And Merlin, who knew all things, was there. He saw those who were looking for him, so he drew up to one of the wealthiest boys in the town, because he was sure that he would say ugly things about him, raised the stick he was holding, and struck the boy in the leg. The boy burst into tears and began to call Merlin names, accusing him of being born fatherless. And when the messengers heard this, they went all four to where the boy was weeping.

They asked him, “Who is the one that struck you?”

He said to them, “He is the son of a woman who never knew who sired him, and he has never had a father.”

When Merlin heard this, he came to them smiling and said to them, “I am the one you are looking for, the one you have sworn to kill, and you must take my blood to King Vortigern.”

Vulgate Merlin