University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

—A street in Camelot. Enter The Watch.
First Watchman.

I say it and I say it again, that the King hath the strongest arm in the kingdom.

Second Watchman.

Not a doubt of that!

Third Watchman.

Our King be a powerful fighter.

Fourth Watchman.

Not but I think our Owen, the blacksmith, would run him hard.

First Watchman.

Oh, you think, do you? You're a fine one to think. Owen, the blacksmith!

Third Watchman.

They as thinks, goes to hell; leastwise Father Aurelian says so.

First Watchman.

Owen, the blacksmith!

Fourth Watchman.

Well, I suppose a blacksmith may have muscle in his arm, as well as a king.

First Watchman.

Ah, there you goes a-supposing. The King, sir, is the King, and is not to be supposed.

Third Watchman.

Ay, 'tis a hanging matter to suppose the King—except for the Pope. The Pope can suppose anything.

First Watchman.

You go too much to the priests, David. Father Aurelian knows not everything, though I will not deny that he can say mass quicker than any priest in Camelot. The Pope cannot touch the King except in the way of cursing, and it's not likely the Holy Father would curse anybody —unless he were mightily provoked.

Second Watchman.

That's true, neighbor.

First Watchman.

The King is the head in things temporary, and the Pope in things spirituous.

Second Watchman.

And that's true, too.

First Watchman.

And I say again, the King is the strongest man in the kingdom. Before he was crowned, he pulled the great sword out o' the stone at Canterbury, where it was fast stuck, so that all the nobles in Britain had tugged away at it and none o' them so much as budged it. And they say the devil put it there, but that is not likely, for the Archbishop said that whoever should pull it out should be king, and it's not to be believed that the Archbishop would meddle with the devil. Well, at last the King came, but he was not King then, but no matter for that; and he heaved away at it and out it came so sudden that away went His Majesty heels over head backward and was near to break 's neck. And they call the place Arthur's Feat to this day, because there Arthur lost his feet. And I say, the King is the strongest man in Britain.

Third Watchman.

But that was a magic sword; it vanished afterward.

First Watchman.

Magic! Poh, David, you'll believe anything.

Third Watchman.

If it did not vanish, where is it now? Answer me that.

First Watchman.

Masters, we are set here to apprehend benefactors. But I take it that no benefactors will be in the street at this hour, for there is a law that no one be abroad after nine o' the clock but the King's watch. Let us go into Master Howell's tavern. If there be any benefactors they will be there.

Fourth Watchman.

Ay, we'll go have a pot of ale. But we must come back anon, for there might be honest men abroad.

First Watchman.

Truly, and if any honest men be stirring, they will take it ill that the watch be not by to protect them.

Third Watchman.

But 'tis against the law to be out at this time o' the night; and can a man be a true man and break the law?

First Watchman.

In a case of necessity he

may, for necessity knows no law. And I feel myself a pressing necessity now for strong waters. Come, masters.

[Exeunt.]
[Enter Guenevere, disguised as a Page, and Galahault.]
Guenevere.
Pray, how much farther is it? We have come
A long way from the palace.

Galahault.
We have but
To cross the little bridge beyond and pass
Under the row of willows to the left,
And we are there. It is a place I built
Some years ago when I had use for it.
But now the flowers have sown themselves at will
And the wild vines, untrimmed, have overflowed
The trellises and run along the ground,
Tangled with violets, and hollyhocks
Start straight and sudden in the very walks.
The simple people of the neighborhood
Say it is haunted, having no way else
To explain infrequent lights and seldom signs
Of habitation in such solitude.
Yet though it has a barbarous outside,
You'll find within that all has been made ready
Even for a queen's sojourn.

Guenevere.
I thank you, sir.
How looked he when you left him?

Galahault.
Why, as one
Who is about to die and has seen heaven
Opening before him.

Guenevere.
But did he send no word?
Oh, pardon me, I have lost all my pride,
And I must hear you speak of him.

Watch
[within].
Ho, there!

Galahault.
Stand close, it is the watch;—and speak no word,
But keep your face in shadow.

[Enter the Watch.]
First Watchman.

Stand all together that they may not rush upon us suddenly and overpower us. —Who goes there?

Galahault.

What, old Griffith! What do you mean, you old oracle? Do you forget me?

First Watchman.

Bless us, masters, if it be

not the Prince! I hope your Highness will pardon me. Now who'd a-thought 't 't would a-been your Highness? Ah, your Highness knows what's what, a-going about in the night, when all honest folk is a-bed. But it's not for me to say when your Highness should go in or come out. And I hope your Highness will not forget the watch.

Galahault
[throwing purse].

Drink my health, Griffith,—you and your fellows. And if you get very drunk, I'll see you are none the worse for it. Come, boy.

[Exeunt Galahault and Guenevere.]
Second Watchman.

What did he give you?

First Watchman.

Gold! Ah, there's a prince for you, he is! I have carried him home drunk these many times. He knows what belongs to a gentleman. And did you hear what he called me? An oracle. That's as much as to say, a man of parts. Mark Antony was an oracle—he that killed Cæsar in the play. He killed him oracularly.

Fourth Watchman.

Not a one of you had come back but for me. You were so thirsty you could see naught but the tavern window.

First Watchman.

Never you mind. We'll have a drink now as is a drink—and none the worse for waiting and letting our mouths water.

[Exeunt.]