Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/124

112 the younger of us across. But no sooner had he accomplished his design, and was returning to my assistance, than a wolf darted from a thicket and bore him off in his mouth. Before he could hasten back to his succour, a prodigious lion seized upon me, and carried me into a neighbouring wood. Certain shepherds, however, observing the dangerous extremity to which I was reduced, delivered and educated me amongst them." The younger brother here burst into a flood of tears, and exclaimed, "Surely I have found my brother; for they who brought me up frequently declared that I was emancipated from the jaws of a wolf." The other acknowledged the probability of the relationship, and mutually exchanged embraces and congratulation. The mother, who listened, it may be well supposed, with intense interest to what was going forward, felt a strong conviction that they were her own children. She was silent, however: and the next day, went to the commander of the forces, and entreated permission to go into her own country. "I am a Roman woman," said she, "and a