d brought up the
children amongst them. But Eustacius knew nothing of this, and his
affliction was so poignant that he was unable to control his complaints.
"Alas!" he would say, "once I nourished like a luxuriant tree, but now I
am altogether blighted. Once I was encompassed with military ensigns and
bands of armed men; now I am a single being in the universe. I have lost
all my children and everything that I possessed. I remember, O Lord,
that thou saidst my trials should resemble Job's; behold they exceed
them. For although he was destitute, he had a couch, however vile, to
repose upon; I, alas! have nothing. He had compassionating friends;
while I, besides the loss of my children, am left a prey to the savage
beasts. His wife remained, but mine is forcibly carried off. Assuage my
anguish, O Lord, and place a bridle upon my lips, lest I utter
foolishness, and stand up against thee." With such words he gave free
course to the fulness of his heart; and after much travel, entered a
village, where he abode. In this place he continued for fifteen years,
as the hired servant of one of the villagers.

To return to the two boys. They were educated in the same
neighbourhood, but had no knowledge of their consanguinity. And as for
the wife of Eustacius, she preserved her purity, and suffered not the
infamous usage which she had to fear. After some time her persecutor
died.

In the meanwhile the Roman emperor was beset by his enemies, and
recollecting how valiantly Placidus had behaved himself in similar
straits, his grief at the deplorable change of fortune was renewed. He
despatched soldiers through various parts of the world in pursuit of
them; and promised to the discoverer infinite rewards and honours. It
happened that some of the emissaries, being of those who had attended
upon the person of Placidus, came into the country in which he laboured,
and one of them he recognized by his gait. The sight of these men
brought back to the exile's mind the situation of wealth and honour
which he had once possessed; and being filled with fresh trouble at the
recollection--"O Lord!" he exclaimed, "even as beyond expectation I have
seen these people again, so let me be restored to my beloved wife. Of my
children I speak not; for I know too well that they are devoured by wild
beasts."

At that moment a voice whispered, "Be faithful, Eustacius, and thou wilt
shortly recover thy lost honours, and again look upon thy wife and
offspring