[Pg 22]

The maiden daughter of our kingly love,

To guard in safety to great Arthur’s court,

There to be wedded as his faithful queen.

Meanwhile receive our hospitality.

This castle and this town are thine to-night

In honor of the Princess and the King.

Launcelot. We thank thee Sire for this thy hospitality.

Leo. Yea one thing further, knowing our daughter’s nature,

And fearing a maiden’s pride might feel a hurt,

At the King’s absence, we would therefore advise

That this be kept a secret till tomorrow,

When we will break it softly to Her Highness;

Though she hath never seen him, as thou knowest,

She now half loves him for his kingly virtues,

And being her father’s daughter thinks it well

To act a daughter’s just obedience.

She hath a wayward nature, ’tis a pride

We have in common, therefore we defer

This matter till tomorrow. ’Twould not do

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