And here doth come the way as will help thee to it.

[Pulls Mordred back into the shadow.

Mordred

Laun. (Comes forward followed by Guinevere.)

Guinevere

My dearest lady why wilt tempt me thus?

Thou art the rightful, wedded spouse of Arthur.

Guin. (Kneels.) Oh! Launcelot thou hast damned me with thy beauty.

I am no more the rightful wife of Arthur,

I cannot live without thee, Launcelot.

Laun. Lady, this stolen sweetness is a hell.

I am no more the Launcelot that I was,

Nor would I be that Launcelot for high Heaven.

[Both pass on.

Vivien. (Aside to Mordred.) These words are rungs by which to build thy ladder

Mordred

Over the ruins of this dooméd kingdom.

Mordred. I cannot play thus on my father’s shame,

Even though he hate me. I would rather go

And bury my sorrows in a hermit’s grave

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