Georgic and Merlin

Did You Know?

• Many French variants of this tale feature a wild man instead of a bird.
• In Brittany, it is very common that this figure, whether a bird or a man, is called Merlin.
• It is not clear what connection this figure has to the Merlin of Arthurian legends.

Synopsis

A rich lord, captivated by a mysterious bird singing in the woods near his castle, had it captured. Once caged, the bird stopped singing, and the lord decreed that anyone who freed it would be killed. One day, the bird begged the lord's son, Georgic, to release it. Georgic did so, and the bird, who called itself Merlin, told him to call upon it if he ever needed help, then flew away. Georgic's mother feared her husband would kill their son for this act. A salt-vendor offered to take Georgic away, and his mother gave the man money for the task. The salt-vendor took the money and, at the next castle, arranged for Georgic to work as a shepherd, ignoring warnings about dangerous wolves in the area. When the salt-vendor tried to leave him, Georgic demanded the money back. The man refused, so Georgic called on Merlin. The bird appeared, and an invisible hand wielded a club, beating the salt-vendor until he returned the money. Georgic then asked Merlin for a whistle to summon the wolves and muzzles to prevent them from biting, and he kept the sheep safe.

In that same region, a seven-headed dragon demanded a maiden each year. That year, the lot fell to Georgic's master's daughter, who wept in terror. When she was sent out, Georgic asked Merlin for a horse, a sword, and a black cloak. He rode with her to the dragon's lair and called for the beast. The dragon said it was not hungry that day and told her to return the next day, then left. Georgic brought her back; she was too frightened to recognize him, but she cut a piece from his cloak. The next day, Georgic wore a gray cloak, but the same events occurred. On the third day, Georgic wore a purple cloak. He stopped to borrow a long iron fork from a man cooking at a stove, used it to drag the dragon from its lair, and cut off all its heads with his sword. He removed the tongues, and the daughter cut another piece from his cloak.