The Lay of the Cid Part 13

If G.o.d shall bring me to the Cid and him alive I see, The things that thou has done for us shall greatly profit thee.

Let us to our lodging, supper they have made ready there."

Avengalvon gave answer: "'Tis a courtesy most fair; Double will I repay it ere the third morning fall."

To the town they came. Minaya provided for them all.

The escort that came with them, they were gladdened when they saw.

Minaya the King's herald commanded to withdraw.

The lord Cid in Valencia was greatly honored then, When they gave such entertainment in Medina to his men.

The King paid for all. Minaya therefor had naught to pay.

At length the night was over, and came the break of day.

And ma.s.s they heard, and after away they rode at last.

They hastened from Medina, o'er the Jalon they pased.

And down the Arbujuelo, spurring apace they ride.

In haste the meadows of Toranz they cross from side to side, They came unto Molina where Avengalvon was lord.

Bishop Jerome, a Christian worthy of his deed and word, Escorted the three ladies whether by day or night, And he led a good charger with his armor on his right.

And he and Alvar Fanez rode aye together thus.

They have entered in Molina the rich and glorious, And loyally Avengalvon the Moor has served them there.

Unto the height of their desire, nothing they lacked whatever: He even bade men strike for them the horseshoe from the steed.

Minaya and the ladies, G.o.d! he honored them indeed They got them upon horseback when the next morning fell.

Unto Valencia loyally he served them all and well.

The Moor spent of his own estate, for naught from them took he.

With such honorable matters and mirth and revelry They came nigh unto Valencia, that three leagues off doth stand.

To my lord Cid who in good hour had girded on the brand, In the city of Valencia the news thereof they bore.

Lx.x.xV.

Nothing had ever gladdened him so much as this or more, For now there came good news of them for whom great love he had.

Straightway two hundred hors.e.m.e.n to go forth to them he bade, To the good dames and Minaya fair reception to afford.

But he tarried in Valencia to watch it and to ward, For he knew that Alvar Fanez with all due care would come.

Lx.x.xVI.

And lo! now the two hundred welcomed Minaya home.

And the ladies and the daughters and all within the band.

The Cid to them within his train had issued his command To ward full well the citadel, and the towers that were so high, And the gates that none might enter and none depart thereby.

And he bade bring Bavieca that a little time before From the King of Seville he had taken, when he routed him in war.

The Cid that in good season girt the brand on, of that steed Knew not if he were swift to run or to stop short at need.

At the gateway of Valencia where none might work him woe, Unto his wife and daughters he desired his gear to show.

When the ladies with great honor the host had welcomed home, Then first into the city came the Bishop don Jerome.

He left his horse; to chapel straightway the Bishop wet.

With all men that he could gather who were of like intent And surplice-clad, with crosses of silver, once again They greeted good Minaya and the ladies of the train.

He who was born in happy time tarried but little there.

He has put on his surcoat. His beard was long and fair.

On Bavieca saddle and caparisons they threw.

The Cid took wooden weapons; forth on the steed he flew.

Leaped the steed Bavieca. With a great rush did he run.

'Twas rare to see. And when he ceased they marvelled all and one.

From that day Bavieca in all Spain had renown.

When that career was ended, from the steed the Cid got down, And hastened forth his lady and daughters twain to greet.

When Dame Ximena saw him she cast her at his feet: "Brand thou girdest in good season. Thy favour, Campeador!

Thou hast brought me forth from insults that were exceeding sore.

Look on me, lord! Look also on my daughters as on me.

By Glod's help and thine they are n.o.ble, and gently reared they be.

And the Cid straightway embraced them, mother and daughters twain.

Such joy they had that from their eyes the tears began to rain.

His men rejoiced. The quintains, they pierced them with the spear.

He who girt sword in a good time, hark what he said and hear.

"Oh thou my Dame Ximena, beloved and honored wife, And ye two both my daughters that are my heart and life, To the city of Valencia now do yet enter in, The fair estate that for you it was my lot to win."

His hands they have kissed straightway, the daughters and their dame.

So with exceeding honor to Valencia they came.

Lx.x.xVII.

With them the lord Cid hastened to the citadel apace, He has ta 'en the ladies straightway up to the highest place.

And forth in all directions they turn their lovely eyes, And they behold Valencia and how the city lies, And in another quarter they might perceive the sea.

They look on fertile meadows close sown and great that be, And on all things whatever that were of fair estate G.o.d they praised with hands uplifted for that good prize and great.

My lord Cid and his followers thereof were glad and fain.

And now was winter over, for March would come again.

And of the countries oversea 'tis my desire to tell, Even of the King Yussuf in Morocco that did dwell.

LXXVIII.

The King's heart of Morocco 'gainst the Cid was full of rage.

"By force the man hath entered into my heritage, And giveth thanks to no one save Jesus Christ therefor."

And the King of Morocco gathered his hosts of war.

With fifty times a thousand under arms, good men and stark, They put to sea. In galleons that army did embark To seek the Cid Rodrigo in Valencia they went, The s.h.i.+ps came in; and straightway issued forth that armament.

Lx.x.xIX.

To Valencia that the Cid had ta'en, 'twas thither they did fare.

The unbelievers haltccl and pitched pavilions there.

With tidings of the chances to my lord the Cid they came.

XC.

"Now thanks to the Creator and the Holy Father's name.

All the goods in my possession, I have them here with me.

Hardly I took Valencia, but I hold it for my fee; This side death, I cannot yield it. Glory to G.o.d again And to Holy Mary Mother that my wife and daughters twain Are here with me. From oversea cometh now my delight.

Never will I forego it, I will take the arms of fight.

My lady and my daughters shall see me lift the brand, They shall see how men build houses here in a foreign land, And how a livelihood is won their eyes shall see it well."

He took his wife and daughters up to the citadel.

They raised their eyes and men they saw pitching tents everywhere.

"Cid, what is this? So may the Lord still keep thee in His care."

"Ha, wife, much honored! Therefor prithee be not troubled thus.

'Tis wealth most great and wondrous that they gather here for us.

Scarce art thou come, when presents they would give thee in that hour.

Thy daughters wait for marriage 'tis these that bring the dower."

"Unto thee, Cid, and unto G.o.d do I give thanks again"