Launcelot. Nay Sire, not I! Not Launcelot!

Arthur. By thy love for me, thou wilt do it,

Whom else in all this kingdom wide but thee

Could I send on a mission such as this.

I honor all thy love in sending thee,

The one true knight, the glory of my realm.

[Pg 20]

[Pg 20]

In this, Oh Launcelot, thou canst help thy king,

And show abroad the love that ’twixt us lies.

Till men will say: “So much of love there lies

Betwixt King Arthur and great Launcelot,

That when the king stayed ill at Camelot

He sent forth Launcelot to fetch the Queen.”

And what more fitting messenger to send

Than thee in all thy strong and splendid youth,

The flower and sun of all my chivalry,

Launcelot the young and pure-in-heart.

Thou wilt do this and crown thy love for me.

Launcelot. Nay, mine own Arthur, men will rather say:

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