The Lay of the Cid Part 11

They who went forth to exile of riches had good store.

To all men in Valencia, the gallant Campeador Gave houses and possessions whereof they were right glad.

All men of the Cid's bounty good testimony had.

And of them that had come later well content was every one.

My lord Cid saw it plainly that they fain would get them gone, With the goods that they had taken, if unhindered they might go.

The lord Cid gave his order (Minaya counselled so) That if any man that with him in richer case did stand Should take his leave in secret and fail to kiss his hand, If they might overtake him and catch him as he fled, They would seize his goods and bring him unto the gallows-head.

Lo! was it well looked after. Counsel he took again With Minaya Alvar Fanez "An it be that thou art fain, Gladly would I know, Minaya, what may the number be Of my henchmen, as at present, that have gained aught by me.

I shall set it down in writing. Let them well the number scan, Lest one depart in secret and I should miss the man.

To me and my companions his goods shall be restored, All they who guard Valencia and keep the outer ward.

"The measure is well counselled," said Minaya therewithal.

LXXVII.

He bade them meet together at the palace, in the hall.

When he found them met together he had them numbered o'er.

Bivar's great Cid had with him thousands three, and thirty score.

His heart was glad within him, and a smile was on his face.

"Thanks be to G.o.d, Minaya, and to Mary Mother's grace.

Out from Bivar the city we led a lesser power.

Wealth have we, and shall have greater as at some later hour.

"Minaya, if it please thee, if it seemeth good to thee, To Castile I fain would send thee, where our possessions be, Unto the King Alphonso that is my lord by right.

Out of the mighty plunder we won here in the fight I would give him five score horses, the which to him now take; kiss thou his hand and earnestly plead with him for the sake Of my wife Ximena and the twain, maids of my blood that be, If yet it be his pleasure that they be brought to me.

I will send for them. But be it known how this my message runs: The lady of my lord the Cid and her maids, my little ones, Men shall seek for in such fas.h.i.+on that They shall come to the strange country we have conquered by our might."

To him Minaya answered: "Yea and with right good heart."

After they thus had spoken they got ready to depart.

The Cid to Alvar Fanez an hundred men decreed To do his will, and serve him on the journey at his need.

And he bade give to San Pedro marks of silver fifty score, And beside to Abbot Sancho a full five hundred morn

LXXVIII.

Of these things while they were joyous, came thither from the East, A clerk, the Bishop don Jerome, so all men called that priest.

Excelling was his knowledge, and prudent was his rede, 'Twas a mighty man of valor afoot or on the steed.

Of the Cid's deeds the tidings he was seeking to procure, And he yearned sore, ever sighing for battle with the Moor.

If his fill of fight and wounding with his hands he e'er should get, Therefore a Christian never need have reason for regret.

When my lord the Cid had heard it, he was well pleased thereby:

"Hark, Minaya Alvar Fanez, by him who is on high, When the Lord G.o.d would aid us, let us give Him thanks again. .

Round Valencia a bishopric to stablish I am fain, And I will further give it unto this Christian leal.

Thou shalt bear with thee good tidings when thou goest to Castile."

LXXIX.

Of that saying Alvar Fanez was glad when the Cid spake.

Don Jerome his ordination there and then they undertake.

In Valencia great riches have they given to his hand.

G.o.d! how merry was all Christendom that now within the land Of Valencia a bishop of reverend grace had they!

Glad therefore was Minaya and took leave and went his way.

Lx.x.x.

And now is all Valencia in peaceable estate.

Minaya Alvar Fanez to Castile departed straight; His halts I will pa.s.s over, nor renew them to the mind.

But he sought out Alphonso where the King was to find.

The King to Sahagun had gone before some little s.p.a.ce, But was come back to Carrion; he might find him in that place.

Minaya Alvar Fanez was glad when this was known.

With his presents he departed forthwith to Carrion.

Lx.x.xI.

Now whn the ma.s.s was over, thence did Alfonso rise, And Minaya Alvar Fanez came there in n.o.ble guise..

In the presence of the people he kneeled upon his knee He fell at don Alphonso's foot, and bitter tears shed he.

He kissed his hands; unto the King most lovely words he spake:

LXXII.

"A boon my lord Alfonso for the Creator's sake!

My lord Cid of the battles has kissed thy hands ere now, Thy hands and thy feet likewise, for his n.o.ble lord art thou, If thou favorest him, G.o.d's favor come upon thee from above.

Thou didst send him into exile and bearest him no love, Though in strange lands he thriveth. Jerica he won in war And Onda, so they call it; so also Almenar, And likewise Murviedro (for a greater town 'tis known), And he has ta'en Cebolla and further Castejon And he has stormed Penacadell that is a place of power.

He is master of Valencia and these places at this hour.

With his own hand the great Campeador a bishop hath ordained.

He has forced five pitched battles and in each three victory gained.

The gift of the Creator was a very mighty prey, Do thou behold the tokens of the truth of that I say: Here be an hundred horses that in strength and speed excel; With bridle and with saddle each one is furnished well.

He kissed thy hands and begged thee thine acceptance to accord.

He declares himself thy va.s.sal, and owns thee for his lord."

The King has lifted his right hand and crossed himself thereon: "With what a wondrous booty the Campeador has won I am well pleased in spirit. Saint Isidore to speed!

I am glad the Campeador does now so many a fair deed.

I accept the gift of horses that the Cid to me has sent"

Though the King thereby was gladdened, was Ordonez not content;

"Meseems that in the Moorish land is no man any more, Since so his will upon them works the Cid Campeador."

To the Count the King gave answer: "So speak not of him now!

In faith he doth me service of a better sort than thou."

And then outspoke Minaya, like a n.o.bleman spoke he: "The Cid, if it shall please thee, desires a boon of thee, For his wife Dame Ximena and his daughters two beside, That they may leave the convent where he left them to abide, And may hasten to Valencia to the n.o.ble Campeador."

Then said the King in answer: "My heart is glad therefor.

That they be given escort I will issue the command, So that they may be protected as they travel through my land From insult and dishonor and whatever harm may be.

And when these ladies shall have reached my kingdom's boundary, Have a care how thou shalt serve them, thou and the Campeador.

Now hark to me, my va.s.sals, and my courtiers furthermore: I like not that to Roy Diaz any losses shall befall, And therefore to his va.s.sals, the Cid their lord that call, I restore that which I seized on, their possession and their fee.

Let them keep their lands, no matter where the Campeador may be From harm and hurt the safety of their persons I accord.

This I do that they may lightly render service to their lord."

Minaya Alvar Fanez kissed the King's hand straightway.

And the King smiled upon him and a fair word did he say: ''Who'er to serve the Campeador desireh now to ride, As for me, he has permission, and G.o.d's grace with him abide.

More than by further hatred by this measure shall we gain."

Counsel straightway together held the Heirs of Carrion twain.

"The fame of the Cid Campeador grows great on every side, An we might wed his daughters, would our needs be satisfied.

Scarce we dare frame this project e'en to ourselves alone; The Cid is of Bivar, and we are Counts of Carrion."