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.]