there fifteen years. His sons then were nurtured in another town; and neither of them knew that they were brothers. Truly the heathen ship-master, he who took Eustace's wife, led her to his country; and God's grace shielded her that he defiled her not while she was with him, even as she desired of God; and after he was dead, she was his heir. After this there was made a great invasion of the country wherein Eustace had been at first, and they wasted many of the Romans' lands. Then was the emperor exceeding troubled on account of the invasion, and remembered Placidas, and sorely lamented for his sudden departure; he assembled then all his army to him, .and diligently asked about him, and commanded that men should go as widely as his dominion was, and enquire earnestly for him; and he also promised to those who should find him great honour and benefit. Then went two soldiers who were named Antiochus and Achaius, who formerly were under Eustace's hands, and went through all the lands which obeyed Rome until they came where he dwelt. Then truly Eustace beholding them afar, recognized them by their accustomed gait; and being troubled in his mind, he prayed and said — ' Lord our God, Who deliverest from every affliction those who hope in Thee, help me that I may yet see Thy servant my spouse, as I now see at hand those who once served me. Of a surety I know that my bairns on account of my sins are devoured by wild beasts. Grant to me. Lord, that I may at least see them in the day of resurrection,' To him then, thus speaking, came a voice from above, saying to him; 'Trust, Eustace; truly in this present time thou shalt return to thy former dignity, and thou shalt receive both thy wife and thy children; verily, at the resurrection thou shalt see much greater things, and thou shalt receive the delights of the eternal good things, and thy name shall eternally be praised.'
Eustace then, hearing this, was struck with great awe, so that he could not stand, but sat down; then he arose up again, and looked along the way, and saw that the men were coming towards him; and he knew them well, but they did not know him. Then said they to him, 'Hail to thee, brother!' He answered them, 'Peace be with you, brothers!' Then said they again, 'Tell us.
