The Life of Merlin
By Geoffrey of Monmouth
Retold for Voices at Mythic Journeys '06
By John & Caitlín Matthews
© 2006 John & Caitlín Matthews
Photos © 2006 by Beth Gwinn and Wendy Bosley

Characters:
• Geoffrey / Taliesin — John Matthews
• Merlin — W. Todd Jones
• Ganeida — Caitlín Matthews
• Triple Death Boy / Bridegroom / Shoe Boy — Toby Froud
• Prologue / Rodarch / Courtier / Beggar — Ari Berk
• Nymph / Gwendolena — O. R. Melling

PROLOGUE: The author of the work upon which the following reading is based is the 12th century Welsh monk, Geoffrey of Monmouth. He is best known for his History of the Kings of Britain, which introduced the medieval figure of King Arthur to the world and established him as a central character of medieval literature until the 15th century. Until recently Geoffrey is considered to have made up much of what he attributed to history, but modern scholarship is beginning to suspect that he may have been closer to the truth than we suspected.

As well as the History of Britain he wrote another book, a poem in Latin called The Life of Merlin, which tells a very different version of this familiar character's story. It is on this little known but fascinating work that today's Big Story is based.

We hope you enjoy it. But first there are things you should know.

This tale is set in 6th Century Britain, when Rome's legions had departed and the Saxons were invading from a cross the seas, a little while after the age of Arthur. It tells of Merlin; of his beautiful wife Guendoloena; of his twin sister, the seer Ganeida; of her husband King Rodarch the Generous; and of the great Bard Taliesin.

Within the telling of this story, we will need your help to restore Merlin, and the world, from its fragmented state. When invited, we will ask lend your voices to swell the elemental song and work the magic.

GEOFFREY: My name is Geoffrey of Monmouth. They say that I am a great liar. But the tale I shall tell you today is no lie, for it concerns the great Enchanter Merlin, who is known throughout the world as a prophet, a king and a lover. But to the Britons he was first of all a lawgiver, and to them he imparted wisdom, as well as foretelling the future... .

In that time Prince Peredur, leader of the Cambrians, and Gwenddoleu, Lord of Caledonia, were at war with each other. Merlin joined the ranks of the Cambrians, as did his friend Rodarch, King of Strathclyde — both men mighty fighters. With them went Peredur's three younger brothers, and these five heroes fought side by side in more than one affray — until on a certain day when battle was joined most fiercely between the Caledonians and the Cambrians the three young princes fell to the swords of their enemies.

And Merlin raised a lament in the midst of the battle... .

MERLIN:

Surely malignant fate

Could not so cruelly take from me

my dearest companions!

Glorious friends, who will stand

Beside me now in battle?

Bravest of youths,

Your courage has taken from you

The years of your lives.

A moment ago you fought

Beside me; now you lie

On the earth, blood fresh upon you!

GANEIDA: All around him the battle raged. Men fell dead on every side. But the Britons pressed forward, and at the day's end held the field. Merlin ordered the princes to be buried, but even this could not console him for their loss. For days he wept, threw dust upon his head, rent his clothing. Nothing could reconcile him to the terrible death of the young men and in the end his mind gave way before his sorrow, and he fled into the dark wood of Calidon, where the ancient trees whispered his name and told him of things yet to be.

GEOFFREY: Merlin lived for a year in the great forest, eating berries and wild cresses. A wolf was his friend, and a wild pig, and he spoke with them as if they could understand his every word, filling the woods with the sound of his complaints. Most days he rested in a certain grove of apple trees, plucking the fruit from them and devouring it eagerly... . But, winter came and there was no more fruit.

MERLIN:

O you gods of the earth,

Where is the fruit I am used to eat?

Who has taken it?

Here in the wilderness,

The forest stands leafless —

There is no cover for me

Since the winds took the leaves.

If I dig for turnips

Hungry swine and greedy boars

Rush to steal them from me.

Wolf, my old companion,

So weak are you become

You can barely cross the field.

All that is left to you

Is to fill the air with howling!

NYMPH, TRAVELLER and COURTIER seek MERLIN

GEOFFREY: Now it happened that Merlin's cries reached the ears of a traveler passing that way, whose curiosity lead him to where the madman was; but the moment Merlin saw him he ran away, hiding himself deeper in the wood. (to the lap of an audience member)

The traveler, having tried to follow, gave up his pursuit and returned to his business. But soon after he fell in with a man from the court of King Rodarch of Strathclyde, whom you will remember, not only fought beside Merlin in the fateful battle, but, was married to his sister. This good lady, whose name was Ganeida, having learned of her brother's affliction had, together with the prophet's own wife, Guendoloena, sent men to search for him, but all had returned without having seen so much as a hair of his head.

NYMPH, TRAVELLER and COURTIER indicate to GEOFFREY that they've not found him

GANEIDA: It happened to be one of these men who encountered the traveler, and from him, learned of the wild man living alone in the woods and crying aloud to all the gods of heaven. At once he set out to that part of the forest where the traveler had encountered this strange being, and after many days of searching, he came to where a fountain gushed forth from the earth on top of a high hill, from which the whole forest could be seen. There he found Merlin, lying in the grass, naked and wasted, complaining loudly to no visible person:

MERLIN:

O gods of heaven,

Why is it that the seasons

Differ from each other?

How is it that the Spring

Provides leaves and blossoms,

The Summer gives crops,

And the Autumn ripe fruit?

But then comes Winter

Destroying everything.

How I wish there were no winter,

That spring was back,

That birds sang again

And springs flowed free!

GEOFFREY: The Courtier, observing this, decided upon a bold move. He unslung the psaltery that lay at his back and, playing a few quiet notes, intoned this song:

COURTIER:

I sing of Guendoloena.

No goddess as white as she,

No woman in Wales more fair.

Not blackthorn, rose, nor lily.

Spring's delight rose in her once,

In her eyes the stars held sway,

Gold once crowned her golden hair.

When with her lord she lay.

But now her blossom

Is wasted by sorrows snows.

From her form, Spring has fled,

Sleepless grief dims her starlit eyes.

No gold rounds her lovely head.

As for her kinsmen she weeps,

And for her husband lost.

GEOFFREY: When he heard this Merlin grew still. His eyes cleared and the madness drew its shadow from his mind. With tears in his eyes Merlin begged the singer to take him back to Rodarch's court.

RODARCH enters and sits

GEOFFREY: But Merlin's happiness was short lived, for when he found himself back in civilization and saw the people thronging the streets his madness returned, and he sought to flee once again to the forest. King Rodarch, at the request of both Merlin's wife and sister, gave orders for the madman to be held, and music to be played to him to maintain his calm. Then the king offered him many gifts if he would stay, but Merlin scorned them all, exclaiming that the nut-rich woods of Calidon were far sweeter to him than the life of the court. So Rodarch ordered Merlin to be chained up securely, for his own good. But when he felt the fetters close around him the light faded from Merlin's eyes

GANEIDA moves and sits next to RODARCH

GEOFFREY: At that moment Rodarch's queen, Ganeida, who was also Merlin's sister, entered and sat beside the king. As he embraced her he noticed a leaf caught in her hair and smilingly removed it. (RODARCH overly attentive) Merlin, who had seen this, began to laugh, rocking back and forth in his chains.

MERLIN laughs

RODARCH: "Why are you laughing? Whatever gifts you desire I will give to you if you tell me what makes you laugh."

MERLIN, making rude gestures at the audience, addresses the KING sternly

MERLIN: "Gifts corrupt those to whom they are given. I value more the nuts that fall from the trees in the forest of Calidon... . The reason for my laughter was because I saw you take a leaf from the Queen's hair. Because I know how it got there — just a while ago she was in a leafy glade in the arms of her lover!"

RODARCH turns angrily to GANEIDA

GANEIDA: "How can you believe the words of a madman, who mixes truth with lies? Attend, husband, and you shall see how easily I can disprove his words. Boy, come here!"

The BOY comes to her

GANEIDA: "Tell me, brother, how will this boy die?"

MERLIN: "He shall die by falling from a high place."

GANEIDA sends BOY off again. He returns immediately wearing a different hat

GANEIDA: "Tell me, brother, how will this boy die?"

MERLIN: "He shall die in a tree."

GANEIDA: To RODARCH "You see! If my poor brother can foretell two different deaths for the same person, how can you believe such a serious accusation against me? Whispers to BOY Watch a little longer, husband, and you will see what I mean."

BOY goes off and returns disguised as a female

GANEIDA: "Tell me, brother, how shall this 'girl' die?"

MERLIN: "This one shall die in a river."

RODARCH: Laughing

GEOFFREY: Merlin prepared go return to the forest. But as he was leaving, Ganeida begged him to stay. But he would have none of it and sternly ordered her to move out of his way.

GUENDOLENA kneels before MERLIN

GEOFFREY: Then Guendoloena came hurriedly to him and fell down on her knees, crying out that he should not go away again.

GANEIDA: "Brother, see how your own wife kneels here in sorrow before you. Will you so abuse her that she must wait forever for your return? Shall she come with you to the wood or remain here? Shall she re-marry if you are gone forever?"

MERLIN: "Let her marry again if she wishes! But tell the man who seeks her out to stay away from me... . Let him take another road... . However... when the day comes for her nuptials, I shall be present. And rich gifts shall I give to her."

GEOFFREY: Guendoloena wept as she watched her husband depart, and Ganeida too mourned his passing, for though she was fearful of his knowledge of her secret affair, yet she loved him still and bewailed the loss of so much wisdom.

During this, MERLIN enacts triple death

GANEIDA: Months passed into years and the boy of whom Merlin had made his threefold prophecy grew toward manhood.

Then, on a day when he rode to the hunt, he started a great stag that ran before him over the brow of a hill. The hill turned out to be unusually steep, and near the top his horse stumbled so that he was unseated, falling down the steep escarpment. As he fell his foot caught in the branch of a tree growing out of the hillside, and he was left dangling with his head beneath the water of the small river that ran beneath the hill. Thus he fell, and was drowned, and hung from a tree — proving Merlin's prophecy right in each and every detail.

GEOFFREY: Merlin continued to live in the wilderness, loving the woodland far more than he had loved his life in the cities and courts. Then one night as he was sitting beneath his usual trees, gazing up at the horned moon and bathing in the glory of the bright stars as he watched their course through the heavens, he fell to thinking of Guendoloena and wondering if she still remembered him or had found peace in the arms of another. And as he watched the stars he saw signs that indicated that she was to marry again. So he thought back to his words at their parting, and how he had promised to bring her gifts, and this he determined to do.
Next day he rose and went through the woods, gathering a great herd of stags and does, goats and she-goats, which he shepherded into a long line. He himself rode at the head of this column on a great stag. Then he set out for the palace of the Northern Kings where Guendoloena was indeed about to marry. Soon Merlin arrived at the gates of the palace and called out to her.

MERLIN: "Guendoloena!"

GEOFFREY: When she came forth she marveled at the sight of her husband and at the great herd of creatures he had brought. Her bridegroom was standing at a high window, and when he saw the ragged, hairy wildman mounted on the stag's back, he burst out laughing.

GANEIDA leads MERLIN

GEOFFREY: In the market place people nudged each other and pointed at the wild prophet, but he in turn ignored them, looking ever towards the East where the Great Wood lay. Then he caught sight of a man in tattered garments begging by the gates, and laughed aloud at the sight. A few moments after he saw a youth carrying a new pair of shoes for which he was buying leather patches, and again he laughed.

Ganeida took him back to the court, though he struggled and cried out that he wanted to return to his forest home.

RODARCH on throne

RODARCH: "Why are you laughing this time? Tell me and I'll let you go."

MERLIN: "The beggar at the roadside, had he but looked, was sitting upon a great hidden treasure that would have relieved his penury.

And the youth buying leather to patch his new shoes when in years to come they wear thin, will never get to wear them out for death omes even now and he is already drowned and floats in the river."

GEOFFREY: Rodarch sent men to enquire into the truth of these visions, and they did indeed find a bag of gold buried beneath the spot where the man had begged, while the body of the youth was found floating in the river, just as Merlin had foretold.

When these prophecies were confirmed Merlin demanded to be allowed back to the forest.

GANEIDA: "Ah brother, wait until the frosts of winter are over, for the weather is already turning bitter and I fear for your life in the icy woodlands."

MERLIN: "I do not fear the cold, the hardships of winter are nothing to me! And yet, food… may become scarce through the dark months. So, if you wish me to be safe I ask that you have a house built for me in the woods. Let it have seventy-two doors and seventy-two windows, so that I may watch the stars in their courses and read the secrets of wind and rain.

Thus shall I read the record of time.

And if it pleases you to have scribes sent thither I will tell them what I see so that these things may be recorded!

...Come as often as you like, also, dear sister, and we shall speak of many things."

GANEIDA: Ganeida carried out Merlin's wishes and gave orders for the house to be built. Thereafter she went often to stay with her brother, and they spoke at length about future events, which Merlin read in the stars. Among other things he predicted the forthcoming death of Rodarch, and the war between Caledonia and Strathclyde that would follow. Among the many songs he made at this time, one is recorded that tells of the time following the passing of Arthur and the warfare to follow:

MERLIN:

How crazed are the rich and powerful!

Affluence leads them to excess.

They fight amongst themselves

They engage in feuds.

These leaders, spread disruption everywhere.

And cannot wait to seize the chair.

GANEIDA: This and many more prophecies Merlin made, but came a day when he bade Ganeida return to care for the dying Rodarch. In her place he asked her to fetch the poet Taliesin, who at that time was reckoned the greatest Bard in all of Britain, and with whom Merlin shared a deep friendship, for they had much to discuss.

And Taliesin came from Brittany, where he had been studying the lore of the planets with Gildas the Wise and he sought out Merlin in the great forest observatory.

TALIESIN seeks to attract MERLIN'S attention

GANEIDA: To audience "Thus shall we be witness to their words, listen to the Song of Creation. So we too shall assist these great ones in restoring the world."

MERLIN: To TALIESIN "Why do we have weather? What are clouds for? Why does the sun shine only in daytime?

TALIESIN: almost singing "Out of nothing the four elements were created, to be joined together in harmony... The heaven was adorned with stars and embraced everything like a shell surrounding a nut.

Then was the air made, fit for forming sounds, through the medium of which day and night present the sun and moon and the stars. Then the sea was made, which girds the land in four circles, and with its mighty power so strikes the air as to generate winds, which are said to be four in number and each of which has a different colour."

MERLIN: "As a foundation the earth was placed, standing by its own strength.

It was divided into five zones, of which the equatorial middle is not habitable because of the heat and the two furthest are shunned because of their arctic cold. But the last two zones possess moderate temperatures and are inhabited by men and birds and wild beasts.

Clouds were then placed in the sky, so that they might furnish showers to make the fruits of the trees and of the ground, grow with their gentle sprinkling….

TALIESIN: "With the help of the sun water rises through the upper air, filling these clouds like water-skins. Then they pour out the water they have taken up, driven by the force of the winds.

They bring rainstorms, snow and hail, when the cold damp wind breathes out its blasts.

Each of the winds takes to itself a nature of its own from its proximity to the zone where it was born... ."

GANEIDA: "If you have pity upon Merlin, join with me and lend your breath to recreate the winds that will restore his lost innocence."

ALL: Sing

MERLIN: "Beyond the firmament were placed the ethereal regions, a habitation for troops of angels whom the worthy contemplation and marvellous sweetness of life refreshes through the ages. This place also was adorned with stars and with the shining sun. And beneath, are the airy heavens, shining with the lunar body, abounding in troops of spirits who sympathize or rejoice with us as things go well or ill, So giving their warmth to all... ."

GANEIDA: "If you desire the companionship of your fellow creatures, then join your compassionate hearts and sing the welcome that restores Merlin's trust."

ALL: Sing

TALIESIN: "The sea too is distinguished by various powers, that it might produce the forms of things, generating throughout the ages.

Part of it burns and part freezes, but a third part, receiving a moderate temperature from the other two, ministers to our needs. This third part of the sea furnishes us with many good things. For it nourishes fishes and produces salt in abundance, and bears back and forth ships carrying our commerce.

It makes fertile the neighbouring soil."

GANEIDA: "If ever you wept for pity, then let your blessed tears fall to heal lost Merlin and restore him through the flowing of waters..."

ALL: Sing

MERLIN: "The rays of Venus' star created shining gems, and these by their virtues benefit the people who wear them, and make many well and keep them so.

These jewels were distinguished by their kinds, so that we might discern from their forms and colours what they were, and of what virtue."

GANEIDA: "If ever you desired the blessing of the stars and to stand upon your native soil, to feel the gladdening of your heart thereby, then let your good words restore memory to Merlin... ."

ALL: Sing

GANEIDA: Thus wind and flame, wave and stone, wove once more together, and Merlin was so moved by this recital, and by the songs that drifted into the heart of the Forest, that the pain began to fade from his mind. He listened eagerly when Taliesin spoke of the Island of Apples, that some call Avalon, and deep remembrance began to stir within him.

TALIESIN: "Do you remember that island, which men call The Fortunate Isle? It gets its name because it produces all things of itself. The fields have no need of the farmer's plough, and all cultivation is lacking except what nature provides. Of its own accord it produces grain and grapes, and apple trees grow in its woods from the close-clipped grass. The ground of its own accord produces everything, and people live there a hundred years or more.

Do you not remember the nine sisters that rule there?

She who is first of them is more skilled in the healing art than any woman living, and excels her sisters in the beauty of her person. Morgen is her name, and she has learned the properties that herbs contain.

She also knows an art by which to change her shape, and to cleave the air on wings like Daedalus. And men say that she has taught mathematics to her sisters.

Do you remember their names: Moronoe, Mazoe, Gliten, Glitonea, Gliton, Tyronoe, Thitis, and Thetis with her lyre?

MERLIN: Wonderingly "Was it not Morgen who was destined to care for the great King Arthur? So that his wounds, got in battle 'gainst his own sister's son, Mordred, should not prove fatal?"

TALIESIN: "Yes! Remember how we took him, in a boat steered by the wise Barinthus, he who knows the ways of the tides and winds? And on the Island the great lady laid him in her own bed of gold and examined his wounds.

And she said that he would recover if he remained with her."

MERLIN: "How terrible has been the star of the land since that day! Never have I seen such strife and horror."

TALIESIN: "Perhaps is would be wise to send a messenger to Arthur, begging him to return."

MERLIN: "That may not be. For one who has passed to Avalon may not easily be recalled. Yet I foresee that other leaders will rise, and that after many years the land will have peace again, until the king returns...!"

GANEIDA: Then Merlin recalled the great days of Arthur's reign and the events that followed his becoming King, and prophesied great things that would come after, even unto our own time.

MERLIN:

"One shall come clad in iron and upon a serpent shall he ride.

With his body naked shall he sit upon the dragon's back

And with his right hand shall he set fire to its tail.

The lands will be troubled at the noise of his coming

And great fear shall fall upon them.

Then shall he take lions into his company,

Though strife doth arise betwixt them

And they fight together.

This man with the crooked thumb,

Will cause his own people to look away,

As he turns laws to wormwood.

Mortals shall be drunken with the wine that is set before them,

And turning their back upon the heavens,

Shall fix their eyes, only upon the earth and its malign riches.

Until a knight in a chariot shall withstand him.

And his people shall rush as a boar into the sea.

The stars shall turn their faces away and their regular course shall be confounded.

Root and branch shall change places

And the newness of things shall be as a miracle."

GANEIDA: And while he spoke thus a messenger came with news of a new spring that had miraculously broken forth from the earth nearby, and that was even now forming a lake of water and several streams that flowed through the wood. When they heard this Merlin and Taliesin decided to visit this spring. And when they came there Merlin cupped his hands and drank from it…

MERLIN indicates drinking

And at once the madness that had plagued him for so many years finally passed from him and his eyes became clear again.

MERLIN:

"O Providence, through whom

The starry heavens exist,

Through whom the land and sea

Nourish their offspring —

Through whom my senses are returned

And the cloud upon my mind vanished.

I was carried away from myself...

And like a spirit I knew the acts of past peoples...

...And predicted all their futures.

And, since I knew the secrets of things

— the flight of birds,

— the wandering motions of the stars,

— the gliding of the fishes,

I vexed and denied my mind its rest.

Now, I am come to myself

And am restored to vigour,

Which animates my limbs.

And therefore shall I constantly

And joyfully make offering.

For now I have the water I lacked,

And by drinking of it... my mind is made whole!"

TALIESIN: "This spring must be one of those that have healing qualities. For it is said that when fresh water issues from the earth it brings healing and wisdom from the depths to all who drink from it."

GANEIDA: Soon word spread through the land of the miraculous spring, and many people came to drink from it and to speak with Merlin and bear witness to his cure. Many thought that he should resume the kingship and lead them to victory against their enemies. But Merlin refused, declaring that he still had many things to do, both in this world and the Other.

MERLIN: "I wish only to remain here in the wood of Calidon, where I have found deep solace… for here I may view the mysteries of the heavens and the earth, and watch humanity play its games with life."

GEOFFREY: And so it fell out. Merlin retired to his observatory and there watched the ways of men and prophesied of the days to come, even unto our own times.

And in time Taliesin ceased his wanderings throughout the world and came to join him.

And after that Ganeida also made her way to the forest house, and there she began to prophecy as deeply as had her brother before her, and many were the wise things she said, that are recorded in the ancient books of those days... .

Of them the story speaks no more, but I, Geoffrey of Monmouth, swear that the name of Merlin remained in the hearts and minds of the Britons thereafter, and that before he was remembered as a great enchanter, he was remembered as a wise man and a good and gentle king... .

And so I give thanks to all who have listened to my story, which now is done, and for the delight of your songs and the wonder of your words and the gentleness of your hearts.

MERLIN: "And behold, in the twinkling of an eye shall the seas lift us up, and the dust of the ancients will again begin to live."

Visit John and Caitlin Matthews at their Hallowquest website

Visit W. Todd Jones at the Endicott website

Visit W. Ari Berk at the Endicott website

Visit Toby Froud at The World of Froud website

Visit O.R. Melling at her website

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