The Waters of Merlin (Lesage, Selected Works, 1810, vol. 13) - Marillier

The play's prologue is set in the Ardennes forest, where Harlequin, scorned by Columbine, wants to hang himself. Mezzetin appears and talks him out of it. Thirsty, they see two fountains, unaware that their waters are enchanted by Merlin. Harlequin drinks from the fountain of hatred, and Mezzetin from the fountain of love. (This motif is borrowed from Boiardo's Roland amoureux .)

Merlin emerges. Harlequin and Mezzetin thank him for his waters and ask permission to sell a few buckets.

Air: Réveillez-vous belle endormie, n°12.
We'll sell these unequalled waters
In Paris what we like;
And for mineral water merchants
In this place we'll give ourselves.

The engraving illustrates the one-act play that follows this prologue.

The scene is Paris. The Theatre depicts a store where we see a large quantity of bottles of water arranged on boards, with labels.

Arlequin and Mezzetin, with the help of an imp, disguise themselves as Venetian apothecaries. With each new scene, a new customer enters the store.

The engraving illustrates scene 6: Pierrot introduces himself.

Pierrot.
Air. Bannons d'ici l'humeur noire. n°47.
Le bruit que vos Eaux sans pareilles
Font à Paris, m'amène ici.
On dit elles font des merveilles.

Arlequin.
En voulez-vous avoir aussi?

Pierrot asks for love water for some wealthy gallants to whom he wants to prostitute his young wife Nicole.