Bradamante has been hurled by the traitor Pinabel into a cave that happens to be Merlin's tomb. The fairy Mélisse, after placing Bradamante in a pentacle inscribed in a circle, and under a protective canopy, evokes before her her heroic posterity. The d'Este family, which protects Ariosto, is supposed to be descended from Roger, Bradamante's future husband...
In the background, behind the archway, Merlin's tomb can be seen, set in a vague space charged with signs: the tomb represents what lies beyond the screen. It is through Merlin's power thatMélisse can evoke the descendants of Bradamante and Roger.