The Birth of Merlin, or, The Child Hath Found his Father is a Jacobean play, probably written in whole or part by William Rowley.
[1] It contains a comic depiction of the birth of the fully grown Merlin to a country girl, and also features figures from Arthurian legend, including Uther Pendragon, Vortigern, and Aurelius Ambrosius.
Large-scale resemblances in plotting – the missing prince, the ruler and his heir who both fall in love with the same woman – could be explained through derivation from common sources; but these larger-scale elements are supported by multiple specific lines and passages that occur in both plays.
[4] This view, however, has not been accepted by the consensus of scholars and critics, since apart from the cited common passages, there is no evidence of Beaumont's or Fletcher's authorship in the play.
[6] The play is rich with visual effects of varying types, including gods and devils, magic, and masque-like spectacles.
The British are flush with a recent victory over the invading Saxons, though they are troubled by the absence of the king's missing brother, Uther.
Aurelius instantly falls in love with Artesia, and in his infatuation grants the Saxons very generous peace terms, despite the objections of his courtiers and the criticism of a holy hermit who interjects his own opposition.
Sister and brother – Joan and the Clown – stumble upon Prince Uther wandering through the same forest, distracted and disconsolate after having caught sight of a woman with whom he instantly fell in love.
As he beats them, their cries are heard by courtiers searching for the prince, who interrupt the scene and carry Uther back to court.
Finally, though, they encounter the actual father: Though Joan sees him as a handsome courtier, the Clown can recognise him for the devil, "his feet and head horrid".
Meanwhile, Merlin, Joan, and the Clown have made their way to Wales, where King Vortigern, a Saxon ally, is having trouble building a castle.