Camelot (1967) - full transcript

Guenevere, Guenevere

In that dim, mournful year

Saw the men she held so dear

Go to war for Guenevere

The rules of battle are not for
Lancelot Du Lac, Your Majesty.

Let us attack now while they sleep.

We will attack when
I give the command, at dawn.

Merlyn...

...why is Jenny in that castle...

...behind walls I cannot enter?

How did I blunder into this...



...agonizing absurdity?

When did I stumble?
Where did I go wrong?

Should I not have loved her?

Then I should not have been...

...born.

Oh, Merlyn...

...how did it happen?

I haven't got much time.

A thin inch of sunlight...

...the arrows begin to fly.

Merlyn...

...if I am to die...

...in battle...

...please do not let me die...



...bewildered.

Think, Arthur.

Think back.

Think back.

Think back!

Oh, Merlyn!

Think back.

Think back!

Think...

...back.

Back! To one of the most
important days of your life.

Oh, yes, heh!

Hello.

My name is Arthur.

I think I'll call you...

...Wart.

"I think I'll call you Wart."

No, no, no!

Now you've gone too far back.

Shoo, shoo, shoo!

Not the day you met me!

The day you met Guenevere.

The day she came...

...to Camelot.

That's the beginning.

Yes.

I know...

...what my people...

...are thinking tonight.

I know what my people

Are thinking tonight

As home through the shadows
They wander

Everyone smiling in secret delight

As they stare at the castle and ponder

Whenever the wind blows this way

You can almost hear everyone say...

...I wonder what the king
Is doing tonight

What merriment is the king
Pursuing tonight?

The candles at the court
They never burned as bright

I wonder what the king
Is up to tonight

How goes the final hour
As he sees the bridal bower

Being legally and regally prepared?

Well, I'll tell you what the king
Is doing tonight

He's scared Oh, he's scared

You mean that a king who fought a dragon
Whacked him in two and fixed his wagon

Goes to wed in terror and distress?

Oh, yes!

A warrior who's so calm in battle
Even his armor doesn't rattle

Faces a woman petrified with fright?

Right!

You mean the appalling clamoring
That sounds like a blacksmith hammering

Is merely the banging
Of his royal knees?

Please!

You wonder what the king
Is wishing tonight?

He's wishing he were
In Scotland fishing tonight

What occupies his time
While waiting for his bride?

He's searching high and low
For someplace to hide

And, oh, the expectation
The sublime anticipation

He must feel about
The wedding night to come

Well, I'll tell you what the king
Is feeling tonight

He's numb! He shakes!
He quails! He quakes!

And that's what the king is doing

Tonight!

How long before we get to Camelot?

Soon, ma'am, but don't look out there,
it's a ghastly forest.

It's the most ferocious, savage...

...terrifying forest I've ever seen.

I simply adore it.

Does Your Ladyship not realize
that this forest is crawling...

...with outlaws and brigands?

Oh, Clary! You think there's
a chance of meeting one?

Don't say it, ma'am.

It would be marvelous.

Imagine, ma'am, soon you will
not only meet the man you will marry...

...but His Majesty,
King Arthur of England.

And one is the other.
What have you to say to that?

Oh, Clary.

Was there ever a more
inconvenient marriage of convenience?

I am at the golden age of seductability,
and is my fate sealed with a kiss?

Is it?
No, sealed with a seal!

Where are all the simple joys

Of maidenhood?

Where are all those
Adoring, daring boys?

Where's the knight pining so for me?

He leaps to death in woe for me

Oh where are a maiden's simple joys?

Shan't I have the normal life
A maiden should?

Shall I never be rescued in the wood?

Shall two knights never tilt for me

And let their blood be spilt for me?

Oh, where are the simple joys

Of maidenhood?

Shall I never be disputed for

Or on any minstrel's lips?

Never have my face recruited for

Launching countless ships?

Where are the simple joys
Of maidenhood?

Are those sweet, gentle pleasures
Gone for good?

Shall a feud not begin for me?

Shall kith not kill their kin for me?

Oh where are the trivial joys?

Harmless, convivial joys?

Where are the simple joys

Of maidenhood?

Halt!

Her Highness will rest here
while the Royal Hairdresser...

...attends her.

Can someone help with this canopy?

Take that case down
and bring it over here.

Hurry up now, would you, please?

Careful now.

Clarinda.

I should like some tea
while I'm being coifed.

Yes, Your Highness.

Can he get somebody to help there?

You, you come over here and help me.

Bring that horse over here.
He needs water.

St. Genevieve.

St. Genevieve

It's Guenevere

Remember me?

St. Genevieve

St. Genevieve

I'm over here, beneath this tree!

You know how faithful and devout I am

You must admit
I've always been a lamb

But Genevieve, St. Genevieve

I won't obey you anymore
You've gone a bit too far

I won't be bid and bargained for
Like beads at a bazaar

St. Genevieve, I've run away
Eluded them and fled

And from now on I intend
To pray to someone else instead

Oh, Genevieve, St. Genevieve

Where were you
When my youth was sold?

Dear Genevieve

Sweet Genevieve

Shan't I be young before I'm old?

A thousand pardons, my lady.

Don't run, I won't harm you.

You lie! You'll leap on me
and throw me down!

I'll do no such thing.

You'll carry me off on your shoulder!

No, I swear by the sword Excalibur
I won't touch you.

Why not?

How dare you insult me in this fashion?
Do my looks repel you?

- No, you're beautiful!
- Did you hear me praying?

I couldn't help it.
You did pray loudly.

So you know who I am?

Yes, you're Guenevere.

So that accounts for your polite,
respectful, despicable behavior?

Oh.

Why isn't Merlyn here?

- Who?
- Merlyn. He's my teacher.

He's the wisest man alive. He'd know
what to do. He lives backwards.

- Beg your pardon?
- He lives backwards.

He doesn't age.
He...

...youthens?

He can remember the future...

...so he can tell you
what you'll do in it.

Come here.

Please.

Close your eyes.

Please.

Now just turn, gently.

Now....

Very slowly, open them.

Do you see that castle?

Yeah.

It used to light up
in a sort of pink glow.

When I was young,
everything looked a little pink to me.

But then, one....

When Merlyn left,
he took all the pink with him.

Don't stare. It's rude.

Who are you?

Well....

Actually, they call me Wart, actually.

- You sure you heard them properly?
- It's a nickname. Merlyn gave it to me.

Wart, what--?

- Is it really Wart?
- Mm-hm.

Wart.

Why don't you run away with me?

I?

You could be my protector,
defend me all over the world...

...in France, in England,
Mongolia, Scotland.

Oh, what a wonderful dream you spin.

And how easy it would be for me
to be caught up in it.

But...

...I must decline.

You forcing me to stay?

Oh, no, my lady!

If you persist in escaping, I'll find
somebody brave to accompany you.

Then do so at once before
your wretched king finds me.

Oh, do look around you, my lady!

Reconsider.

Camelot is unique.

And we have, by far and away,
the most equable climate in all England.

Ordained by decree.

Oh, come now!

It's true.

Heh, it's true!

The Crown has made it clear

The climate must be perfect

All the year

A law was made
A distant moon ago here

July and August cannot be too hot

And there's a legal limit
To the snow here

In Camelot

The winter is forbidden till December

And exits March the second on the dot

By order, summer lingers
Through September

In Camelot

Camelot

Camelot

I know it sounds a bit bizarre

But in Camelot

Camelot

That's how conditions are

The rain may never fall
Till after sundown

By 8 the morning fog must disappear

In short, there's simply not
A more congenial spot

For happily-ever-aftering

Than here in Camelot

And I suppose the autumn leaves
fall into neat little piles?

Oh, no, my lady.
They, pfft, blow away completely.

At night, of course.

Of course.

Camelot

Camelot

I know it gives a person pause

But in Camelot

Camelot

Those are the legal laws

The snow may never
Slush upon the hillside

By 9 p.m.
The moonlight must appear

In short, there's simply not

A more congenial spot

For happily-ever-aftering

Than here

In Camelot

Look! There, on the hill!

What?

I'm truly sorry, but...

...I'm-- I'm afraid, on account of me...

- ...you may be hanged!
- Hanged?

Or burnt at the stake for abducting me!

That uncivilized king of yours will....
Defend yourself!

There she is!
But who's that peasant with her?

You rogue.

The king!

- The king!
- His Majesty.

It's the king!

It's the king! Wart, it's the king!

Your Majesty, forgive.... Forgive me.

I did not know it was you.

The king.

When I was a young lad
of 18 years of age...

...our good king, Pendragon, died,
leaving no one to succeed him...

...but a sword stuck through an anvil
that stood on a stone.

Written on it,
in gold letters, it said:

"Who so pulleth this sword
from this stone...

...is rightwise born
King of all England."

Well, many chaps tried to
dislodge it, but they failed.

So finally, a great tournament was
proclaimed for New Year's Day.

All the mightiest knights in England
were assembled at one time to have...

...a go at the sword.

Well....

I-- I-- I went to London as squire
to my cousin, Sir Kay.

On tournament day, Sir Kay found
he had left his sword at home...

...and he gave me
a shilling to fetch it.

Going through London,
I passed a square and saw a sword...

...rising out of a stone.

Not thinking very clearly, I...

...I thought it was a war memorial.

So I decided to borrow it...

...and to save myself the trip.

So I...

...took the sword....

Took the sword and...

...I failed.

So I tried again.

And I failed again.

So, with all my might,
I closed my eyes...

...and I tried...

...one last time.

And, lo!

The sword moved in my hand.

And slowly...

...it slid out of the stone.

I heard...

...a great roar.

I opened my eyes.
The square was full of people saying:

"Long live the king!
Long live...

...the king."

That's how I became king.

I never knew I would be.
I never wanted to be.

And since I am,
I've been ill at ease in my crown.

Until I dropped from the tree...

...and my eyes...

...beheld you.

And then, for the first time...

...I felt like a king.
I was glad to be king.

And most astonishing of all,
I wanted to be the most heroic...

...the wisest, the most...

...splendid king ever to sit...

...on any throne.

Well, if you'll....

If my lady will follow me, I'll...

...I'll find a proper companion...

...to accompany you.

I hear it never rains

Till after sundown

By 8 the morning fog
Must disappear

In short, there's simply not

A more congenial spot

For happily-ever-aftering

Than here

In Camelot

A law was made a distant moon ago here

July and August cannot be too hot

And there's a legal limit
To the snow here

In Camelot

In Camelot

Camelot

Camelot

I know it gives a person pause

But in Camelot

Camelot

Those are the legal laws

The rain may never fall
Till after sundown

In Camelot

By 9 p.m.
The moonlight must appear

In Camelot

In short there's simply not

A more congenial spot

For happily-ever-aftering

Than here

In Camelot

The map of England.

Map, indeed.

A fishnet of ill-begotten kingdoms
ruled by immoral lords...

...battling with their own unlawful
armies over illegal border lines.

And who is...

...king of this...

...jungle?

Hmm?

The man who four years ago
pledged he would become...

...the greatest king
who ever sat on any throne.

I...

...Arthur of England.

Yes.

The greatest warrior in the land.

For what purpose?

Might...

...doesn't always mean right.

What are you saying? To be right
and lose couldn't possibly be right.

Merlyn...

...used to frown on battles.

Yet he always...

...helped me win them.

Why?

Proposition:

Is it far better to be alive than dead?

Yes, far better. Mm.

If that is so...

...then why do we have wars...

...in which people can get killed?

I don't know, do you?

Yes.

Because somebody attacks.

Why do they attack?

Jenny.

Did I ever tell you...

...how Merlyn taught me how to think?

No.

By changing me into animals.

Oh, really! Arthur!

Jenny, I mean by making me believe...

...he had changed me into animals.

For instance, when a hawk
is up there looking down at the world...

...there are no boundaries.

Right?

Hmm.

Yet boundaries are what...

...somebody always attacks about.

And you win by pushing them
back across something that...

...that doesn't exist.

So we have battles for no reason at all.
Why, Jenny, why?

Because ladies love knights.
To see your knight in armor....

That's it, Jenny.

Jenny, that is it!

It's the armor!

It's the armor, Jenny.
The armor.

Look, only the knights are rich enough
to have armor. The foot soldiers....

Well, they have nothing.

So, all that can happen
to a knight is, uh...

...an occasional, unh, dent.

Proposition:

Right or wrong...

...they have the might.
So right or wrong, they're always right.

That's wrong.
Right?

Jenny.

Jenny.

Jenny.

- Jenny.
- I'm here.

Jenny, Jenny.

Suppose we create
a new order of chivalry?

A new order where
might is only used for right.

To improve instead of to destroy.
Look, we'll invite all knights...

...and kings of all kingdoms to lay down
their arms to come and join us.

Oh, yes, Jenny.

And we'll...

...take one of the large rooms
in the castle...

...put a table in it
and all the knights will gather at it.

And do what?

Talk across it.

Debate.

Make laws.
Plan improvements.

But, Arthur, do you think
all the knights will ever want to...

...to do such a ridiculously
peaceful thing?

We'll make it a great honor.

Very fashionable.
Everyone will want to join.

Only now...

...the knights will whack only for good.

Might for right.

Might for right.

Might...

...for right!

That's it, Jenny!

Might....

No, not might is right!

Might...

...for...

...right!

It's very original. Heh.

Yes. Yes, yes. And--

And civilized, Jenny.

It will have to be
an awfully large table.

What of jealousy? All will claim
superiority and want to sit at the head.

We'll make it...

...a round table.

So there is no head.

A round table!

Round...

...table.

My father's got one
that would be perfect. It seats 150.

He had it as a wedding present
and he never used it.

We'll send the heralds

Riding through the country

Tell every living person far and near

That there is simply not

In all the world a spot

Where rules a more resplendent king

Than here

In Camelot

Camelot

Camelot

In far off France
I hear you call

Camelot

Camelot

To you alone I'll give my all

I know in my soul
What you expect of me

And all that and more I shall be

A knight of the table round
Should be invincible

Succeed where a less fantastic man
Would fail

Climb a wall no one else can climb
Cleave a dragon in record time

Swim a moat
In a coat of heavy iron mail

No matter the pain
He ought to be unwinceable

Impossible deeds
Should be his daily fare

But where in the world

Is there in the world

A man so extraordinaire?

C'est moi, c'est moi
I'm forced to admit

'Tis I I humbly reply

That mortal who these marvels can do

C'est moi, c'est moi 'Tis I

I've never lost
In battle or game

I'm simply the best by far

When swords are crossed
'Tis always the same

One blow and Au revoir

C'est moi, c'est moi
So admirably fit

A French Prometheus Unbound

And here am I With valor untold

Exceptionally brave

Amazingly bold

To serve at the table round

The soul of a knight
Should be a thing remarkable

His heart and his mind
As pure as morning dew

With a will and a self-restraint
That's the envy of every saint

He could easily work a miracle or two

To love and desire
He ought to be unsparkable

The ways of the flesh
Should offer no allure

But where in the world
Is there in the world

A man so untouched

And pure?

C'est moi

C'est moi, c'est moi
I blush to disclose

I'm far too noble to lie

That man in whom
These qualities bloom

C'est moi, C'est moi 'Tis I

I've never strayed
From all I believe

I'm blessed with an iron will

Had I been made
The partner of Eve

We'd be in Eden still

C'est moi, c'est moi
The angels have chosen

To fight their battles below

And here am I
As pure as a prayer

Incredibly clean

With virtue to spare

The godliest man I know
C'est moi!

Oh, King Arthur!

What caliber of man you must be...

...to have envisioned
a new order of life.

I worship you before knowing you.

Don't run away, coward!

Come back and fight!

The swine!

- Are you hurt, Your Majesty?
- Fine.

Please!

The next time you traffic with me...

...remember, you challenge
the right arm of King Arthur.

Really?

I am King Arthur.

What?

You...

...are the king!

Yes, almost the late king.

And I struck you?

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

I'm Lancelot Du Lac.

In France I heard of your new order
and came to join.

I beg Your Majesty to forgive me.

Not because I deserve it...

...but because by forgiving me...

...I'll suffer more.

But, really, dear chap...

...I don't want you to suffer at all.

I want to congratulate you.
Please rise. You, too, squire.

Uh, I can't, Mon roi.

- I'm too ashamed to lift my head.
- Well, then I command you.

I have never felt
a bash in my chest quite like it.

It was most spectacular.
Where did you learn to do it?

My skill comes from training, Mon roi.

My strength from purity.

Well, that's a unique recipe.

He's a unique man, Your Majesty.

At the age of fourteen
he could defeat any jouster in France.

His father, King Ban,
made me his squire.

- King Ban?
- Yes.

In France?

What did you say your name was?

Lancelot Du Lac, Your Majesty.

You're Lancelot?
I was told you were coming.

You were told?

Yes.

By Merlyn, the court magician.

He said to me one day:

"Arthur, keep your eye out for a
Frenchman called Lancelot Du Lac.

He will come to the court of Camelot
and he will be...."

What was it now?

"He will be...."

Your ally, if you'll take me.

Your friend, who asks no friendship.

Your defender when you need one...

...whose body is your sword to brandish.

Did he prophesy that, Your Majesty?

For all that, I am.

Really, my dear fellow...

...this is far more
than I could wish for...

...uh, or even ask.

Then you will accept me?

Without hesitation.

- We will arrange for your knighthood.
- Oh, thank you!

We must arrange for
your knighthood immediately.

Oh, no. No, Your Majesty.
All you know of me is words.

Invest me because of deeds, sire.
Give me an order.

- Now?
- This moment.

Send me on a mission.
Is there some wrong I can right?

Some enemy I can battle?
Some peril I can undertake?

Well, actually,
there's not much going on today.

Uh, it's the first of May. The Queen and
some of the court have gone a-Maying.

Gone a-Maying?

Yes, it's a sort of...

...picnic?

They eat berries
and chase young girls around--

Picnic?

It's a custom we have here.

This is England, you know.

And this is the season
for gathering flowers.

Knights gathering flowers?

Well, someone has to do it!

And besides, it's....

It's civilized.

And civilization should have...

...a few gentle hobbies.

Come, come.

I want you to meet the queen.

Dap, take the horses and feed them.

By George, Lancelot!

I suddenly remembered
what Merlyn said of you.

How strange!

He said that you would be the
greatest knight ever to sit at my table.

That was long before
I thought of a table.

So he knew it would exist.

I.... I.... Oh, dear!
I thought he meant a dining table.

But he meant this.

The Round Table!

And I have stumbled on my future.

I've done...

...the right thing.

Did you ever doubt it, Your Majesty?

Oh, of course, of course.

Only fools...

...never doubt.

Oh, welcome, Lancelot.

Bless you for coming.

Welcome to my table.

It's May

It's May

The lusty month of May

That lovely month

When everyone goes

Blissfully astray

It's here, it's here

That shocking time of year

When tons of wicked little thoughts

Merrily appear

It's May!

Oh, it's May

That gorgeous holiday

When every maiden itches for fun

Wholesome or "un"

It's mad!

Oh, it's gay

Depraved in every way

Those dreary vows that everyone takes
Everyone breaks

Everyone makes divine mistakes

The lusty month of May

It's May

Oh, it's May

The lusty month of May

That darling month
When everyone throws

Self-control away

It's time to do

A wretched thing or two

And try to make each precious day

One you'll always rue

It's May

It's May

The month of "Yes, you may"

A time for every

Frivolous whim

Proper or "im"

It's wild!

It's wild! It's gay!

A libelous display

The birds and bees

Will all of their vast
Amorous past

Gaze at the human race Aghast!

The lusty

Month of May!

It's May, it's May

The lusty month of May

That lovely month when everyone goes
Blissfully astray

It's here, it's here

That shocking time of year

When tons of wicked little thoughts
Merrily appear

It's May, it's May

The month of great dismay

When all the world is brimming with fun

Wholesome or "un"

It's May, it's May

The lusty month of May

That lovely month
When everyone throws

Self-control away

It's time to do

A wretched thing or two

And try to make each precious day
One you'll always rue

It's May, it's May

The month of "Yes, you may"

The time for every frivolous whim

Proper or "im"

It's wild! It's gay!

A libelous display

Those dreary vows that everyone takes
Everyone breaks

Everyone makes divine mistakes

The lusty month of May It's May

It's May, it's May

It's May

Now then...

...which way to go?

North.

Uh.

No, no, that's north.

No.

No, that's north.

That's, uh....

I'm completely lost.

Who's that rusty old fellow?

I've never seen him before,
Your Majesty.

Offer him assistance.

That mountain seems familiar.

Uh, let's see.

Good day, milord.

How do you do, young man?
The name of King Pellinore here.

- You are a king, sire?
- Yes.

Of what country?

I don't know.
I.... I lost my kingdom.

To whom?

Well, I mislaid it.
I left it somewhere and I....

- I can't find my way back.
- What?

- Why, I believe him.
- Your Majesty!

Your.... Your Majesty?

Yes, milord. You are addressing
Her Majesty, the Queen of England.

The queen?
Why, why! How do you do?

Forgive me, ma'am.
The beastly hinges need oiling.

Be at ease, my lord.
Welcome to Camelot.

Camelot?

Camelot....

Haven't I been here before?

Yes, years ago. I spent a jolly
fortnight with a fine little fellow...

...called Wart.
Ever met him, ma'am?

Constantly.
He's my husband.

Oh.

King Arthur of England.

The King? Is he?

Well, well! Is he?
By Jove, good for him!

That's what I call well done.
Imagine. The king! Oh.

And he knows the name
of what he's king of.

Arthur would be pleased to see you.
Would you care to spend the night?

What, in a bed?
In a real bed?

Damnation, I'd like that.

I haven't put spine to feathers
since I left....

Since I left, uh....

Go, one of you.
Escort His Majesty to the castle.

Oh, I'm very grateful to you, ma'am.

Oh, thank you, very much.

Jenny!

Jenny!

Arthur.

- Jenny, Jenny.
- Ha, ha.

I want to present to you
Lancelot Du Lac.

He's come all the way from France
to join our Table.

- Monsieur.
- Your Majesty.

This is the Lancelot
that Merlyn used to speak of.

You're most welcome.

I'm honored to be among you, milady.

And allow me to pledge my eternal
dedication to this noble cause.

Thank you, monsieur.
Arthur, I met this strange man--

This splendid dream
must become a universal reality.

What?

Oh, absolutely. It really must.

I have assured the king
he may call upon me...

...at any time to perform any deed,
no matter the danger.

Thank you, monsieur.
That's most comforting.

I'm always on duty.

Yes, I can see that.

I would love to come to lunch...

...but I want you to listen to the plans
we have been discussing.

Now, Lancelot, uh, explain it.

- Uh, to the queen, sire?
- Yes, yes, of course.

Would not Madame find it tedious?

I have never found chivalry tedious.

So far.

May I remind you, monsieur...

...that the Round Table happens to be
the idea of my husband.

My husband's idea.

Any idea, milady...

...however exalted, could be improved.

- Oh, really?
- Of course.

I've suggested that we create
a training program for knights.

- Isn't that a marvelous idea, Jenny?
- A training program?

Mm-hm.

Yes, milady.

The Round Table
must have a standard.

A standard physical
and a standard moral.

And whose abilities would serve
as a standard, monsieur?

Oh, certainly not mine, milady.

It would not be fair.

Not fair? In what way?

I would never ask anyone to live
by my standards, milady.

To devote your life...

...to the tortured quest
for perfection in body and spirit.

Oh, no. I would not ask that of anyone.

No, nor would I.

And have you achieved perfection,
monsieur?

Physically, yes, milady.

But the refining of the soul
is an endless struggle.

I daresay. I do daresay.

Do you mean you've never been
defeated in battle or in a tournament?

No, Your Majesty.

And I gather...

...you consider it unlikely
ever to happen in the future?

Highly, Your Majesty!

How was the channel, Lancelot?
Was it a good crossing?

Uh....

Tell me a little of your struggle
for the perfection of the spirit.

Have you jousted with humility lately?

"Humility," milady?

Or isn't it fashionable
in France this year?

Well, we best discuss the program
elsewhere. You look too beautiful...

...to have anything on your mind
other than frolic and flowers.

Have a lovely day.
Same to all of you.

Come along, Lancelot.

Come quickly.

Good day, my queen.

- Mon dieu, he's unpleasant.
- And so poisonously good.

He probably walked across
the channel.

Sir Dinadan?

Your Majesty.

When is the next tournament?

A week from Saturday, Your Majesty.

And who are the three best jousters
we have?

Sir Lionel, Sir Sagramore...

...and with all humilité...

...I, Your Majesty.

Really?

Sir Lionel?

Do you recall the other night

That I distinctly said you might

Serve as my escort
At the next town fair?

Well, I'm afraid there's someone
Who I must invite in place of you

Someone who plainly is
Beyond compare

The Frenchman's power
Is more tremendous

Than I have ever seen anywhere

And when a man is that stupendous

He, by right, should take me
To the fair

Your Majesty

Let me tilt with him
And smite him

Don't refuse me so abruptly
I implore

Oh, give me the opportunity
To fight him

And Gaul will be divided
Once more

You will bash and thrash him?

I will smash and mash him!

You'll give him trouble?

He will be rubble.

A mighty whack?

His skull will crack!

Mon dieu.

Then you may

Take me to the fair

If you do all the things
You promise

In fact, my heart will break
Should you not take me

To the fair

Your Majesty.

Sir Sagramore?

I have some rather painful news

Relative to the subject who's

To be beside me at the next court ball

You were the chosen one, I know
But it's tradition it should go

To the unquestioned champion
In the hall

And I'm convinced
That splendid Frenchman

Can easily conquer one and all

And besting all our local
Henchmen, he

Should sit beside me At the ball

I beg of you, ma'am

Withhold your invitation

I swear to you this challenge
Will be met

And when I have finished up
The operation

I shall serve him to Your Highness
En brochette

You'll pierce right through him?

Ha, ha. I'll barbecue him!

A wicked thrust?

It will be dust to dust.

From fore to aft?

He'll feel...

...a draft.

My goodness!
Well, Sir Sagramore.

You may sit

By me at the ball

If you demolish him In battle

In fact, I know I'd cry
Were you not by me

At the ball

Sir Dinadan?

Didn't I promise that you may

Guide me to London on the day

That I go up to judge
The cattle show

As it is quite a nasty ride
There must be someone by my side

Who'll be defending me
From beast and foe

So when I choose whom I prefer go

I take the strongest knight I know

And young Du Lac seems strongest
Ergo

He should

Take me to the cattle show

Your Majesty can't believe

This blustering prattle

Let him prove it
With a sword or lance instead

I promise you when I'm done
This gory battle

His shoulders will be lonesome
For his head

You'll disconnect him?

I'll vivisect him!

You'll open wide him?

I'll subdivide him!

Then you may guide me

To the show

If you can carry out
Your program

In fact, I'd grieve inside
Should you not guide me

To the show

Milady, we shall put an end to

That Gallic bag of noise
And nerve

When we do all that we Intend to

He'll be a plate of French
Hors d'oeuvres

I do applaud your noble goals

Now let us see if you
Achieve them

And if you do
Then you will be the three

Who will go to the ball
To the show

And take me

To the fair

- To the fair
- To the fair

- To the fair
- To the fair

To the fair

My lords!

Have you seen the latest edict?
'Tis the final straw.

Knights who refuse to lay down
their arms will be attacked...

...as if they were serfs.

We're not only to kill foot soldiers,
but knights as well.

Oh, we know all about it, Dinadan.

But these other knights...

...if they fight back...

- ...we could be killed.
- That's right.

What's the sense of being born
in the upper class...

...if you can get killed
like the lower class? Huh?

It has the stink of French cooking.

Well, after Saturday...

...we shall be back
on Yorkshire pudding.

Pelly, why don't you...

...give up searching for your kingdom...

...and come settle down
with us for good?

That's jolly kind of you, Arthur.

I mean, I love the bed and all that...

...but the truth is I don't find things
too restful around here.

I can't help wishing
that you'd stop...

...thinking...

...and leave well enough alone.

- I'm all against these new ideas of yours.
- What new ideas?

Any new ideas.

Best people whacking best people.
That's not right. That's not.

The chaps downstairs,
they're gnashing mad.

Gnashing.

It's all his fault, you know.

Emperor Charlemagne there.

He has no activities,
that's his trouble.

No secular pleasures.

Quiet, Pelly!

Excusez, uh....

Ahem, me.

Uh, but do you not have
any, uh, activities?

Any, uh, hobbies? Any, uh...?

No, Pellinore.

There, you see.
Do you see?

Now why can't he be like the other chaps
instead of like himself?

Why can't he come home of an evening,
hang up his shield...

...and do something
that he can be ashamed of? Hmm?

You sure he's French?

Pelly.

I'm afraid milord is right.

All fanatics are irritating, Pellinore.

And I am a fanatic.

And I don't enjoy it
any more than you do.

Lance, didn't you have
a change to suggest?

We can discuss my idea tomorrow.
If you will excuse me.

While I was napping, did I miss
any improvements in chivalry?

No, milady.
If you will excuse me--

Monsieur, when you're arranging things
with God tonight...

...do be sure to give us
fine weather tomorrow.

- Good night, sire.
- Good night, Lance.

Good night, Pellinore.

Good night.

Heard the latest? He believes his purity
gives him miraculous powers. Heh.

He was undoubtedly referring
to his physical prowess.

Which is vast, indeed.

Oh, yes. Well,
we'll see about that tomorrow.

Sagramore, Lionel and Dinadan
have all challenged him to a joust.

Three damn strong men!

- All three in one day?
- Quite, exactly.

Isn't it marvelous? Marvelous!

Exactly, yes!

I tell you, Arthur.

I've never met anyone like him.

I mean...

...he has no lady.

Talks to no one but you and God...

...crammed full of religion,
an all-around unpleasant fellow.

I can't wait until tomorrow.
It'll be a jolly massacre.

Good night, ma'am.
Good night, sir.

I'm really looking forward to it.
It's going to be marvelous. Ha, ha.

A note of thanks from Sir Lionel.

I've promised he can carry
my kerchief in the joust tomorrow.

Jenny.

I would be most grateful if you...

...would withdraw your permission
from Sir Lionel.

Uh, I don't think I could.
It would be rather awkward.

Then allow Lancelot
to carry it against Sagramore.

- I've promised my kerchief to him.
- Then against Dinadan?

I've promised him too.
He asked so prettily, I couldn't refuse.

Well, this is appalling, Jenny.

It will seem to the court
that you are championing his defeat.

Perhaps he won't be. He knocked
you unconscious. You became friends.

He may knock them out,
and they'll all take a house together.

I realize he's having
a difficult time adjusting.

But he's a stranger.

He's not even English.
He's French.

Well, he suffers in translation.

Jenny, I ask you--

I believe you're jealous of the knights
and their attentions to me.

- Are you, my love?
- Jealous? What absolute rubbish!

You know I am delighted
the court adores you so.

I trust you as God above.

You have dragged me off the subject
and I want you back on it.

Will you withdraw those kerchiefs?

Only if you command me as king.

If I do...

...will you forgive me?

Never.

Then, if I ask you as a husband,
will you as a favor?

I find him overbearing and pretentious.
The knights are against him.

Can we not stay on the subject?

There's nothing more to be said.

If the king wishes me to withdraw
what I have given...

...let him command me
and Yours Humbly will graciously obey.

What, what.

Blast you, Merlyn!
This is all your fault!

You swore that you had taught me

Everything from A to Z

With nary an omission in between

Well, I shall tell you what
You obviously forgot

That's how a ruler rules a queen

And what of teaching me
By turning me to animal and bird

From beaver
To the smallest bobolink?

I should have had a whirl
At changing to a girl

To learn the way the creatures think

But wasn't there a night

On a summer long gone by

We passed a couple
Wrangling away

And did I not say

Merlyn What if that chap were I

And did he not give counsel
And say

What was it now?

Oh, my mind's a wall

Oh, yes! By Jove!

Now I recall

How to handle a woman

There's a way
Said the wise old man

A way known by every woman

Since the whole rigmarole began

Do I flatter her?
I begged him answer

Do I threaten or cajole or plead?

Do I brood or play the gay romancer?

Said he, smiling No, indeed!

How to handle a woman

Mark me well
I will tell you, sir

The way to handle a woman

Is to love her

Simply

Love her

Merely love her

Love her

Love her

What's wrong, Jenny?

Where are you these days?

What are you thinking?

I don't understand you.

But no matter.
Merlyn told me once:

"Never be disturbed if you don't
understand what a woman is thinking.

They don't do it very often."

But what do you do
while they're doing it?

How to handle a woman

Mark me well
And I'll tell you, sir

The way to handle a woman

Is to love her

Simply

Love her

Merely love her

Love her

Oh.

Just...

...love her.

Here comes Sir Lionel.

One.

Watch the way Sir Sagramore maneuvers
his horse. It's extraordinary.

You see how he drives to the right?
And then suddenly....

Ah, how clever!

He maneuvered his horse
right out from under himself.

What control!

Two, Jenny.

Hyah!

Arthur!

He's dead, Jenny.

Please!

Please.

Live!

Live!

Live.

Live.

I beg you.

Live. Live.

Live.

- Live. Live.
- Lance.

- Live. Please.
- Lance, Lance.

He lives! He lives!

Dap.

I'm trembling with fear.

And the strength...

...has left my arms.

And terrible feelings...

...burn within me.

Tell me.

You're older than I.

You know this earth...

...better than I.

I only fell upon it...

...a few hours ago.

What are you talking about?

Guenevere.

Wait, Pelly.

What?

You've never been in love...

...have you, Pelly?

Once.

But not lately.
Now I'm not young enough.

Or not old enough.

And I'm too young and too old.

Too old not to know that fears...

...can be imaginary.

And too young not to be...

...tormented by them.

Forgive me, milady,
for disturbing you.

Clarinda told me
Arthur was expected here.

Yes, he is.

Jenny, I....

I love you.

God forgive me...

...but I do!

Then God forgive us both, Lance.

Jenny, Jenny.

Oh, what a glorious day!

This is your day, Lance.

And at last you shall receive...

...your earned and proper knighthood.

Oh, Lance. Lance.

Jenny.

Unfortunately,
sainthood is not in my power.

Heh, before the ceremony, we three
will have a nice quiet drink together.

It was on such a day as this...

...that the idea of the Round Table
was given birth.

Remember, Jenny?

Jenny, Lance.

To the Round Table!

To be invested...

...Knight of the Round Table
of England...

...of the Castle of Joyous Gard...

...Lancelot Du Lac.

Excalibur.

Arise...

...Sir Lancelot.

Proposition:

If I could choose...

...from every woman
who breathes on this earth...

...the face I would most love...

...the smile, the touch, the heart...

...the voice, the laugh,
the soul itself...

...every detail and feature
to the last strand of the hair...

...they would all be Jenny's.

Proposition:

If I could choose from every man
who breathes on this earth...

...a man for my brother...

...a man for my son...

...and a man for my friend...

...they would all be Lance.

I love them.

I love them
and they answer me with pain...

...and torment.

Be it sin or not sin...

...they have betrayed me
in their hearts...

...and that's far sin enough.

I can see it in their eyes.
I can feel it when they speak.

And they must pay for it
and be punished.

I shall not be wounded
and not return it in kind.

I'm through with feeble hoping.

I demand...

...a man's vengeance!

Proposition:

I'm a king...

...not a man.

And a very civilized king.

Could it...

...possibly be civilized...

...to destroy the thing I love?

Could it possibly be civilized
to love myself above all?

What about their pain...

...and their torment?

Did they ask for this calamity?

Can passion...

...be selected?

Is there any doubt...

...of their devotion to me,
and to our Table?

By God...

...I shall be a king!

This is the time of King Arthur...

...when we shall...

...reach for the stars!

This is the time of King Arthur...

...when violence is not strength,
and compassion is not weakness.

We are civilized!

Resolved:

We shall live through this together!

Excalibur!

They...

...you...

...and I.

And may...

...God have mercy on us all.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

I come as an emissary
from the village of Glenfield.

We have 23 shops...

...and not one door with a bolt.
And not a chain on a stable...

...a bar on a gate,
a latch with a lock.

And our children walk free on the roads.

Because we live
in the England of King Arthur.

Here are the keys of Glenfield,
Your Majesty.

We need them no more.

You have been
the queen's lover for years.

Get on your feet...

...and defend your slander!

Does killing me kill the truth?

There's a poison in this court
that will kill us all!

Get up and fight!

Get up and fight!

I give you this.
And I'll use dagger alone.

I...

...take it back.

If the king grants you clemency...

...you shall be banished.

If not, you hang.

Clemency is granted.

Is he dead?

Bruce has withdrawn the accusation.

And Arthur?

Clemency.

What an agony for him.
Seven of his knights banished.

If those charges
had not been withdrawn...

...what would I have done?

Commit murder?

I don't know.

At least he's still spared
the anguish of the truth.

Jenny.

He knows.

Oh, no.

- I'm certain.
- He couldn't.

Arthur would never banish
the knights so unjustly.

It's your conscience talking.
It's impatient for you to be punished.

- No, no.
- He knows!

Well, why would he change the law?

Rule out the use of swords
to settle disputes...

...and replace it
with a court and judge?

- He hasn't done that.
- He's preparing to!

And if no evidence can be produced...

...then the matters
cannot be disputed at all.

And there will be no evidence.

- He'll see to that.
- How?

He will never leave this castle
unless one of us is with him.

He will never leave us alone again.
Never!

Oh, God!

What will become of us?

What will become of me?

Oh, Lance.

How long can I...

...go on asking the same question
and not lose my mind?

Or is my mind gone from me now?

Lance, Lance.

What shall we do?

What shall we do?

I know what I should do.

Leave and never come back.

Today. This minute.

But to leave so abruptly...

...it would seem a confession.

No.

Better in a week or two.

Or a month.

How can I go, Jenny?

Look at you.

When would I?

If ever I would leave you

It wouldn't be in summer

Seeing you in summer

I never would go

Your hair streaked with sunlight

Your lips red as flame

Your face with a luster

That puts gold to shame

But if I'd ever leave you

It couldn't be in autumn

How I'd leave in autumn

I never would know

I've seen how you sparkle

When fall nips the air

I know you in autumn

And I must be there

And could I leave you

Running merrily through the snow?

Or on a wintery evening

When you catch the fire's glow?

If ever I would leave you

How could it be in springtime

Knowing how in spring

I'm bewitched by you so

Oh, no Not in springtime

Summer, winter or fall

No, never could I leave you

At all

I want you to go, Lance.

Jenny, Jenny.

I do.

I don't worry about the future.
We have none.

But if anything happened to the past...

...any more shame...

...and any more guilt
could make ruin of it.

The past is all I have.

The past is all I have.

If ever I would leave you

How could it be in springtime

Knowing how in spring

I'm bewitched by you so

Oh, no Not in springtime

Summer

Winter

Or fall

No, never could I leave you

At all

Damn it, Arthur!
Forgive me, damn it.

But damn it!
If this banishing goes on...

...there'll be more out there
than there are in here.

Your Majesty.

There's a young man from Scotland
who brings you royal greetings.

His Majesty is occupied.
Ask him to return in the afternoon.

Arthur.

The uglier the truth,
the truer the friend that tells you...

...and unless you are told the truth...

...your Round Table is doomed.

Arthur.

Guenevere...

...and Lancelot...

...have betrayed you.

And because you don't know it...

...innocent men are being punished.

Pellinore, you will either...

...withdraw
that treasonous allegation...

...at once...

...or defend it with your life!

What?

Now speak up!

Which is it, Pellinore?
The sword or withdrawal?

Well, I-- I....

Guard!

No, Arthur! Wait!

Um, wait.

I must have been mistaken, sir.

Now, Pelly....

Under this new civil law of mine
you can...

...make that accusation again
without fear of your life...

...if there is evidence,
which there is not, of course.

Repetition, Pelly, is not evidence.

Brilliant, Your Majesty!

Not only wise but clever.

- How dare you enter unannounced?
- But I was announced.

And were you not informed
to return this afternoon?

I'm busy this afternoon.

By Jove!

- What presumption!
- Don't touch me. I'm unarmed.

Pelly, call the guard and have this
pompous young ass thrown out.

Yes, do.

Tell them His Majesty
wants Mordred evicted.

Mordred?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I'm Mordred.

Wait, Pelly.

I know this boy.

He's...

...the brother...

...the half-brother....

He's the son...

...of the Princess Margause of Orkny.

Please.

So....

This is the famous throne room
where sits His Majesty, King of England.

It's quite handsome, really.

Marvelous for parties.

I had lost track of the time, Mordred.

You've grown to manhood.

How...

...is your mother?

As ravishing as ever.

Which is hardly surprising.

Vigilant selfishness
is wonderful for the skin.

And Prince Claudius?

Oh, I haven't seen him in a while.
He locked himself...

...in a tower four years ago
to get away from Mother.

Do you always sit there, or do you
sometimes switch with Guenevere?

Protocol intrigues me.

And where the famous Lancelot?

Or does he stand in between?

What brings you to Camelot, Mordred?

A desire of blood, Your Majesty.
My brothers are here.

Half-brothers.

They'll be very, very,
very miserable to see me.

Mother had a potion which took off
10 years and they...

...gave it to me when I was 9
to make me minus one.

You've come all this way to see
your brothers, whom you detest?

That's hardly reason
for such a long journey.

There's you, Your Majesty.

I always wondered why old Claudius
detested me so.

Then, heh, one day Mother told me
the marvelous news.

He's not my father.

How once when
she was visiting England...

...she met an attractive young lad
called Arthur...

...invited him to her room...

...so on.

Is that how the story goes?

Yes.

Yes, that's how the story goes.

Imagine her surprise when that
young man became King of all England.

Now that you're here,
what are your plans?

My plans are your wishes, Your Majesty.

Then you are to remain in Camelot
and become a knight of the Round Table.

I admit you're not
very promising material...

...but you have brains, youth...

...and a proper heritage.

Much could be done
if you applied yourself.

I a knight?

Come, Your Majesty!

Look at me!

I despise the sword, I loathe the spear,
and I detest horses.

I've been taught to place needs
ahead of conscience...

...comfort ahead of principle.

I find charity offensive
and kindness a trap.

I like my ladies married...

...my willpower weak, my wine strong...

...and my saints fallen.

Come.

What kind of knight
could you make of me, hmm?

Put it that way,
it would take a miracle.

And I'm told there's a shortage
of miracles at Camelot these days.

I must warn you, Mordred...

...that I am a civilized man
with occasional lapses.

And far more seasoned rascals
than you have polished their souls.

I advise you get out the wax.

Better be rubbed clean...

...than rubbed out?

- Heh.
- You will dine with the queen and me...

...and try
to get to know each other better.

Good, I shall look forward
to meeting the queen.

Mordred.

You will leave when you are dismissed.

And remember...

...Mordred...

...that I and I alone shall decide...

...when you may address me
by the name that your kinship allows.

But it shall remain unspoken...

...till you have earned the right
by proper deeds.

The adage...

... "Blood is thicker than water"
was invented by ...

...undeserving relatives.

I look forward to seeing you this evening.

It is simple, Pellinore.

Once you get it
into that armored head of yours...

...that all disputes
will be settled by law...

...and not by bloodshed.

Wart, I understand that perfectly.

I do not understand how it works.

Oh, Pelly.

Um....

Let us see. Supposing you
are accused of burning down a stable.

Whose?

Let us say a farmer named William.

William?

I wouldn't, of course,
but, uh, get along.

Now, Pelly, you claim you haven't.

What does he do?

He holds his tongue
if he knows what's good for him...

- ...or he'll get a sword through his chest.
- Oh, Pelly.

- Pelly, he takes you to court.
- Ah.

And we fight there.

No, Pellinore.

In court, there is a prosecutor
for Farmer William...

...and a defender for you.

Oh, I see!

Ah! I see. And they fight.

No, Pellinore. A jury decides.

That is why
it is called "trial by jury."

The jury?
Who in thunderation are they?

It's none of their damn business.

But you don't know them, Pelly.
And they don't know you.

If they don't know me
and they don't know Farmer William...

...how can you expect them
to care a fig who wins?

How can you get a fair decision
from people so impartial?

That is precisely the point, Pelly.

They are impartial
and there will be no bloodshed.

If that jury finds me guilty,
there'll be plenty of bloodshed.

I'll have a whack
at every last one of them.

Then you will be charged
with murder, Pelly.

The ruddy thing's endless!

Another jury finds me guilty,
and I'll have to whack them...

...and so on and so on
and whacking and--

Oh, Pelly....

Pellinore, forget it!
You will never burn down a stable...

...you will never know a farmer
named William and you will never...

...ever be found in a court.

Not without my ruddy sword, I won't.

Oh, Jenny.

Jenny, I'm getting old.

It's true.

I thought about it this morning.

I walked to the stables
as briskly as ever...

...and arrived much later
than I expected to.

You've been closeted far too long
with the civil court.

I'm glad it's finally opening.

Ten o'clock tomorrow morning.

- The first English court.
- May I attend the ceremony?

Would you, Jenny?
Everyone would love it.

Yes, of course.

It may be our greatest achievement.

Come in.

Your Majesty.

Oh, Lance.

Good day, milady.

Good day, Lance.

- Arthur, it's about Mordred.
- Mordred?

Must we talk about Mordred?

This is the first day in a month
he'll not be here for dinner...

...and that makes it seem like a party.

Arthur, get rid of him.

He's bent on the destruction
of the Table.

He's setting knight against knight.

Making them yearn for their own lands.

Every evening like a witch over a
cauldron he mixes wine and disloyalty.

I know of his activities, Lance.

Do you also know he is in constant touch
with the knights you banished?

And they're raising an army.

I know.

And it is my own fault.

I should have officially recognized him
when I took the throne.

It is the proper procedure.

I intended to do it
and I should have done it.

But I didn't.

I couldn't.

I hadn't...

...counted on...

...caring for Jenny as much...

...and I had hoped that one day
our child would sit...

...on the throne of England.

The fates...

...have not been kind.

The fates...

...must not have the last word, Lance.

We have been through
much together, we three.

And by the sword, Excalibur,
we will go through this.

Oh, Mordred is filled with hatred,
trying to destroy those I love...

...and trying to make
his inheritance come faster.

But we must not
give him the opportunity.

We must not let...

...our passions destroy our dreams.

Let him cross my path.

I'll run him through.

You will not, Lance.

He's your mortal enemy!

He's my son.

He's all there is of me.
The only child I will ever have.

Oh, it may be madness,
but somehow I hope that there is...

...something of me in him
that I can reach.

So I will have your word, Lance?

You have my word.

Would you like to be alone, Arthur?

No, Jenny. Jenny, please.
Please don't go.

What did you do today, Jenny?

Just trivial things.

Oh! That's exactly
what I want to hear about.

Tempests and tea cups...

...mountains made out of molehills,
anything.

Anything you can think of...

...that is not fit for a king.

What do the simple folk do

To help them escape when they're blue?

The shepherd who is ailing
The milkmaid who is glum

The cobbler who is wailing
From nailing his thumb

When they're beset and besieged

The folks not noblesse-ly obliged

However do they manage
To shed their weary lot?

Oh, what

Do simple folk do?

We do not

I have been informed

By those who know them well

They find relief in quite a clever way

When they're sorely pressed
They whistle for a spell

And whistling seems
To brighten up their day

And that's what

Simple folk do

So they say

They just whistle?

So they say.

What else do the simple folk do

To perk up the heart and get through?

The wee folk and the grown folk
Who wander to and fro

Have ways known to their own folk
We throne-folk don't know

When all the doldrums begin

What keeps each of them in his skin?

What ancient native custom
Provides the needed glow?

Oh, what

Do simple folk do?

Do you know?

Once along the road

I came upon a lad

Singing in a voice
Three times his size

And when I asked him why
He told me he was sad

And singing always made his spirits rise

So that's

What simple folk do

I surmise

Arise, my love, arise my love
Apollo's lighting the skies, my love

The meadows shine with columbine
And daffodils blossom away

Hear Venus call to one and all
Come taste delight while you may

The world is bright, and all is right
And life is merry and gay

The world is bright, and all is right
And life is merry and gay

What else do the simple folk do?

They must have a system or two

They obviously outshine us
At turning tears to mirth

Have tricks a royal highness
Is minus from birth

What, then, I wonder Do they

To chase all the goblins away?

They have some tribal sorcery
You haven't mentioned yet

Oh, what

Do simple folk do

To forget?

Often, I am told
They dance a fiery dance

And whirl till they're
Completely uncontrolled

Soon the mind is blank
And all are in a trance

A violent trance astounding to behold

And that's

What simple folk do

So I'm told

- Really?
- I have it on the best authority.

Stop it!

For God's sake, stop it!

Through the clouds gray with years

Over hills wet with tears

To a world young and free

We will fly Follow me

April green everywhere

April's song always there

Come and hear Come and see

Follow me

Merlyn's schoolhouse.

To a tree

Where our hopes hang high

To a dream that should never die

Where our long lost tomorrows

Still are in the sweet bye and bye

Time goes by Or do we

Close your eyes And you'll see

As we were We can be

Weep no more Follow me

Follow me Follow me

Follow me

Hello!

Hello...

...Wart!

Hello...

...Wart.

What's the best thing
for being sad? You taught me once.

The best thing for being sad
is to learn something.

Learn something?

It's the one thing, Wart,
that never fails.

You may grow old...

...and trembling in your arteries.

You may lie awake at night...

...listening to the disorder
of your veins.

You may miss your father,
your mother...

...your dog...

...your only love.

My love.

There's only one thing for all of it.

Learn.

Learn...

...why the world wags...

...and what wags it.

How could I learn if I couldn't think?

And I couldn't think,
so I couldn't learn.

Not even to think the thought,
I thought.

But even the thought,
"I'm not thinking a thought"...

...is thinking, isn't it?

Yes.

And thinking is something you should
get into the habit of making use of...

...as often as possible.

Thinking helps in everything.
Everything but love, that is.

Love is a sort of...

...seventh day.
So thinking can rest.

But this is not Sunday,
so look down.

Look into the water, Wart.

Tell me what you see.

Water...

...fish and us.

Forget the water.

Forget us, and think of the fish.

Think yourself a fish.

Feel yourself a fish.

Breathe with your gills.

Now be a fish.

Well, how do you like it?

How big a fish am I? I just saw
a big fish chasing a smaller fish.

Am I the dinner or the diner?

Work it out. Think!

What are you learning as a fish?

Oh, not very much. Big fish eat
little fish, just like everywhere else.

Except somehow that doesn't
seem right, does it?

Ah!

Why couldn't I be a bird?

I would really enjoy being....

What am I?

You're a hawk!

Has the hunting season started?

By George, I believe it has!

I'm flying higher!

Look down.
Tell me what you see.

I see lakes...

...trees, forests.

Can you see Camelot?

Yes, I can.

Can you see the next county?

Uh, yes! I can see the middle of it.

It's Greylock Valley,
but I can't see the edges of it.

You see the edges
when you're down here?

Of course I can.
The boundaries are clearly marked.

Then what do you know as a hawk...

...that you don't know as Arthur?
Think!

I'm not thinking.
I'm just gliding!

Your majesty.

Are you alone?

Not now.

Isn't this rather far from
the palace for you, Mordred?

I wanted to see this legendary forest
you've told me so much about.

This is where Merlyn taught you,
is it not?

Yes.

Oh, yes, it is.

There are times when the only
vacation spot in the world...

...is the past.

I can't quite remember all that Merlyn
taught me, but I do remember this.

That happiness is a virtue.

No one can be...

...happy and wicked.

Triumphant, perhaps,
but not happy.

Now, if I could teach you that...

...and make you believe it...

...then at last,
you could be my son.

Are you happy, Your Majesty?

Yes.

Is the queen?

Yes.

And Sir Lancelot?

What are you implying?

Nothing, Your Majesty.

Simply that I did not realize...

...that deception and infidelity
were candidates for the badge of virtue.

Whom are you accusing?

And of what crime?

And with what proof?

Isn't your civil law marvelous?

No proof, no crime.

Ergo:

Virtue, happiness.

You want me to be your son.
No more than I.

Then prove to me I'm wrong.

Stay in the forest tonight.
Give your son the lesson of this life.

Show him how virtue can triumph
without the help of...

...fear?

Return to the palace...

...and inform the court...

...that His Majesty will be hunting
all through the night...

...and will return...

...in the midmorning.

Yes...

...milord.

Merlyn.

Merlyn?

Where are you?

Merlyn....

Merlyn....

Get to them.

Warn them.

Oh, tell them to be wise.

Milords! Both of you!
Are you drunk or mad?

Directly under the king's window!

The king's not there.

- He's away for the night.
- Where?

Hunting.
He'll be back at midmorning.

I must get back to the castle myself.

I must get back!

Jenny.

Jenny, come away with me.

To Joyous Gard.
Let's have it open and aboveboard.

I cannot live like this another day.

And this man we both love...

...what would you do,
force him to declare war on you?

Where either you or he or both would
be killed? And hundreds of others?

I never wanted to love you.

Your God arranged it.

Your God must solve it.

Arthur is my husband. I must stay
with him as long as he wants me.

Then so be it, Jenny.

I will...

...never ask you again.

Nor shall I come to you again.

I swear it.

And I will never come to you again.

I loved you

Once in silence

And misery was all I knew

Trying so

To keep my love from showing

All the while not knowing

You loved me too

Yes, loved me

In lonesome silence

Your heart

Filled with dark despair

Thinking love

Would flame in you forever

And I'd never, never

Know the flame was there

Then one day we cast away
Our secret longing

The raging tide we held inside
Would hold no more

The silence

At last was broken

We flung wide

Our prison door

Every joyous word of love
Was spoken

And now there's
Twice as much grief

Twice the strain for us

Twice the despair
Twice the pain for us

As we had known before

The silence

At last was broken

We flung wide Our prison door

Every joyous word of love
Was spoken

And after all had been said

Here we are, my love

Silent once more

And not far....

My love!

From where we were before

Don't reach for your dagger, Lancelot.

I accuse you of treason and order
you both to stand trial...

...for your crime.

Surrender in the name of the king.

Take him! Take him!

You cowards!

Guard! That man!

Lance!

Oh, no!

Guenevere, Guenevere

Oh they found Guenevere

In the dying candle's gleam

Came the sundown Of a dream

On a day dark and drear

Came to trial Guenevere

Ruled the jury For her shame

She be sentenced To the flame

Verdict:

Guilty of treason
against king and country.

Sentence:

To be burned
at the stake until death!

Guenevere, Guenevere

Lance will save Guenevere

Any moment he'll appear

And he'll rescue Guenevere

Five a.m., oh, it's near

Not a sound do I hear

And the bells
Will soon ring clear

Won't he rescue Guenevere?

Oh hurry, Lancelot, hurry
There isn't too much time

Oh hurry, or soon those evil bells
In the tower will chime

Oh hurry, the guard will soon
Be gathering around the stake

And soon they will come
To take Guenevere

Guenevere, Guenevere

Cannot save Guenevere

As this fighting time is near

And the dust blew Guenevere

Who will save Guenevere?

Who will save Guenevere?

Where is the King?

He's supposed
to watch the execution.

He's supposed to be here,
at this window. It's the law, isn't it?

Do you think for one moment
Lancelot will not rescue her?

But if he tries...

...that means that Arthur
will have to fight him, won't he?

Is there no rescue in sight?

No, not yet, sir.

Your Majesty, why not ignore
the verdict and pardon her?

But you can't do that, can you?

Let her die, your life is over.

Let her live, your life's a fraud.

Kill the queen or kill the law.

Wart!

I'm afraid...

...you must come to the window.

The executioner is waiting...

...for your signal.

- Is it Lancelot?
- I don't know.

Is it, Pelly?

It is!

It is!

Wart, my dear fellow...

...it is!

Sweet heaven, what a sight!

Can you see it from there, Arthur?

Can you see your goodly Lancelot
murdering your goodly knights?

Sire...

...most of the guard...

...is killed.

And over 80 knights.

They must be heading for the channel.
We'll make ready the army to follow.

We want revenge!
Revenge!

Your table has cracked, Arthur.

Shall I save the timbers
for her next stake?

Merlyn...

...make me a hawk.

Let me fly away from here.

Arthur....

We want to return with you.

Let us pay for what we've done.

At the stake?

No.

For what end? Justice?
They've forgotten justice.

They want revenge.

Revenge...

...the most worthless of causes.

It's too late.

The Table is dead.

It exists no more.

Half my knights
were killed in the yard.

Mordred is organizing
an army against me.

The rest of the knights
are in their tents...

...itching for dawn, cheerful.

Cheerful to be at war.

It's those old uncivilized days...

...come back again.

Those days...

...those dreadful days that we tried...

...to put asleep forever.

It is your wish
that this dread battle go on?

It is not my wish!

I can think no longer of what to do
except to ride the tide of events.

Oh, what folly!

All we've been through...

...for nothing except an idea.

Something that you cannot taste...

...or touch, smell...

...or feel.

Without...

...substance, without life...

...reality...

...memory.

The charade will soon begin.

Please, please.
Please go back to Joyous Gard.

Jenny is not at Joyous Gard, Arthur.

She is with the Holy Sisters.

Is there nothing to be done?

There's nothing to be done...

...but to play out the game...

...and leave the decisions to God.

Go now, Lance.

You must go too, Jenny.

I know.

So often, in the past...

...I would look in your eyes
and I would find there forgiveness.

Perhaps one day, in the future...

...it shall be there again.

But I won't be with you.
I won't see it.

Goodbye...

...my love.

My dearest love.

Who's there?

Who's there?

Come out, I say!

Uh--

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

I was searching for
the sergeant of arms and got lost.

I did not wish to disturb you.

Who are you?
Where did you come from?

You ought to be in bed.

Are you a page?

I stowed away on one
of the boats, Your Majesty.

I came to fight for the Round Table.

I'm very good with a bow.

And do you intend to kill people
with this bow of yours?

Oh, yes, milord!
A great many, I hope!

But supposing that they...

...killed you?

Then I shall be dead, milord.

But I don't intend to be dead.
I intend to be a knight!

A knight?

Yes, milord.
Of the Round Table.

And when did you decide
upon this extinct profession?

Was your village
once protected by knights?

Did your father serve a knight?
Was your mother once saved by a knight?

Oh, no, milord! I'd never even
seen a knight until I stowed away.

I only know of them...

...the stories people tell!

From the stories people tell...

...you wish to become...

...a knight?

Now tell me, what do you think you know
of the Knights of the Round Table?

I know everything, milord.

Might for right!

Right for right!

Justice for all!

A Round Table
where all knights would sit.

Everything!

Come here.

- What's your name?
- It is Tom, milord.

- Where do you come from?
- From Warwick, milord.

Now listen to me, Tom of Warwick.

You will not fight in the battle,
understand?

Yes, milord.

You will run behind the lines
and hide until it is over.

And then you will return home...

...to England...

...alive.

To grow up...

...and grow old.

Do you understand?

You will remember...

...what I, the king, tell you...

...and do as I command.

Each evening

From December to December

Before you drift to sleep
Upon your cot

Think back on all the tales
That you remember

Of Camelot

Ask every person
If he's heard the story

And tell it strong and clear
If he has not

That once there was
A fleeting wisp of glory

Called Camelot

Camelot

Camelot!

Now say it out With love and joy

Camelot!

Camelot!

Yes, Camelot...

...my boy.

Where once it never rained

Till after sundown

By 8 a.m.
The morning fog had flown

Don't let it be forgot

That once there was a spot

For one brief shining moment

That was known as

Camelot!

Your Majesty.

Give me that sword.

Kneel, Tom. Kneel.

With this sword, Excalibur...

...I knight you Sir Tom of Warwick.

Camelot

And I command you...

...to return home...

...and carry out my orders.

Yes, milord!

Arthur, what are you doing?
You have a battle to fight.

I have won my battle, Pelly.

And here...

...is my victory.

What we did will be remembered.
You'll see.

Now run, Sir Tom.

Behind the lines!

Arthur. Who was that?

One of what we all are, Pelly.

Less than a drop in the great blue
motion of the sunlit sea.

But it seems that some
of the drops sparkle!

Some of them do sparkle!

Run, boy!

Run, boy!

Run!

Oh, run...

...my boy!

Where once it never rained

Till after sundown

By 8 a.m.
The morning fog had flown

Don't let it be forgot

That once there was a spot

For one brief shining moment

That was known as

Camelot