Lancéor.
To disappear with you?... Father, I do not know....
Merlin.
Let us not question those who have nothing more to say.... All is now determined.... Thanks to the unknown gods, I have been able to give happiness to the two hearts that were dearest to me; but I can do no more, nor can you do anything, for my own happiness.... I am going towards my destiny and I go in silence, lest I should sadden this smiling hour, which is yours alone.... I know what awaits me; and nevertheless I am going....
Joyzelle.
No, no, no, no, father, you shall not go!... We are around you, and if some danger which we cannot see threatens your old age, we shall try at least to alleviate the dread of it.... When there are three to undergo a misfortune and those three love one another, then the misfortune changes to a burden of love, which we bear with delight....
Merlin.
Alas, no, my Joyzelle: it would all be useless!... Would to the gods that men had to pass only through kindly evils, as yours were!... But all life's secret purposes are not so clear, are not so good.... But we speak in vain of what is written.... I am still here, in the arms of those who love me.... The day of my distress is not this day.... Let us enjoy our hour, in the sweet sadness that follows on great joys, by listening to our minutes of love, passing and fleeting, one by one, in that frail ray of nocturnal light in which we clasp one another for our greater happiness.... The rest does not as yet belong to men....