Excalibur Quotes
Merlin the magician helps Arthur Pendragon unite the Britons around the round table of Camelot even as forces conspire to tear it apart
Merlin: STAND BACK! Be silent! Be still!... That's it... and look upon this moment. Savor it! Rejoice with great gladness! Great gladness! Remember it always, for you are joined by it. You are One, under the stars. Remember it well, then... this night, this great victory. So that in the years ahead, you can say, 'I was there that night, with Arthur, the King!' For it is the doom of men that they forget.
Arthur: Swear faith to me, and you shall have mercy! I need battle lords such as you!
Uryenes: [scornfully] A noble knight swear faith to a squire?
Mador: NEVER... NEVER!
Arthur: You are right.
Arthur: You're right... I'm not yet a knight.
[Hands Excalibur to Uyrenes and kneels]
Arthur: You, Uryenes, will make me a knight. Then as knight to knight... I can offer you mercy.
Merlin: [Alarmed] What's this? What's this?
Mador: Keep it, Uryenes!
Uryenes: [hesitates and then touches Excalibur to Arthur's shoulder] In the name of God, St Michael and St George, I give you the right to bear arms and the power to mete justice!
Arthur: That duty I will solemnly obey, as knight and king.
Merlin: I never saw this.
Uryenes: Rise... King Arthur.
[Uryenes kneels before Arthur]
Uryenes: I am your humble knight, and I swear allegiance to the courage in your veins. So strong it is, its source must be Uther Pendragon's. I doubt you no more!
[kisses Arthur's hand - other knights also kneel]
Uryenes: [scornfully] A noble knight swear faith to a squire?
Mador: NEVER... NEVER!
Arthur: You are right.
Arthur: You're right... I'm not yet a knight.
[Hands Excalibur to Uyrenes and kneels]
Arthur: You, Uryenes, will make me a knight. Then as knight to knight... I can offer you mercy.
Merlin: [Alarmed] What's this? What's this?
Mador: Keep it, Uryenes!
Uryenes: [hesitates and then touches Excalibur to Arthur's shoulder] In the name of God, St Michael and St George, I give you the right to bear arms and the power to mete justice!
Arthur: That duty I will solemnly obey, as knight and king.
Merlin: I never saw this.
Uryenes: Rise... King Arthur.
[Uryenes kneels before Arthur]
Uryenes: I am your humble knight, and I swear allegiance to the courage in your veins. So strong it is, its source must be Uther Pendragon's. I doubt you no more!
[kisses Arthur's hand - other knights also kneel]
[Arthur has broken Excalibur on Lancelot's chest]
Arthur: Merlin! What have I done?
Merlin: You have broken what could not be broken! Now, hope is broken.
Arthur: My pride broke it. My rage broke it! This excellent knight, who fought with fairness and grace, was meant to win. I used Excalibur to change that verdict. I've lost, for all time, the ancient sword of my fathers, whose power was meant to unite all men... not to serve the vanity of a single man. I am... nothing.
Arthur: Merlin! What have I done?
Merlin: You have broken what could not be broken! Now, hope is broken.
Arthur: My pride broke it. My rage broke it! This excellent knight, who fought with fairness and grace, was meant to win. I used Excalibur to change that verdict. I've lost, for all time, the ancient sword of my fathers, whose power was meant to unite all men... not to serve the vanity of a single man. I am... nothing.
Arthur: [of Lancelot] Will he live?
Merlin: Oh, yes.
Arthur: Will Guinevere...?
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur: Merlin, will I ever have a son?
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur: No riddles? Nothing but a simple "yes"? That frightens me.
Merlin: But a King should be afraid, Arthur, always... of the enemy. Waiting, everywhere. In the corridors of his castle, on the deer-paths of his forests, or in a more tangled forest... in here.
[taps his head with his finger]
Merlin: Oh, yes.
Arthur: Will Guinevere...?
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur: Merlin, will I ever have a son?
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur: No riddles? Nothing but a simple "yes"? That frightens me.
Merlin: But a King should be afraid, Arthur, always... of the enemy. Waiting, everywhere. In the corridors of his castle, on the deer-paths of his forests, or in a more tangled forest... in here.
[taps his head with his finger]
Perceval: [holding the Grail to Arthur's lips] You and the land are one. Drink.
Arthur: I am wasting away. I cannot die and I cannot live.
Perceval: Drink from the chalice. You will be reborn and the land with you.
Arthur: [drinks] Perceval... I didn't know how empty was my soul... until it was filled.
Arthur: I am wasting away. I cannot die and I cannot live.
Perceval: Drink from the chalice. You will be reborn and the land with you.
Arthur: [drinks] Perceval... I didn't know how empty was my soul... until it was filled.
Arthur: [Arthur is dying] Perceval, take Excalibur. Find a pool of calm water. Throw the sword into it.
Perceval: No!
Arthur: Obey me, Perceval. Do it, and return.
Arthur: [Perceval returns after not throwing the sword in] When you cast it in, what did you see?
Perceval: I saw nothing but the wind on the water. My King, I couldn't do it! Excalibur cannot be lost! Other men...
Arthur: DO... as I command! One day, a King will come, and the Sword will rise... again.
Perceval: No!
Arthur: Obey me, Perceval. Do it, and return.
Arthur: [Perceval returns after not throwing the sword in] When you cast it in, what did you see?
Perceval: I saw nothing but the wind on the water. My King, I couldn't do it! Excalibur cannot be lost! Other men...
Arthur: DO... as I command! One day, a King will come, and the Sword will rise... again.
Arthur: Rise, Father, please. I was your son before I became your king; if I am King.
Sir Ector: You are king, Arthur; the more so because you are not my son, and I am not your father.
Arthur: Not my father? Then Kay is not my brother?
Sir Ector: Merlin the magician brought you to me when you were newly born, and bade me raise you as my own. At first, I did so because I feared Merlin, but later because I loved you.
Arthur: Who is my true father?
Sir Ector: Only Merlin can tell you that.
Arthur: And who is Merlin?
Merlin: [enters suddenly from the forest] I... am the Merlin.
Arthur: Whose son am I?
Merlin: You are the son of Uther and Igrayne. You are King Arthur!
Sir Ector: You are king, Arthur; the more so because you are not my son, and I am not your father.
Arthur: Not my father? Then Kay is not my brother?
Sir Ector: Merlin the magician brought you to me when you were newly born, and bade me raise you as my own. At first, I did so because I feared Merlin, but later because I loved you.
Arthur: Who is my true father?
Sir Ector: Only Merlin can tell you that.
Arthur: And who is Merlin?
Merlin: [enters suddenly from the forest] I... am the Merlin.
Arthur: Whose son am I?
Merlin: You are the son of Uther and Igrayne. You are King Arthur!
Arthur: Where hides evil in my kingdom, then?
Merlin: Always... where you never expect it. Always.
Gawain: I know where.
Arthur: Where, Sir Gawain?
Gawain: I cannot say.
Arthur: You must speak your heart. You sit at the Round Table. Where is this evil?
Gawain: He's our best... and our bravest... why, then, is he never here? Without Lancelot, this table is nothing! Is there anyone here who doesn't think him a god? And now to be driven from us
[points to Guenevere]
Gawain: by a woman's desire!
Guenevere: In the idleness that comes with peace, I see that gossip has bred its own evil! I will forgive your hasty words. Come... drink from Lancelot's cup, and partake of his 'goodness'.
[the cup is passed to Gawain, who proceeds to slam it upside-down on the table in defiance of Guenevere]
Arthur: You DARE accuse the Queen, Gawain?
Gawain: I do!
Guenevere: I protest my innocence!
Arthur: [standing up and drawing Excalibur threateningly] WERE I NOT KING, I WOULD MAKE YOU PAY WITH YOUR LIFE FOR WHAT YOU'VE SAID!
Guenevere: Will you not champion me?
Arthur: I cannot! I am your King, and I must be your judge in this. Lancelot must do it. He also stands accused. I decree - that at sunrise, two days from now, the champions will meet, and the truth shall be known. For by the law of God, no knight who is false can win in combat with one who is true.
Merlin: Always... where you never expect it. Always.
Gawain: I know where.
Arthur: Where, Sir Gawain?
Gawain: I cannot say.
Arthur: You must speak your heart. You sit at the Round Table. Where is this evil?
Gawain: He's our best... and our bravest... why, then, is he never here? Without Lancelot, this table is nothing! Is there anyone here who doesn't think him a god? And now to be driven from us
[points to Guenevere]
Gawain: by a woman's desire!
Guenevere: In the idleness that comes with peace, I see that gossip has bred its own evil! I will forgive your hasty words. Come... drink from Lancelot's cup, and partake of his 'goodness'.
[the cup is passed to Gawain, who proceeds to slam it upside-down on the table in defiance of Guenevere]
Arthur: You DARE accuse the Queen, Gawain?
Gawain: I do!
Guenevere: I protest my innocence!
Arthur: [standing up and drawing Excalibur threateningly] WERE I NOT KING, I WOULD MAKE YOU PAY WITH YOUR LIFE FOR WHAT YOU'VE SAID!
Guenevere: Will you not champion me?
Arthur: I cannot! I am your King, and I must be your judge in this. Lancelot must do it. He also stands accused. I decree - that at sunrise, two days from now, the champions will meet, and the truth shall be known. For by the law of God, no knight who is false can win in combat with one who is true.
Arthur: Do you still have the Sight, Merlin? Are they together?
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur: You warned me of this, all those years ago. What must I do now... Kill them?
Merlin: I can tell you nothing. My days are ended. The gods of once are gone... forever. It's a time for men. It's your time, Arthur.
Arthur: I need you now... more than ever.
Merlin: No. This is the moment that you must face at last. To be King, alone.
Arthur: And you, old friend? Will I see you again?
Merlin: No. There are other worlds. This one is done with me.
Merlin: [Arthur embraces Merlin, then walks away; Merlin stares off into the twilit sky then quietly says] That's it.
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur: You warned me of this, all those years ago. What must I do now... Kill them?
Merlin: I can tell you nothing. My days are ended. The gods of once are gone... forever. It's a time for men. It's your time, Arthur.
Arthur: I need you now... more than ever.
Merlin: No. This is the moment that you must face at last. To be King, alone.
Arthur: And you, old friend? Will I see you again?
Merlin: No. There are other worlds. This one is done with me.
Merlin: [Arthur embraces Merlin, then walks away; Merlin stares off into the twilit sky then quietly says] That's it.
Arthur: Move aside! This is the king's road - and the knights you joined arms against were his very own.
Lancelot: I await the king himself. His knights are in need of training.
Arthur: I am King. And this
[draws the sword]
Arthur: , is Excalibur, sword of kings from the dawn of time. Who are you? What do you seek?
Lancelot: I am Lancelot of the Lake, from across the sea. And I have yet to find a king worthy of my sword.
Arthur: That is a wild boast. You lack a knight's humility!
Lancelot: Not a boast, sir. But a curse. For I have never met my match in joust or duel.
Arthur: Move aside!
Lancelot: I will not. You must retreat, or prove your worth in the test of arms under the eyes of God.
Arthur: Then may He give me the strength to unhorse you. And send you with one blow, back across the sea.
Lancelot: Then come across, sir.
Lancelot: I await the king himself. His knights are in need of training.
Arthur: I am King. And this
[draws the sword]
Arthur: , is Excalibur, sword of kings from the dawn of time. Who are you? What do you seek?
Lancelot: I am Lancelot of the Lake, from across the sea. And I have yet to find a king worthy of my sword.
Arthur: That is a wild boast. You lack a knight's humility!
Lancelot: Not a boast, sir. But a curse. For I have never met my match in joust or duel.
Arthur: Move aside!
Lancelot: I will not. You must retreat, or prove your worth in the test of arms under the eyes of God.
Arthur: Then may He give me the strength to unhorse you. And send you with one blow, back across the sea.
Lancelot: Then come across, sir.
[the nobles are arguing over Arthur's drawing of the sword]
Uryenes: Lord Leondegrance! Join us against the boy!
Leondegrance: I saw what I saw! The boy drew the sword. If a boy has been chosen, a boy shall be King!
Uryenes: NO, I challenge that!
Sir Ector: The sword has been drawn!
Uryenes: [to Leondegrance] Are you with us, or against us?
Leondegrance: Against you!
Uryenes: Lord Leondegrance! Join us against the boy!
Leondegrance: I saw what I saw! The boy drew the sword. If a boy has been chosen, a boy shall be King!
Uryenes: NO, I challenge that!
Sir Ector: The sword has been drawn!
Uryenes: [to Leondegrance] Are you with us, or against us?
Leondegrance: Against you!
[Uther and Cornwall meet]
Merlin: Show the sword! Behold! The Sword of Power! Excalibur! Forged when the world was young, and bird and beast and flower were one with man, and death was but a dream!
[to Uther]
Merlin: Speak the words!
Uther Pendragon: One land, one king! That is my peace, Cornwall!
Lord Cornwall: Lord Uther, if I yield to the Sword of Power, what will you yield?
Uther Pendragon: Me yield?
Merlin: He has given, now you must.
Uther Pendragon: The land from here to the sea shall be yours if you enforce the King's will!
Lord Cornwall: Done!
Merlin: [to himself] Good.
Lord Cornwall: King Uther, let us feast together! To my castle!
Merlin: Show the sword! Behold! The Sword of Power! Excalibur! Forged when the world was young, and bird and beast and flower were one with man, and death was but a dream!
[to Uther]
Merlin: Speak the words!
Uther Pendragon: One land, one king! That is my peace, Cornwall!
Lord Cornwall: Lord Uther, if I yield to the Sword of Power, what will you yield?
Uther Pendragon: Me yield?
Merlin: He has given, now you must.
Uther Pendragon: The land from here to the sea shall be yours if you enforce the King's will!
Lord Cornwall: Done!
Merlin: [to himself] Good.
Lord Cornwall: King Uther, let us feast together! To my castle!
Arthur: [to Guinevere] I've often thought that in the hereafter of our lives, when I owe no more to the future... can be just a man... we might meet. You'd come to me, claim me yours, know that I am your husband.
[He starts to leave, then turns to face her]
Arthur: It is a dream I have.
[He leaves. She watches him go, knowing that she will never see him again]
[He starts to leave, then turns to face her]
Arthur: It is a dream I have.
[He leaves. She watches him go, knowing that she will never see him again]
Uther: Merlin! You come when you're not asked... and pay no heed when I call you!
Merlin: Oh, I have slept... for nine moons. What I did for you wasn't easy. Now you must pay me... the child is mine, Uther... you swore an oath.
Uther: They were hasty words, Merlin. This is flesh and blood!
Igrayne: Uther, is this true? Don't let him take the child!
Uther: I swore an oath, Igrayne. I made a pact with Merlin.
Igrayne: It was you, you came to me that night! YOU ARE THE FATHER!
Uther: To kill and be King... is that all?
Merlin: You betrayed the Duke, you stole his wife, you took his castle, now no-one trusts you. You're not the one, Uther. Give me the child, I will protect him.
Uther: TAKE HIM... TAKE THE DEVIL CHILD!
Merlin: Oh, I have slept... for nine moons. What I did for you wasn't easy. Now you must pay me... the child is mine, Uther... you swore an oath.
Uther: They were hasty words, Merlin. This is flesh and blood!
Igrayne: Uther, is this true? Don't let him take the child!
Uther: I swore an oath, Igrayne. I made a pact with Merlin.
Igrayne: It was you, you came to me that night! YOU ARE THE FATHER!
Uther: To kill and be King... is that all?
Merlin: You betrayed the Duke, you stole his wife, you took his castle, now no-one trusts you. You're not the one, Uther. Give me the child, I will protect him.
Uther: TAKE HIM... TAKE THE DEVIL CHILD!
Mordred: I've come to claim what is mine, Father.
Arthur: Show yourself.
[Mordred takes off his mask]
Arthur: I cannot give you the land. Only my love.
Mordred: That's the one thing of yours I don't want! The quest knights have failed. They're all dead. And YOU... are dead, too. I shall come back and take Camelot by force!
Arthur: Show yourself.
[Mordred takes off his mask]
Arthur: I cannot give you the land. Only my love.
Mordred: That's the one thing of yours I don't want! The quest knights have failed. They're all dead. And YOU... are dead, too. I shall come back and take Camelot by force!
Uther: Where have you been?
Merlin: I have walked my way since the beginning of time. Sometimes I give, sometimes I take, it is mine to know which and when!
Uther: You must help me, Merlin!
Merlin: Must I?
Uther: I am your King!
Merlin: So! You need me again now that my truce is wrecked! Years to build and moments to ruin! And all for lust!
Uther: For Igrayne! One night with her. You don't understand, you're not a man. Use the magic. Do it!
Merlin: [considering] Igrayne... You will swear by your true Kingship... to grant me what I wish, then you shall have it.
Uther: [kneeling] By Excalibur, I swear it!
Merlin: What issues from your lust, shall be mine. Swear it again!
Uther: I SWEAR IT!
Merlin: I have walked my way since the beginning of time. Sometimes I give, sometimes I take, it is mine to know which and when!
Uther: You must help me, Merlin!
Merlin: Must I?
Uther: I am your King!
Merlin: So! You need me again now that my truce is wrecked! Years to build and moments to ruin! And all for lust!
Uther: For Igrayne! One night with her. You don't understand, you're not a man. Use the magic. Do it!
Merlin: [considering] Igrayne... You will swear by your true Kingship... to grant me what I wish, then you shall have it.
Uther: [kneeling] By Excalibur, I swear it!
Merlin: What issues from your lust, shall be mine. Swear it again!
Uther: I SWEAR IT!
Merlin: What are you afraid of?
Arthur: I don't know.
Merlin: Shall I tell you what's out there?
Arthur: Yes, please.
Merlin: The Dragon. A beast of such power that if you were to see it whole and all complete in a single glance, it would burn you to cinders.
Arthur: Where is it?
Merlin: It is everywhere! It is everything! Its scales glisten in the bark of trees, its roar is heard in the wind! And its forked tongue strikes like... like...
[lightning strikes near their feet]
Merlin: Whoa! Like lightning! Yes, that's it.
Arthur: How can I...? What should I...? Must I...?
Merlin: Do nothing. Be still. Sleep. Rest in the arms of the Dragon. Dream.
Arthur: I don't know.
Merlin: Shall I tell you what's out there?
Arthur: Yes, please.
Merlin: The Dragon. A beast of such power that if you were to see it whole and all complete in a single glance, it would burn you to cinders.
Arthur: Where is it?
Merlin: It is everywhere! It is everything! Its scales glisten in the bark of trees, its roar is heard in the wind! And its forked tongue strikes like... like...
[lightning strikes near their feet]
Merlin: Whoa! Like lightning! Yes, that's it.
Arthur: How can I...? What should I...? Must I...?
Merlin: Do nothing. Be still. Sleep. Rest in the arms of the Dragon. Dream.
Lancelot: [Lancelot unhorses Arthur, then approaches him still on horseback with his lance held out] Yield sir, I have the advantage.
Arthur: [in a fit of absolute rage] I will not! Fight me from your horse or on foot, but fight me, your avoidance mocks me!
Lancelot: I sought only not to harm you.
[knocks Arthur to the ground]
Arthur: [in a fit of absolute rage] I will not! Fight me from your horse or on foot, but fight me, your avoidance mocks me!
Lancelot: I sought only not to harm you.
[knocks Arthur to the ground]
