ACT FOUR
FIRST SCENE
Osmond learns that Merlin has broken his spells but plans to cast new spells and seduce Arthur with visions of beauty.
SECOND SCENE
The Wood
Arthur, having first been warned by Merlin that everything he sees is illusion, is left alone in the wood under the watchful eye of Philidel, who can reveal any evil spirits with a wave of Merlin's wand. Arthur is amazed that instead of the horrors and dangers he had expected, he hears soft music and sees a golden bridge spanning a silver stream. Though suspecting a trap, he approaches the bridge. Two sirens naked to the waist, emerge, begging him to lay aside his sword and join them.
TWO SIRENS
Two daughters of this aged stream are we,
And both our sea-green locks have comb'd for ye.
Come bathe with us an hour or two;
Come naked in, for we are so.
What danger from a naked foe?
Come bathe with us, come bathe, and share
What pleasures in the floods appear.
We'll beat the waters till they bound
And circle round, and circle round.
Though sorely tempted, Arthur resists and presses on.As he is going forward, nymphs and sylvans come out from behind the trees. Dance with song, all with branches in their bands.
Passacaglia
TENOR I
How happy the lover,
How easy his chain!
How sweet to discover
He sighs not in vain.
CHORUS
How happy the lover, etc.
Ritornello
SYLVAN & NYMPH
For love ev'ry creature
Is form'd by his nature.
No joys are above
The pleasures of love.
CHORUS
No joys are above.
The pleasures of love.
THREE NYMPHS
In vain are our graces,
In vain are your eyes.
In vain are our graces
If love you despise.
When age furrows faces,
'Tis too late to be wise.
THREE SYLVANS
Then use the sweet blessing
While now in possessing.
No joys are above
The pleasures of love.
THREE NYMPHS
No joys are above
The pleasures of love.
CHORUS
No joys are above
The pleasures of love.
Fourth Act Tune: Air
Arthur commands the sylvans, nymphs and sirens begone and they vanish. In an attempt to break the spells, he draws his sword and strikes a blow at the finest tree in the wood. A vision of Emmeline appears from its trunk, her arm wounded by the blow; it persuades him to lay down his sword and take her hand. Philidel rushes in, and with a touch of the wand reveals the vision to be Grimbald in disguise, Arthur then fells the tree, breaking the spells and opening a safe passage for the Britons to the Saxon fortress. Grimbald is bound up by Philidel and led out into daylight.
