The Lay of the Cid Part 27

And verily thou knowest that I can do no more.

As for what I must accomplish, there shall be no lack therefore.

"What thing thou saidest soever, Ferrando, was a lie.

Through the Campeador thy glory was risen yet more high.

I can relate unto thee thine every trick and sleight.

Minds't thou, near high Valencia, what time we fought the fight?

Thou didst of the true Campeador for the first onslaught pray.

And there a Moor thou sawest, whom thou wentest forth to slay.

Or e'er thou camest to him, before him didst thou flee.

If aid I had not borne thee, he had roughly handled thee.

But I rushed on beyond thee, and with the Moor did close, And I made that Moor flee backward at the foremost of my blows.

To thee I gave his charger, and kept the thing concealed.

Until this day that cowardice I never have revealed.

Before the Cid and all men thine own praises didst thou sing, How thou slewest the Morisco, and didst a gallant thing.

And they believed it of thee, knowing not the truth at all.

Of thy person art thou handsome, but thy courage it is small, Tongue without hands, the manhood to speak where gottest thou?

CXLIV.

"Do thou say on, Ferrando. That my words are truth avow: That matter of the lion in Valencia dost thou keep In mind still, when he burst his bonds while the Cid lay asleep?

Ferrando, then what didst thou, when thy terror overbore?

Thou didst thrust thyself behind the bench of the Cid Campeador.

Thou didst hide, Ferrando, wherefore cheap today thy worth is found, But we to guard our master his pallet gathered round, Till he who won Valencia out of his sleep did wake.

He rose up from the pallet, at the lion did he make.

His head the lion bended, for the Cid the beast did wait.

By the neck he let himself be ta'en. In the cage he thrust him straight.

When came once more the Campeador, there he saw his va.s.sals stand.

He asked about his sons-in-law, but neither found at hand.

For a wicked man and traitor thy person I arraign.

In fight before Alfonso that same I will maintain, For Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, for the Cid's daughters' sake.

Thou didst cast away the ladies thine honor cheap to make.

Ye are men to all appearance, tender women are those two; Yet in every way whatever they are worthier than you.

If, when we join the combat, G.o.d shall like well in his heart, Thyself shalt thou confess it, like a traitor as thou art.

Whatever I have uttered shall then be known for true."

And thereupon was ending of speech between these two.

CXLV.

And Didago Gonzalvez what he uttered ye shall hear: "We twain are Counts by lineage of blood of the most clear.

Such marriages in no way we twain would undertake, With my lord Cid don Rodrigo alliance for to make.

We do not yet repent us that we put his daughters by: So long as life endureth, may they sigh many a sigh.

A sore reproach upon them what we did will still remain.

The same with utmost valor in the fight will I maintain: When we cast away the women we made our honor good."

CXLVI.

Then Martin Antolinez upon his feet he stood: Thou wretch, do thou keep silence. Mouth that truth knoweth not!

The matter of the lion hast thou so soon forgot Out through the door thou fleddest lurking in the court outside, Behind the wine-press timber in that hour didst thou hide.

That mantle and that tunic were worn no more by thee.

In fight I will maintain it. No other can it be.

Since the lord Cid his daughters forth in such plight ye threw, They are in every fashion far worthier shall you.

At the ending of the combat then thine own mouth shall avow That lies are all thine utterance, and a traitor knave art thou."

CXLVII.

Between those two the parley has come unto an end.

Now did Ansuor Gonzalvez into the palace wend.

Was an ermine cloak about him, and his tunic trailed behind.

His countenance was ruddy, for but lately had he dined.

In what he had to utter small discretion did he show: CXLVIII.

"How now ye n.o.ble gentlemen, was ever such a woe?

With Bivar's lord Cid such honor who would have thought to find?

On the Ovirna water his millstones let him grind, And take his wonted toll-corn. Would any man have thought That with the Heirs of Carrion alliances he sought?"

CXLIX.

And then did Muno Gustioz rise to his feet forthright: "Thou wretch, do thou keep silent! Thou wicked traitor wight!

Before to prayers thou goest, certain thou art to dine.

Whoe'er in peace thou kissest, sickens at that belch of thine.

Whether to friend or master thou speakest perjury, False unto all, and falsest to the G.o.d who fashioned thee!

And never in thy friendship will I have any part, And I will make thee say it that what I say thou art."

Said now the King Alfonso: "Let the suit quiet lie.

Who have challenged shall do battle, so help me the Most High."

Soon as the suit was finished to the court two hors.e.m.e.n came, And Inigo Ximenez and Ojarra men them name; For Navarra's Heir-apparent, proxy-suitor was the one, The other was the suitor for the Heir of Aragon.

And there the twain together have kissed Alfonso's hand, The Cid Campeador his daughters in marriage they demand, Of the realms Navarre and Aragon the lady-queens to be.

May he send them with his blessing and with all courtesy.

Thereat the whole court listened, and stillness fell them o'er.

Upon his feet rose straightway my lord Cid Campeador: "A boon, Oh King Alfonso, my sovran lord thou art.

For this to the Creator very thankful is my heart, Since both Navarre and Aragon have made request so high.

Thou didst give to wed my daughters before. It was not I.

Here then behold my daughters, the twain are in thine hand.

With them I will do nothing, except at thy command."

The King rose up. For silence in the court the word he gave: "I beg it of thee, Campeador, the true Cid and the brave, That hereto thou yield agreement. I will grant the thing this day: And it shall be consented in open court straightway, For so will grow thy glory and shine honor and thy lands."

Now is the Cid arisen. He kissed Alfonso's hands: "To whatever thing shall please thee, I give consent, my lord."

Then said the King: "G.o.d grant thee an excellent reward!

To Inigo Ximenez and Ojarra, to you two, I yield my full permission for this marriage unto you, That Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, who the Cid's daughters are, Wed, one the Heir of Aragon, and the other of Navarre.

May he yield his girls with blessings in an honorable way."

Then Inigo Ximenez and Ojarra, up rose they, And the hands of Don Alfonso in that hour kissed again.

The hands of the Cid Campeador thereafter kissed the twain, And there their faith they plighted, and solemn oaths they swore, That they would fulfill entirely what they promised or yet more.

Because of this were many in the court exceeding glad; But the two Heirs of Carrion, therein no joy they had.

Minaya Alvar Fanez upon his feet rose he: "As from my King and Master I beg a boon of thee, And let it not be grievous to the Cid Campeador.

I have through these a.s.sizes kept my peace heretofore, But now to utter somewhat for mine own part fain am I."

Said the King: "Now all my spirit, it is well pleased thereby.

Say on! Say on, Minaya, what to thy heart is dear."

"You in the court, I beg you to my word to lend an ear.

'Gainst Carrion's Heirs needs must I now a charge most mighty bring: I gave to them my cousins by Alfonso's hand, the King.

With blessings and with honor they took them in their care.

The Cid Campeador he gave them most rich possessions there.

They cast away those ladies, for all that we were loth.

For wicked men and traitors I make challenge of you both.

From the great sons of Gomez does your lineage come down, Whence many counts have issued of valor and renown, But this day all to certainly their cunning do we learn.

For this to the Creator, now thanks do I return, That of Navarre and Aragon the Heirs in marriage sue For Dame Sol and Elvira that are my cousins two.