The Lay of the Cid Part 17

Said the King: "Today in no way were that seemly in my sight.

Thou art but now come hither, but we came in last night.

Today, therefore, Cid Campeador, thou shalt remain my guest, And on the morrow morning we shall he at thy behest."

My lord the Cid has kissed his hand, granting it should be so.

Then came the Heirs of Carrion, their courtesy to show: "We greet thee Cid. Thou wast brought forth in an hour of promise high.

And so far will we serve thee as in our power may lie."

"So grant it the Creator," to them the Cid replied.

The Cid my lord Roy Diaz, who was born in a good tide, Unto the King his master was guest for that day's s.p.a.ce, Who could not let him from his sight, he held him in such grace.

At the Cid's beard grown so swiftly, long while the King did stare.

At the Cid much they marvelled, as many as were there.

And now the day was over, and upon them fell the night.

The next day in the morning the sun rose clear and bright.

The Cid had bidden his henchmen meat for all men to array.

With my lord Cid the Campeador so well content were they That all were very merry, and moreover of one mind That for three years together so well they had not dined.

The next day in the morning, when at last the sun outshone, Then did Jerome the Bishop his matin song intone.

And when from ma.s.s they issued, all gathered in one place, And the King did not tarry but began his speech apace: "Hear me now, counts and n.o.bles, and all my henchmen leal-- Unto my lord Cid Campeador I needst must make appeal.

G.o.d grant unto his profit that the thing may prove to be.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, I ask their hands of thee, That thou wilt in marriage give them to the Heirs of Carrion twain.

To me the match seems n.o.ble, and thereon there hangs much gain.

They ask them of thee. To that end I add my own command.

On my side and thine as many as round about us stand, My henchmen and thy henchmen, let them therefor intercede.

Give them to us my lord the Cid. So G.o.d thee help and speed."

Said the Cid: "My girls to marry are hardly yet in state, For their days are not many, nor are their ages great.

As for the Heirs of Carrion, much fame of them men say; They suit well with my daughters, and for better e'en than they.

'Twas I begot my daughters, but thou didst rear the twain.

They and I for that bounty yet in thy debt remain.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, unto thee do I present, To whom thou wilt then give them and I will be content."

Said the King: "My thanks unto thee and to all the court I own."

Upon their feet got swiftly the Heirs of Carrion; Of him who in good hour was born, lightly they kissed the hands.

Before the King Alfonso they made exchange of brands.

Out spake the King Alfonso like a man of gentle race: "My thanks, so n.o.ble art thou, but first to G.o.d for grace That for the Heirs of Carrion thou givest thy daughters twain.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, in hand I have them ta'en.

To Carrion's Heirs as consorts those ladies I award.

I give away thy daughters as brides with thine accord, May it please G.o.d that thou therewith in full content mayest rest.

Behold, the heirs of Carrion that wait on thy behest.

Let them go with thee, prithee, for I from hence must wend.

Three hundred marks of silver I give them to this end, To spend upon the marriage or what else pleaseth thee, Since within high Valencia in thy wards.h.i.+p they will be.

The sons and the daughters shall thy children be all four; Whate'er shall be thy pleasure, do with them, Campeador."

The Cid received them from him, and the King's hand did kiss.

"My sovereign and my master, I think thee well for this.

Thou shalt give away my daughters, for I will not do the deed."

After the parle was over they gave pledges and agreed That the next day in the morning when forth the sun should flame, All persons at the parley should return to whence they came.

Thereby both fame and honor had the lord Cid Campeador, And many mules and mighty, and fair palfreys furthermore, And fine and precious raiment. And to give gifts he began, Whatso he would to who would take, and denied it to no man.

As gifts full sixty horses did the lord Cid present.

Whoe'er was at the parley therewith was full content.

Now were they fain of parting, for night was like to fall.

The King the Heirs of Carrion took by the hand withal, In the power of the Cid Campeador he put them both straightway.

"Behold them here thy children; since thy sons-in-law are they; From this day forth do with them as thy heart shall give accord.

May they serve thee as their father, and keep thee for their lord."

"I thank thee and accept, O King, the gift which thou hast given.

Mayst thou be well rewarded by G.o.d who is in heaven.

CV.

"Of thee, my liege and sovran, a boon do I request Since thou givest to wed my daughters in what way likes thee best, Choose one my girls to give away, who in thy place shall stand, Since thou hast them, I will never give them o'er with mine own hand.

To the Heirs. Such satisfaction to them shall be denied."

"Behold here Alvar Fanez," the King to him replied, "Take them by the hand and give them to the heirs, even as I Here afar off have ta ten them, as though I were hard by; And throughout all the vigil their sponsor shalt thou be.

When again to me thou comest tell all the truth to me."

Said Alvar Fanez: "Faith! My lord, I am content indeed."

CVI.

To all this with due caution, know well they have agreed.

"Ha! King, my lord Alfonso much honored, for a sign Of the parley that we held here, thou shalt take a gift of mine.

I bring thee thirty palfreys that are trapped rich and well, And thirty fleet war-horses, each with a n.o.ble selle.

Take them and I will kiss thy hand."

The King Alfonso spake: "Deep in thy debt thou hast me. Thy present I will take Which thou givest. The Creator and all his saints accord For the kindness thou hast done me that thou have a fair reward.

Oh my lord Cid Roy Diaz, thou hast done me honor high.

Full well thou cost my service, and well content am I.

Mayst thou reap of me some harvest ere my life be at an end.

Into G.o.d's hands I give thee. From the parley will I wend.

Hail G.o.d in Heaven! grant us our treaty well to keep."

CVII.

The Cid mounted Bavieca his charger at a leap.

"Here before my King Alfonso I say it openly, Who would fain go to the marriage or would have a gift of me, Let him come with me. His profit shall be great, as I conceive."

Now of his lord Alfonso the lord Cid took his leave..

His company he wished not, he departed from him straight.

There might you see a many of knights of fair estate Taking leave of King Alfonso, that the while his hands did kiss: "Let it be now thy pleasure, and prithee grant us this-- 'Neath the Cid to great Valencia now will we march away To see the Heirs of Carrion upon their wedding day, And Dame Sol and Dame Elvira that the Cid's daughters be."

Therewith the King was satisfied and gave them liberty.

And the King's bands diminished and the Cid's increased the more.

Great company of people marched with the Campeador.

They rode straight to Valencia ta'en when his star was high.

On Diego and Ferrando he bade them keep an eye.

Muno Gustioz and Per Vermudoz they had commandment plain-- In all my lord Cid's household were not a better twain The ways of them of Carrion to discover them and find.

Ansuor Gonzalvez joined the Heirs who was a noisy hind, Loose-tongued, and for untrustful in other things well known.

They showered many honors on the Heirs of Carrion.

Behold them in Valencia that the Cid my lord had ta'en.

When they looked upon the city they were exceeding fain.