NOTES.
67
NOTE ON THE FOREST OF BRECELIANDE,
AND THE
FOUNTAIN OF BARANTON.
The Forest of Brécéliande, in Brittany, the scene of the leading incident in the Chevalier an Lion, has ever been one of the most favoured haunts of Romance, and one whose marvels the Trouvéres have most delighted to celebrate. Amongst those whose names have contributed to add to the renown of this remarkable spot, is the mighty Enchanter, Merlin, whose prison it became through the artifices of his Lady love. The manner of his being incarcerated there is very circumstantially detailed in the Romance which bears his name, as quoted by Mr. Southey, in the Preface to the Morte d'Arthur.
Merlin, having become enamoured of the fair Yiviane,[1] was weak enough to impart to her various important secrets of his art,[2] being impelled by a fatal destiny, of which he was at the same time fully aware. The Lady, however, was not content with his devotion, unbounded as it seems to have been, but cast about," as the Romance tells us, how she might detain him for evermore," and with a view of learning some mode of accomplishing this object, she one day addressed him in these terms,—"Sir," said she, " I would have you teach and show me how to enclose and imprison a man- ↑ This Viviane is said to be the daughter of a Vavasour of high lineage, called Djonas, from Dyane, a goddess of the sea. He married a niece of the Dnohess of Bargondy, with whom he received as a dowry half the Forest of Briogne; the other half was granted him soon after in reward for his good services. Under the title of the "Lady of the Lake" Viviane is well known.
- ↑
Of the nature and extent of the powers with which Merlin was endowed, Spenser has left us a most marvellous account.
"For he by wordes conld call out of the sky
Both sunne and moone, and make them him obay;
The land to sea, and sea to maineland dry,
And darksom night he eke could turne to day;
