Part 8
[_Grasping the situation._] What’s this? What’s this? A son-in-law who can laugh at my jokes in my own language! If it’s a dream, why, I trust no one will dare to wake me up!
THE QUEEN.
Heaven bless ye, my children! Prince, do tell me what the latest fashions are!
THE COOK.
[_Waking with a start._] That roast is done to a turn!
THE BUTLER.
[_His alarm-clock going off, wakes._] Shut up! I’m not asleep! Your Majesties, dinner is served!
THE KING.
Come! No formality! Really after such a hearty nap I must stretch my legs a bit! [_Giving the QUEEN his hand he dances round the hall and to the dining-room. MENTOR takes the GOVERNESS for partner; ALL choose partners, THE PRINCE and MOSS-ROSE of course together. In the middle of the dance MOSS-ROSE stops short._]
MOSS-ROSE.
Hush! Listen!
ALL.
What is it?
MOSS-ROSE.
The Spin-Wheel song! Hark, the merry Spin-Wheel’s song!
Wake! Day’s begun!
ALL.
[_Joining in gleefully._]
Thread comes short and thread comes long, Spin, spinning, spun!
[_As they dance out, singing, the CURTAIN of MOSS-ROSES falls over them again, closing the THIRD EVENT in the life of the PRINCESS MOSS-ROSE, and leaving us in the pleasant certainty that she and her PRINCE CHARMING lived happily forever after. May you who have peeped through the veil with me do the same!_]
THE TESTING OF SIR GAWAYNE
_All Hallowe’en_
THE TESTING OF SIR GAWAYNE
_All Hallowe’en_
_What follows takes place at King Arthur’s Court in merry Carlisle, on the Eve of All-Hallowmass when strange things happen ... when the wicked crafts of sorcery work havoc with knightly adventure, and when enchantments bring about marvelous endings in affairs of love. We find ourselves looking backward through the years upon a scene that renews itself before our eyes in the castle hall. On one side is the banqueting-hall, and this way the servants pass to the kitchen [kitching we shall hear it called by Sir Kay, the steward or Seneschal.] On the other side the members of the Court pass to their sleeping-chambers or to the massive door that opens to the outer world. A window gives, first, the light of late afternoon in autumn, then moonlight, and finally a bright dawn. A fire on the great hearth affords a cheerful glow. When it is necessary to light the hall servants will set torches in their sockets against the wall. The walls are adorned with trophies of the chase, and with the arms of knight-errantry. A table, settees, a few plain chairs, and throne-chairs for the King and Queen suffice for furnishing. We shall now and then be taxed in our memory of French and Latin to understand some of the expressions we shall hear ... as, for instance, when someone bidding others leave the room cries, “Avoid! Avoid!” or when the word “quest” is used at one time as we should say “question,” and at another for “adventure.” We shall observe, too, that forms we have been taught to consider common or ungrammatical, obtained then in polite language, such as “afore” where we now say “before,” or the double negative, “not never.” This is something that should make us hesitate before we criticise the speech of simple people, country-folk, and ask ourselves if their homely phrase is not after all but a survival of the elegance of days gone by. It will interest us furthermore to note how in these days of chivalry when religion, love, and deeds of arms are the topics of the chronicler how freely, though not lightly, the names of Holy Persons are invoked in conversation. The CHARACTERS whom we shall see enact the little drama are KING ARTHUR and his lovely QUEEN GUINEVERE, several KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE, including SIR KAY, the gruff steward or Seneschal, SIR BORS, SIR BLEOBERIS, SIR MELIOGRANCE, and SIR GAWAYNE about whom the story concerns itself. Then there is the KNIGHT the rescue of whom nearly cost ARTHUR his realm, his life, and his queen. Also there is the LITTLE PAGE who for his precocious valour was dubbed knight and thereafter known as SIR GRIFLET, and there is the OUTRAGEOUS GIANT who was but the gallant KNIGHT DÉLIVERÉ under a spell of enchantment. Among the ladies we find DAME LAUREL, and the DAMOSEL who rode in such breathless haste to ARTHUR’S court, seeking aid for her captive KNIGHT. And, most important is the DÉLIVERANCE LA BELLE PILGRIM who was mocked at for being “a loathly lady.” And of course there are PAGES and SERVANTS and GENTLEMEN and WOMEN in waiting and SQUIRES and all the royal rest._
_The QUEEN is seated at her embroidery-frame, some of her LADIES similarly occupied about her. The DAMOSEL sits near trying to fix her thoughts upon a scroll that she however does not read. Some of the KNIGHTS are occupying themselves peacefully in divers ways, two playing a game of chess. Someone sings to the harp. Meanwhile the LITTLE PAGE keeps watch at the window._
GUINEVERE.
Are there no signs yet of my lord that he doth return?
THE PAGE.
Not yet, madam!
GUINEVERE.
Alas! Evensong time is overpassed, and my lord comes not!
THE DAMOSEL.
Now is my heart more heavier than ever it was before for the sorrow I have brought upon the gentlest and fairest lady of the world!
GUINEVERE.
Ah, you do well to let fall down your head for shame, for we had never been in this sorry pass if you had never come hitherward, praying King Arthur for succour for your knight!
THE DAMOSEL.
Ah, Madam, I pray you of mercy to mis-say me no more, for my heart is like to brast with its own woe!
SIR KAY.
Madam, you are greatly to blame so to rebuke the damosel, for, wit ye well, of his own will my Lord King Arthur did seek and take him upon that hard adventure he is gone upon!
GUINEVERE.
So God me help, it is all the greater shame to all you noble knights that your fellowship should suffer your king to take such an adventure upon him to his destruction! [_THE KNIGHTS exclaim, crying, “Gramercy, Madam! Now by my head, etc.” But much wrought up, the QUEEN continues._] Ah, now, I see well that all coward knights be not dead, sith you, Sir Bors, and you, Sir Bleoberis, sit playing at the chess, the while my dear Lord, your King, may be mishandled and smitten down, horse and man, or villainously wounded, or, peradventure, slain!
[_THE TWO KNIGHTS thus addressed start up, angrily._]
SIR BLEOBERIS.
Gramercy, Madam! It passeth bounds that you should put the suspection of cowardice on me, and there is no knight under heaven that dare make it good on me!
SIR BORS.
Madam, you are a woman, and may not fight, but let now some worshipful knight of our fellowship take on himself your quarrel, and call me coward, and here is my glove to prove the contrary with my hands upon his body! [_Throws down his glove._]
SIR MELIOGRANCE.
Then here am I known to all men as Sir Meliogrance, and I will take on me my lady the Queen’s quarrel, and I will joust with you, Sir Bleoberis, and you, Sir Bors, proving you recreant knights with my hands upon your bodies! [_He throws down his glove._]
THE DAMOSEL.
[_Moans._] Now am I right heavy for the sorrow I have brought upon King Arthur’s Court!
A LITTLE PAGE.
[_Runs forward, challengingly._] Now though hardly of years to bear a shield, yet if some worshipful knight of this fellowship will dub me his knight, then will I too take on me the Queen’s quarrel, jousting with the knights of these worshipful knights’ following, for leaver would I be cut into an hundred pieces than that my dear Lady should be gainsayed! [_The closing words, spoken almost with sobs._]
SOME OF THE LADIES.
Oh, spoken like a sweet and noble child!
[_Many of the KNIGHTS laugh._]
SIR BORS.
[_Affecting to shudder._] Boo-oo! My gentlemen had best look well to their arms, now that a raging lion is come among us!
[_A FELLOW-PAGE giggles tauntingly at our hero who turns on him._]
THE LITTLE PAGE.
I am of gentle blood, and but for lack of beard, as well entitled to bear arms as any of this worshipful fellowship, and if anyone is so venturesome that he would say the contrary I will make it good with my body upon his body, with these two hands tearing him limb from limb! [_The GIGGLING PAGE retreats, affrighted._]
SIR BLEOBERIS.
[_With impatience._] Is this a pages’ affair or a quarrel among knights of worship and renown?
GUINEVERE.
[_With emotion._] Peace, my good Griflet! And you, gentlemen, forbear! I spake over hastily!
SIR KAY.
Peace, daffish knights! Pick up your gloves! See ye not that the Queen is distraught and clean out of her wits with anxiousness for the safety of the King?... Madam, you do ill to begrudge King Arthur his lone questings, sith all men of high courage find it merry to serve under a chieftain that will put his person in adventure as other poor knights do! [_To this there is a general murmur of assent._] And now, as the tables have been spread this long while, for the third time of asking, will it pleasure you to sit down to supper?
[_Another general murmur shows that this suggestion meets with favour._]
GUINEVERE.
Let those eat and drink who can! My heart is too heavy, but go you all, my lords and ladies, gentlemen and gentlewomen! Sit you down to meat and enjoy the feast! Later will I sup privily with my lord on his return!... As for you, worshipful knights, let me who provoked the quarrel between you heal it without the letting of good blood!
[_Before the would-be combatants can prevent her she herself picks up and restores their thrown-down gloves. All do her fitting obeisance, and pass into the banqueting-hall with the exception of the DAMOSEL and the LITTLE PAGE._]
SIR BLEOBERIS.
[_As they go out, to SIR BORS._] Gramercy, but a good game was spoiled! I had you mated in three moves!
SIR BORS.
Not so! I had your queen in forfeit!
SIR BLEOBERIS.
Ah, the Queen, the Queen! ’Tis ever the Queen that will make or mar the fortunes of the King!
[_From the banqueting-hall one hears the sounds of merry-making subdued, and the strains of minstrelsy, as an heroic lay is sung to the accompaniment of the harp._]
GUINEVERE.
Now let saddle horses, and guided by you, good damosel, I will follow after my lord!... Hark! I hear an horn!... Arthur!
[_The winding notes of the horn are heard._]
THE LITTLE PAGE.
[_At the window._] Nay, Madam! It is but Sir Gawayne who returns from hunting!
GUINEVERE.
Sir Gawayne! Let send for him! [_THE PAGE hastens out._] It may be he brings tidings of my Lord!
[_THE PAGE returns, attending on SIR GAWAYNE._]
SIR GAWAYNE.
[_Kneeling to kiss the hand of the QUEEN._] Fair Queen and dear Aunt Guinevere! But wherefore do I find you in such heavy cheer with the tears upon your cheeks?
GUINEVERE.
Ah, Gawayne! Your dear Uncle, my good Lord, the King.... But sit we down and ye shall hear! [_They sit._] It was yestreen at the undern hour that we sat here, listening to minstrelsy! All of a sudden the King cried out, “Now by the Holy Rood the third day hence will be All-Hallowmass! Now by the faith of my body and on my head as anointed king will I not set me down to meat on All-Hallowmass until I shall have taken on me and brought to a good end some high quest that shall bring to me and my goodly fellowship great worship and renown!” Hardly had he so spoken when riding into the hall came this damosel who thereon alighted from her palfrey and threw herself flatling at my good lord’s feet and lay there grovelling and praying him for succour for her knight!
DAMOSEL.
[_Weeping._] Alas that ever I came!
GUINEVERE.
Fie upon you for weeping when tears are all no boot! Relate your errand to Sir Gawayne!
THE DAMOSEL.
It fortuned in this wise: my troth was plighted that I should be wedded to a passing fair gentleman and knight of haut renown, a true lover and deserving of a good end! As together we rode forth, planning for our marriage, we passed through a dark forest till we happed upon a grimly castle! As we gazed upon its towers wondering who might dwell therein out rushed a churlish knight, Oh, a mighty giant, one of the world’s perilous fighters, seven times the height of mortal man, and with the strength of seven men! [_In spite of his bravado the LITTLE PAGE shivers audibly._] Nathless all undaunted my knight dressed his shield and set his spear, crying, “How now, rude Saracen! An ye be a true fighter come and prove it, spear to spear, and sword to sword, and body to body!” But the miscreant laughed in mockage, and set on my poor love, belabouring him with a huge club, and dragged him down from his saddle, shivering his spear, and shattering his sword, and splitting his helm clear through to the brain-pan! [_At this the LITTLE PAGE shudders in delighted horror._] Ah, little page, I see well now that ye like this tale, but I do assure you it is no matter for enjoyment!... And all this while I shrieked shrilly and kneeled in the mire before the churlish wight, with my two hands lifted, praying him for the love of Heaven to have mercy on my knight! But the murtherous monster only laughed the louder, with a great noise like thunder, spitting flames from his enormous mouth, and bound my knight hand and feet and threw him into the dungeon keep, the while I, leaping on my palfrey, made my escape, riding hither, like the wind, to merry Carlisle, to King Arthur’s court, clear into this very hall, and threw myself at the King’s feet, praying succour for my love! [_Weeps._]
GUINEVERE.
And did my Lord stay his hand? “Gramercy,” cried he, “but this is the quest that even now I prayed for! Nor by the faith of my body as anointed king will I set me down to meat on All-Hallowmass or ever I shall have brought it to a good end!” And then he made no more words, but took his shield and buckled it about his neck, and girt on his good sword Excalibur, and lightly he took his horse and leaped upon him, and departed on his way! And, though it is but a little faring hence, last night went by, and to-day the hour of evensong is overpassed, and he comes not back! [_Weeps._]
SIR GAWAYNE.
[_Walks, perturbed._] Now meseemeth for to tempt God it is no wisdom, and the King hath put this realm into the greatest domage that ever realm was in by jeoparding his life in hazard with a giant!
GUINEVERE.
Ye say truth!—Gawayne—[_She advances toward the knight, and speaks impressively._] All other knights of the good fellowship say that it would put rebukes on Arthur, shaming him through England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, for to seek to rescue him in an adventure he has made oath to enterprise alone! But I say, not so, sithen it is no mortal man he has to do with, but a churlish wight, an outrageous giant, armed with the craft of sorcery!
SIR GAWAYNE.
[_Struck by this argument._] By my head that sounds like a good counsel!
GUINEVERE.
[_Following up her advantage._] Then by your knighthood and fealty do I charge ye, take upon yourself this matter!
SIR GAWAYNE.
[_With due solemnity._] That will I do, and that will I swear to do, by my blood; as a Knight of the Round Table, and on the Four Evangelists! [_He kisses the hand of the QUEEN and is about to go, but pauses, as the winding notes of a horn are heard. All exclaim._]
ALL.
[_Excited._] Hark! An horn!
THE LITTLE PAGE.
[_Excited, at the window._] Madam, it is the King who rides hither attended by a knight, their horses all-to-beswet!
GUINEVERE.
Arthur ... God be praised!
SIR GAWAYNE.
[_At the same time._] Thanks be to Heaven, the King!
THE DAMOSEL.
My knight, thank Heaven!
[_All hasten to meet the arrivals, meanwhile the harping in the banquet hall is stilled, and the banqueters crowd in, exclaiming joyfully, for the KING’S safe return._]
SIR KAY.
[_Announcing it to the others._] It is Arthur who comes back from his quest ... and the Knight to his damosel! Ah, now there will be clippings and kissings and calling of sweet names, I warrant!
[_ARTHUR and GUINEVERE enter, attended by SIR GAWAYNE and the LITTLE PAGE, and followed by the DAMOSEL and her KNIGHT. Now ensues a moment of excited welcome, and general greeting. Attendants bring torches._]
ARTHUR.
[_To GUINEVERE, as they enter._] Ah, my dear love, it was indeed an adventure of great marvel ... greater hath no knight never happed upon, I dare be sworn!
GUINEVERE.
And, thanks be to God, you came through it unscathed! [_She places him tenderly in his chair of state, and looks at him with scrutiny._] Not so! For here is blood upon your hand!... Haste, now! Let bring water and a healing salve! [_Giving orders._]
ARTHUR.
It is not needed! It is but a little scratch of which I shall be hastily whole, by the will of God!
GUINEVERE.
Come, then, relate your adventure! But you must be a-hungered and athirst!... Let make a banquet of royalness as great as may be, in honour of my Lord’s return! [_Going toward the banquet-hall._]
ARTHUR.
[_Detaining her._] Stay! This is no time for feastings! [_This announcement causes a sensation._] Bring me a little deal of water, for my tongue is parched! [_He drains the cup which is brought to him, while all look on, struck from his far from joyous tone._]
SIR BLEOBERIS.
[_To SIR BORS._] What ails the King? Think you he has been mischieved in some sort?
SIR BORS.
Truly his countenance is heavy as did he see himself like to be soonly in checkmate!
ARTHUR.
[_Refreshed by the draught._] Ah! Later will I have meat and wine. But first must I lay bare my breast, making clean avowals! My lords and ladies, gentlemen and gentlewomen, you see here before you Arthur, King of Britain, having under my obeisance Wales, Ireland and Scotland, by the grace of God, and many other realms, also head of the worshipful fellowship of the Knights of the Round Table. And ... [_He pauses, impressively_] by the sinful crafts of the devil, a prisoner on parole; under pain of forfeiture of my lands, my life, my queen!
[_This, as well may be imagined, causes a profound sensation._]
SEVERAL KNIGHTS AND LADIES.
My lord, what say you!
OTHER KNIGHTS AND LADIES.
Sir! What words be these!
GUINEVERE.
My lord ... Arthur!
SEVERAL VOICES.
The Queen! Look to the Queen!... Oh, almost she fell down in a swound!
GUINEVERE.
[_Recovering herself._] It is naught.... My Lord, I pray you that you will expound your fearsome rede!
ARTHUR.
That will I do!... Let all be seated. [_ALL obey the KING, whereupon ARTHUR explains._] How I took oath on my head as anointed king not to set me down to meat on All-Hallowmass or I had undertaken some haut quest already do ye know. [_ALL assent._] Also know ye how this damosel came riding hither into this hall, seeking succour for her knight! [_Again ALL assent._] And none is there that knows not how forthwith I enterprised the matter! [_Again ALL assent._] Now hear ye how I fared with it! [_ALL settle themselves like children to whom a thrilling tale is to be told._] Arrived afore the grimly tower I blew my horn and cried, “How now, Sir Knight, an ye be a fair fighter come, prove it, spear to spear and sword to sword, and body to body!” Whereon rushed forth the most outrageous churl and greatest murtherer was ever seen, with a huge laughter like thunder, and spitting flames of fire from his monstrous mouth! And by sorcery he cast an evil spell on me, so that its scabbard would not loose my sword Excalibur, and my arm fell helpless to my side like as it had been the arm of a dead corp! [_The LADIES and the younger PAGES shudder audibly._] “How, now, King Arthur,” cried the rude churl, “I have you at a vantage, so best yield yourself without ado!” “Now not ever, nor never on my head,” I answered him, “for I had leaver to be hacked to bits than cry mercy of such a fiendly knight that it is no true knight at all!” [_General exclamations of approval greet this, many crying, “Oh well said!” ... “Spoken in kingly-wise!” etc._] “Then,” said he, “you leese, not alone your life the which you seem to hold so light, but also your realms, and your queen!” [_Again there is a shuddering sensation._] Well, for to curtail a long tale short, “Come,” said he, “I will release the knight the which to deliver you came, and suffer you to depart as you came upon certain conditions!” “Name them,” said I. “That you shall promise by the Holy Rood that you will not set you down to meat on All-Hallowmass until you shall have brought me the answer to a rede that I shall now propound to you!” “I assent to these,” I said!
[_ALL breathe a long sigh of relief, with exclamations of thankfulness that all has turned out so well._]
GUINEVERE.
Now, scarce can I wait to go to the Minster to do my thankings to God for such deliverance!... But the rede, my Lord! The rede!
ALL.
Aye, Sir, the rede!
ARTHUR.
Well may you ask! “What is it that all women most desire?”
ALL.
[_Repeat, as it were a lesson._] “What is it that all women most desire?”
GUINEVERE.
“What is it that all women most desire?” Oh, my dear love, as if there could be but one answer to that! All women most desire what I, most fortunate of women, have: A loving husband which is also a true and faithful knight of worship and renown!
[_Many of those present concur in this, saying, “In sooth the Queen speaks for all!” and, “Now, could there be two minds about that!” and, “Gramercy, so also say I!” Others, however, differ, murmuring, “I doubt that is right!” and, “What is truth for one may not be truth for other!” and the like. GUINEVERE notices this and exclaims, saying_] How now! It seems we are not all of one opinion!
DAME LAUREL.
Madam, is it permitted that we may speak freely, each the thought in mind?
GUINEVERE.
In sooth, Dame Laurel, I ordain and command that ye do so, for so only shall we arrive at true conclusions!
DAME LAUREL.
Then, above the desire of a woman for a loving husband and worshipful knight do I set the desire of all women to be beautiful! [_There is a murmur of assent from many. The DAME continues._] For in the end beauty wins the husband, and so, possessing one, shall the woman be ensured of both! [_This provokes a general laugh._]
GUINEVERE.
Many minds, many counsels, it would seem! Let now a clerkly scribe set down in writing these divers answers to our quest, to the end that my Lord may take his choice of them! [_A SCRIBE prepares to write. Meanwhile, at a sign from SIR KAY a SERVANT brings food and wine to the KING who sits and partakes of this. GUINEVERE continues her quest._] Our knights have not spoken! Sir Bors, what, say you, do all women most desire?
SIR BORS.