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Mordred: A Tragedy in Five Acts, founded on the Arthurian relation of Sir Thomas Malory - Preface and Dramatis Personæ Lyrics by William Wilfred Campbell

Poetical Tragedies

1908

The Arthurian story is one of the most remarkable in human history or literature. There is strong reason to believe that modern scholars have been wrong in their attitude toward what is commonly called mythology.
I believe that it will yet be acknowledged that what is now regarded as pure myth is in reality degenerate history, and that what has been considered mere fable and the out-growth of the child-like imagination of primitive peoples is rather the time-dimmed account of great civilizations of the early world.
This is a question which I am dealing with in a work treating of the origin of mankind.
But whether Arthur is regarded as a great historic figure, as the traditions of my own race claim him to be, or as a mythological personage, there is something in the story akin to those themes of the great Greek Tragedies, and of the greater Shakespearean dramas, which associates it with what is subtly mysterious and ethically significant in the history and destiny of mankind. Like the divine literature of the Hebrews, all of these great world-dramas and epics—for in a sense they are both—lift the thought and imagination to a loftier plane, and are concerned only with man’s personality in his relationship to those more sublime and terrible laws of being which mysteriously link him to deity.
Those who may superficially judge this play as gloomy must, for the same reason, condemn Hamlet, Macbeth, Faust, and the Greek Tragedies. The story of Arthur and Mordred, as I give it, is found in Malory’s relation.
I make no pretence to rival so great a word-artist as Tennyson. But when we enter the field of tragedy, literature ceases to be a mere matter of words or mated vowels. The great human problem confronts us. Therefore, with all of its imperfections, I send this play, which was written in 1893, and first published in 1895, forth once more into the world of readers, trusting that it may find a place in the great collection of literature which has grown about the wonderful personality of Arthur.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
ARTHUR, King of Britain.
MORDRED, illegitimate son of Arthur.
SIR LAUNCELOT.
MERLIN.
SIR GWAINE.
KING LEODEGRANCE, father to Guinevere.
SIR AGRAVAINE.
SIR MADOR.
SIR BEDIVERE.
DAGONET, the King’s jester.
A HERMIT.
GUINEVERE, Queen of Britain.
VIVIEN.
ELAINE, a maiden who loves Launcelot.
UNID, a lady in waiting to the Queen.
Knights, gentlemen, ladies, soldiers, herdsmen, messengers and pages.
Credits
William Wilfred Campbell

William Wilfred Campbell

About “Mordred: A Tragedy in Five Acts, founded on the Arthurian relation of Sir Thomas Malory - Preface and Dramatis Personæ” by William Wilfred Campbell

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"Mordred: A Tragedy in Five Acts, founded on the Arthurian relation of Sir Thomas Malory - Preface and Dramatis Personæ" is performed by William Wilfred Campbell. from the album "Poetical Tragedies" in 1908 This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "Mordred: A Tragedy in Five Acts, founded on the Arthurian relation of Sir Thomas Malory - Preface and Dramatis Personæ", explore more songs by William Wilfred Campbell using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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"Mordred: A Tragedy in Five Acts, founded on the Arthurian relation of Sir Thomas Malory - Preface and Dramatis Personæ" is credited to William Wilfred Campbell. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"Mordred: A Tragedy in Five Acts, founded on the Arthurian relation of Sir Thomas Malory - Preface and Dramatis Personæ" appears on "Poetical Tragedies" in 1908.

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