wife and with his two sons. When evil men had learned that they were so bereaved, then went they, and took their gold and silver, and all that was there; and so all their goods were lost through the devil's artifices. In those days it happened that all people were worshipping in solemn assembly with the Emperor for the victory which he had gained over the Persian nation. It was also the custom that Placidas should be foremost in this solemnity, because he was the master and leader of the soldiers. Then was he sought, and no man could find him. Then all men wondered that in so little space (i. e. at so short notice) no one could find him, nor anything which belonged to him; and the emperor and all his servants were very sorry for his sudden departure. Then said his wife to him, ' How long abide we here'? Let us take our two children and go hence, else we shall be a reproach and taunting to all that know us.' Then, at night, they took their two sons, and went to the Egyptians' land. Verily after they had travelled two days, they came to the sea, and there found a ship standing, and they went on it and rowed with them.
When the ship-master saw that Eustace's wife was very fair, he desired to have her, and demanded the ship-toll; but, as they had nothing to offer, he demanded the wife for the toll.
When Eustace knew that, he would not let her go; then the ship-master beckoned to his men that they should throw him overboard. When Eustace perceived their artifices, then he left the woman and took his two children, and went lamenting and saying — ' Woe to me and to you! for your mother is delivered over to a foreign man.' And he went thus, sighing, until he came to a certain river, and durst not, on account of the great size of the river, go in with the two children; but bare one child first, and set it on the other side of the bank, and went again to fetch the second. When he was in the midst of the water, he saw that a lion took the child and went to the wood with it. Then he despaired of the child, and returned patiently, having hope of the other; but when he was (turned) thitherward, he saw that a wolf took it. Then he tare his locks, lamenting, and desired to drown
