Arthur Any man who would be a knight and follow a king, follow me!
Played by Nigel Terry 
Excalibur (1981) · 46 quotes
Excalibur (1981) · 46 quotes
2nd most-quoted character in Excalibur (1981): in 16 of its 46 quotes
Most scenes with: Merlin (6)
Ready my knights for battle. They will ride with their king once more. I have lived through others for far too long. Lancelot carried my honor, and Guenevere, my guilt. Mordred bore my sins. My knights have fought my causes. Now, my brother, I shall be... king.
More lines from Arthur
7 quotes Arthur Arthur Merlin if only you were at my side my old friend to give me courage. There are no war tricks that will fool Mordred and Morgana. More than I ever did I need you now.
Arthur Where are you Merlin? If only you could see me wield Excalibur one more time.
Arthur Where have you been these many years... are you just a dream Merlin?
Arthur I must ride with my knights to defend what was, and the dream of what could be.
Arthur I have often thought that in the hereafter of our lives, when I owe no more to the future and can be just a man... that we may meet, and you will come to me and claim me as yours, and know that I am your husband. It is a dream I have...
Arthur Do... as I command! One day, a King will come, and the Sword will rise... again.
Scenes with Arthur
8 scenes
Shall I tell you what's out there?
Arthur Yes, please.
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?
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 a nearby tree] whoa! — like lightning! — yes, that's it.
You have a kingdom to rule.
Arthur But how? I don't know how.
You knew how to draw the sword from the stone.
Arthur That was easy.
Was it? I couldn't have done it.
In the name of God, Saint Michael, and Saint George... I give you the right to bear arms, and the power to mete justice.
Arthur [holding Sir Uryens at swordpoint, during the siege of Leondegrance's castle]
Swear faith to me, and you shall have mercy! I need battle lords such as you.
Uryens [sarcastically]
A noble knight, swear faith to a squire?
Lot Never! Never!
Arthur You're right. I'm not yet a knight. You, Uryens, will knight me. Then, as knight to knight, I can offer you mercy. [hands the sword Excalibur to a shocked Uryens, kneeling before him]
Lot Keep it, Uryens!
Uryens [after struggling with his thoughts for several seconds]
...in the name of God, Saint Michael, and Saint 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.
Uryens Rise, King Arthur. [kneeling, as do all the other knights] 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. I doubt you no more. [kisses Arthur's hands]
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] 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.
Arthur Merlin! What have I done?
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 For years, peace has reigned in the land. Crops grow in abundance, there is no want. Every one of my subjects enjoys his portion of happiness and justice. Tell me, Merlin, have we defeated evil? Because it seems we have.
Good and evil — there never is one without the other.
Arthur Where hides evil, then, in my kingdom?
Always... where you never expect it. Always.
You and the land are one. Drink. [holds the Holy Grail to King Arthur's lips]
Arthur [listlessly]
I am wasting away. I cannot die...and I cannot live.
Drink from the chalice. You will be reborn, and the land with you.
Arthur [Arthur sips from the Grail] [becoming quickly revived]
Perceval. I didn't know how empty was my soul...until it was filled.
You brought me back. Your love brought me back. Back to where you are now. In the land of dreams.
Arthur Are you a dream, Merlin?
A dream to some. A nightmare to others!
