The Lay of the Cid Part 18

Muno Gustioz and don Pero, to them the lord Cid spake: "Straightway the Heirs of Carrion unto a lodging take, But do you tarry with them, so doth my order run.

When entereth in the morning, when breaketh forth the sun, Of Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, their brides, they shall have sight."

CVIII.

Then every man departed to his lodging-place that night.

The Cid Campeador has entered his castle once again.

Abode him Dame Ximena, she and her daughters twain.

"Campeador who in good season girt sword, thou hast come thy ways; May the eyes of our faces behold thee many days."

"I am come, wife much honored, by the Creator's grace, And sons-in-law I bring thee, whence our fame shall wax apace.

I have married you well, my daughters, so thank me for it well.

CIX.

Forthwith a-kissing of his hands his wife and daughters fell, And likewise all the ladies their pleasure still that did.

"Thanks be to the Creator and to thee, fair-bearded Cid, What thing thou cost soever, it is well done indeed.

In all thy days thy daughters shall never be in need."

"When thou givest us in marriage, great wealth to us shall fall."

CX.

"Wife o'mine, Dame Ximena. praise G.o.d who made us all.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, my girls to you I say, From your marriage in all honor shall we increase alway.

But that I did not begin it, the truth now understand; My lord Alfonso sought you and stately made demand With such firm will, I wist not how to deny the thing.

And I put you both, my daughters, in the keeping of the King.

Know that he giveth you to wed, and that I am not the man."

CXI.

To make beautiful the palace, then one and all began.

There was displayed much arras on wall and pavement both, Much purple and much samite and store of precious cloth.

'Twould have pleased you in that palace to have sat you down to eat.

And speedily together did his knights a.s.sembled meet.

And for the Heirs of Carrion as at that time they sent, To horse they got and onward to the palace forth they went.

And fine is all their raiment, and stuff of proof likewise.

They came afoot and properly, G.o.d! in what lowly guise!

The Cid and all his va.s.sals received them when they came.

They bowed the head before him; they bowed before his dame; Straightway to take their places on a n.o.ble seat they strode.

Of my lord Cid all the henchmen exceeding wisdom showed, His speech who in good hour was born in quiet they expect.

And now the n.o.ble Campeador hath risen up erect: "Since such a deed is toward, why do we tarry here?

Come hither Alvar Fanez whom I cherish and hold dear.

My daughters twain, behold them, to thy hand I give them o'er.

Be it known so to perform it unto the King I swore, To fail in our agreement is in no way mine intent.

To the Heirs of Carrion their brides, now with thine hand present; Let them have benediction and speed the wedding through."

To him replied Minaya: "This will I gladly do."

The ladies rose. He gave them into Minaya's care.

To Carrion's Heirs, Minaya now doth his charge declare: "Lo! Minaya here before you, ye brothers born that be!

By the hand of King Alfonso, who has laid this charge on me, I give to you these ladies that are both of n.o.ble blood, That to wife ye take them n.o.bly and in fair guise and good."

And with a will and gladly to take their brides they came, And they kissed the hands straightway of my lord Cid and his dame.

They came forth from the palace when all these things were done.

And then unto Saint Mary's in haste they got them gone.

Bishop Jerome his vestments swiftly to him has ta 'en, And he abode the coming at the portal of the fane.

He has given them his blessing, and chanted ma.s.s in course.

When from the church they issued with speed they got to horse.

They hastened from Valencia forth on the sandy sh.o.r.e.

G.o.d! the Cid and his companions, how well their arms they bore!

He who in happy hour was born, three times hath changed his steed.

With what he saw my lord the Cid was well content indeed, For the two heirs of Carrion have well their steeds bestrode.

With the ladies to Valencia then home again they rode.

In that fair hold resplendent was the wedding that they had.

To rear up seven quintains the Cid next morning bade; Before they went to dinner, were the seven burst in twain.

Full fifteen days together at the wedding they remain.

The fifteen days well nigh are done; homeward the n.o.bles ride.

My lord Cid don Rodrigo who was born in a good tide Of the mules and the palfreys and the battle-chargers swift, Of beasts alone an hundred has granted forth in gift, And cloaks, fur capes, and raiment of other sort great store, and bestowed wealth in money in abundance furthermore.

The va.s.sals of my lord the Cid, for they had counselled so, For their part bridal tokens upon the guests bestow.

He came by great possession whoso thereof was fain, Who was at the bridal, wealthy came to Castile again.

Now are all these guests together about to ride away; To Roy Diaz in good hour born their last devoirs they pay, And likewise to the ladies, and his men of high descent.

My lord Cid and his va.s.sals they left in high content.

They said much honor of them as was indeed their due.

Diego and Ferrando were pa.s.sing merry too; Of the Count don Gonzalvo they were the children twain.

And now the guests came homeward unto Castile again.

The Cid and his two sons-in-law in Valencia they stay.

There dwell the Heirs until two years have well nigh pa.s.sed away.

It was a mighty welcome in that city that they had.

The Cid and all his va.s.sals were all exceeding glad.

Saint Mary and our Father, may it please them to consent That the Cid and he who wrought it with the bridal be content.

Of this Cantar the couplets come now unto their end.

The Saints and the Creator preserve you and defend.

CANTAR III

THE AFFRONT OF CORPES

CXII.

The Cid lay in Valencia with all his men beside; With him the Heirs of Carrion his sons-in-law abide.

Upon his couch to slumber lay the good Campeador.

There fell a hard occasion, a thing they looked not for.

From his cage came forth the lion, from his bonds he broke away.

All men throughout the palace in mighty dread were they.

'Neath the arm the Campeador his men their mantles up have ta'en, About his couch they gathered, and beside their lord remain.

As for Ferrand Gonzalvez the Heir of Carrion, He saw no place to hide in; chamber or tower was none.

Beneath the seat he crouched him so mighty was his dread.