J Comyns Carr, one of the directors of the Grosvenor and New Galleries, was commissioned by Henry Irving, to write a play based upon the Legends of King Arthur, for which Burne-Jones was asked to design the costumes and sets. The play opens with a chorus of lake spirits singing by a magic mere "Scene One - The Magic Mere. A wide lake with a rocky path descending to the shore ... chorus of Lake Spirits singing"