Merlin by Isaac Albéniz - Dialogue and Script

ACT ONE (Outside the east end of St Paul's Church in London. The church lit up and chanting heard within. Christmas Day, before dawn. Near the wall of the church a block of marble, with a jewelled sword, to which a scroll is attached, standing in it) MONKS Veni, Redemptor gentium, ostende partum Virginis; miretur omne saeculum talis decet partus Deum. MERLIN Hail, mystic morn, whereon was born the King to whom these churchmen sing their holy song! Hail, mystic morn. Oh! Crown my labour long! Ere day be done oh! crown Pendragon's son! And all the land let ring with Arthur for her king England with Arthur crown, and crown the world with England's fair renown! (Nivian enters as the sun rises) NIVIAN Merlin, master! MERLIN Who calls? NIVIAN Nivian, your maiden who plights dances to conjure the elves gold from their crystalline shelves. MERLIN Come you to spy what befalls here since King Uther is dead? NIVIAN Gather the lords and the knights hither a monarch to choose? MERLIN Yes, when the mass has been said. NIVIAN Oft have you promised to loose me and my sisters from thralls soon as right heir to the throne comes by your craft to his own. MERLIN Not yet! More treasure I need, foolish one, hark what I rede Uther died childless, all men fancy, Morgan le Fay his false stepdaughter, wonderful clerk of necromancy, how will she breathe out malice and slaughter soon as his son from long concealment shines in the strength of a royal revealment! Morgan will plot and Merlin must struggle, war will be wag'd and sorcery proven, gold for gold, and juggle for juggle! Oh must the magical dance be woven, Nivian's charm of mystical measure, cheating the gnomes to desert their treasure. NIVIAN (rebellious) Fierce is your kingdom and frore! Pleasureless isle of the sea! Dances I weave you no more, save you will let us go free! Fierce is your kingdom and frore! Pleasureless isle of the sea! MERLIN Heed, if my spells you would spoil, heed, lest I double your toil! NIVIAN Fierce is your kingdom and frore, pleasureless isle of the sea' (Nivian shrinks away. Knights, nobles and ladies begin to come out of the church) MERLIN Lo! Where the knights well be seen come, by the Christ Mass made clean. (He moves towards them.) NIVIAN (wailing) Ah! what a doom to remain, cheating the miserly gnome, bound by a sorcerer's chain, far from our country and home! (Nivian leaves the churchyard.) (Nobles, knights and men-at-arms enter from the church, then Morgan le Fay, with Mordred, attended by knights; King Lot, with Gawain, attended by knights; Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Pellinore; followed by monks in procession with the Archbishop of Canterbury, chanting) MONKS Egressus ejus a Patre regressus ejus ad Patrem excursus usque ad inferos recursus ad sedem Dei. MERLIN My lords and gentlemen at arms! Too long the realm in jeopardy has stood! For mighty men have made them strong and thought to crown them when they would; and therefore sped to lords and commons, on pain of cursing to refuse Mylord of Canterbury's summons to gather here a king to choose. MEN We have heard a rumour'd word of an heir conceal'd whom by sign of grace divine now shall be reveal'd! ARCHBISHOP (raising his hand for silence) Long I prayed with fast and vigil Him who deign'd this holy tide by an Eastern star's effulgence, His Nativity's divulgence. Persian potentates to guide. that our judgement he incline, setting on the man appointed to be chosen and anointed His inviolable sigil by a miracle or sign! Eastward as at eve I knelt. pleading thus for heavenly favour at the altar, ne'er I felt so divine and sweet a savour! Then as homeward I was wending, comfort on my soul descending, I perceiv'd this mystic sword's message to a doubting land. Manifest thy gracious hand, King of Kings and Lord of Lords! MEN We have heard a rumour'd word an heir conceal'd! ARCHBISHOP (indicating the sword) Lo! "Excalibur" inlaid gems the hilt and names the blade! Round about in letter' d gold see another legend scroll'd (reading the scroll) "Who from this anvil draws the brand is right wise king of all the land!" (The crowd moves towards the block of marble) CROWD Who the sceptre hopes to sway, let him assay Excalibur! Who of the realm would be royal reeve let him achieve Excalibur! MORGAN (stepping forward angrily) Fools and simple priest easily ensnar'd! Portents, west or east, lightly are prepar'd! Hither heavenly gleaming sends no guidance down, this is common scheming how to win a crown! Here is shown no tragic meaning fresh from God, here is common magic wrought by Merlin's rod! (bringing forward Mordred) Lo! my son is rightful heir of royal line! Mordred from despiteful Merlin needs no sign! CROWD Nay, nay, Morgan le Fay! Let him assay Excalibur! KING LOT (bringing forward Gawain) Gawain, my son! By birth heir of Pendragon's name! See! this witness of worth waits to attest your claim! CROWD Gawain and good King Lot! GAWAIN Vigour of heart and hand surely shall win this jousting! KING LOT Try it, my son, God trusting! CROWD Gawain and good King Lot! (Gawain wrenches at the sword violently, in vain) GAWAIN 'Tis but a common brand. (He leaves it and returns to King Lot.) Gawain it knoweth not! CROWD Though Gawain of Orkney may fail, Mordred of Gore may prevail! MORDRED (moving towards the sword) Now shall I lightly take it! MORGAN (stopping him) Be advis'd my son; Merlin did not make it lightly to be won. CROWD Mordred, assay, assay, assay, assay! MORGAN He that would conquer a throne needs no sword but his own! MORDRED (going to the sword) War may be afterwards made. Peace may be drawn from this stone, a sceptre comes forth with this blade! CROWD Mordred assay, assay, assay, assay! (Mordred tries in vain to pull the sword out.) MORDRED Magic prevents it stirring! CROWD Double your strength for twice! MORDRED Vain against sorcery warring! CROWD Venture your fortune thrice! MORDRED Vain against sorcery warring! MORGAN Rashly you scorn'd my advice. CROWD Nay, if the grandsons of Queen Igraine, children of Orkney and Gore, venture in vain, who may attain? Who shall adventure it more? ARCHBISHOP None is here whose hand alone destin'd is the sword to bear! Let purvey, to keep the stone, trusty knights; and everywhere, heralds, while the justs proceed, cry and seek the man we need! CROWD Agreed! Agreed! Hear the good Archbishop's reed! MERLIN (to Sir Pellinore) Pray, Sir Pellinore, take guard Pray, Sir Ector!... By the sword keep you careful watch and ward! (The two knights take station near the sword. The Archbishop and monks re-enter the church as the heralds announce the tournament.) CROWD Gentle knights, the lists await ye! Prove your prowess! Win the prize! Hear, Oh! hear what we relate ye! Tilt before your ladies' eyes! Interlude KAY Why loiter on the journey and over slip the tourney? ARTHUR I've left my sword behind. KAY I’ll fetch it. ARTHUR (stopping him) Nay, nay, I mind just where it is, dear Kay. KAY (following) Nay, Arthur! Arthur! Stay! ARTHUR (seeing Excalibur) See! You would serve! (He runs up to the block of marble.) SIR PELLINORE (warring him away) Hence, beardless wight! Be not so bold! SIR ECTOR My son, be rul'd! Arthur (to Ector) By your desire I would, my sire; (to Pellinore) by stranger knight I'll ne'er be school'd! (suddenly pulls out the sword and brings it to Kay) SIR PELLINORE (aside) A marvellous sight. SIR ECTOR (aside) I marvel not! ARTHUR (to Kay) How true the curve! KAY And keen the blade! SIR PELLINORE This needs be told to Morgan le Fay. SIR ECTOR And good King Lot. SIR PELLINORE I will away! (Pellinore leaves the churchyard. KAY How richly made! ARTHUR All gems and gold! KAY Some words enscroll'd! SIR ECTOR (advancing spectfully towards Arthur) The crown is won! King Arthur, hail! Kneel, kneel, my son. (They kneel.) ARTHUR (raising them) Nay, father' brother! rise! SIR ECTOR Alas! no son of mine! You come of royal line! ARTHUR II that be truth my lineage why conceal? SIR ECTOR That Merlin let devise. ARTHUR O fate uncouth! O ban and bale! O dolorous blade! O dolorous blade! By you is severance made between three hearts' delight! (regarding the sword sorrowfully) Go! carve the helms of prince and knight in press of tourney or meddle of light! Rive through a thousand realms and hear down to the worm that cankers the right! Never again will you bite so near! (He casts the sword from him.) Never again so near! (He covers his face with his hands. Sir Ector takes up the sword. All re-enter in procession. The monks chant.) MONKS Aequalis aeterno Patri, carnis tropaeo cingere, inlirma nostri corporis virtute firmans perpeti. (The book of the four Gospels is opened before Ector and Pellinore. Arthur, roused from his sorrow, looks round and finds himself standing alone in the centre of the circle of knights etc. etc. Ector and Pellinore lay their hands on the book.) SIR ECTOR, SIR PELLINORE By the Gospels we swear and the Rood they declare, this youth with his hand forthright drew the brand. CROWD A lowly youth! Sir Ector's son! SIR ECTOR Not mine, forsooth! MERLIN (to Ector) Our task is done! (to the assemblage) Hear me, sirs! Queen Igraine, dying, bade me take the babe she bore, wrapt by night from Morgan's spying, secretly to Ector's door! SIR ECTOR Well we loved the child and nourish'd, nourish'd at my lady's breast, well he throve and fair he flourish'd. MERLIN Arthur, here made manifest! CROWD Arthur, king made manifest! KING LOT King by Heaven's own voice express'd! King by solemn sign! Arthur, by our House confess'd born of Uther's line! CROWD King by Heaven's own voice express'd! King by solemn sign! (Morgan, Mordred, Pellinore and their party separate from Arthur's, which includes King Lot and Gawain. The rival factions threaten each other, with drawn swords) MORGAN Fools! By Merlin mastered! Guil'd by wizard's plot! Will ye crown a *** sorcery begot? ARTHUR'S PARTY Allegiance to King Arthur! King shall own him King! Far as Rome and farther bards his fame shall sing! MORGAN'S AND MORDRED'S PARTY Defiance to King Arthur! falsely call'd a King! Far as Rome and farther fools shall folly sing! (Morgan, Mordred, Pellinore and their party withdraw. Ector presents Excalibur lo Arthur) MONKS Praesepe jam fulget tuum lumenque nox spirat novum quod nulla nox interpolet, fideque jugi luceat. (Arthur rises and brandishes the sword on high During the final chorus he kneels before the Archbishop, with the sword laid along his outstretched hands. The Archbishop raises his hand in the attitude of blessing.) ALL Citadel isle of the wardering waters! Moated tower of the marching main! England I mother of son s and daughters rul'd to be monarchs, govern'd to reign! Born of the womb of the labouring ages, Lo! the man whom the stars ordain! Praise, ye warriors, praise, ye sages, God! King Arthur has come to reign! ACT TWO (A hall in Tintagel Castle. On one side a throne) (Arthur discovered kneeling before a crucifix. He rises and Merlin enters unperceived.) ARTHUR Wounded with ravage by battle disjointed, breaks my kingdom with bloody dividings. MERLIN Monarch of England crown'd and anointed! ARTHUR (turning) Friend and counsellor! Bring you tidings... MERLIN Mischief of warfare shall lightly be mended! Morgan the leopard has yielded and yielded Mordred the whelp! Our labour is ended! ARTHUR Praise be to Him who has struck and has shielded! MERLIN (gravely) Fast on successes a new peril presses. Rumour is noisy that Leodegrance's daughter has woven with tangle of tresses nettings of gold for your amorous fancies. ARTHUR Guenevere? Guenevere? Truly no damsel is fairer! MERLÍN Many more wholesome, for joyous beguilement, I could purvey you; and none of them bearer; barren to you, of your Kingdom's defilement. ARTHUR (startled and angry) Fie on you, Merlin! Old passion repented curdles your heart into querulous scorning! MERLÍN Sir, if my youth to such folly consented Merlin was a traitor to give me no warning! (Trumpets sound without.) ARTHUR Barons and commons all hither are wending. (He goes to the casement.) Blithe are the tidings and blithe is their carriage. MERLIN (aside) Necks that bear coronals cannot bear bending! Spells and enchantments shall *** this marriage! (Ector, Kay and Gawain enter with nobles, knights, etc) NOBLES, KNIGHTS, ETC. God love King Arthur and save the State! (Arthur ascends the throne.) ARTHUR My lords and gentlemen at arms! No more shall treason's horrent head be seen presumptuous in the land of Gore! Our captives now are son and queen! NOBLES, KNIGHTS God love King Arthur and guide the State! MERLIN (to attendants) Lead them hither, to learn their fate, also their captain, Sir Pellinore! (Attendants open the door and Morgan, Mordred and Pellinore are brought in guarded.) ARTHUR Morgan, dame of my mother's blood! Mordred, green in your hardihood! Bold Sir Pellinore, overbold! Life and death in my hand I hold! MORGAN (casting herself at his feet beseeching) Brother and King! Our King and brother! Be forgotten the scathe and domage each of us twain has done the other! Pardon me, kneeling to do your homage! (Morgan rises.) MERLIN Pardon her never for pity and pardon double an envious woman's hate! Sore disworship shall be your guerdon, ruth and ruin to home and State. Pardon her never! MORGAN (haughtily addressing Merlin) O noble enchanter waging war with a woman weak! bravely adding to brave encounter all that malice may win to wreak. NOBLES, KNIGHTS Death to the sorceress! Doom shall be done! Death to the sorceress! Morgan despite! Death to the sorceress! Death to her son! Death to her son! Death to her knight! GAWAIN Pellinore murdered my sire, and the burden lies on our kin to avenge the slain! Pardon him never! For Pity and pardon surely turn to your hurt again! Pellinore murdered my sire! Murdered my sire! SIR PELLINORE (advancing to the King) In the medley Lot was slain of the foremost fray! (to Gawain) Orgulous boys with spite so dreadly dare to say what they list to say! NOBLES, KNIGHTS Death to the sorceress! Doom shall be done, etc. ARTHUR (quelling the tumult with difficulty) Peace, peace, lawless hate in my realm must cease! God forbid we should vengeance take! (to the captives) Pardon I grant you for Jesu's sake, pardon I grant you, as we beseech God to pardon us, all and each! Morgan, my sister, henceforth leave treason! Honour my mercy in right and reason. Pellinore fight in the foremost fray, fight for King Arthur henceforth today! (The captives kneel at Arthur's feet and kiss his hands.) (to Gawain) Gawain, fair nephew, forego your woodness! (Gawain kneels and Arthur administers the vow of knighthood which Gawain swears on the cross-hilt of Excalibur, held out to him by Arthur.) Kneeling, vow me, with solemn vow, knightly for ever to sue all goodness! Long as our Father your life allow. Treason you shall ever flee; outrage; *** while you live! By no mean seek cruelty; mercy him that asketh give! Succour damsels in distress! Never wrongful quarrel take for reward nor wantonness! GAWAIN This I vow for Jesu's sake! ARTHUR (giving the accolade) Rise! Sir Gawain! Rise pledged to valour's high emprise! (Gawain rises.) NOBLES, KNIGHTS Arthur is worshipful! worship be done Merlin despite! Arthur is merciful! welding in one mercy and might! England the turbulent lore-rul'd by none! England strong to do right, England the jubilant, Christendom's sun, full be thy light! (All go out except Morgan and Mordred.) MORDRED (looking after Arthur) *** and lowly born boy! Thinks he to tread us to dust? Where is your art to destroy? False is your magic to trust! MORGAN Patience, my son! Let me deal... MORDRED Patience, betray'd and misled? Patient in dust shall I kneel, heel of this boy on my head? MORGAN Hear me, my Mordred! A cloud, now but the breadth of an hand, soon this usurper shall shroud, over thwart hooding the land! MORDRED Whence shall this tempest be spread? MORGAN Down from their Houses of Life, fatally join'd, if he wed Guenevere, perilous wife. MORDRED Merlin that fate will forfend! MORGAN Not if they mingle their star! Stubborn that stress to unbend, stark that duress to unbar! MORDRED Cast then, my mother, to make Arthur and Guenevere one! MORGAN Leave me to deal, for your sake, child of my ***, sweet son! (Mordred goes out. Morgan remains a moment in thought.) MORGAN Largely I promised, and yet Merlin delivers from harm Arthur, how ever I set snare of enchantment and charm. Never will Arthur be doom'd. Vain is my uttermost spell, never till Merlin be tomb’d. Aid me ye Princess of Hell! NIVIAN Hear me o lady, and save! (She enters hurriedly. Beseeching) Have me from horrible thrall! MORGAN Who are you, damsel, that crave succour? NIVIAN (turning and listening) Hark, hark' Did he call? (listens) No, no! A respite! No, no! Still, when he calls, I must go! MORGAN (coming to her) Tell me... Nay, be not afraid! Tell me what wizard dare hold captive so gentle a maid? NIVIAN Merlin this magic has spun! MORGAN ¡Merlin! NIVIAN The dances we weave, I and my sisters, poor slaves, dances the gnomes to deceive! Guardless their grottoes they leave, while in their crystalline caves Merlin is stealing their gold! So are we netted, and none ever shall win to go free, save you will break us the net! (She seems to see a phantom.) See! Demons around us to set, lest we should flee! See! One! (She follows his movements, laughing wildly.) Ha, ha, ha, ha! How he goes soft on the claws of his toes! See! Gone! Ha, ha, ha, ha! Yet he keeps watch, for he loves not, nor sleeps! (turning to Morgan again) Lady, if craft may contrive rescue for creatures in pain, pity us, dungeon'd alive, bound with invisible chain! MORGAN Magic of magic aware, never by craft may be caught. Innocence only can snare wisdom and bring it to naught! Lo! as the gates of the caves, obdurate gates, at the nod swing, of this master of slaves, swing at the touch of his rod, so, had you grasp of his wand, back would those portal s of rock clang, at your instant command, clang and eternally lock! NIVIAN Mewed in those chambers, no more Merlin would ever torment? MORGAN Jail'd by that adamant door, captives for ever are pent! NIVIAN Teach me, his sceptre to win, teach me some witchery's guile! MORGAN Spells would be useless to spin! Win it by womanly wile! NIVIAN Teach me, his sceptre to win, teach me some witchery's guile! MORGAN Spells would be useless to spin! Win it by womanly wile! NIVIAN (listening and trembling) Hark! He's calling! MORGAN Now take courage, poor child! NIVIAN As I need! (going as if to Merlin without) Hark! from the Rack by the Lake! MORGAN Courage! NIVIAN Yes master, I heed! MORGAN Courage! NIVIAN (at the door) I come! MORGAN And good speed! ACT THREE Prelude (The scene represents a forest glade, with May trees in blossom. On one side is a huge rack, with a dark cleft. the entrance to a cavern. Beyond is a lake. It is afternoon, and on the rising of the curtain one hears the May song down the glade. Arthur is lying asleep at the foot of a beech-tree) CHOIR In Maytime, merry Maytime, when freshest flowers are springing and blithest birds are singing by night-time and by daytime, old lave renews beginning in Maytime, in Maytime, the *** lover's play time. The North, from black embrasure of tempest, vainly hurl'd the winter's white erasure across the summer world. For Maytime, merry Maytime is prankt with greens and yellows; and bird with bird enfellows by night-time by daytime; new lave to marriage mellows in Maytime, in Maytime, the *** lover's play time. (Arthur. as if roused from a dream, seems to follow the music but sighs and returns moodily.) ARTHUR In Maytime, in Maytime, the *** lover's play time! (as if taking a resolution) Oh! not with summer madness, but all a lifetime through; oh! not with wanton gladness or fancy fangled new; nor yet alone for fairness, though passing fair you be, in beauty ever peerless, in graces past degree am I so lief to love you o queenly Guenevere! But most of all above you I set none earthly fere because, like flaming banner, the ardour of your eyes shall beacon men to valour endeavour and emprise. You, you shall nurse the nation, this youngling race in seed, until in consummation it blossoms bright and brede! You, you shall be the glory of chivalry's renown, the angel of the story to ages handed down! o Guenevere, the peerless, and flower of maidenhood! o Queen of queens that fearless ensue the great and good! lead, lead with flaming banner, the ardour of your eyes, this realm in noblest manner of prowess and emprise! (Merlin appears at the bottom of the stage and  advances unseen by Arthur, whom he regards  affectionately. Arthur turns suddenly and sees  Merlin, who approaches him) MERLIN I would my love or learning your love, my liege, might let! ARTHUR 'Tis ever loth returning from where the heart is set! MERLIN And still runs aged warning before the young regret I ARTHUR I wot the minstrels truly of love unruly sing! MERLIN Alas! that love unruly should overrule a king! ARTHUR (vexed) Now wit ye well, no forces of wisdom can hold! Go take an hundred horses, with trappings all of gold! Let every knight thereon be dight with sendal's finest fold! For penance of ill presage, go seek her father's land, and bear yourself the message that craves his daughter's hand! (Merlin remains motionless in astonishment. Arthur goes slowly up the stage. Merlin tries in vain to stop him and returns sadly.) ARTHUR (in the distance) I wot the minstrels truly of love unruly sing. MERLIN (watches him disappear) Herein to serve him duly were but a foolish thing. With Guenevere to wed't were better he were dead. Such magic shall I do her shall make her foul and old, he shall not list to woo her with sendal nor with gold. (He moves towards the forest and calls:) Nivian! First must I pillage the hive of the elfin honey! The elfin honey that man call money, it makes red warfare to thrive! Nivian! (Nivian enters, with her troop of Saracen dancers. Merlin sits during the dance on the trunk of a beech-tree.) NIVIAN (at the cavern) Hither, ye covetous elves! leaving your granaried gold heap'd on the hyaline shelves deep in your cavernous hold! Hither to hyacinth glades, leaving your amethyst domes, fast to the Saracen maids, hither, ye amorous gnomes! (The gnomes run out of the cavern.) GNOMES (pursue the Saracen dancers) Tric a ta trac tric a ta trac tric a ti tric a ti trac tric a ta tric tric trac tric a ta tric tric trac tric a ta tric tric a ta tric tric a ta tric tric trac... (The gnomes pursue the maidens and by degrees both disappear into the forest.) MAIDENS (behind the stage) Ah! GNOMES Ah! (Sunset commences Gnomes and maidens have disappeared. Night spreads over all her serene beauty; a thin mist envelops Merlin and Nivian without quite hiding them. During the chorus that follows many changes of light take place, making a great diversity of gleams and shadows, and it is not till the end of the chorus and the beginning of Nivian's dance that the scene is illuminated by the full light of the moon.) MAIDENS (behind the stage) When flow'rets of the marigold and daisy are enfolden, and wingless glow moth stars of love englimmer all the glades the paynim fairies footing forth in every forest olden dance hand in hand the saraband with fair enchanted maids! Ah! (Nivian dances to Merlin. During the ensuing scene Morgan is observed hovering among the trees.) MERLIN Herodias' daughter dancing who danced a life away, could never have matched the glancing of Nivian's feet today! NIVIAN Grant me a boon, a boon! MERLIN Ah, you would go your way to the land of the horned moon. NIVIAN Nay, 'tis a fond request! a foolish fancy confessed! one for a careless nod! MERLIN Then will I well! NIVIAN I pray, grant me to hold your rod! sceptre of realms unknown! key of all chained up things, just as a child that weaves chaplets of flowers and leaves crowns himself fairy god! MERLIN Sceptres belong to kings! He that can wield his wand rightly of ebon or elm amber or common stone, sits on a throne and rules a realm! (Merlin holds out the rod and Nivian takes it.) See! it becomes in your hand nothing, for evil or good! nothing but fibre of wood! (Nivian, dances off, with the rod, into the forest. Looking after her) Sun-hearted child of the East child so unconsciously skilled mighty dominion to build, soon, from your bondage released, soon shall you flit o'er the foam back to your country and home! (He turns towards the cavern. Morgan and Nivian are seen watching him.) First must I pillage the hive of the poisonous honey men mint into money, that monarchs and maidens may thrive! (He pauses at the entrance to the cavern.) If Nivian knew that she held the key that this cavern can weld, the child might entomb me alive! Ha! ha! ha! ha! (He enters the cavern.) (Morgan is seen encouraging Nivian.) NIVIAN Borne on the wings of the summering swallow! Sung by the wings of the gnats o'er the shallow! Flash'd from the scales of the dolphins that swallow down the long ridge of the sea surge's fallow! Meadow and mountain receive thy caresses! White are thy hands in the rivulet cresses! White are thy feet in the ocean recesses! Lo on the tempest are streaming thy tresses! Liberty! hear me complain! Goddess of mere and of main, of forest and field! worshipp'd by mortals in vain! eternally seal'd from the clutch of their covetous pain! hear me in uttermost need! Loose me from sorcery's chain! Bar up this cavern of greed! Liberty! hear me complain! (She strikes the rock, which falls in with a crash and closes the entrance. The gnomes enter and go out in disorder over the rock. Nivian throws down the rod and clings in terror to Morgan) NIVIAN Free, free, free! Free to go whither I will! Over the mountains and sea home is awaiting me still! Free, free, free! Hasten, my sisters, to me! Grind no more at the mill, tyrannous coffers to fill! Over the mountains and sea home is awaiting us still! Free, free, free! (She enters the forest and disappears.) MORGAN (in full moon light) Sucklings and babes are chosen stronger than spear or spell, wise of the world to cozen! Toils that we weave so well, weave with elaborate travail, hands of a child unravel! So be it, Princess of Hell! (She enters the forest slowly and disappears with a tragic gesture.)