The Lay of the Cid Part 7

Said Minaya: "Now am I content; well will the rumor run To Castile, for a pitched battle my lord the Cid hath won."

Few Moors are left, so many have already fallen dead, For they who followed after slew them swiftly as they fled.

He who was born in happy hour came with his host once more.

On his n.o.ble battle-charger rode the great Campeador.

His coif was wrinkled. Name of G.o.d! but his great beard was fair.

His mail-hood on his shoulders lay. His sword in hand he bare.

And he looked upon his henchmen and saw them drawing nigh:

"Since we ha' won such a battle, glory to G.o.d on high!"

The Cid his henchmen plundered the encampment far and wide Of the shields and of the weapons and other wealth beside.

Of the Moors they captured there were found five hundred steeds and ten.

And there was great rejoicing among those Christian men, And the lost of their number were but fifteen all told.

They brought a countless treasure of silver and of gold.

Enriched were all those Christians with the spoil that they had ta'en And back unto their castle they restored the Moors again; To give them something further he gave command and bade.

With all his train of henchmen the Cid was pa.s.sing glad.

He gave some monies, some much goods to be divided fair, And full an hundred horses fell to the Cid's fifth share.

G.o.d's name! his every va.s.sal n.o.bly did he requite, Not only the footsoldiers but likewise every knight.

He who in happy hour was born wrought well his government, And all whom he brought with him therewith were well content.

"Harken to me, Minaya, my own right arm art thou.

Of the wealth, wherewith our army the Creator did endow, Take in thine hand whatever thou deemest good to choose.

To Castile I fain would send thee to carry there the news Of our triumph. To Alphonso the King who banished me A gift of thirty horses I desire to send with thee.

Saddled is every charger, each steed is bridled well.

There hangeth a good war-sword at the pommel of each selle."

Said Minaya Alvar Fanez: "I will do it with good cheer.

XLI.

"Of the gold and the fine silver, behold a bootful here.

Nothing thereto is lacking. Thou shalt pay the money down At Saint Mary's Church for ma.s.ses fifty score in Burgos town; To my wife and to my daughters the remainder do thou bear.

Let them offer day and night for me continually their prayer.

If I live, exceeding wealthy all of those dames shall be.

XLII.

Minaya Alvar Fanez, therewith content was he.

They made a choice of henchmen along with him to ride.

They fed the steeds. Already came on the eventide.

Roy Diaz would decide it with his companions leal.

XLIII.

"Dost thou then go, Minaya, to the great land of Castile And unto our well-wishers with a clear heart canst thou say: 'G.o.d granted us his favor, and we conquered in the fray?'

If returning thou shalt find us here in this place, 'tis well; If not, where thou shalt hear of us, go seek us where we dwell.

For we must gain our daily bread with the lance and with the brand, Since otherwise we perish here in a barren land.

And therefore as methinketh, we must get hence away."

XLIV.

So was it, and Minaya went at the break of day.

But there behind the Campeador abode with all his band.

And waste was all the country, an exceeding barren land.

Each day upon my lord the Cid there in that place they spied, The Moors that dwelt on the frontier and outlanders beside.

Healed was King Fariz. With him they held a council there, The folk that dwelt in Teca and the townsmen of Terrer, And the people of Calatayud, of the three the fairest town.

In such wise have they valued it and on parchment set it down That for silver marks three thousand Alcocer the Cid did sell.

XLV.

Roy Diaz sold them Alcocer. How excellently well He paid his va.s.sals! Horse and foot he made them wealthy then, And a poor man you could not find in all his host of men.

In joy he dwelleth aye who serves a lord of n.o.ble heart.

XLVI.

When my lord the Cid was ready from the Castle to depart, The Moors both men and women cried out in bitter woe: "Lord Cid art thou departing? Still may our prayers go Before thy path, for with thee we are full well content."

For my lord the great Cid of Bivar, when from Alcocer he went, The Moors both men and women made lamentation sore.

He lifted up the standard, forth marched the Campeador.

Down the Jalon he hastened, on he went spurring fast.

He saw birds of happy omen, as from the stream he pa.s.sed.

Glad were the townsmen of Terrer that he had marched away, And the dwellers in Calatayud were better pleased than they.

But in the town of Alcocer 'twas grief to all and one, For many a deed of mercy unto them the Cid had done.

My lord the Cid spurred onward. Forward apace he went; 'Twas near to the hill Monreal that he let pitch his tent.

Great is the hill and wondrous and very high likewise.

Be it known from no quarter doth he need to dread surprise.

And first he forced Doroca tribute to him to pay, And then levied on Molina on the other side that lay, Teruel o'er against him to submit he next compelled And lastly Celfa de Ca.n.a.l within his power he held.

XLVII.

May my lord the Cid, Roy Diaz, at all times G.o.d's favor feel.

Minaya Alvar Fanez has departed to Castile.

To the King thirty horses for a present did he bring.

And when he had beheld them beautifully smiled the King: "Who gave thee these, Minaya, so prosper thee the Lord?"

"Even the Cid Roy Diaz, who in good hour girded sword.

Since you banished him, by cunning has he taken Alcocer.

To the King of Valencia the tidings did they bear.

He bade that they besiege him; from every water-well They cut him off. He sallied forth from the citadel, In the open field he fought them, and he beat in that affray Two Moorish kings he captured, sire, a very mighty prey.

Great King, this gift he sends thee. Thine hands and feet also He kisses. Show him mercy; such G.o.d to thee shall show."

Said the King: "'Tis over early for one banished, without grace In his lord's sight, to receive it at the end of three week's s.p.a.ce.

But since 'tis Moorish plunder to take it I consent.

That the Cid has taken such a spoil, I am full well content.

Beyond all this. Minaya. thine exemption I accord, For all thy lands and honors are unto thee restored.

Go and come! Henceforth my favor I grant to thee once more.

But to thee I say nothing of the Cid Campeador.

XLVIII.

"Beyond this, Alvar Fanez, I am fain to tell it thee That whosoever in my realm in that desire may be, Let them, the brave and gallant, to the Cid betake them straight.

I free them and exempt them both body and estate."

Minaya Alvar Fanez has kissed the King's hands twain:

"Great thanks, as to my rightful lord I give thee, King, again.

This dost thou now, and better yet as at some later hour.

We shall labor to deserve it, if G.o.d will give us power."

Said the King: "Minaya, peace for that. Take through Castile thy way.

None shall molest. My lord the Cid seek forth without delay."

XLIX.

Of him I fain would tell you in good hour that girt the blade.