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⟨they⟩ had a son, whom they named Fortunatus; ⟨at⟩ whose christening an old woman, taken to be ⟨a⟩ prophetess, came in and uttered these words :-—
⟨This⟩ child is fortune's darling, he shall share, (illegible text)sought, those riches whom she will prepare; ⟨to⟩ travel he his thoughts full soon will bend, ⟨though⟩ cross'd in some, yet all shall happy end.
This was noted of many, but more particularly ⟨when⟩ the success answered her prediction. As he ⟨grew⟩ up, his father, not to be restrained by the ⟨fears⟩ and entreaties of his wife, began to follow ⟨to⟩ former bad courses, insomuch that he squandered away all his patrimony, so that they fell into ⟨extreme⟩ poverty. Fortunatus being then 18 years ⟨of⟩ age, and seeing no ways to have their wants ⟨relieved⟩, begged leave of his parents to quit them ⟨of⟩ the charge he put them to, by suffering, him to ⟨reveal⟩, not doubting but he could shift for himself. ⟨His⟩ father easily consented, but his mother not ⟨without⟩ great reluctance; so with many tender ⟨embraces⟩ they parted. Fortunatus having the ⟨world⟩ to ramble in, made to the sea: and at the ⟨next⟩ haven found a great many armed men, ⟨landed⟩ under the command of Balwin, earl of Flanders, ⟨who⟩ had put on shore to refresh him. He took ⟨courage⟩, and kneeling before the earl, offered him ⟨his⟩ service, and promised to be very subservient ⟨to⟩ his commands. The earl perceiving him a very ⟨promising⟩ youth, and after inquiry into the circumstances of his parentage and former life, he ⟨made⟩ him his chief servant: in which station he ⟨behaved⟩ himself so well, that he gained this great