Page:History of Fortunatus (4).pdf/3

 had a son, whom they named Fortunatus;  whose christening an old woman, taken to be  prophetess, came in and uttered these words :-—

child is fortune's darling, he shall share, sought, those riches whom she will prepare; travel he his thoughts full soon will bend,  cross'd in some, yet all shall happy end.

This was noted of many, but more particularly the success answered her prediction. As he up, his father, not to be restrained by the  and entreaties of his wife, began to follow  former bad courses, insomuch that he squandered away all his patrimony, so that they fell into  poverty. Fortunatus being then 18 years age, and seeing no ways to have their wants, begged leave of his parents to quit them  the charge he put them to, by suffering, him to , not doubting but he could shift for himself. father easily consented, but his mother not great reluctance; so with many tender  they parted. Fortunatus having the to ramble in, made to the sea: and at the  haven found a great many armed men,  under the command of Balwin, earl of Flanders,  had put on shore to refresh him. He took, and kneeling before the earl, offered him service, and promised to be very subservient  his commands. The earl perceiving him a very youth, and after inquiry into the circumstances of his parentage and former life, he  him his chief servant: in which station he  himself so well, that he gained this great