noble and courageous in soul and quick and apt for every command. Bas1.5 And Basil was in this state, but his mother longed to learn how things went for him on the road and what sort of rest from his labors he had received. And being despondent and distressed, she sees in a dream a great plant resembling a cypress, standing within the same courtyard, thick with golden leaves and having golden branches and a golden trunk, upon which her son Basil was sitting. Having awakened, she related the vision to one of the pious women. And she advised her to be of good cheer for her son and, interpreting the vision, she declared that her son would become emperor of the Romans. Therefore, adding this to the previous things, the mother was no longer distressed about him from this point on, but rejoiced and cherished good hopes for her son. Bas1.6 It happened at that time that Theophilos, Basil's master, was sent to the Peloponnese on public business. Basil also followed him, fulfilling his assigned service. And when they came to Achaia, Theophilos went into the church of Andrew, the first-called apostle, to pray, but Basil did not go in with him then, being occupied, as it seems, with his own service. But later, he himself, fulfilling his duties to the apostle, seizing the opportunity, enters the church alone. And a certain monk, who throughout his life laid claim to virtue, was keeping watch at the divine sanctuary of the apostle. This man, when Theophilos entered with so great a bodyguard, neither received him nor rose to greet him nor deemed him worthy of even a small address, but later, when Basil entered alone, as has been said, he rose as for one of the greater ones and offered the acclamation that is customarily fitting for emperors. Some of those present there saw this and reported it to the woman who was preeminent in those parts in both character and nobility, who was named Danielis after her husband. And she, not unaware of the monk's discernment, nor that he had been deemed worthy of the gift of foresight, was not neglectful of what was said, but as soon as she heard, she summoned the monk and addressed him with reproachful words: 'So much time has passed,' she said, 'spiritual father, since I have become known to you, and you know me to be distinguished in this place among the many in all things, and yet you have never risen when you saw me, nor have you blessed me. But not even to my son or grandson have you bestowed such courtesy. And how is it that now, seeing a man of low estate, a stranger, and one living a life of poverty, you rose up and honored him as an emperor?' 'I did not see the man as one of the common sort,' replied the monk, 'but seeing him as an emperor of the Romans preordained by Christ from God, I rose and acclaimed him. For to those honored by God, honor from men is also certainly due.' So Theophilos, having accomplished his orders, set out again on the road to the queen of cities, but Basil, detained by an infirmity of body, is left behind there. And having received the appropriate care, he was preparing for the journey up. The aforementioned woman Danielis, summoning him, receives him with gifts and great favors, seeking nothing else from him than to be joined by a bond of spiritual brotherhood to John, her son. But he, looking at his own lowliness and the prominence of the woman, as being far above him, was refusing the request. But having received much entreaty, he fulfills her purpose. And when the woman's desire was fulfilled, it seemed good to her not to conceal the will of God, but to make public and reveal the great things of God, foretold and made manifest in ways which she knew. Therefore, taking Basil aside in private, 'Know,' she said, 'O child, that God is about to place you on a great watchtower and to show you to be lord of all the earth. When my prophecy comes to pass, therefore, I ask nothing else from you, but only to be loved and shown mercy, both me and mine.' And he, if He should grant