows.

Launcelot. Take courage to thee Arthur, it will off,

Go in thy kingship’s strength and meet thy queen.

Her beauty and her kindliness will cure thee

Of this distemper.

Arthur. Nay, Launcelot, this is the very matter,

As thou well knowest she hath never seen me,

And for the very reverence I bear her,

A maiden princess, I would hold as snow

In each thing that regardeth purity.

By all the love that I would bear to her,

I would not have her meet me in this mood.

But I would have her meet her Arthur when

In kingly grace he is himself a king.

Yea, Launcelot for this I sent for thee.

’Tis mine intent that I should tarry here

And in the joustings cure me of this fit,

While thou dost go forth in my place and bring

The Princess Guinevere to Camelot.

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