 Family Theater presents Gene Ruth, Dan O'Hurleyhee, and Virginia Gregg in Lancelot of the Lake. Thank you, Gene Baker. Family Theater's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives. If we are to win peace for ourselves, peace for our families, and peace for the world. Family Theater urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. The greatest of writers and most lyrical of poets have sung the praises of King Arthur and his knights at the round table. But the one knight who completely won the heart of the world was Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Here is a man that you and I can understand. And because we understand him, we love him. So it is with pride and with pleasure that we present Dan O'Hurleyhee in the title role and Virginia Gregg as Elaine in Family Theater's Sir Lancelot of the Lake. King Arthur's court, yes, a jester, but one who is perhaps best qualified to tell the story of Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Sir Lancelot, who because of his strange beginnings loved the world of reality the more, yet never was quite one with it. For always in his ears rang the echoing words of the Lady of the Lake. The Lady of the Lake. Who said? Lancelot. Forget not that thou art the son of a king as noble as any who walk the human world. Be vigilant, therefore, that thy beauty of soul be as great as thy beauty of face. Prove thy worthiness of knighthood by deeds, not words, and complete whatever task or duty to which thou hast set thy hand with great heart. And saying thus, the Lady of the Lake placed an enchanted ring in Lancelot's finger, with a stone now blue, now green, now amethyst, changeful as the lake water, that would overcome all evil sorcery. And Lancelot left the lake and journeyed to Camelot to take the vows of the knights of the table round before King Arthur. Before King Arthur at Camelot. I made them lay their hands in mine and swear to reverence the king as if he were their conscience and their conscience as their king to break the heathen and uphold the Christ, to ride abroad redressing human wrongs, to speak no slander known or listen to it, to honor their own words as if they're gods. In the boyhood of the year, Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere rode through the cupboards of the dare with blissful treble ringing clear. He seemed a part of joyous spring, a gown of green silk she wore buckled with golden clasps before, a light green tuft of plume she wore, closed in a golden ring. Oh, Lancelot, when I ride with you, I forget to be a queen and I'm a girl. Be you girl or be you queen, the fairest woman in the realm is Guinevere. Does nightly chivalry form such words or true emotion? Perhaps you know that best, my queen. Tell it me. Nightly chivalry is the truest emotion. To have taken the vows before Arthur, to be a knight of the table round, to forever be questing for the holy grail, that is heaven on this fair earth. It was a blessed day that brought thee from the lake to Camelot and my world, Lancelot. Without thee I should have been a sorry knight. Remember how in eager haste I dropped my sword? Well, I remember. You lapped it in your train and gave it to me when I needed it. I thought that would have indeed been shamed before it even begun. And for my deed, thou promised on that day to forever be my knight. Right? Guinevere. How serious we are. You seldom laugh, Lancelot. Smile, yay, but laughter, rarely. If I be grave, it's because of all the wonder of this world of man. Is it so different from that fair land beneath the lake? Not too far astray, with trees and crystal springs and wondrous flowers. And yet, I sometimes walk as though a dream wondering which is reality and which the vision. Would thou taste reality? We'd best return to Camelot to say for thee and me. Who is with you, Lancelot? Most welcome, then. Rest yourself, Hector. I'll open a flag and a ruby wine. I wish no wine. What pains thee? I saw you ride in with the Queen just now. Yeah, the happy winds and warming sun of spring called us this morning. And that is all that called? What mean you? Others saw your return, some moderate looked and smiled, dagonette the fool. And for all I know, the King himself may have looked upon you to riding in all flushed and laughing like lovers. Hector, you go too far. Then I but follow in my brother's footsteps. But they're so blind and deafened and unhearing. Well, Camelot is whispering. Thy dallying has smirched the table round, threatens even the quest of the Holy Grail. Were you not my brother, Lancelot? The companionate arms, I would have thy blood for that. I will meet thee within the hour on the field of honour. The field of honour? You, Sir Lancelot? You say Lancelot dishonours his nightly vows. Shames, Camelot. Nay, the boot is on the other foot. The court dishonours Lancelot. These fetid whispers in the wind and disavow my name lace leather all my shield and ride abroad to cleaner climate. Lancelot, you cannot leave Camelot. Can I not so? Then look in vain for me tonight. The deed is done, Sir Hector. Fare thee well. Brother! Thus, Sir Lancelot rode errand from the walls of Camelot. And never a word of farewell look was given to his king or queen. Uncaering road this peerless night into the deeps of the woods, yet something within must have led him truly. For at last he came upon a chapel well loved by all the knights of the table round. For there dwelt the hermit of the forest, friend to all. Sir Lancelot, is it truly thee come to join me at Vespers? I did not know I would come here. Good hermit. Did not know? Thou art always welcome to pass the night in my abode as your rider's derrant for adventure. I cannot stay the night, hermit. I must ride on to... Do I know not where? It is not far duty calling thee, but an inner urge driving thee. Yay. And it is not the quest for the grail. Not wholly fire burns in your eyes, but flames of another kind. They have besmurched my name. My honour in Camelot. From this day forth I take another name. Sir Lancelot is done. Oh, my son, my son. What mistake and passions have brought thee to thine ease? Peace, Lancelot. Thy life is far from done. Perhaps is just beginning. What mean you? Thou hast fought many a gallant battle sir knight and one. But the sublimation of the soul in the service of others wins the greatest prize, my son. The rocky path leads ever upward. And by toiling thy best, perhaps at the end you may see shining the holy grail. This has been a beginning for thee, Lancelot. Perhaps thou mayst find the end, the answer here as well. I shall return. I know not when and how, but I shall return. Sir Lancelot rode all that night, but with more hope than when he had quit Camelot, and toward noon tide of the next day, the town of Corbin rose in the distance. Beautiful, yet draped with an atmosphere of dread, as he emerged from a forest overlooking Corbin, his horse startled a young maid who sat by the bank of a stream. Be not alarmed. Sir Knight, frighten me. Pray, Terry, I will do thee no harm. I... I believe thee. How is it that so lovely a maid is alone in these woods? I'm Elaine, and I'm not alone, Sir Knight. My nurse, and a page boy will soon approach. Who art thou? Call me Chevalier de Malfay. The knight who transgressed. Oh, no. Not thee. I ride, Errant, to serve those in distress in whatever adventure may fall across my path. Then come not to Corbin. Thy death awaits thee in that city of fear. Death has awaited me in many places, child. But what dread fear rests upon fair Corbin? A curse was placed upon our town. A hideous dragon lurks under a magic stone. And every year, a Corbin maiden is sacrificed to him. By heaven! I had not thought to find such savagery in so fair a place. Lady Elaine, I will seek him now and rid Corbin forever of his presence. If you but could, Sir Knight, if you could destroy such wicked sorcery, you would indeed be an answer from heaven. But, pray, risk not thy life. Save thy fears for the dragon, my lady. I will forthwith do battle. Farewell, sweet child. Farewell, Lady Elaine. God speed, Sir Malfay. God keep thee safe. Oh, Lilymaid, I feared for thee to wander off like that. What would the king thy father say? Thee might have lost thyself. I am lost, Dame Bryson. What dost thou say? Oh, remember me this. His every feature is one smile caught and held me fast. My love from Camelot has come. Thus, Sir Lancelot rode to Corbin, approaching the mystic slab of stone with great purpose. The town full gathered round. Behold, the knight approaches the great stone that houses the dragon. He lays aside his sword and shield. The curse of Corbin may be powerful, but my ring from the lake is more powerful. And I will move this stone. No, the stone moves. Who is this knight who holds such magic? The dragon crawls from his lid. Evil presence. The curse of Corbin is ended. Oh, hast awakened. Yeah, good dame. Pray tell, where may I be? Safe in the castle of good King Pellis, Sir Knight. To rest until thy wound is healed, Sir Malphie. Lady Elaine, then thou art no dream. Thy prowess, courage and great accomplishment has won the honour. My father King Pellis joins me in commending thee. Sir, I... Nay, do not try to rise, Sir Knight. What thanks may we bring you for freeing our fair land from the curse? No thanks to me, my lord. But give thanks to God, whose tool and instrument I was in the undertaking. Pray tell us thy true name, Chevalier, that we may thank thee equally true. I... forgive me if I cannot say, my king. There is a... a reason for my blank shield. As Chevalier de Malphie, ye shall be known in this court, Sir Knight, until it pleases you to assume your proper name and title. The goblet of wine, Guinevere, my queen. I promise ye no, Arthur. No wine, amber or ruby could warm my heart. This weeping day. I have noticed thy inquiritude, since Lancelot left our court. I... I do not mean to disturb this hire and wait in matters of the realm rest on thy shoulders. My restlessness? Milly, a woman's mood, may thanks? I think not. Guinevere. Yes, my lord. Thus thou love me. Why, Arthur, am I not thy queen? A king cannot command love, nor can a queen give it unless... Guinevere, when the Roman left us and their law relaxed its holdiness, I was first of all the kings who drew the knighthood errant of this realm and all the realms together under me, their head, in the fair order of my table round. Yes, my lord. Thou art the noblest of the kings, thy knight's the worthiest. Noest, why, I did all this. Why, thy very words have said it, lord, for chivalry, that very time it will be known in famed forever as king Arthur and his table round. All this I did for thee. You love me that much, Arthur? Surely thou knowest how deeply I love thee, Guinevere. I do know my king. Can'ts not forget the king for once and look upon the man. Arthur, what can I say? Forgive me, my sweet. The loss of Lancelot has worn on me without my knowledge. Suppose... Suppose we plan a tournament to lift our spirits. A tournament? Our lady's day of assumption draws nigh. It shall be then. In the dust of battle, the shattering of lance and sword, it will lift our hearts, my queen, and Camelot will live again. I shall send word throughout the land, east, west, north and south. Come to the tournament in Camelot. Sir Murphy. Yay, my lady, Elaine. Does thou love these lilies as much as I? Lillies? Oh, why, yay, yay, though I'd very like them, child. So white and gold. Elaine the Fair. Elaine the Lilymaid. Thou art not in my lily world. Thy thoughts were far away. Name? As far as Camelot. You read me too well. I wished what my heart whispers. Elaine, Elaine. Could I but impart the smallest bit of that joy which thy presence here has brought me, sir? But... Weaving alone in my tower. That was my life, sir Knight. Before you came. Child, child, you know me not at all. I know that thou art good and true. That thy smile, the dream and thy eyes could lead me to any corner of the world. Still not enough of knowing. What can I say and what language may I speak to thee? I love thee. I love thee. Elaine, Elaine. Too long in carbon have I tarried. Sir Murphy. Sir Murphy. What now? Sir Murphy. Father, what news? Great news, my child. A tournament in Camelot. The word just came by Herald from King Arthur. My court shall attend. My son, Sir LaVaine, and thee, Sir Malfay. What worthy and knight could I find to do me honor? Myself, but King Pellis. The conqueror of the Curse of Corbin must win the prize at Camelot. But I tell you... Your eyes were turned toward Camelot. Thou dost not understand, Elaine. If I were recognized... Then there is shame to your true name. We have loved thee all these months a night. As though our own son, I would not send thee back to win for me. Nay, King Pellis, it's not because of shame. What, then? I shall ride to Camelot with thy court. Sire. Underest day for tournament in Camelot. Look there, my lords and ladies. The green meadow that is to be the battlefield is carpeted with humanity. Silks and satins, flashing jewels, sheen of armor, plumes and the breeze. People of all degrees, knights and dames, Asquires, burgers, yeoman and trade spokes. All intent on moving toward a station or each may best view the fray. And now, now the martial of the turn, he races his trumpet to clear the field and summon the knights to combat. They are victorious. In thy brother Levain, watch there from the hill to see which way the battle goes. Behold, they now approach to join the losing side. In my son, the fights beside him is though inspired. On! Must be wounded unto death. Yet he drives ahead with sword and spear and the knights of the table round are falling back. The champions of King Arthur being driven wrapped to the back. Hey, my son, thou art secure in the chapel of the forest. It were better had I never left this chapel, father. Peace unto thee, sir Lancelot. The bird of time has flown and brought thee here again. That is enough. Nay. Sir Levain told me how you defeated the knights of the table round in honourable battle. Thou hast cleared thy name, Lancelot. Now all know who truly was the stranger knight who rode to Camelot in the court of King Pellis. It was not that for myself. I no longer care. But the grill. My time is come and I've seen it not. And there I go. I would speak to one sweet maid under my true name and station to death. Levain told me. Oh, Lilymaid. Now let thou knowest my true name. Does thou hate me? Hate thee, Lancelot. Have wrong thee from the first. Will thee hear, my love? Elaine, within my heart all reverence and honour for thee that's deeper. Me seems I find a love for thee beyond all else. Lancelot? Blinding light approaches. So light, so luminous takes a form. It is the grill. I know it is the holy grail. And Ruth again. You know, you know about the surroundings around us by what we see and hear by the example of others. And that's especially true in a home. If there's always a kind and encouraging word, we can't help but think bright and cheerful thoughts. And you know something? Those who are close to God are best able to be happy and cheerful. When you know that God is ready to and able to help you, you can be confident about the future and know your faith and trust in Him will always bring His help. That's why when a family joins together in daily family prayer they can be sure of happiness in their home. Pray together as a family every day for prayer brings peace. A prayerful home is a peaceful home. The family that prays together stays together. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Family Theater has brought you Dan O'Hurley and Virginia Gregg in Ceylon Salot of the Lake with Gene Rood as your hostess. Featured in our cast for Bob Sweeney, Raymond Burr, Lorine Tuttle, Ben Wright, Lee Patrick and Tudor Owen. The story of Ceylon Salot was adapted by Virginia Cook with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman, was directed for Family Theater by Jaime Del Bahia. This series of Family Theater broadcasts by the mutual network which has responded to this need and by the hundreds of stars of stage, screen and radio who have so unselfishly given of their time and talent to appear on our Family Theater stage. To them and to you our humble thanks. This is Gene Baker expressing the wish of Family Theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home. And inviting you to join us next week at this time when Family Theater will present Joan Leslie and Keith Brazel in Washington Irving's The Spectre Bride Groom. Join us, won't you?