The Lay of the Cid Part 20

If thou cost me not this honor, from thy side I will retire."

The lord Cid gave him answer: "I am pleased with thy desire.

Of the Moors go make a trial, lo, where they are in sight.

From hence we shall behold it, how the Abbot fights the fight."

CXVII.

And don Jerome the Bishop went spurring thence away.

'Gainst the cnd of the encampment lie guided forth the fray.

By his good hap and G.o.d's mercy who ever loved him well, At the first stroke he delivered two Moors before him fell.

When in twain his lance was broken, he set hand upon the blade.

Well was he tried. And Name of G.o.d! what a fair fight he made!

Two with the lance, and with the sword five of the foe he slew.

The Moors are very many. Around him close they drew, They did not pierce his armour, though they laid on strokes of power.

His eyes beheld the Bishop, who was born in happy hour, He caught his shield, the battle-spear he laid it low along, He spurred Bavieca the well-paced steed and strong, He went to smite against them with all his soul and heart.

The foremost ranks of battle did the lord Cid dispart: Of the Moors he struck down seven, and five of them hath slain.

G.o.d was well pleased, the battle it was granted him to gain.

My lord Cid and his henchmen in hot pursuit they went.

There had you seen the stakes uptorn and may a tent-rope rent, And all the ten-poles falling that were wrought so rich and brave.

From the tents, my lord Cid's va.s.sals King Bucar's henchmen drave.

CXVIII.

Out of the tents they drave them; on them in pursuit they flew.

Many arms and many a hauberk, had you seen there cloven through, And many a head well helmed in the battle fallen low, And many a steed masterless that galloped to and fro.

For seven miles together they followed up the flight.

As he followed, on King Bucar the Cid my lord did light: "Turn hither, Bucar. thou hast come from the land over sea.

The Cid whose beard is mighty thou shalt meet with presently.

Let us greet, and in fast friendship let each to each be bound."

To the Cid answered Bucar: "Such a friendship G.o.d confound.

A sword in hand thou bearest, and I see thee spur amain, Seemeth well that thou upon me to try that blade art fain.

If my horse keep from stumbling and falleth not with me.

Thou shalt not overtake me till we ride into the sea."

My lord Cid answered: "With the truth that word no faith shall keep."

A good steed had Bucar that sprang off great leap on leap.

But the Cid's Bavieca upon him fast did gain.

Three fathoms from the water was Bucar overta 'en.

He has lifted up Colada. A great stroke did he smite.

The carbuncles upon his heml he has smitten through forthright.

He cut straight through the helmet, all else in twain he crave, And slashing to the girdle of the King came down the glaive.

Bucar the King from oversea the Cid hath overthrown.

Well worth a thousand golden marks was the great sword Tizon, That he took there. 'Twas a victory most marvelous and great.

Here my lord Cid got honor and all that on him wait.

CXIX.

And now with all that booty, homeward again they wheeled.

And be it known that steadfastly they plundered all the field.

With him who in good hour was born to the fonts they came once more; My lord the Cid Roy Diaz, the famous Campeador, With two swords he greatly cherished through the carnage swiftly pa.s.sed.

O'er his brow his cap was wrinkled, back was his mail-hood cast, And but a little ruffled was the cap upon his hair.

On every side his henchmen came thronging to him there.

My lord the Cid saw somewhat and was well pleased thereby, For he looked forth before him lifting up his eyes on high.

And Diego and Ferrando he beheld, that near him drew.

Of the Count don Gonzalvo the children were the two.

My lord the Cid smiled beautifully, for a glad man was he.

"Are ye come here, my sons-in-law? Ye are both sons to me.

I know that with the fighting ye are right well content.

To Carrion fair tidings that concern you shall be sent, How by us the King Bucar unto defeat was thrust.

As sure as unto the Lord G.o.d and all his saints I trust, With the rout of the foeman shall we all we be satisfied.

Minaya Alvar Fanez came now unto his side.

Hacked with the swords was all the shield that at his neck he wore.

The strokes of many lances had scarred it furthermore.

They that those strokes had stricken, had reaped therefrom no gain.

Down the blood streamed from his elbows. More than twenty had he slain.

"To G.o.d and to the Father on High now praises be, And Cid who in good hour wast born so likewise unto thee.

Thou slewest the King Bucar, and we ha' won the day.

To thee and to thy va.s.sals belongeth all the prey.

And as for thy two sons-in-law they have been proved aright, Who got their fill of Moorish war upon the field of fight."

Said my lord Cid in answer, I therefore am right glad.

Since they are proved, hereafter in esteem shall they be had."

In honesty he said it, but a jest the thing they thought.

The prey unto Valencia they gathered and they brough't.

My lord the Cid was merry and his va.s.sals with him there.

Six hundred marks of silver were allotted to his share.

The sons-in-law of my lord Cid, when they had ta'en away Their war-prize, when the booty safe in their hand had they, Took care that no decrease thereof should in their time be made.

In the city of Valencia they were splendidly arrayed, Feeding well, and wearing n.o.ble cloaks and gallant capes of fur.

The Cid and all his henchmen exceeding glad they were.

CXX.

'Twas a great day in the palace of the Cid Campeador, When he had slain King Bucar and they won the field of war.

He raised his hand, he plucked his beard: "To Christ now glory be, Who is the Lord of all the Earth, for my desire I see, That with me in the battle my two sons should front the foe.

Of them most n.o.ble tidings to Carrion shall go: How they are greatly honored, and what renown they gain."

CXXI.

It was a mighty booty that the Cid his host had ta 'en.

Part is their own. In safety they kept the rest aside.

My lord the Cid gave orders who was born in a good tide, That to all men of that conquest his true share they should allot, And that the fifth of my lord Cid should nowise be forgot.

And all mcn did according, being prudent one and all.

For his fifth, six hundred horses to my lord Cid did fall, And there were many camels and, moreover, mules as well.

Of them there were so many, that their number none might tell.

CXXII.

All of this prey was captured by the great Campeador: "Now unto G.o.d be glory who is Lord the whole world o'er.

Before I was in poverty who have grown rich and great, For now I have possessions, gold, honor, and estate; And the two Heirs of Carrion my sons-in-law are they.

And since it is G.o.d's pleasure I win in every fray; And the Moors and the Christians they have great dread of me.

And over in Morocco, where many mosques there be, Where all men are in terror lest upon them I descend On some fine night. That venture in no way I intend-- I shall not go to seek them. In Valencia I shall stay.

By G.o.d's aid, to me their tribute they shall render up and pay.