Then his gold it was borne to the vessel. Now of parting I needs must tell, By night did he go, the hero, and his purpose he hid it well; But when from his wife he sailèd, in her womb did she bear his child: And fair blew the wind, and the breezes bare him hence o'er the waters wild. 870 And the lady she found a letter, and 'twas writ by her husband's hand; And in French (for she well could read it) did the words of the writing stand: 'Here one love to another speaketh--As a thief have I stolen away That mine eyes might not see thy sorrow--But this thing I needs must say, Wert thou, e'en as I, a Christian I ever should weep for thee, 875 For e'en now I must sorely mourn thee. If it chance that our child shall be In face like unto one other, then his is a dowry fair, Of Anjou was _he_ born, and Frau Minne for his lady he did declare. Yet was he in strife a hailstorm, ill neighbour unto his foe; That his grandsire hath been King Gandein, this I will that my son shall know. 880 Dead he lay thro' his deeds of knighthood; and his father the same death won, Addanz was his name, and unsplintered his shield hath been seen of none; And by birth he hath been a Breton, and two brothers' sons were they, He and the brave Pendragon, and their sires' names I here will say; For Lassalies he hath been the elder, and Brickus was his brother's name, 885 And Mazadan was their father whom a fay for her love did claim. Terre-de-la-schoie did they call her, to Fay-Morgan she led the king, For he was her true heart's fetters; and my race from those twain did spring. And fair shall they be, and valiant, and as crownèd kings they reign-- If lady, thou'lt be baptizèd thou mayst win me to thee again!' 890