 | Merlin in Love |  |
ACT III.
SCENE, the inside of Merlin's cave. A moss-bed—a table;—books: and, on one side, a large easy chair.
Enter Harlequin, with Columbine weary, and inclinable to sleep.—Harlequin points out the moss-bed, as a proper scene of repose: she lies down, on it: and he offers to lie by her side; which occasions a whimsical dumb scene of entreaty, on his part, and refusal on hers.
Air XIII.
very slow measure.
Col.
No—no—don't expect it,
Marry, first, and, then, 'twill do:
Now—now—I must reject it;
Wait the grace, and, then, fall to.
You—men—early tasting,
Spoil your stomach, ere 'tis noon;
Then,—then—wou'd keep us fasting,
'Cause yourselves have eat, too soon!
After the air, she directs him to the easy chair; into which he leaps, antickly, up, and reclines himself, in a lolling, extravagant posture.
On a sudden, the head of the chair sneezes; and Harlequin beginning to move, as in surprize, is caught fast, by an arm of the chair, about his waist: at which, twisting his face round, with great agony and distortion, the other arm of the chair is rais'd above his head, which is grasp'd violently by the hand of it.
Harlequin roars out, and struggles to get loose. Columbine, behind, starts up, and leans, trembling, against the side of the cave.
At length, he breaks free; and, running to a little distance, looks back, in a posture of astonishment; trembling, in expression of horror; and drops his wand, in his escape.
The easy chair rises, slowly, into figure of a man (the back part falling down, to form the tail of his robe) and appears to be Merlin; who taking up Harlequin's wand, surrounds him, with a magical circle.—He falls down, on one knee, and makes signs of prayer, humility, and submission.
Air XIV.
Merl.
Demons! Furies! rise, and take him,
From his dream of safety wake him;
Let a whirlwind rise, and shake him,
Seize him—break him;
Nor, till lost in air, forsake him.
Two Furies arise, and form a dance round the circle, to the tune of the incantation: to which Harlequin keeps time, with the trembling of his right knee, and left heel, upon the stage: introducing an apt and doleful groan in each close of the music.
Columbine, at length, in pity, appears, and comes forward.
Recitativo.
Col.
Ah!—be not too severe:
Bid, bid, those devils forsake him.
Consider,—I am here;
And, let me take him.
Merl.
Ah! welcome, cruel fair!
Let me but gain thee:
I wou'd his fate forbear;
Cou'd that obtain thee.
Col.
Where must he go?—Alas!
Merl.
Where-e'er he pleases.
This wand shall be his pass:
Col.
My sorrow ceases.
Wait fairer weather.
Better, to lose me, so!
Than love, and life, together!
Harlequin weeps, shrugs, sighs, shakes his head, makes signs that he will hang himself: but, after great tokens of reluctance, pulls out his half piece of the gold, that was broke, between him and Columbine, and restores it dloefully to her.—She gives it, as if unwilling, to Merlin; and, then, taking her own half, from her bosom, tallies, and exchanges the pieces.
Recitativo.
Col.
This broken half is mine:
Merl.
To mine, I fit it.
Col.
As, now, both pieces join,
Let both hearts hit it.
Merl.
Next, as both pieces, thus,
Once more, become divided;
Col.
So, 'till death severs us,
Rest truth, in truth, confided.
At a signal of Merlin's wand, the Furies disappear.
Air XV.
Merl.
Come hither, poor trembler, and have a good heart,
The danger is over, for ever:
Tho' one, thou hast lost, thou mayst gayly depart,
And look out a second, as clever.
Take with thee this wand, and go, try thy success,
Whome'er thou shalt like, thou mayst take her:
And, when thou no longer delight'st to possess;
Turn round like a Lord, and forsake her.
Merlin leads off Columbine: Harlequin, in sad, and dismal, airs, goes off, on the other side. They look back, step by step; and, at last, burst away, in agony, at the opposite doors; in mimic imitation of distress'd lovers in tragedy.
| Merlin in Love | |