'Basilius Macedo, who afterwards obtained the empire of Constantinople, when he was a child, lost his father. His mother, much afflicted with poverty, resolved, by her labour in service, to maintain herself and her son.

brothers tell the dream to Basil, and bind him by oath to requite what kindness he had received from them, when he should enjoy his kingdom.' - De Ccesaribus et Imperatoribus Romanorum.