Farkennedandnotedishisname？
Hisreputationisbynomeansconfinedtothelandofhisbirth，butextendsthroughmostofthenationsofEurope。AverycuriousvolumeofhisLife，Prophecies，andMiracles，written，itissupposed，byRobertdeBosron，wasprintedatParisin1498，whichstates，thattheDevilhimselfwashisfather，andthathespoketheinstanthewasborn，andassuredhismother，averyvirtuousyoungwoman，thatsheshouldnotdieinchild-bedwithhim，asherill-naturedneighbourshadpredicted。Thejudgeofthedistrict，hearingofsomarvellousanoccurrence，summonedbothmotherandchildtoappearbeforehim；andtheywentaccordinglythesameday。Toputthewisdomoftheyoungprophetmosteffectuallytothetest，thejudgeaskedhimifheknewhisownfather？TowhichtheinfantMerlinreplied，inaclear，sonorousvoice，“Yes，myfatheristheDevil；andIhavehispower，andknowallthings，past，present，andtocome。“Hisworshipclappedhishandsinastonishment，andtooktheprudentresolutionofnotmolestingsoawfulachild，oritsmothereither。
EarlytraditionattributesthebuildingofStonehengetothepowerofMerlin。Itwasbelievedthatthosemightystoneswerewhirledthroughtheair，athiscommand，fromIrelandtoSalisburyPlain，andthathearrangedthemintheforminwhichtheynowstand，tocommemorateforevertheunhappyfateofthreehundredBritishchiefs，whoweremassacredonthatspotbytheSaxons。
AtAbergwylly，nearCaermarthen，isstillshownthecaveoftheprophetandthesceneofhisincantations。HowbeautifulisthedescriptionofitgivenbySpenserinhis“FaerieQueene。“Thelinesneednoapologyfortheirrepetitionhere，andanysketchofthegreatprophetofBritainwouldbeincompletewithoutthem:——
“TherethewiseMerlin，whilomwonttheysay，Tomakehiswonnelowunderneaththeground，Inadeepdelvefarfromtheviewofday，Thatofnolivingwighthemotebefound，Whensohecounselledwithhisspritesencompassedround。