The "discussion" becomes increasingly challenging in tone; and MERLIN finally declares that to prove his point he will go live among the humans for a time, and train one of their number to be a truly noble, enlightened soul. He will choose no mere peasant, he says, but a young child destined to be a great king, so that when MERLIN's teachings have concluded the human can pass the wisdom he has gained on to his subjects. VIVIANE at first laughs at this idea; but when MERLIN becomes increasingly determined, she warns him that the plan is more than foolish ... it is dangerous:
Folly... madness!
Has vision left you?
Don't you see?
If you should walk the Earth
your pow'rs will fade.
Man's squalor will drain them.
Their vices will debase you,
and leave you mortal!
You'd forget our ways...
and ne'er come back to me!
But MERLIN cannot be swayed, and departs to undertake the task he has set for himself.
The noises of battle -screaming horses, clanging steel, shouting men- begin to be heard and when the lights come up we see . . .
MERLIN Act I, Scene I (excerpt)
P.1999 Radio-France. © 1998 TLON EDITIONS. All rights reserved.
