{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/arthur/art119.htm","path":"neu/arthur/art119.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/arthur/art119.htm","text":"Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends/Sagas\u00a0\n England\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n An Arthurian Miscellany\n MERLIN AND VIVIAN: A LYRIC DRAMA\n poem by\n ETHEL WATTS MUMFORD\n \n CHARACTERS \n \n MORGAN-LE-FAY, enchantress, queen of Avalon; soprano \n VIVIAN, sorceress; mezzo-soprano \n KING ARTHUR, tenor \n MERLIN, the enchanter, Arthur's councilor; tenor \n ADRIHIM, the Spirit of the architect of King Sueliman; bass \n ARIEL, the Spirit of music and light; soprano \n A HERALD, tenor \n \n Chorus of Fairies, Knights and Spirits \n \n The scene of PART I is laid on the Isle of Avalon; of PART II,\n At King Arthur's court; of PART III, at Castle Joyousguard. \n \n \n PART I \n \n A fairy isle, Avalon, which floats at the will of Morgan-le-Fay, its queen, the enemy of Merlin and King Arthur. In the distance rises the palace, where dwell Vivian, the sorceress, and the ladies of the court; terraces descend to the sea, where are marble quays, and the anchorage of the Ship of Dreams. \n \n CHORUS\n O Isle of Dreams, O Avalon,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thy shores are strewn with pearl and gold,\n Across thy lakes the rainbows gleam,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Around thy hills the sea-mists fold;\n All that is fair, all that is fell,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is in thy form of fairy mold.\n \n Across the drowsy purple seas\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thou floatest as a thing of light.\n No tempests vex thy golden days,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0No bitter winds assail thy night,\n O charm\u00e8d Isle by magic raised,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O dear rose-garden of Delight!\n \n Enchanted Island, Avalon,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Morgan-le-Fay is owned thy Queen,\n She of the veiled, mysterious eyes,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She of the cold and courtly mien,\n She of the skilled and subtle hand\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0That feeds the ring-doves as they preen.\n \n Upon thy marble terraces\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Queen sits in her regal state,\n Upon her hand the witchcraft ring\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0That gleams with evil eyes of Fate,\n Within her heart an evil wish,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Within her soul the soul of Hate.\n \n MORGAN-LE-FAY\n Now who shall slay mine enemy?\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And who shall dupe Merlin the wise?\n Destroy the power of his hands,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And close his all unsleeping eyes?\n Lo! all my wisdom fails and dies,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My blackest arts are shorn of span;\n I may not reach his soul unstained,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I may not place him 'neath my ban.\n By love alone may he be led:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Send me the Lady Vivian!\n \n CHORUS\n Across the lawns with daisies pied\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She comes, the Lady Vivian!\n Her eyes are bright as sparkling jet,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She moves as only fairies can;\n Her hair is gold, and bound with gems,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She bears a jewelled peacock fan.\n \n VIVIAN\n Within my chamber, rose-bedight,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Subtle and sure I felt thy call;\n My one desire thou long hast known:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of magic power I must know all!\n I felt thy wish, and thy will of me,\n Draw as the tides draw in the sea;\n And I am come, my Queen, to thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0From Bower and Hall.\n \n Lo! I am fair as the gods were fair,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fair as the nymphs that haunt the sea,\n And I shall learn, ere I do thy will,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The magic power of witchery.\n I will seek the court where Merlin dwells,\n I will win his love by magic spells,\n I will damn his soul to a thousand hells\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0With his own sorcery!\n \n I shall be wise as thou art wise,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And in my hand he shall be as clay;\n I will lure his heart as the fowler lures,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Who calls the bird but to maim and slay.\n Give me the ring of Love and Hate;\n My hand shall be as the hand of Fate;\n He shall find Death when he seeks a mate,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Morgan-le-Fay!\n \n Vivian and Morgan-le-Fay prepare\n for the incantation. \n \n CHORUS\n See, they have brought the golden lamps,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And magic oils of strange perfume.\n And lo! they sing the ancient songs,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They chant the long-forgotten rune.\n The magic ship draws close amain,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Across the sapphire seas of June.\n \n The Incantation of the Magic Ship. \n \n MORGAN-LE-FAY AND VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come, I command thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ship of enchantment,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rune of the waters\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sing I to thee;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come from thy harbor,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The far, golden haven,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Where lost ships foregather\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mysteriously.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come, come!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come, come!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cordage of silver,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Silken of sail;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come through the calms,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The foam from thee flying,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Swift as though borne\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0On the wings of the gale.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Charms of Phoenicia,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Runes of the Northland,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0All the sea's magic,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To thee I sing.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hither, O hither,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ship of enchantment!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come, I command thee, come!\n \n CHORUS\n She comes, she comes, the ship of dreams\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Across the far, mysterious sea;\n Red as blood are her sails of samite,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her banners golden 'broidery,\n With seamaids floating by her side,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She comes, the ship of Sorcery!\n \n Vivian departing for the Court of King Arthur. \n \n MORGAN-LE-FAY\n Farewell, farewell, my Vivian!\n \n CHORUS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oh, Fair and Fell,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Farewell, farewell!\n \n MORGAN-LE-FAY AND CHORUS\n Now all the demons down in hell\n Shall guard thee, Lady Vivian!\n \n VIVIAN\n For life or death, for weal or woe,\n Morgan-le-Fay, I go, I go!\n \n CHORUS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oh, Fair and Fell,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Farewell, farewell!\n \n MORGAN-LE-FAY AND CHORUS\n Now all the hosts of blackest hell\n Guard thee, O Lady Vivian!\n \n VIVIAN AND CHORUS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Farewell, farewell!\n \n \n PART II \n \n Hall of the Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur presiding, with Merlin, his chief councilor, at his right hand. The knights are assembled and the feast is in progress when Vivian craves admission as the bearer of a peace-token from Morgan-le-Fay, kinswoman and enemy to King Arthur. \n \n CHORUS OF MEN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hail to Arthur!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hail to the lord!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0King and Host\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of the Knightly board!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hail, all hail!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Let the hall resound \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To the ringing mirth\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of the Table Round!\n \n Hail! hail! hail!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0With a roar of right good cheer\n We drink the health in ruby wine\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of fair Queen Guenevere.\n \n To Guenevere and her gentle King\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Love and loyalty here we bring.\n What ho! squires and pages fair!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wine! wine! in goblets rich and rare!\n For the pledge is the Table Round,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And with mirth let the halls resound.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hail, all hail!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Let the hall resound\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To the ringing mirth\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of the Table Round!\n \n KING ARTHUR\n Good men and true, I give ye royal greeting,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And quaff with joy your pledge of fealty;\n May love preside at this, our joyful meeting,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And love prevail 'twixt all the world and me!\n \n HERALD\n My Lord, without the hall doth stand\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Princess of Northumberland.\n \n CHORUS \n Across the floors vermilion-tiled\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She comes, my Lady Vivian!\n Her eyes are bright as sparkling jet,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She moves as only fairies can;\n Her hair is gold, and bound with gems,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She bears a jewelled peacock fan.\n \n VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I sing a land\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Most radiant and serene;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0With roses dight,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And silver paths;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The emerald lawns between,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0There clad in white,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fair ladies move,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As fair as lilies of\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The beauteous night;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And one most fair,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our radiant queen,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hath sent me here\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To bear her token,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And sweetest greeting,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her faith unbroken,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her pledge this ring:\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"Upon his hand,\"\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She smiling saith,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"Who shall be prov\u00e8d\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wisest and best,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This ring to him is given,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This ring for love;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And it shall know,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Upon no other finger go\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In all the land,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of all the rest!\"\n \n CHORUS\n Lo, she hath paced about the hall,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To each in turn she bears the ring;\n It grows, it shrinks, it changes shape,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It sets the knights to marveling;\n Sir Launcelot, Sir Bores have failed,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It will not fit the knightly King.\n \n Now to Merlin she slowly kneels,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Upon his finger slips the band:\n The magic gold holds fast and strong!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He may not tear it from his hand!\n About his heart and through his soul\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rush the dark spells of Fairyland.\n \n Because of the magic of the ring, Merlin is con-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0sumed with passion for Lady Vivian. \n \n MERLIN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Belov\u00e8d, O Belov\u00e8d! \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O gaze on me,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eyes of immortal splendor,\n And let me lay my hand on thy bright hair;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thy lips are scarlet\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And thy voice is tender,\n Thy cheek is like the rose of Persia.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Listen, O Belov\u00e8d!\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lo! all my power\n I hold alone for thee!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Give me thy heart,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thy love for an hour,\n And thou shalt have dominion\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O'er all the sea and earth;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joyance and mirth\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Shall fill thy days,\n For thee I'll rear another Fairyland!\n \n MERLIN, VIVIAN (feigning love that she may\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0acquire Merlin's learning and then destroy him) \n At last, 't is thou for whom my soul hath cried!\n At last, 't is thou! What matter aught beside?\n O royal love, I know that thou art mine!\n And all my joy, to know that I am thine!\n Beyond all goals for which the world hath\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0striven,\n E'en to the stars our loyal fate is riven!\n Ah! this is life! that thou at last art near!\n Ah! this is life! that thou hast found me dear!\n Joy of the world, in one mad moment given,\n Joy of the world, and glorious ecstasy of heaven!\n Lo! I am thine, for ever thine,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Through life and in death!\n \n KING ARTHUR\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ah, heed her not!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I fear for thee!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merlin, beware,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0'T is sorcery!\n \n CHORUS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O, heed her not!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We fear for thee!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merlin, beware,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0'T is sorcery!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Behold, her hair\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is rusted gold,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her face is young,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her eyes are old,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her cheeks are pale,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She bringeth dole;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her glance doth show\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A forfeit soul!\n \n VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O heed them not!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0O come with me!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Have faith, my lord,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I love but thee!\n \n MERLIN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Behold, thy hair\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is shining gold,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thy beauty young,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thy wisdom old;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thy face is pale\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For love's sweet dole,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But, O, my love,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thou art my soul!\n \n CHORUS\n Now fare they forth across the world\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To find the fairyland of joy,\n Where dwell the Ladies of the Lake\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0'Mid pleasures that can never cloy.\n And now they pause within a wood,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The haunted forest of Arroy.\n \n The fabled forest-haunt of the fairies-a glade sur-\n rounded by giant trees, in the centre of which rises\n a hill whereon, at the bidding of Merlin, the Spirits\n will build the Palace of Joyousguard. \n \n MERLIN (calling upon the Spirits) \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Out of the womb of earth,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Out of the caverned air,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0From seawaves green and gold,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0From fires' burning lair,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Spirits of flame and wind,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ye who must serve the Tryne,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Star of the Mystic Inde,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come to my magic call!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come, I command ye!\n \n ARIEL (the Spirit of music and light) \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We come, we are here,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We kiss thy hand.\n \n CHORUS OF SPIRITS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We come, we are near!\n \n ADRIHIM (Spirit of the architect of Sueliman's \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Temple) \n Salaam to thee!\n May the Wise One live a thousand years!\n For I am thy servant Adrihim,\n Adrihim, who builded \n The Palace of King Sueliman.\n \n MERLIN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rear me there a glorious dwelling,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Gold and azure cramoisie,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rear its beauty past all telling,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fill it sweet with minstrelsy;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Set its gardens fair and spacious,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fairest ever made for man,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fashion all things bright and gracious \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fit for Lady Vivian!\n \n ARIEL\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We obey, obey!\n \n CHORUS OF SPIRITS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thy will is law!\n \n ADRIHIM\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I hear, and obey!\n \n CHORUS\n So: Joyousguard is builded fair,\n Formed from azure of the air,\n Warmed bright with sunset golden glows,\n Capped with shining argent snows;\n Throughout its courts perfumed with Spring\n Sweet young voices softly sing.\n \n ADRIHIM, ARIEL\n Master, thy slaves have built aright.\n Enter the Palace of Delight!\n \n CHORUS OF SPIRITS\n Enter the Palace of Delight!\n \n \n PART III \n \n \n The banquet-hall of Joyousguard, decked for a feast and garlanded with flowers. Invisible attendants pass to and fro to strains of mysterious music. Vivian has decided upon the destruction of Merlin. \n \n CHORUS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A year hath passed, and Vivian\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hath all of Merlin's magic learned.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Alas! her heart of adamant\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hath all his love and dolor spurned.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Yet hath she smiled as lovers smile,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0While in her soul an hatred burned.\n \n Vivian prepares a feast in honor of Merlin, where-\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0at she will rid herself for ever of his presence. \n \n VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To me, Spirits all!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0List to my magic call!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rouse ye! appear!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Heed my command!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Behold, a year\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hath passed away,\n And I would feast my lord, Merlin;\n \n So I will brew a cup of Sleep,\n A draught of Silence, deep on deep;\n Into a tomb of carven stone\n He shall descend to dream alone;\n By his own thoughts companion\u00e8d,\n Living, to lie among the dead.\n \n CHORUS OF SPIRITS (terrified and angered) \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Alas! alas! Pity! pity! O Vivian!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We obey not thy behest!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Woe! woe!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Guile, in the robe of Beauty drest!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Now, by the souls with God at rest,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We do defy thy will unblest!\n \n Vivian compels the Spirits by the greater force \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of her evil magic. \n \n VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Obey! obey!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Heed my will!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Your souls are mine,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Good or ill!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0On ye all\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I lay the spell:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Heaven's thrall,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Strength of Hell!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come, then, minions,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I forbid ye:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Warn not my lord\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Of the fate that awaits him!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lo! he comes.\n \n CHORUS\n All heedless now the master comes,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0By his great love made wholly blind,\n Save to the festive garlands hung,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And the fair music of the wind,\n And to the glance of Vivian,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Who smiles upon him fair and kind.\n \n Merlin, though able to read the future for others,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Was blinded to his own doom. \n \n MERLIN\n Wherefore these garlands, Lady mine!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wherefore this music in the air?\n These fragrant jewelled robes of thine,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And thy sage eyes grown debonnaire?\n \n VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Master, it is for thee;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A year ago this day\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0From Arthur's court we came away.\n \n MERLIN AND VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A year of love, a year of joy,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A year of gold without alloy!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wisdom and youth together blent,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0With every sense in full content.\n \n VIVIAN\n This feast for thee, my Lord, my Love!\n \n MERLIN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I drink to thee, O Lady mine!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bring me the rarest perfumed wine\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wherein to pledge my love and thine.\n \n VIVIAN (tendering the cup of death) \n Take thou this cup: with mine own hand\n I poured the wine; drink deep, my Lord!\n \n CHORUS OF SPIRITS (seeking to warn Merlin) \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Woe! woe! Master, beware!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Have mercy, Vivian!\n \n MERLIN\n Now what befalls?-My senses reel-\n Help! Vivian! I feel\n My being ebb-thou art not nigh-\n Kiss me, my Lady, before I die!\n \n Vivian spins the magic shroud. \n \n CHORUS OF SPIRITS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Woe! woe! woe! woe!\n She bends above him, laughs aloud,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Unbinds her hair of rusted gold;\n See, from her quick and cunning hands\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A shroud of golden hair unfold\n Like a huge spiderweb of Hate,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0That wraps him in its meshes cold.\n \n VIVIAN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0From my hair a shroud I spin,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wrought of magic and of sin;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Merlin, all I learned of thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Yet know naught to set thee free!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Here in stupor shalt thou lie,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Till a thousand years go by,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But one thought for company:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thou liest here for love of me,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Love of Lady Vivian.\n \n Merlin is sealed within the tomb. \n \n CHORUS\n She signs, and waves her peacock fan:\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Behold, a yawning cavern tomb!\n And now the Spirits at her word\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bear Merlin's corpse across the room,\n 'Mid lighted tapers, row on row,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And voices wailing through the gloom.\n \n MERLIN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vivian! Vivian! Vivian!\n \n VIVIAN\n Farewell, then! Lie thou there in state,\n Canopied by mine own Hate.\n \n CHORUS OF SPIRITS\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Curses on thee, Vivian!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Every Spirit gives thee hate;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thou hast no need of book or bell\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To condemn thy soul to hell!\n \n MERLIN\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I forgive thee, Vivian!\n \n \n \n \n Next: Mordred, a Tragedy, by Henry Newbolt [1895]","title":"Arthurian Miscellany: Merlin and Vivian: A Lyric Drama for Chorus, Soli and Orchestra, by Ethel Watts Mumford [1907]","type":"page"}