005 - Act IV - The Passing of Arthur

Summary

Podcast Summary: King Arthur – Episode 005: Act IV – The Passing of Arthur
Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Joseph Comyns Carr
Featured: Amanda Friday (voice talent)

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Episode Overview

In this dramatic episode, “The Passing of Arthur,” the epic legend reaches its conclusion as Arthur’s realm unravels. Tragedy, betrayal, and the last flicker of hope flow through Camelot’s downfall. The episode brings to life Guinevere’s captivity, Mordred’s treachery, Arthur’s final stand, and the mystical promise of Avalon, as the king who “was, and is to be” meets his fate. The performances highlight themes of guilt, redemption, destiny, and the enduring myth of King Arthur.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Guinevere’s Imprisonment and Despair

• Setting: The Queen’s Prison in Camelot (01:16)
• Guinevere is shown in captivity, emotionally shattered after Arthur’s supposed death.
• A symbolic moment features Guinevere capturing a bird, paralleling her own captivity:
  • “I’d have it caged, that I, its gaoler, may have belief to dream that I am free.” (Guinevere, 02:48)
• Guinevere’s old confidant, Dagonet the fool, visits her, but his sanity is broken by grief.

2. News of Arthur's Death and Mordred’s Proposition

• Mordred informs Guinevere of Arthur’s demise, claiming Lancelot’s sword delivered the fatal blow (02:18; 04:52).
• Mordred manipulates Guinevere:
  • “Here at thy feet I lay an empire’s throne, where thou in equal majesty shall reign once more a queen.” (Mordred, 06:49)
• Guinevere rejects Mordred’s advances, embracing her shame and preferring death to becoming his queen:
  • “Why, then, I choose to die. Yea, though my soul slip down to hell, Hell were a paradise, whilst thou art here.” (Guinevere, 07:59)

3. Morgan le Fay’s Scheming and Prophecy

• Morgan interrupts, urging Mordred to embrace his fate and challenging Arthur, referencing the prophecy:
  • “Pendragon’s son shall slay that is born with the May. So fate decreed.” (Morgan, 08:31)

4. The Queen’s Trial

• Scene: The Great Hall, Mordred on the throne, Guinevere on trial (09:09)
• Mordred accuses Guinevere of treason. The sentence is death by burning unless a champion stands for her:
  • “Queen Guinevere...thou shalt be fastened to an iron stake until thy mortal body be consumed in fiery flames.” (Mordred, 10:20)
• Guinevere bravely calls for a champion, not to save herself but for justice and redemption. She confesses her regret and guilt.

5. The Return and Duel of Arthur

• A masked knight appears and fights for Guinevere—revealed to be Arthur himself (11:55; 13:45).
• Arthur faces Mordred, confronting betrayal and destiny:
  • “Who but to win this little hour from out the wreck of time, would take life’s wearied hand and travel back across the ruined past…” (Arthur, 13:49)
• Morgan and Mordred invoke prophecy and fate before the challenge (14:15).
• A final battle ensues; Arthur is mortally wounded (14:52).

6. Arthur’s Death and Mystical Passing

• As Arthur dies, he instructs Bedivere to cast Excalibur into the sea, prophesying its return in England's future time of need:
  • “Go quickly, Bedevere, and bear it hence unto that little bay hid in the cliff...Our sword is in the sea.” (Arthur, 15:30)
• Gawain brings late news: Lancelot slew Arthur’s murderer and died; Guinevere is still alive (16:12).
• Guinevere and Arthur share their final, poignant exchange. Arthur’s last vision is of England and Guinevere in its springtime glory:
  • “The blossoms of the May are swinging in the sun. And there she stands. That shall be England’s queen.” (Arthur, 17:35)
• With Arthur’s passing, Merlin delivers a moving eulogy, promising the king’s spirit will live eternally in England’s destiny:
  • “Not so; he doth but pass who cannot die. The king that was, the king that yet shall be...Look where the dawn sweeps through a wider heaven.” (Merlin, 18:19)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Guinevere’s reflection on self:
  “This grave, I think, was Guinevere’s, who died that hour when she was born… But whence that music comes from, heaven or hell, there’s none shall say, till all life’s lamps burn out and death stands forth to claim the harper’s fee.” (Guinevere, 04:07)
• Mordred’s ultimatum & Guinevere’s defiance:
  “Thou art death’s bride or mine—thy choice is free.” (Mordred, 07:47)
  “Hell were a paradise, whilst thou art here.” (Guinevere, 08:01)
• Arthur’s recognition by Mordred:
  “The king.”—“Ay, sir, the king.” (Mordred & Arthur, 13:48-13:49)
• Arthur’s vision at death:
  “The blossoms of the May are swinging in the sun. And there she stands...That shall be England’s queen.” (Arthur, 17:35)
• Merlin’s closing prophecy:
  “Not so; he doth but pass who cannot die… Look where the dawn sweeps through a wider heaven, and on its wings...his barge is borne to that sweet isle of Avalon, whose sleep can heal all earthly wounds.” (Merlin, 18:19)

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Important Timestamps

• Guinevere’s Prison, Messenger’s news: 01:16 – 02:44
• Guinevere and Dagonet: 03:15 – 04:38
• Mordred’s proposition and threat: 04:47 – 08:09
• Morgan’s prophecy: 08:14 – 08:58
• Guinevere’s trial: 09:27 – 11:18
• Arthur’s dramatic reveal and duel: 12:02 – 14:52
• Arthur’s death, Bedivere’s mission: 15:02 – 15:57
• Final exchanges, Merlin’s eulogy: 17:03 – 19:28

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains a tragic, poetic, and grand tone throughout. The language is elevated, nearly Shakespearian, laden with metaphor, symbolism, and mythic resonance. The drama is enhanced through intense performances, especially in Guinevere’s and Arthur’s final moments, and the mystical overlay provided by Merlin’s closing words.

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Summary:
This poignant finale to King Arthur’s legend artfully weaves together court intrigue, doomed love, mystical prophecy, and the heroic end of an era. Central to the episode is the fate of Guinevere—her sorrows, regrets, and defiance—and the steadfast spirit of Arthur, whose myth endures as England’s everlasting hope.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

Act four of King Arthur A Drama in a Prologue in four Acts by Joseph Commons Carr. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org Act 4 the Passing of Arthur Scene 1 the Queen's Prison in the castle at Camelot. Door leading to the queen's chamber. Another door heavily barred. Window at back. Gaoler discovered keeping guard as the scene opens. Knocking at outer door.

[Gaoler]

Who knocks without one?

[Messenger]

Who bears a message for the queen.

[Narrator]

Gaoler opens door and admits the messenger.

[Gaoler]

What saith Sir Mordred? May she see her fool?

[Messenger]

Ay, I have brought him hither, that

[Gaoler]

will content her much. She hath cried often for her fool,

[Messenger]

yet methinks she shall suck but poor entertainment from the fellow. His wits are clean gone, and faith he is not like to smile again?

[Gaoler]

What mean you, sir?

[Messenger]

The news of Arthur's death is now made sure, and what is worse, tis said twas Lancelot's sword that struck him down.

[Gaoler]

Who shall tell this to the queen?

[Messenger]

Within the hour Sir Mordred comes himself to bear the News, think you twill stir her heart Indeed?

[Gaoler]

I think not so. Look where she comes. Her white face like the headstone at a grave o' er lettered with the story of a day that ended long ago.

[Narrator]

Enter Guinevere. She holds a bird in her hands.

[Guinevere]

See what I've trapped. It fluttered at the bars and fell there at my feet. I'd have it caged, that I, its gaoler, may have believed to dream that I am free. And then, perchance one day this little bird will come and pray to me, who, being a queen, must needs be merciful, and break its wicker walls.

[Narrator]

Gaoler taking the bird, I'll cage it now. He goes towards door and she sees the messenger.

[Guinevere]

Ah, sir, you're from the court. Where is my fool? Sir Dagonet. Is that denied me too? Twas not so much to ask, madam.

[Messenger]

He's here. And yet so changed. I fear he will not know thee.

[Narrator]

Opens door and Dagonet enters.

[Guinevere]

That counts for naught. I scarce do know myself. Come hither, Dagonet.

[Narrator]

Sirs, by your leave, gaoler and messenger, exeunt.

[Guinevere]

Dost thou not know thy queen?

[Dagonet]

Ay, very well. There were two of them. For there was one, look you, that came with the spring from Camelairt. And she had a face that touched heaven. And there was one that kept a poison on her lip for Lancelot's kissing. And hark ye. Last night beneath the moon, I saw them both kneeling beside a grave whose grave I know not, for the stone was bare and they did naught but weep.

[Guinevere]

I'll tell thee then. This grave, I think, was Guinevere's, who died that hour when she was born. And these two queens, who through the night keep watch beside her tomb, are but her shadows fashioned for the mask which men call life. Poor puppets that must dance, while unseen fingers touch the trembling strings. But whence that music comes from, heaven or hell, there's none shall say, till all life's lamps burn out and death stands forth to claim the harper's fee.

[Narrator]

Enter, gaoler.

[Gaoler]

Make room. Sir, Mordred comes.

[Narrator]

Enter Mordred. Exeunt gaoler, and Dagone.

[Mordred]

Great queen, I bear thee news that sets thee free.

[Guinevere]

What news is that?

[Mordred]

Thy lord, the king, is dead.

[Guinevere]

Dead? Art thou sure? Why, then, sir, he is free, and I, that was his gaoler, may not weep yet. Count not that against me, for I think tears are not all truth.

[Mordred]

Thou wert wrong to weep. Dost thou not know twas Arthur's cruel will that set thee in this prison?

[Guinevere]

Ay, I know that thou hast said

[Mordred]

twere so, and so it is. But now I've come to break these prison bars, and so give back unto our desert world life's sweetest rose that hungers for the sun.

[Guinevere]

And who art thou, whose new found sovereignty rides o' er the king's decree?

[Mordred]

I am thy king.

[Guinevere]

There is no king, save one, and he is dead. Yet if it was his will to leave me here, why, here I'll stay.

[Mordred]

Nay, then, thou dost not guess the gift I bear thee. Guinevere. Those lips, moulded by love's own hand, are not yet doomed for death's embrace. Their kiss is for a king, yet not like that dead lord, whose bloodless soul wings to a frozen heaven. Who woos thee now is man, not God. And in his brimming veins runs longings like thine own.

[Guinevere]

I thought till now that I had suffer'd all. But here I see, my shame doth but begin. Twas not enough that through my sin, for all succeeding time hell's mocking laugh shall haunt the voice of spring and plant its poison'd echo in each bower where lover's vows are sworn. Nay, this is more. That she whom love doth once make false to love must henceforth bear the common brand of lust seeming, the painted toy that every man may purchase at his price.

[Mordred]

Why, thou dost dream. Here at thy feet I lay an empire's throne, where thou in equal majesty shall reign once more a queen, A

[Guinevere]

wanton, not a queen. Who for this piece of gold thou call' st a crown. Take thy murderous kiss.

[Mordred]

Nay, have care. My love lies near to hate.

[Guinevere]

I fear thy love. Thy hate is not truth.

[Mordred]

Thou shalt find it more than thou hast ever dreamed.

[Narrator]

SHOUTS WITHOUT Long live the king.

[Mordred]

Dost hear that cry? It is the echoing voice of England's knights who hail me king.

[Guinevere]

And they were Arthur's knights.

[Mordred]

Ay, they loved Arthur well. Yet when they learn as so they shall, for I will vouch it true. Twas Lancelot's sword did pierce him to the heart. Their eyes will turn on her whose shameful sin made Lancelot false. See, then thy fate stands clear. Thou art death's bride or mine, the thy choices free.

[Guinevere]

Why, then I choose to die. Yea, though my soul slip down to hell, Hell were a paradise, whilst thou art here

[Mordred]

by heaven, then thou shalt die.

[Narrator]

Enter Morgan.

[Morgan]

Ryan's is trapped. And dying hath confessed his treason and thine own.

[Mordred]

Then Arthur lives, and all is lost.

[Morgan]

Nay, Arthur, all is left to win. This News is secret and long ere tis known thy sword shall pierce his

[Mordred]

heart or his sword mine.

[Morgan]

What wouldst thou question fate? He Pendragon's son shall slay that is born with the May. So fate decreed. His blood is thine and mine shouts,

[Narrator]

Long live King Mordred. Death to Guinevere grow louder to the end.

[Morgan]

Go, take thy crown. And none shall dare to question what is done or remains to do.

[Narrator]

Exit.

[Mordred]

So fate take all to halt were death and that oncoming flood of time's uplifted wave can hold no more.

[Narrator]

Exit. Scene two. The great hall at Camelot. As the scene is disclosed, the hall is filled with armed knights. Mordred is on the throne, accompanied by Morgan and surrounded by the retinue of the court. Guinevere stands before the throne. Mordred turns to her.

[Mordred]

By England's knights in council thou dost stand, condemned of treason gainst thy lord, the king, whose death lies at thy charge. Yet we who bear the crown that Arthur wore now give thee leave to plead in thy defence. If there be aught which thou canst urge, why judgment should be stayed, stand forth and speak.

[Narrator]

We pray you hear her, not Guinevere, turning with a look of scorn towards Mordred.

[Guinevere]

What still is left to say is not for thee.

[Mordred]

Then let the sentence go. Queen Guinevere, daughter of Leoda, grounds of Cornwall. Now hear thy judgment. As the law decrees that first despoiled of thy royal robes, thou shalt be fastened to an iron stake until thy mortal body be consumed in fiery flames

[Guinevere]

and saith the law no more.

[Mordred]

Ay, this it adds that if thy prayer may win some champion for thy cause, then this same knight shall claim due right of battle gainst that lord whose charge hath brought thee here.

[Guinevere]

And who is that?

[Mordred]

Tis I who charge thee now.

[Guinevere]

Why then, sir knights, I'll kneel and pray to you. If haply one find heart to serve his queen, think not I plead for this poor gift of life. Nay, could I choose. These hands should bear fresh faggots to the blaze that lights me to a tomb. Yet hear me all. Who stands my knight to day shall wrest from time a crown of glory. Naught, sirs, that he fought for one whose sin knows no desert save death, that were but shame. Yet whoso dares that shame, his sword shall win the right denied him else to slay that crawling thing upon thy throne. Wherefore I cry a champion for my cause?

[Narrator]

Mordred, who has descended from the throne, whispers aside.

[Mordred]

Too late, my queen. Too late. What wouldst thou give to win a king's kiss? Now doth no one speak then, Harold, let the trumpet's tongue bray out. Her knight is gone. A hawking, or perchance he sleeps. Too late.

[Narrator]

The trumpet sounds, and at the third call, Ser Bedivere breaks through the throng and stands before Mordred.

[Morgan]

Hold there, Ser Harrold. Hither comes a knight to answer for the queen.

[Mordred]

Who is this knight?

[Morgan]

Sir, by your leave. That shall be better told.

[Narrator]

When all is done, the knights give way, and Arthur stands alone with lower'd helm.

[Mordred]

See, madam, where he stands. Thy champion, who must needs have come from far to answer in such cause.

[Narrator]

Guinevere kneels at Arthur's feet.

[Guinevere]

I thank thee, sir. Yet now I do repent me of what's done and and fain would set thee free. Put up thy sword. I am not worthy that a true knight's blood should flow for me. See, I will tell thee all. I had a champion once. The mightiest knight, the bravest and the truest in the world. He was my lord, and I, his chosen queen, brought him to shame. Then wherefore praise him now? Nay, sir, I must. For that is life's hard law, which will not yield its secret till the close. When Arthur went, the sun shot scarlet red, and all the past lay bare. Then, pray thee, sir, put up thy sword that waits a worthier cause a pause.

[Narrator]

But Arthur makes no sign.

[Guinevere]

Thou wilt not. Then I'll ask this much of thee. When death shall call thee home, it so may chance that thou shalt meet my lord. If that should be, give him this word that at the end his queen knew him for what he was.

[Mordred]

True Lord of all, go lead her hence.

[Dagonet]

So God defend our king.

[Narrator]

Exit Guinevere, followed by Agravaine and knights. Mordred turns to Arthur, who remains motionless. Morgan watching him intently from the steps of the throne. Sir Bedivere stands by Arthur.

[Mordred]

And now I'm thine. Yet first, by heaven, I'll know the face beneath that mask.

[Arthur]

Twas kept for thee.

[Narrator]

As he lifts his helm, Mordred starts back.

[Mordred]

The king.

[Arthur]

Ay, sir, the king. Who but to win this little hour from out the wreck of time, would take life's wearied hand and travel back across the ruined past, should fate declare that only so in his sword might claim the right to slay thee?

[Mordred]

Now, Praetor, I fear thee not.

[Morgan]

Thou hast forgot the message of the May then hear it now enough.

[Arthur]

Twas thou, false witch, that stole the scabbard of Excalibur. Yet see the Blade remains, whose every stroke is winged by death.

[Morgan]

Not so. Not so, my lord. That fickle steel shall splinter as it falls on one. Twice arm'd by fate, he, Pendragon's son shall slay that is born with the May. See, there he stands.

[Arthur]

Why, then, the end is here set on, sir knight. Death stands betwixt us twain. And death shall choose.

[Narrator]

They fight, and Arthur is wounded.

[Arthur]

Traitor. That blow ends all.

[Narrator]

He falls to the earth.

[Morgan]

Long live the king.

[Narrator]

The trumpet is heard without.

[Morgan]

Dost hear that sound? Nay, look not on what's done. There's more to do. Her soul shall join with his to wing its way across night's starless sky.

[Narrator]

Exeunt Morgan and Mordred. And as they go, they are greeted by cries from without.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Long live the king.

[Arthur]

Naas. Tis not for long. I'm dying. Bedevere, where is my sword?

[Morgan]

There, in thy hand.

[Arthur]

Poor hand that knew it not. Go quickly, Bedivere, and bear it hence unto that little bay hid in the cliff. Then cast it in the sea to wait the day, when upward from the shrieking waves shall spring a vast sea brood of mightier strain than ours and bearing across the world from end to end, One cry to all. Our sword is in the sea.

[Morgan]

Why, then. Tis done.

[Narrator]

He takes sword and goes off.

[Arthur]

Life's tide is ebbing fast.

[Narrator]

Gawain enters hurriedly.

[VGW Group Announcer]

Nay, what is here? The wreck of all the world.

[Arthur]

Peace, sir. I know thy news. The queen is dead.

[VGW Group Announcer]

Not so. She lives. And thou art well avenged by one who, dying, struck thy murderer down.

[Arthur]

Didst know him, Gawain?

[VGW Group Announcer]

Ay, I knew him once. The courtliest knight that ever bare a shield. The sternest soldier to his mortal foe, yet gentlest of us all.

[Arthur]

Nay, sir, his name.

[VGW Group Announcer]

His name, my lord, was Lancelot.

[Arthur]

Lancelot. Sir Leip's long night is breaking.

[Narrator]

At the last, Guinevere enters, while the figure of Merlin appears, standing above the recumbent form of Arthur.

[Guinevere]

Where is that knight who died that I might live?

[VGW Group Announcer]

Hush, lady, here he is.

[Narrator]

She sees the face of Arthur and falls at his feet.

[Guinevere]

My lord, my lord, whose face was there?

[Arthur]

I pray you. Some one say. For all grows dark, I know not where I am.

[Guinevere]

Her name was Guinevere.

[Arthur]

What, sirs? Why, then, this should be Cameliard rousing

[Narrator]

himself with sudden energy.

[Gaoler]

See.

[Arthur]

Tis the spring down in the vale. The blossoms of the May are swinging in the sun. And there she stands. That shall be England's queen. Far up I hear the ceaseless beating of death's restless wing. And round mine eyes the circling veil of night grows deeper as it falls. Henceforth my sword rests in its scabbard. What remains is peace.

[Narrator]

He falls back dead.

[Guinevere]

He's gone. The light of all the world lies dead.

[Narrator]

The stage darkens, leaving a light only on the face of Merlin.

[Merlin]

Not so he doth but pass who cannot die. The king that was, the king that yet shall be, whose spirit borne along from age to age, is England's to the end. Look where the dawn sweeps through a wider heaven, and on its wings, by those three queens of night, his barge is borne to that sweet isle of Avalon, whose sleep can heal all earthly wounds.

[Narrator]

During this speech, the stage grows darker, and as the vision appears at the back of Arthur born in the barge with the three queens bending over his body, the chorus breaks out and continues till the end.

[Merlin]

Sleep, O sleep till night of worn wakens to the echoing horn that shall greet thee. King, newborn king that was and is to be. And a voice from shore to shore cries, arise and sleep no more. Greet the dawn, the night is o' er, England's sword is in the sea.

[Narrator]

End of Act 4 end of King Arthur A Drama and a Prologue and Four Acts by Joseph Commons Carr.

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