I. Now when the King was dead, the townsmen who were in the camp
forsook their tents and fled, and much did they lose in their flight;
but the noble Castillians, thinking rather of what they were bound to
do as men who had always preserved their loyalty, like their ancestors
before them, would not depart from Zamora, nor break up the siege
thereof, but remained bravely before it, though they had lost their
Lord. And they summoned all the Bishops, and took the body of the King
and sent it full honourably to the Monastery of Oña, and buried him
there as beseemed a King: and while one part of the chief men of the
host accompanied the body, the rest remained in the camp before Zamora.
And when the prelates and good men had returned to the army, they took
counsel together how they should proceed against the men of Zamora for
this great treason which had been committed. Then Count Don García de
Cabra arose and said, Friends, ye see that we have lost our Lord the
King Don Sancho; the traitor, Vellido, being his vassal, slew him, and
they of Zamora have received and harboured him within their walls; and
therefore as we think, and as has been said unto us, he did this
treason by their counsel. Now then if there be one here who will
impeach them for this thing, we will do whatever may be needful that he
may come off with honour, and the impeachment be carried through. Then
Don Diego Ordoñez arose, the son of Count Don Ordono, a man of royal
lineage and great hardihood; and he said unto them, If ye will all
assent to this which ye have heard, I will impeach the men of Zamora,
for the death of the King our Lord: and they all assented, promising to
fulfil what had been said. Now my Cid did not make this impeachment
against the people of Zamora, because of the oath which he had sworn.
II. Then Don Diego Ordoñez went to his lodging and armed himself well,
and armed his horse also, and mounted and rode toward Zamora. And when
he drew nigh unto the town, he covered himself with his shield that
they might not hurt him from the walls, and began to cry aloud, asking
if Don Arias Gonzalo were there, for he would speak with him. A squire
who was keeping guard upon the wall went to Don Arias and told him that
there was a knight well armed calling for him, without the walls, and
he said that if it pleased Don Arias he would shoot at him with a
cross-bow, and strike him or kill his horse; but Don Arias forbade him,
saying that he should no ways harm him. And Don Arias Gonzalo went with
his sons upon the wall to see who called for him, and he spake to the
knight, saying, Friend, what wouldest thou? And Don Diego Ordoñez
answered, The Castillians have lost their Lord; the traitor Vellido
slew for him, being his vassal, and ye of Zamora have received Vellido
and harboured him within your walls. Now therefore I say that he is a
traitor who hath a traitor with him, if he knoweth and consenteth unto
the treason. And for this I impeach the people of Zamora, the great as
well as the little, the living and the dead, they who now are and they
who are yet unborn; and I impeach the waters which they drink and the
garments which they put on; their bread and their wine, and the very
stones in their walls. If there be any one in Zamora to gainsay what I
have said, I will do battle with him, and with God's pleasure conquer
him, so that the infamy shall remain upon you. Don Arias Gonzalo
replied, If I were what thou sayest I am, it had been better for me
never to have been born; but in what thou sayest thou liest. In that
which the great do the little have no fault, nor the dead for the deeds
of the living, which they neither see nor hear: but setting aside these
and the things which have no understanding, as to the rest I say that
thou liest, and I will do battle with thee upon this quarrel, or give
thee one in my stead. But know that you have been ill advised in making
this impeachment, for the manner is, that whosoever impeacheth a
Council must do battle with five, one after another, and if he conquer
the five he shall be held a true man, but if either of the five conquer
him, the Council is held acquitted and he a liar. When Don Diego heard
this it troubled him; howbeit he dissembled this right well, and said
unto Don Arias Gonzalo, I will bring twelve Castillians, and do you
bring twelve men of Zamora, and they shall swear upon the Holy Gospel
to judge justly between us, and if they find that I am bound to do
battle with five, I will perform it. And Don Arias made answer that he
said well, and it should be so. And truce was made for three times nine
days, till this should have been determined and the combat fought.
III. Then when the truce was made, Don Arias Gonzalo went out from the
town into the host of the Castillians, and his sons with him, and many
of the knights of the town; and all the Ricos-omes and knights who were
in the host assembled together with them, and consulted what was to be
done in this impeachment. And they chose out twelve alcades on the one
part, and twelve on the other, who should decide in what manner he was
bound to perform combat who impeached a Council. And the four and
twenty alcades accorded concerning what was the law in this case; and
two of them who were held the most learned in these things arose, the
one being a Castillian and the other of Zamora, and said that they had
found the law as it was written to be this: That whosoever impeacheth
the Council of a town which was a bishop's seat, must do battle with
five in the field, one after another; and that after every combat there
should be given unto him fresh arms and horse, and three sops of bread,
and a draught either of wine or of water, as he chose. And in this
sentence which the twain pronounced, the other twenty and two accorded.
IV. On the morrow before the hour of tierce, the four and twenty
alcades marked out the lists upon the sand beside the river, at the
place which is called Santiago, and in the middle of the lists they
placed a bar, and ordained that he who won the battle should lay hand
on the bar, and say that he had conquered: and then they appointed a
term of nine days for the combatants to come to those lists which had
been assigned. And when all was appointed as ye have heard, Don Arias
returned to Zamora, and told the Infanta Doña Urraca all that had been
done, and she ordered a meeting to be called, at which all the men of
the town assembled. And when they were gathered together, Don Arias
Gonzalo said unto them, Friends, I beseech ye, if there be any here
among ye who took counsel for the death of King Don Sancho, or were
privy thereunto, that ye now tell me, and deny it not; for rather would
I go with my sons to the land of the Moors, than be overcome in the
field, and held for a traitor. Then they all replied, that there was
none there who knew of the treason, nor had consented unto it. At this
was Don Arias Gonzalo well pleased, and he bade them go each to his
house; and he went to his house also with his sons, and chose out four
of them to do combat, and said that he would be the fifth himself; and
he gave them directions how to demean themselves in the lists, and
said, that he would enter first; and if, said he, what the Castillian
saith be true, I would die first, not to see the infamy; but if what he
saith be false, I shall conquer him, and ye shall ever be held in
honour.
V. When the day appointed was come, Don Arias Gonzalo early in the
morning armed his sons, and they armed him; and it was told him that
Don Diego Ordoñez was already in the lists. Then he and his sons
mounted their horses, and as they rode through the gates of their
house, Doña Urraca, with a company of dames met them, and said to Don
Arias, weeping, Remember now how my father, King Don Ferrando, left me
to your care, and you swore between his hands that you would never
forsake me; and lo! now you are forsaking me. I beseech you remain with
me, and go not to this battle, for there is reason enough why you
should be excused, and not break the oath which you made unto my
father. And she took hold on him, and would not let him go, and made
him be disarmed. Then came many knights around him, to demand arms of
him, and request that they might do battle in his stead; nevertheless
he would give them to none. And he called for his son Pedro Arias, who
was a right brave knight, though but of green years, and who had
greatly intreated his father before this, that he would suffer him to
fight in his stead. And Don Arias armed him compleatly with his own
hands, and instructed him how to demean himself, and gave him his
blessing with his right hand, and said unto him, that in such a point
he went to save the people of Zamora, as when our Lord Jesus Christ
came through the Virgin Mary, to save the people of this world, who
were lost by our father Adam. Then went they into the field, where Don
Diego Ordoñez was awaiting them, and Pedrarias entered the lists, and
the judges placed them each in his place, and divided the sun between
them, and went out, leaving them in the lists.
VI. Then they turned their horses one against the other, and ran at
each other full bravely, like good knights. Five times they
encountered, and at the sixth encounter their spears brake, and they
laid hand upon their swords, and dealt each other such heavy blows that
the helmets failed; and in this manner the combat between them
continued till noon. And when Don Diego Ordoñez saw that it lasted so
long, and he could not yet conquer him, he called to mind that he was
there fighting to revenge his Lord, who had been slain by a foul
treason, and he collected together all his strength. And he lifted up
his sword and smote Pedrarias upon the helmet, so that he cut through
it, and through the hood of the mail also, and made a wound in the
head. And Pedrarias with the agony of death, and with the blood which
ran over his eyes, bowed down to the neck of the horse; yet with all
this he neither lost his stirrups, nor let go his sword. And Don Diego
Ordoñez seeing him thus, thought that he was dead, and would not strike
him again; and he called aloud, saying, Don Arias, send me another son,
for this one will never fulfil your bidding. When Pedrarias heard this,
grievously wounded as he was, he wiped the blood away with the sleeve
of his mail, and went fiercely against him: and he took the sword in
both hands, and thought to give it him upon his head; but the blow
missed, and fell upon the horse, and cut off great part of his
nostrils, and the reins with it; and the horse immediately ran away
because of the great wound which he had received. And Don Diego had no
reins wherewith to stop him, and perceiving that he should else be
carried out of the lists, he threw himself off. And while he did this,
Pedrarias fell down dead, just without the mark. And Don Diego Ordoñez
laid hand on the bar, and said. Praised be the name of God, one is
conquered. And incontinently the judges came and took him by the hand,
and led him to a tent and disarmed him, and gave him three sops, and he
drank of the wine and rested awhile. And afterwards they gave him other
arms, and a horse that was a right good one, and went with him to the
lists.
VII. Then Don Arias Gonzalo called for another son, whose name was
Diego Arias, and said unto him, To horse! and go fight to deliver this
Council and to revenge the death of your brother; and he answered, For
this am I come hither. Then his father gave him his blessing and went
with, him to the lists. And the judges took the reins of the two
champions and led them each to his place, and went out and left them in
the lists. And they ran against each other with such force that both
shields failed, and in another career they brake their lances. Then
laid they hand on their good swords, and delivered such blows that
their helmets were cut away, and the sleeves of the mail. And at
length Diego Arias received such a blow near the heart that he fell
dead. And Don Diego Ordoñez went to the bar and laid hold on it, and
cried out to Don Arias Gonzalo, Send me another son, for I have
conquered two, thanks be to God. Then the judges came and said that the
dead knight was not yet out of the lists, and that he must alight and
cast him out. And Don Diego Ordoñez did as they had directed him, and
alighted from his horse and took the dead man by the leg, and dragged
him to the line, and then letting the leg fall he thrust him out of the
lists with his feet. And then he went and laid hand upon the bar again,
saying that he had liefer fight with a living man than drag a dead one
out of the field. And then the judges came to him, and led him to the
tent, and disarmed him, and gave him the three sops and the wine, as
they had done before, and sent to say to Don Arias Gonzalo that this
son also was slain, and that he should send another.
VIII. Then Don Arias Gonzalo, in great rage and in great trouble called
for his son Rodrigo Arias, who was a good knight, right hardy and
valiant, the elder of all the brethren; he had been in many a
tournament, and with good fortune. And Don Arias said unto him, Son, go
now and do battle with Diego Ordoñez, to save Doña Urraca your Lady,
and yourself, and the Council of Zamora; and if you do this, in happy
hour were you born. Then Rodrigo Arias kissed his hand and answered,
Father, I thank you much for what you have said, and be sure that I
will save them, or take my death. And he took his arms and mounted, and
his father gave him his blessing, and went with him to the lists; and
the judges took his reins and led him in. And when the judges were gone
out, they twain ran at each other, and Don Diego missed his blow, but
Rodrigo Arias did not miss, for he gave him so great a stroke with the
lance that it pierced through the shield, and broke the saddle-bow
behind, and made him lose his stirrups, and he embraced the neck of his
horse. But albeit that Don Diego was sorely bested with that stroke, he
took heart presently, and went bravely against him, and dealt him so
great a blow that he broke the lance in him; for it went through the
shield and all his other arms, and great part of the lance remained in
his flesh. After this they laid hand to sword, and gave each to the
other great blows, and great wounds with them. And Rodrigo Arias gave
so great a wound to Diego Ordoñez, that he cut his left arm through to
the bone. And Don Diego Ordoñez, when he felt himself so sorely
wounded, went against Rodrigo Arias and delivered him a blow upon the
head which cut through the helmet and the hood of the mail, and entered
into his head. When Rodrigo Arias felt himself wounded to death, he let
go the reins and took his sword in both hands, and gave so great a blow
to the horse of Don Diego that he cut his head open. And the horse in
his agony ran out of the lists, and carried Don Diego out also, and
there died. And Rodrigo Arias fell dead as he was following him. Then
Don Diego Ordoñez would have returned into the field to do battle with,
the other two, but the judges would not permit this, neither did they
think good to decide whether they of Zamora were overcome in this third
duel or not. And in this manner the thing was left undecided.
Nevertheless, though no sentence was given, there remained no infamy
upon the people of Zamora. But better had it been for Don Arias Gonzalo
if he had given up Vellido to the Castillians, that he might have died
the death of a traitor; he would not then have lost these three sons,
who died like good men, in their duty. Now what was the end of Vellido
the history sayeth not, through the default of the Chroniclers; but it
is to be believed, that because the impeachment was not made within
three days, Don Arias Gonzalo thrust him out of the town as Doña Urraca
had requested, and that he fled into other lands, peradventure among
the Moors. And though it may be that he escaped punishment in this
world, yet certes he could not escape it in hell where he is tormented
with Dathan and Abiram, and with Judas the Traitor, for ever and ever.
IX. In the meantime the Infanta Doña Urraca wrote letters secretly and
sent messengers with them to Toledo to King Don Alfonso, telling him
that King Don Sancho his brother was dead, and had left no heir, and
that he should come as speedily as he could to receive the kingdoms,
And she bade her messengers deliver these privately that the Moors
might not discover what had taken place, lest they should seize upon
King Don Alfonso, whom she dearly loved. Moreover the Castillians
assembled together and found that as King Don Sancho had left no son to
succeed him they were bound by right to receive King Don Alfonso as
their Lord; and they also sent unto him in secret. Howbeit, certain of
those spies who discover to the Moors whatever the Christians design to
do, when they knew the death of King Don Sancho, went presently to
acquaint the Moors therewith. Now Don Peransures, as he was a man of
great understanding and understood the Arabick tongue, when he knew the
death of King Don Sancho, and while he was devising how to get his Lord
away from Toledo, rode out every day, as if to solace himself, on the
way towards Castille, to see whom he might meet, and to learn tidings.
And it fell out one day that he met a man who told him he was going
with news to King Alimaymon, that King Don Sancho was dead; and Don
Peransures took him aside from the road as if to speak to him, and cut
off his head. And Peransures returned into the road and met another man
coming with the same tidings to the King, and he slew him in like
manner. Nevertheless the tidings reached King Alimaymon. Now Peransures
and his brethren feared that if the Moor knew this he would not let
their Lord depart, but would seize him and make hard terms for his
deliverance; and on the other hand, they thought that if he should
learn it from any other than themselves, it would be yet worse. And
while they were in doubt what they should do, King Don Alfonso,
trusting in God's mercy, said unto them, When I came hither unto this
Moor, he received me with great honour, and gave to me abundantly all
things of which I stood in need, even as if I had been his son; how
then should I conceal from him this favour which it hath pleased God to
show me? I will go and tell it unto him. But Don Peransures besought
him not to tell him of his brother's death. And he went to King
Alimaymon and said unto him, that he would fain go into his own
country, if it pleased him, to help his vassals, who stood greatly in
need of him, and he besought him that he would give him men. The death
of King Don Sancho he did not make known. And King Alimaymon answered
that he should not do this, because he feared that King Don Sancho his
brother would take him. And King Don Alfonso said, that he knew the
ways and customs of his brother, and did not fear him, if it pleased
the King to give him some Moors to help him. Now Alimaymon had heard of
the death of King Don Sancho, and he had sent to occupy the roads and
the passes, that King Don Alfonso might be stopt if he should attempt
to depart without his knowledge. Howbeit he did not fully believe the
tidings, seeing that King Don Alfonso did not speak of it; and he
rejoiced in his heart at what the King said, and he said unto him, I
thank God, Alfonso, that thou hast told me of thy wish to go into thine
own country; for in this thou hast dealt loyally by me, and saved me
from that which might else have happened, to which the Moors have alway
importuned me. And hadst thou departed privily thou couldest not have
escaped being slain or taken. Now then go and take thy kingdom; and I
will give thee whatever thou hast need of to give to thine own people
and win their hearts that they may serve thee. And he then besought him
to renew the oath which he had taken, never to come against him nor his
sons, but alway to befriend them; and this same oath did the King of
Toledo make unto him. Now Alimaymon had a grandson whom he dearly
loved, who was not named in the oath, and King Don Alfonso therefore
was not bound to keep it towards him. And King Don Alfonso made ready
for his departure, and Alimaymon and the chief persons of the court
went out from the city with him and rode with him as far as the Sierra
del Dragon, which is now called Valtome; and he gave him great gifts,
and there they took leave of each other with great love.
X. As soon as King Don Alfonso arrived at Zamora, he pitched his tents
in the field of Santiago, and took counsel with his sister. And the
Infanta Doña Urraca, who was a right prudent lady and a wise, sent
letters throughout the land, that a Cortes should assemble and receive
him for their Lord. And when the Leonese and the Gallegos knew that
their Lord King Don Alfonso was come, they were full joyful, and they
came to Zamora and received him for their Lord and King. And afterwards
the Castillians arrived, and they of Navarre, and they also received
him for their Lord and King, but upon this condition, that he should
swear that he had not taken counsel for the death of his brother King
Don Sancho. Howbeit they did not come forward to receive the oath, and
they kissed his hands in homage, all, save only Ruydiez, my Cid. And
when King Don Alfonso saw that the Cid did not do homage and kiss his
hand, as all the other chief persons and prelates and Councils had
done, he said, Since now ye have all received me for your Lord, and
given me authority over ye, I would know of the Cid Ruydiez why he will
not kiss my hand and acknowledge me; for I would do something for him,
as I promised unto my father King Don Ferrando, when he commended him
to me and to my brethren. And the Cid arose and said, Sir, all whom you
see here present, suspect that by your counsel the King Don Sancho your
brother came to his death; and therefore, I say unto you that, unless
you clear yourself of this, as by right you should do, I will never
kiss your hand, nor receive you for my Lord. Then said the King, Cid,
what you say pleases me well; and here I swear to God and to St. Mary,
that I never slew him, nor took counsel for his death, neither did it
please me, though he had taken my kingdom from me. And I beseech ye
therefore all, as friends and true vassals, that ye tell me how I may
clear myself. And the chiefs who were present said, that he and twelve
of the knights who came with him from Toledo, should make this oath in
the church at St. Gadea at Burgos, and that so he should be cleared.
XI. So the King and all his company took horse and went to Burgos. And
when the day appointed for the oath was come, the King went to hear
mass in the church of Gadea, and his sisters the Infantas Doña Urraca
and Doña Elvira with him, and all his knights. And the King came
forward upon a high stage that all the people might see him, and my Cid
came to him to receive the oath; and my Cid took the book of the
Gospels and opened it, and laid it upon the altar, and the King laid
his hands upon it, and the Cid said unto him, King Don Alfonso, you
come here to swear concerning the death of King Don Sancho your
brother, that you neither slew him nor took counsel for his death; say
now you and these hidalgos, if ye swear this. And the King and the
hidalgos answered and said, Yea, we swear it. And the Cid said, If ye
knew of this thing, or gave command that it should be done, may you die
even such a death as your brother the King Don Sancho, by the hand of a
villain whom you trust; one who is not a hidalgo, from another land,
not a Castillian; and the King and the knights who were with him said
Amen. And the king's colour changed; and the Cid repeated the oath unto
him a second time, and the King and the twelve knights said Amen to it
in like manner, and in like manner the countenance of the King was
changed again. And my Cid repeated the oath unto him a third time, and
the King and the knights said Amen; but the wrath of the King was
exceeding great, and he said to the Cid, Ruydiez, why dost thou thus
press me, man? To-day thou swearest me, and to-morrow thou wilt kiss my
hand. And from that day forward there was no love towards my Cid in the
heart of the King.
XII. After this was King Don Alfonso crowned King of Castille, and
Leon, and Galicia, and Portugal; and he called himself King and Emperor
of all Spain, even as his father had done before him. And in the
beginning of his reign he did in all things according to the counsel of
the Infanta Doña Urraca his sister; and he was a good King, and kept
his kingdom so well, that rich and poor alike dwelt in peace and
security, neither did one man take arms against another, nor dare to do
it, if he valued the eyes in his head. And if the King was noble and
high of lineage, much more was he of heart; and in his days justice
abounded in the land so, that if a woman had gone alone throughout the
whole of his dominions, bearing gold and silver in her hand, she would
have found none to hurt her, neither in the waste, nor in the peopled
country. The merchants and pilgrims also who passed through his lands
were so well protected, that none durst do them wrong. Never while the
kingdom was his, had they of his land to do service to any other Lord.
And he was a comforter of the sorrowful, and an increaser of the faith,
and a defender of the churches, and the strength of the people; a judge
without fear; there was not in Spain a consoler of the poor and of
those who were oppressed, till he came. Now there was a mortal enmity
between my Cid and Count Garcia Ordoñez, and in this year did my Cid
gather together those of his table, and all his power, and entered into
the lands of Logroño, and Navarre, and Calahorra, burning and spoiling
the country before him. And he laid siege to the Castle of Faro and
took it. And he sent messengers to the Count his enemy, to say that he
would wait for him seven days, and he waited. And the mighty men of the
land came to the Count Don Garcia, but come against my Cid that they
dared not do, for they feared to do battle with him.
XIII. In the second year of the reign of King Don Alfonso, the King of
Cordova made war upon Alimaymon, King of Toledo, and did great damage
in his land, and held him besieged in Toledo; and King Don Alfonso drew
forth a great host and went to help the King of Toledo. When Alimaymon
knew that he was coming with so great a power, he was greatly dismayed,
thinking that he came against him; and he sent to remind him of the
love and the honour which he had shown unto him in the days of his
brother King Don Sancho, and of the oath which he had taken; and to
beseech him that he would continue in peace with him. And the King
detained his messengers, giving them no reply, and went on advancing
into the land, doing no hurt therein. And when he came to Olias, he
ordered the whole army to halt. And when the King of Cordova knew that
King Don Alfonso was coming, he rose up from before Toledo, and fled
away, and the men of Toledo pursued him, and inflicted great loss upon
him in his flight.
XIV. And when the army had halted at Olias, the King called for the
messengers of Alimaymon, and took with him five knights, and rode to
Toledo. And when they came to the gate which is called Visagra, the
messengers who went with him made him enter the town, and he sent one
of them to tell the King that he was there, and went on in the meantime
towards the Alcazar. And when King Alimaymon heard this, he would not
wait till a beast should be brought him that he might ride, but set out
on foot and went to meet him; and as he was going out he met King Don
Alfonso, and they embraced each other. And the King of Toledo kissed
King Don Alfonso's shoulder, for the joy and pleasure that he had in
his heart at seeing him; and he gave thanks to God for what he had done
to King Don Alfonso, and thanked him also for the truth which was in
him, in coming thus to his deliverance, and for remembering the oath
which they had made each to the other. And they rejoiced together all
that night, and great was the joy of the people of Toledo, because of
the love which King Don Alfonso bore toward their Lord. But great was
the sorrow in the host of the Castillians, for they never thought to
see their Lord again; and they thought that he had committed a great
folly in thus putting himself into the power of the Moors.
XV. On the morrow, King Don Alfonso besought King Alimaymon that he
would go and eat with him at Olias, and see how he came to help him.
And they went both together with a little company, and when they of the
host saw their Lord they were all right joyful, and the two Kings went
through the camp, and they sat down to eat in the tent of the King,
which was a large one. And while they were at meat King Don Alfonso
gave order in secret that five hundred knights should arm themselves
and surround the tent. And when the King of Toledo saw these armed
knights, and that the tent was surrounded, he was in great fear, and he
asked of King Don Alfonso what it should be; and the King bade him eat,
and said, that afterwards they would tell him. And after they had
eaten, King Don Alfonso said to Alimaymon, You made me swear and
promise when you had me in Toledo in your power that no evil should
ever come against you on my part: now since I have you in my power I
will that you release me from this oath and covenant. And the King of
Toledo consented to release him, and besought him to do him no other
wrong, and he acquitted him from the promise three times. And when he
had done this King Don Alfonso called for the book of the Gospels, and
said unto him, Now then that you are in my power, I swear and promise
unto you, never to go against you, nor against your son, and to aid you
against all other men in the world. And I make this oath unto you
because there was reason why I should have broken that other one,
seeing that it was made when I was in your hands; but against this I
must not go, for I make it when you are in mine, and I could do with
you even whatever pleased me; and he laid his hands upon the book, and
swore even as he had said. Right joyful was the King of Toledo at this
which King Don Alfonso had done, for the loyalty which he had shown
towards him. And they remained that night together; and on the morrow
Alimaymon returned to his city full gladly, and King Don Alfonso made
his host move on towards Cordova, and Alimaymon went with him; and they
overran the land, and burnt towns and villages, and destroyed castles,
and plundered whatever they could find; and they returned each into his
own country with great spoils. And from thenceforward the King of
Cordova durst no more attack the King of Toledo.
XVI. In the following years, nothing is found to be related, save that
my Cid did battle by command of the King with a knight called Ximen
García de Tiogelos, who was one of the best of Navarre: they fought for
the castle of Pazluengas, and for two other castles, and my Cid
conquered him, and King Don Alfonso had the castles. And after this my
Cid did battle in Medina Celi, with a Moor called Faras, who was a good
knight in arms, and he defeated and slew him and another also. And in
the fifth year of the reign of King Don Alfonso, the King sent the Cid
to the Kings of Seville and of Cordova, for the tribute which they were
bound to pay him. Now there was at this time war between Almocanis,
King of Seville and Almundafar, King of Granada, and with Almundafar
were these men of Castille, the Count Don Garcia Ordoñez and Fortun
Sanchez, the son-in-law of King Don Garcia, of Navarre, and Lope
Sanchez his brother, and Diego Perez, one of the best men of Castille;
and they aided him all that they could, and went against the King of
Seville, and when my Cid knew this it troubled him, and he sent unto
them requiring them not to go against the King of Seville, nor to
destroy his country, because he was King Don Alfonso's vassal;
otherwise the King must defend him. And the King of Granada and the
Ricos-omes who were with him cared nothing for his letters, but entered
boldly into the land of Seville, and advanced as far as Cabra, burning
and laying waste before them. When the Cid saw this he gathered
together what Christians he could and went against them. And the King
of Granada and the Christians who were with him, sent to tell him that
they would not go out of the country for him. And the wrath of the Cid
was kindled, and he went against them, and fought with them in the
field, and the battle lasted from the hour of tierce even until the
hour of sexts; and many died upon the part of the King of Granada, and
at length my Cid overcame them and made them, take to flight. And Count
Garcia Ordoñez was taken prisoner, and Lope Sanchez, and Diego Perez,
and many other knights, and of other men so many that they were out of
number; and the dead were so many that no man could count them; and the
spoils of the field were very great. And the Cid held these good men
prisoners three days and then set them free, and he returned with great
honour and great riches to Seville. And King Almocanis received him
full honourably, and gave him great gifts for himself, and paid him the
full tribute for the King; and he returned rich to Castille, and with
great honour. And King Don Alfonso was well pleased with the good
fortune of the Cid in all his feats; but there were many who wished ill
to him, and sought to set the King against him.
XVII. After this King Don Alfonso assembled together all his power and
went against the Moors. And the Cid should have gone with him, but he
fell sick and perforce therefore abode at home. And while the King was
going through Andalusia, having the land at his mercy, a great power of
the Moors assembled together on the other side, and entered the land,
and besieged the castle of Gormaz, and did much evil. At this time the
Cid was gathering strength; and when he heard that the Moors were in
the country, laying waste before them, he gathered together what force
he could, and went after them; and the Moors, when they heard this,
dared not abide his coming, but began to fly. And the Cid followed them
to Atienza, and to Ciguenza, and Fita, and Guadalajara, and through the
whole land of St. Esteban, as far as Toledo, slaying and burning, and
plundering and destroying, and laying hands on all whom he found, so
that he brought back seven thousand prisoners, men and women; and he
and all his people returned rich and with great honour. But when the
King of Toledo heard of the hurt which he had received at the hands of
the Cid, he sent to King Don Alfonso to complain thereof, and the King
was greatly troubled. And then the Ricos-omes who wished ill to the
Cid, had the way open to do him evil with the King, and they said to
the King, Sir, Ruydiez hath broken your faith, and the oath and promise
which you made to the King of Toledo: and he hath done this for no
other reason but that the Moors of Toledo may fall upon us here, and
slay both you and us. And the King believed what they said, and was
wroth against the Cid, having no love towards him because of the oath
which he had pressed upon him at Burgos concerning the death of King
Don Sancho his brother. And he went with all speed to Burgos, and sent
from thence to bid the Cid come unto him.
XVIII. Now my Cid knew the evil disposition of the King towards him,
and when he received his bidding, he made answer that he would meet him
between Burgos and Bivar. And the King went out from Burgos and came
nigh unto Bivar; and the Cid came up to him and would have kissed his
hand, but the King withheld it, and said angrily unto him, Ruydiez,
quit my land. Then the Cid clapt spurs to the mule upon which he rode,
and vaulted into a piece of ground which was his own inheritance, and
answered, Sir, I am not in your land, but in my own. And the King
replied full wrathfully, Go out of my kingdoms without any delay. And
the Cid made answer, Give me then thirty days time, as is the right of
the hidalgos; and the King said he would not, but that if he were not
gone in nine days time he would come and look for him. The Counts were
well pleased at this; but all the people of the land were sorrowful.
And then the King and the Cid parted. And the Cid sent for all his
friends and his kinsmen and vassals, and told them how King Don Alfonso
had banished him from the land, and asked of them who would follow him
into banishment, and who would remain at home. Then Alvar Fañez, who
was his cousin-german, came forward and said, Cid, we will all go with
you, through desert and through peopled country, and never fail you. In
your service will we spend our mules and horses, our wealth and our
garments, and ever while we live be unto you loyal friends and vassals.
And they all confirmed what Alvar Fañez had said; and the Cid thanked
them for their love, and said that there might come a time in which he
should guerdon them.
XIX. And as he was about to depart he looked back upon his own home,
and when he saw his hall deserted, the household chests unfastened, the
doors open, no cloaks hanging up, no seats in the porch, no hawks upon
the perches, the tears came into his eyes, and he said, My enemies have
done this ... God be praised for all things. And he turned toward the
East and knelt and said, Holy Mary Mother, and all Saints, pray to God
for me, that he may give me strength to destroy all the Pagans, and to
win enough from them to requite my friends therewith, and all those who
follow and help me. Then he called for Alvar Fañez and said unto him,
Cousin, the poor have no part in the wrong which the King hath done us;
see now that no wrong be done unto them along our road: and he called
for his horse. And then an old woman who was standing at her door said,
Go in a lucky minute, and make spoil of whatever you wish. And with
this proverb he rode on, saying, Friends, by God's good pleasure we
shall return to Castilla with great honour and great gain. And as they
went out from Bivar they had a crow on their right hand, and when they
came to Burgos they had a crow on the left.
XX. My Cid Ruydiez entered Burgos, having sixty streamers in his
company. And men and women went forth to see him, and the men of Burgos
and the women of Burgos were at their windows, weeping, so great was
their sorrow; and they said with one accord, God, how good a vassal if
he had but a good Lord! and willingly would each have bade him come in,
but no one dared so to do. For King Don Alfonso in his anger had sent
letters to Burgos, saying that no man should give the Cid a lodging;
and that whosoever disobeyed should lose all that he had, and moreover
the eyes in his head. Great sorrow had these Christian folk at this,
and they hid themselves when he came near them because they did not
dare speak to him; and my Cid went to his Posada, and when he came to
the door he found it fastened, for fear of the King. And his people
called out with a loud voice, but they within made no answer. And the
Cid rode up to the door, and took his foot out of the stirrup, and gave
it a kick, but the door did not open with it, for it was well secured;
a little girl of nine years old then came out of one of the houses and
said unto him, O Cid, the King hath forbidden us to receive you. We
dare not open our doors to you, for we should lose our houses and all
that we have, and the eyes in our head. Cid, our evil would not help
you, but God and all his Saints be with you. And when she had said this
she returned into the house. And when the Cid knew what the King had
done he turned away from the door and rode up to St. Mary's, and there
he alighted and knelt down, and prayed with all his heart; and then he
mounted again and rode out of the town, and pitched his tent near
Arlanzon, upon the Glera, that is to say, upon the sands. My Cid
Ruydiez, he who in a happy hour first girt on his sword, took up his
lodging upon the sands, because there was none who would receive him
within their door. He had a good company round about him, and there he
lodged as if he had been among the mountains.
XXI. Moreover the King had given orders that no food should be sold
them in Burgos, so that they could not buy even a pennyworth. But
Martin Antolinez, who was a good Burgalese, he supplied my Cid and all
his company with bread and wine abundantly. Campeador, said he to the
Cid, to-night we will rest here, and to-morrow we will be gone. I shall
be accused for what I have done in serving you, and shall be in the
King's displeasure; but following your fortunes, sooner or later, the
King will have me for his friend, and if not, I do not care a fig for
what I leave behind. Now this Martin Antolinez was nephew unto the Cid,
being the son of his brother, Ferrando Diaz. And the Cid said unto him,
Martin Antolinez, you are a bold Lancier; if I live I will double you
your pay. You see I have nothing with me, and yet must provide for my
companions. I will take two chests and fill them with sand, and do you
go in secret to Rachel and Vidas, and tell them to come hither
privately; for I cannot take my treasures with me because of their
weight, and will pledge them in their hands. Let them come for the
chests at night, that no man may see them. God knows that I do this
thing more of necessity than of wilfulness; but by God's good help I
shall redeem all. Now Rachel and Vidas were rich Jews, from whom the
Cid used to receive money for his spoils. And Martin Antolinez went in
quest of them, and he passed through Burgos and entered into the
Castle; and when he saw them he said, Ah Rachel and Vidas, my dear
friends! now let me speak with ye in secret. And they three went apart.
And he said to them, Give me your hands that you will not discover me
neither to Moor nor Christian! I will make you rich men for ever. The
Campeador went for the tribute and he took great wealth, and some of it
he has kept for himself. He has two chests full of gold; ye know that
the King is in anger against him, and he cannot carry these away with
him without their being seen. He will leave them therefore in your
hands, and you shall lend him money upon them, swearing with great
oaths and upon your faith, that ye will not open them till a year be
past. Rachel and Vidas took counsel together and answered, We well knew
he got something when he entered the land of the Moors; he who has
treasures does not sleep without suspicion; we will take the chests,
and place them where they shall not be seen. But tell us with what will
the Cid be contented, and what gain will he give us for the year?
Martin Antolinez answered like a prudent man, My Cid requires what is
reasonable; he will ask but little to leave his treasures in safety.
Men come to him from all parts. He must have six hundred marks. And the
Jews said, We will advance him so much. Well then, said Martin
Antolinez, ye see that the night is advancing; the Cid is in haste,
give us the marks. This is not the way of business, said they; we must
take first, and then give. Ye say well, replied the Burgalese: come
then to the Campeador, and we will help you to bring away the chests,
so that neither Moors nor Christians may see us. So they went to horse
and rode out together, and they did not cross the bridge, but rode
through the water that no man might see them, and they came to the tent
of the Cid.
XXII. Meantime the Cid had taken two chests, which were covered with
leather of red and gold, and the nails which fastened down the leather
were well gilt; they were ribbed with bands of iron, and each fastened
with three locks; they were heavy, and he filled them with sand. And
when Rachel and Vidas entered his tent with Martin Antolinez, they
kissed his hand; and the Cid smiled and said to them, Ye see that I am
going out of the land, because of the King's displeasure; but I shall
leave something with ye. And they made answer, Martin Antolinez has
covenanted with us, that we shall give you six hundred marks upon these
chests, and keep them a full year, swearing not to open them till that
time be expired, else shall we be perjured. Take the chests, said
Martin Antolinez; I will go with you, and bring back the marks, for my
Cid must move before cock-crow. So they took the chests, and though
they were both strong men they could not raise them from the ground;
and they were full glad of the bargain which they had made. And Rachel
then went to the Cid and kissed his hand and said, Now, Campeador, you
are going from Castille among strange nations, and your gain will be
great, even as your fortune is. I kiss your hand, Cid, and have a gift
for you, a red skin: it is Moorish and honourable. And the Cid said, It
pleases me; give it me if ye have brought it, if not, reckon it upon
the chests. And they departed with the chests, and Martin Antolinez and
his people helped them, and went with them. And when they had placed
the chests in safety, they spread a carpet in the middle of the hall,
and laid a sheet upon it and they threw down upon it three hundred
marks of silver. Don Martin counted them, and took them without
weighing. The other three hundred they paid in gold. Don Martin had
five squires with him, and he loaded them all with the money. And when
this was done he said to them, Now Don Rachel and Vidas, you have got
the chests, and I who got them for you well deserve a pair of hose. And
the Jews said to each other, Let us give him a good gift for this which
he has done; and they said to him, We will give you enough for hose and
for a rich doublet and a good cloak; you shall have thirty marks. Don
Martin thanked them and took the marks, and bidding them both farewell,
he departed right joyfully.
XXIII. When Martin Antolinez came into the Cid's tent he said unto him,
I have sped well, Campeador! you have gained six hundred marks, and I
thirty. Now then strike your tent and be gone. The time draws on, and
you may be with your Lady Wife at St. Pedro de Cardeña, before the cock
crows. So the tent was struck, and my Cid and his company went to horse
at this early hour. And the Cid turned his horse's head toward St.
Mary's, and with his right hand he blest himself on the forehead, and
he said, God be praised! help me, St. Mary. I go from Castille because
the anger of the King is against me, and I know not whether I shall
ever enter it again in all my days. Help me, glorious Virgin, in my
goings, both by night and by day. If you do this and my lot be fair, I
will send rich and goodly gifts to your altar, and will have a thousand
masses sung there. Then with a good heart he gave his horse the reins.
And Martin Antolinez said to him, Go ye on; I must back to my wife and
tell her what she is to do during my absence. I shall be with you in
good time. And back he went to Burgos, and my Cid and his company
pricked on. The cocks were crowing amain, and the day began to break,
when the good Campeador reached St. Pedro's. The Abbot Don Sisebuto was
saying matins, and Doña Ximena and five of her ladies of good lineage
were with him, praying to God and St. Peter to help my Cid. And when he
called at the gate and they knew his voice, God, what a joyful man was
the Abbot Don Sisebuto! Out into the court yard they went with torches
and with tapers, and the Abbot gave thanks to God that he now beheld
the face of my Cid. And the Cid told him all that had befallen him, and
how he was a banished man; and he gave him fifty marks for himself, and
a hundred for Doña Ximena and her children. Abbot, said he, I leave two
little girls behind me, whom I commend to your care. Take you care of
them and of my wife and of her ladies: when this money be gone, if it
be not enough, supply them abundantly; for every mark which you expend
upon them I will give the Monastery four. And the Abbot promised to do
this with a right good will. Then Doña Ximena came up and her daughters
with her, each of them borne in arms, and she knelt down on both her
knees before her husband, weeping bitterly, and she would have kissed
his hand; and she said to him, Lo now you are banished from the land by
mischief-making men, and here am I with your daughters, who are little
ones and of tender years, and we and you must be parted, even in your
life time. For the love of St. Mary tell me now what we shall do. And
the Cid took the children in his arms, and held them to his heart and
wept, for he dearly loved them. Please God and St. Mary, said he, I
shall yet live to give these my daughters in marriage with my own
hands, and to do you service yet, my honoured wife, whom I have ever
loved, even as my own soul.
XXIV. A great feast did they make that day in the Monastery for the
good Campeador, and the bells of St. Pedro's rung merrily. Meantime the
tidings had gone through Castille how my Cid was banished from the
land, and great was the sorrow of the people. Some left their houses to
follow him, others forsook their honourable offices which they held.
And that day a hundred and fifteen knights assembled at the bridge of
Arlanzon, all in quest of my Cid; and there Martin Antolinez joined
them, and they rode on together to St. Pedro's. And when he of Bivar
knew what a goodly company were coming to join him, he rejoiced in his
own strength, and rode out to meet them and greeted them full
courteously; and they kissed his hand, and he said to them, I pray to
God that I may one day requite ye well, because ye have forsaken your
houses and your heritages for my sake, and I trust that I shall pay ye
two fold. Six days of the term allotted were now gone, and three only
remained: if after that time he should be found, within the King's
dominions, neither for gold nor for silver could he then escape. That
day they feasted together, and when it was evening the Cid distributed
among them, all that he had, giving to each man according to what he
was; and he told them that they must meet at mass after matins, and
depart at that early hour. Before the cock crew they were ready, and
the Abbot said the mass of the Holy Trinity, and when it was done they
left the church and went to horse. And my Cid embraced Doña Ximena and
his daughters, and blest them; and the parting between them was like
separating the nail from the quick flesh: and he wept and continued to
look round after them. Then Alvar Fañez came up to him and said, Where
is your courage, my Cid? In a good hour were you born of woman. Think
of our road now; these sorrows will yet be turned into joy. And the Cid
spake again to the Abbot, commending his family to his care;--well did
the Abbot know that he should one day receive good guerdon. And as he
took leave of the Cid, Alvar Fañez said to him, Abbot, if you see any
who come to follow us, tell them what route we take, and bid them make
speed, for they may reach us either in the waste or in the peopled
country. And then they loosed the reins and pricked forward.
XXV. That night my Cid lay at Spinar de Can, and people flocked to him
from all parts, and early on the morrow he set out; Santestevan lay on
his left hand, which is a good city, and Ahilon on the right, which
belongs to the Moors, and he passed by Alcobiella, which is the
boundary of Castille. And he went by the Calzada de Quinea, and crost
the Douro upon rafts. That night, being the eighth, they rested at
Figeruela, and more adventurers came to join him. And when my Cid was
fast asleep, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him in a vision, and said,
Go on boldly and fear nothing; for everything shall go well with thee
as long as thou livest, and all the things which thou beginnest, thou
shalt bring to good end, and thou shalt be rich and honourable. And the
Cid awoke and blest himself; and he crost his forehead and rose from
his bed, and knelt down and gave thanks to God for the mercy which he
had vouchsafed him, being right joyful because of the vision. Early on
the morrow they set forth; now this was the last day of the nine. And
they went on towards the Sierra de Miedes. Before sunset the Cid halted
and took account of his company; there were three hundred lances, all
with streamers, besides foot-soldiers. And he said unto them, Now take
and eat, for we must pass this great and wild Sierra, that we may quit
the land of King Alfonso this night. To-morrow he who seeks us may find
us. So they passed the Sierra that night.