Yet had she no thought of anger, but she spake, 'Ah! too soon 'tis o'er, Of a sooth would I do his bidding, would it bring him to me once more. In whose charge hath my courteous hero left the fruit of his love so true? Alas! for the sweet communion that we twain for a short space knew! Shall the strength of my bitter sorrow rule body and soul alway? 895 And she quoth, 'Now his God to honour, his will would I fain obey, And gladly I'ld be baptizèd, and live as should please my love!' And sorrow with her heart struggled, and e'en as the turtle dove Her joy sought the withered branches, for the same mind was hers, I ween, When the mate of the turtle dieth, she forsaketh the branches green. 900 Then the queen at the time appointed bare a son, who was dark and light, For in him had God wrought a wonder, at one while was he black and white. And a thousand times she kissed him where white as his sire's his skin. And she named the babe of her sorrows Feirefis Angevin. And he was a woodland-waster, many spears did he shatter fair, 905 And shields did he pierce--as a magpie the hue of his face and hair. Now a year and more was ended since Gamuret won such fame At Zassamank, and his right hand the victor's prize might claim, And yet o'er the seas he drifted, for the winds vexed the hero bold. Then a silken sail red gleaming he saw, and the barque did hold 910 The men whom the King of Scotland, Friedebrand, sent upon their way At the bidding of Queen Belakané: from her would they pardon pray That ever he came against her, tho' in sooth he had lost the more. And with them the diamond helmet, the corslet and sword they bore, And hosen e'en such as the harness, and a marvel it needs must be 915 That the barque was thus borne towards him, as the venture hath told to me! And they gave him the goodly armour, and an oath unto them he swore That his mouth it should speak their message, an he came to the queen once more. And they parted; and one hath told me that the sea bare him onward bound Till he came to a goodly haven, and in Seville his goal he found. 920 And with gold did he pay his steersman right well for his guidance true, And they parted, those twain, and sorrow the heart of that steersman knew! BOOK II HERZELEIDE ARGUMENT