The Lay of the Cid Part 16

Unto the King they gave farewell, and got them gone again, And onward to Valencia they hastened with their force.

When the good Campeador had heard, swiftly he got to horse, And came to meet them smiling, and strong, embraced the two.

"Minaya and Per Vermudoz, ye are come back anew!

There are not many countries where two such gallants dwell.

From my lord King Alfonso what tidings are to tell?

Is he content? Did he vouchsafe to take the gift from me?"

Said Minaya, "In his soul and heart right well content is he, And his good will he sendeth unto thee furthermore."

Said the Cid: "To the Creator now mighty thanks therefor."

The Leonese Alfonso his pleasure they made known That the Cid should give his daughters to the Heirs of Carrion.

He deemed it would make him glorious and cause his fame to grow.

And in all truth and honor would advise him even so.

When my lord the Cid had heard it, the n.o.ble Campeador, Then a long time much pondering he turned the tidings o'er, "For this to Christ my master do I give thanks again.

I was sent forth to exile and my honor suffered stain.

That which is mine I conquered by mine endeavor high.

Unto G.o.d for the King's favor a thankful man am I, And that for them of Carrion they ask my daughters two.

Minaya and Per Vermudoz, thereof what thinketh you?"

"Whate'er shall be your pleasure, that is it we shall say."

Said the Cid: "The Heirs of Carrion, of a great line are they, And they are proud exceeding, and their favor fair at court.

Yet ill doth such a marriage with my desire coport.

But since it is his pleasure that is of more worth than we, Let us talk thereof a little, but secret let us be.

May the Lord G.o.d in Heaven accord us as is best."

"Besides all this Alfonso this word to thee addressed: He would come to parley with thee in what place thou art fain.

He desireth wel1 to see thee and honor thee again.

Then what to do is fittest ye might be well agreed."

Said the Cid: "Now by this saying I am well pleased indeed."

"Where thou wilt hold this parley" said Minaya, "ponder well.

"In that the king desired it, no wondrous thing befell,"

That wherever we might find him we might seek him in his way, As to our King and Master, our high devoir to pay.

Haply we may desire what good to him shall seem.

Nigh to the river Tagus that is a n.o.ble stream, If so my lord desire it, we will hold the parley there."

He wrote the letters straightway and sealed them well and fair.

And then unto two hors.e.m.e.n he gave the letters o 'er.

Whatso the King desireth, that will the Campeador.

CIII.

Unto the King much honored, the letters they present.

When he had looked upon them, then was his heart content.

"To the Cid who in good time girt brand my greeting do I send, And let us hold the parley when three weeks are at an end.

If I yet live, then doubtless I shall wait him in that place."

They tarried not, but hastened home to the Cid apace.

On both sides for the parley they got ready point device.

In Castile was ne'er such foison of mules without a price, Nor so many fair-paced palfreys, nor strong steeds swift to guide, Nor so many n.o.ble pennons on the stout lances tied, And shields whereof the bosses did with gold and silver shine, Robes, furs and Alexandrian cloth of satin woven fine.

And the King gave his order, to send much victual there, To the waters of the Tagus where the parley they prepare.

The King leads many a good troop, and Carrion's Heirs are gay.

And here they run in debt apace, and there again they pay, For they thought to have great profit and increase manifold, And whatso they should desire, goods of silver and of gold.

And now hath King Alfonso got swiftly to his horse, With counts and little n.o.bles and va.s.sals in great force.

As for the Heirs of Carrion great companies they bring.

From Leon and from Galicia came much people with the King; Know well, the levies of Castile, they are a countless train.

And straight unto the parley they rode with slackened rein.

CIV.

In the city of Valencia, my lord Cid Campeador Did not tarry, but the parley, he prepared himself therefor.

There were stout mules a-many and palfreys swift to course, Great store of goodly armour, and many a fleet war-horse, Many fair cloaks and mantles, and many skins withal; In raiment of all colors are clad both great and small.

Minaya Alvar Fanez and Per Vermudoz that wight, Martin Munoz in Montemayor that held the rule of right, And Martin Antolinez that in Burgos had his home, And that most worthy cleric, the Bishop don Jerome, And with Alvar Salvadorez Alvar Alvarez beside, And likewise Muno Gustioz a gallant knight and tried, Also Galind Garciaz, that in Aragon abode, These to ride with the good Campeador got ready for the road.

And the people in the palace prepared them all and one.

Unto Alvar Salvadorez and the man of Aragon, Galind Garciaz, his command has given the Campeador That heart and soul Valencia they shall guard it and watch o'er.

And, moreover, all the others on their behests shall wait.

And my lord Cid has ordered that they bar the castle gate And nowise throw it open either by night or day.

His wife and his two daughters within the hold are they, Whom he loves best, and the ladies that do their pleasure still.

And he has so disposed it, even as a good lord will, That not a soul among them shall venture from the tower, Till to them he returneth, who was born in happy hour.

They issued from Valencia, forward they spurred along.

On their right were many horses, that were both swift and strong.

The Cid had ta 'en them. No man would have given him a steed.

And he rideth to the parley, the which he had decreed With the King. In pa.s.sage of a day, he came the King before.

When anear they saw him coming, the gallant Campeador, With great worship to receive him, forth unto him they ride.

When he had looked upon them, who was born in a glad tide, He halted his companions save his knights of dearest worth.

With fifteen of his henchmen he leaped down unto the earth, As he who in good hour was born had willed that it should be.

Forthwith to earth he bends him on the hand and on the knee.

And the gra.s.s of the meadow with his very teeth he rent, And wept exceeding sorely so great was his content.

How well unto Alfonso to do homage doth he know And there before his sovereign's foot he cast him even so.

As for the King Alfonso, at heart it irked him sore: "Rise up! Rise up upon thy feet, O thou Cid Campeador, And kiss my hand, nor prithee in this guise my feet embrace, And if thou wilt not do it, thou shalt not have my grace."

But natheless the good Campeador yet knelt on bended knee: "As of my rightful master, I ask a boon of thee, And namely that thy favor on me thou wilt bestow, So that all men about us the thing may hear and know."

Said the King: "Now that right gladly and of good heart will I do; And here I give thee pardon, and my favor I renew.

And thee unto my kingdom right welcome I will make."

My lord the Cid addressed him, after this wise he spake: "Gramercy, lord Alfonso, I will take what thou hast given.

I will utter forth for this my thanks unto our G.o.d in Heaven, And then to thee, and to the bands that round about me stand."

And on his knees yet kneeling, he kissed A]fonso's hand; To his feet he rose, and on the lips greeted him with a kiss.

The others in the presence they were well pleased at this.

It irked Garci Ordonez and Alvar Diaz sore.

My lord Cid spake and uttered this saying furthermore.

"To our Father and Creator I offer thanks again, That my lord the King his pardon he vouchsafed me to attain.

In the day and the night season the Lord will cherish me.

Thou shalt he my guest, my master, if so thy pleasure be."