against him, offering to helpe him out of the countrie, if he would so [Sidenote:  The honorable consideration of Edwin.] aduenture to escape.  Edwin being woonderouslie amazed, thanked his friend, but refused to depart the countrie, sith he had no iust cause outwardlie giuen to play such a slipper part, choosing rather to ieopard his life with honour, than to giue men cause to thinke that he had first broken promise with such a prince as Redwald was, to whome he had giuen his faith.

Herevpon his friend departing from him, left him sitting without the doores:  where after he had reuolued manie things in his mind, and thought long vpon this matter, at length he perceiued one to come towards him vnknowne, and in strange apparell, seeming to him in euerie point a stranger, at which sight (for that he could not imagine who it should be) Edwin was much afraid:  but the man comming to him saluted him, and asked of him what he made there at that time of the night when other were at rest.  Edwin on the other part asked what he had to doo therewith, and whether he vsed to lie abroad in the night, or within house?  Who answering said; Thinke not Edwin that I am ignorant of thy heauinesse, of thy watchings, and this thy solitarie sitting here without doores.  For I know who thou art, wherefore thou art thus pensiue, and what euils thou fearest to be towards thee at hand.  But tell me, what wouldest thou giue him, that could deliuer thee out of this heauinesse, and perswade Redwald that he should neither doo thee hurt, nor deliuer thee to thine enimies?  Here with when Edwin said that he would gladlie giue all that in him might lie to such a one in reward:  The other said; What wouldst thou giue then, if he should promise in good sooth that (all thine enimies being destroied) thou shouldest be king, and that thou shouldest passe in power all the kings which haue reigned in the English nation before thy time?  Edwin being better come to himselfe by such demandes, did not sticke to promise that he would requite his friendship with woorthie thanks.

Then replied he to his words and said; If he that shall prophesie to thee this good hap to come, shall also be able to informe thee in such counsell for thy health and life, as neuer anie of thy forefathers or kinsfolke yet haue heard, wouldest thou obey him, and also consent to receiue his wholesome aduertisement?  Wherevnto without further deliberation Edwin promised, that he would in all points follow the instruction of him that should deliuer him out of so manie and great calamities, and bring him to the rule of a kingdome.  Which answere being got, this person that thus talked with him, laid his hand vpon his head, saieng:  When this therefore shall chance to thee, be not forgetfull of this time, nor of this communication, and those things that thou now dooest promise, see thou performe.  And therewith he vanished awaie.  So that Edwin might well perceiue it was no man but a vision that thus had appeared vnto him.