Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/91

Be just, to slay oppression in the realm
And ever faithful to my lord the King!
Such are they both, Geraint and Lancelot.
Guinevere.—
Well spoke, and truly, Enid, but I fain
Would hear his name uncoupled. Vivienne,
Now what have you to tell of Lancelot?
Vivienne.—
His name uncoupled, Madam? But it must
Be coupled—with the name of Guinevere!
(She bows low to hide her ironic smile.)
Guinevere.—
Ah, Vivienne, with mine? Throughout the world!
Vivienne.—
All down the years your names shall, hand in hand,
Go on, together, Guinevere, the Queen,
And Lancelot, the gentle, perfect Knight,
The first in battle, as the first in love,
Unconquered, but a conqueror of all—save one!
Enid.—
And is it true, a fairy godmother,
The fairy Queen, of lake and stream, it was
That reared him, and he won his name from her?
Sir Lancelot du Lake? You know I am
A stranger to the tales of Camelot.
Guinevere.—
I do remember when he came to us.
'Twas Gawaine brought him, fresh from victory,
And glowing in the pride of deeds well done.
How fair he was—!
Vivienne.—
And young!
Guinevere (Darts her a quick startled glance)—.
His very horse
Stepped proudly to be bearing him. He was
Not yet a knight, but Arthur knighted him
That very day, and in the tourney he
Was victor, and I crowned him!
Enid.—
And his name?
They say he did not know it when he came
To Arthur's court, and you were kind to him.