related to them how Christ had appeared to him, and how he in baptism was named Eustace, and how it had all happened to him about his wife and his children. Then in about fifteen days they came to the emperor and the soldiers; they then related all to him, how they had found him; and the emperor went to meet him, and kissed him and asked why he had willed to go so far from his country. He then related in order to him and to all his nobility, all his journey, and his wife's, and his children's. Then the emperor, and all, were very blithe at his return, and besought him that he would again assume the authority which he had formerly; and he did so. He then bade men assemble an army; and when he reviewed the army, he then perceived that there was not a sufficient army to meet their enemies. Then he bade men collect from every city and town more soldiers. Then it happened that they commanded the council of the town in which his sons had been brought up, that they should equip two soldiers for the army. Then they chose the two youths because they were bold, and handsome, and foreigners, for the military service. So all the army was assembled before him, and he arrayed them in order, and disposed them, as his custom was. Then he saw among others the young knights, that they were fair in countenance and tall in stature; so he placed them the foremost in his service, and became inflamed with love of them; and after he had disposed all his host as his custom was, he went to the fight and overran the lands which the heathen had taken away, and subjected them to the emperor. Then he went forth over the river which was named Idispis in the inner lands of the heathen, and overcame them, and wasted their country; moreover he desired to penetrate it further. Then, by God's fore-ordaining, he came to the land where his wife was; she had taken up her abode in a garden-enclosure, and she was, as we said above, unharmed, through God's protection, by the heathen society.
Then came Eustace with his army to the town wherein she was. Her dwelling there was very winsome to encamp in, and his tents were pitched nigh at hand to her dwelling. Then it happened also that the two youths, her sons, chose to abide with their
