I. Now the history relateth that Gilbert, a sage who wrote the history
of the Moorish Kings who reigned in Africa, saith, that Bucar
remembering the oath which he had made to his brother King Yucef, how
he would take vengeance for him for the dishonour which he had received
from the Cid Ruydiez before Valencia, ordered proclamation to be made
throughout all the dominions of his father, and gathered together so
great a power of Moors, that among the Captains of his host there were
twenty and nine Kings; this he could well do, for his father was
Miramamolin, which is as much as to say Emperor. And when he had
gathered together this mighty host, he entered into his ships and crost
the sea, and came unto the port of Valencia, and what there befell him
with the Cid the history shall relate in due time.
II. Two years after their marriage did the Infantes of Carrion sojourn
in Valencia in peace and pleasure, to their own great contentment, and
their uncle Suero Gonzalez with them; and at the end of those two
years, there came to pass a great misadventure, by reason of which they
fell out with the Cid, in whom there was no fault. There was a lion in
the house of the Cid, who had grown a large one, and a strong, and was
full nimble: three men had the keeping of this lion, and they kept him
in a den which was in a court yard, high up in the palace; and when
they cleansed the court they were wont to shut him up in his den, and
afterward to open the door that he might come out and eat: the Cid kept
him for his pastime, that he might take pleasure with him when he was
minded so to do. Now it was the custom of the Cid to dine every day
with his company, and after he had dined, he was wont to sleep awhile
upon his seat. And one day when he had dined there came a man and told
him that a great fleet was arrived in the port of Valencia, wherein
there was a great power of the Moors, whom King Bucar had brought over,
the son of the Miramamolin of Morocco. And when the Cid heard this, his
heart rejoiced and he was glad, for it was nigh three years since he
had had a battle with the Moors. Incontinently he ordered a signal to
be made that all the honourable men who were in the city should
assemble together. And when they were all assembled in the Alcazar and
his sons-in-law with them, the Cid told them the news, and took counsel
with them in what manner they should go out against this great power of
the Moors. And when they had taken counsel the Cid went to sleep upon
his seat, and the Infantes and the others sate playing at tables and
chess. Now at this time the men who were keepers of the lion were
cleaning the court, and when they heard the cry that the Moors were
coming, they opened the den, and came down into the palace where the
Cid was, and left the door of the court open. And when the lion had ate
his meat and saw that the door was open he went out of the court and
came down into the palace, even into the hall where they all were; and
when they who were there saw him, there was a great stir among them;
but the Infantes of Carrion showed greater cowardice than all the rest.
Ferrando González having no shame, neither for the Cid nor for the
others who were present, crept under the seat whereon the Cid was
sleeping, and in his haste he burst his mantle and his doublet also at
the shoulders. And Diego González, the other, ran to a postern door,
crying, I shall never see Carrion again! this door opened upon a court
yard where there was a wine press, and he jumped out, and by reason of
the great height could not keep on his feet, but fell among the lees
and defiled himself therewith. And all the others who were in the hall
wrapt their cloaks around their arms, and stood round about the seat
whereon the Cid was sleeping, that they might defend him. The noise
which they made awakened the Cid, and he saw the lion coming towards
him, and he lifted up his hand and said, What is this?... and the lion
hearing his voice stood still; and he rose up and took him by the mane,
as if he had been a gentle mastiff, and led him back to the court where
he was before, and ordered his keepers to look better to him for the
time to come. And when he had done this he returned to the hall and
took his seat again; and all they who beheld it were greatly
astonished.
III. After some time Ferrando Gonzalez crept from under the seat where
he had hidden himself, and he came out with a pale face, not having yet
lost his fear, and his brother Diego got from among the lees: and when
they who were present saw them in this plight you never saw such sport
as they made; but my Cid forbade their laughter. And Diego went out to
wash himself and change his garments, and he sent to call his brother
forth, and they took counsel together in secret, and said to each
other, Lo now, what great dishonour this Ruydiez our father-in-law hath
done us, for he let this lion loose for the nonce, to put us to shame.
But in an evil day were we born if we do not revenge this upon his
daughters. Badly were we matched with them, and now for the after-feast
he hath made this mockery of us! But we must keep secret this which we
bear in mind, and not let him wit that we are wroth against him, for
otherwise he would not let us depart from hence, neither give us our
wives to take with us, and he would take from us the swords Colada and
Tizona which he gave us.... We will therefore turn this thing into
merriment before him and his people, to the end that they may not
suspect what we have at heart. While they were thus devising their
uncle Suero Gonzalez came in, and they told him of their intent. And he
counselled them to keep their wrath secret, as they said, till this
stir of the Moors from beyond sea was over, and then they should demand
their wives of the Cid that they might take them to their own country;
This, said he, the Cid can have no reason to deny, neither for
detaining ye longer with him, and when ye are got away far out of his
land, then may ye do what ye will with his daughters, and ill will ye
do if ye know not how to revenge yourselves; so shall ye remove the
dishonour from yourselves, and cast it upon him and his children. This
wicked counsel did Suero González give unto his nephews, which he might
have well excused giving, and then both he and they would not have come
off so badly as the history will in due season relate.
IV. After Suero González and his nephews had taken this evil counsel
together, they went to their lodging, and on the morrow they went to
the Alcazar and came to the Cid where he was preparing for business.
And when they drew nigh, the Cid rose and welcomed them right well, and
they carried a good countenance towards him, and made sport of what had
happened about the lion. And the Cid began to give order in what array
they should go out to battle. While they were in this discourse, a
great cry was heard in the town and a great tumult, and this was
because King Bucar was come with his great power into the place which
is called the Campo del Quarto, which is a league from Valencia, and
there he was pitching his tents and when this was done the camp made a
mighty show, for the history saith that there were full five thousand
pavilions, besides common tents. And when the Cid heard this, he took
both his sons-in-law and Suero González with them, and went upon the
highest tower of the Alcazar, and showed them the great power which
King Bucar of Morocco had brought; and when he beheld this great power
he began to laugh and was exceeding glad: but Suero González and his
nephews were in great fear: howbeit they would not let it be seen. And
when they came down from the tower the Cid went foremost, and they
tarried behind, and said, If we go into this battle we shall never
return to Carrion. Now it so chanced that Muño Gustios heard them, and
he told it to the Cid, and it grieved the Cid at heart; but he
presently made sport of it, and turned to his sons-in-law, and said,
You my sons shall remain in Valencia and guard the town, and we who are
used to this business will go out to battle; and they when they heard
this were ashamed, for they weened that some one had overheard what
they said; and they made answer, God forefend, Cid, that we should
abide in Valencia! we will go with you to the work, and protect your
body as if we were your sons, and you were the Count Don Gonzalo Gomez
our father. And the Cid was well pleased hearing them say this.
V. While they were thus saying, word was brought to the Cid that there
was a messenger from King Bucar at the gate of the town, who would fain
speak with him. The name of this Moor was Ximen de Algezira, and the
Cid gave order that he should be admitted. Now the history saith, God
had given such grace to my Cid that never Moor beheld his face without
having great fear of him; and this Ximen began to gaze upon his
countenance, and said nothing, for he could not speak. And so great was
the fear which came upon him that the Cid perceived it, and bade him
take courage and deliver the bidding of his Lord, without fear or
shame, for he was a messenger. And when the Moor heard this he laid
aside his fear, and recovered heart, and delivered his bidding fully,
after this wise. Sir Cid Campeador, King Bucar my Lord hath sent me to
thee saying, great wrong hast thou done him in holding Valencia against
him, which belonged to his forefathers; and moreover thou hast
discomfited his brother King Yucef. And now he is come against thee
with twenty and nine Kings, to take vengeance for his brother, and to
win Valencia from thee in spite of thee and of all who are with thee.
Nevertheless, King Bucar saith, that inasmuch as he hath heard that
thou art a wise man and of good understanding, he will show favour unto
thee, and let thee leave Valencia with all the lands thereof, and go
into Castille, and take with thee all that is thine. And if thou wilt
not do this he sends to say that he will fight against Valencia, and
take thee and thy wife and thy daughters, and torment thee grievously,
in such manner that all Christians who shall hear tell of it shall talk
thereof for evermore. This is the bidding of my Lord King Bucar.
VI. When the Cid heard this, notwithstanding he was wroth at heart, he
would not manifest it, but made answer in few words and said, Go tell
thy Lord King Bucar I will not give him up Valencia: great labour did I
endure in winning it, and to no man am I beholding for it in the world,
save only to my Lord Jesus Christ, and to my kinsmen and friends and
vassals who aided me to win it. Tell him that I am not a man to be
besieged, and when he does not expect it I will give him battle in the
field; and would that even as he has brought with him twenty and nine
Kings, so he had brought all the Moors of all Pagandom, for with the
mercy of God in which I trust, I should think to conquer them all. Bear
this answer to your Lord, and come here no more with messages, neither
on this account nor on any other. When Ximen de Algezira, the Moorish
messenger, heard this, he left Valencia, and went unto his Lord and
told him before the twenty and nine Kings all that the Cid had said.
And they were astonished at the brave words of the Cid, for they did
not think that he would have resisted, so great was their power,
neither did they ween that he would so soon come out to battle. And
they began to give order to set their siege round about Valencia, as
the history, and as Gilbert also relateth. This King Bucar and his
brother King Yucef were kinsmen of Alimaymon, who had been King of
Toledo and Valencia, and this was the reason why Bucar said that
Valencia had belonged to his forefathers.
VII. No sooner had Ximen, the messenger of King Bucar, left the city,
than the Cid ordered the bell to be struck, at the sound of which all
the men at arms in Valencia were to gather together. Incontinently they
all assembled before the Cid, and he told them all to be ready full
early on the morrow to go out and give battle to the Moors. And they
made answer with one accord that they were well pleased to do this, for
they trusted in God and in his good fortune that they should overcome
them. On the morrow therefore at the first cock-crow, they confessed
and communicated, as was their custom, and before the morning brake
they went forth from Valencia. And when they had got through the narrow
passes among the gardens, the Cid set his army in array. The van he
gave to Alvar Fañez Minaya, and to Pero Bermudez who bore his banner;
and he gave them five hundred horsemen, and a thousand and five hundred
men a-foot. In the right wing was that honourable one with the shaven
crown, Don Hieronymo the Bishop, with the like number both of horse and
foot; and in the left Martin Antolinez of Burgos and Alvar Salvadores,
with as many more. The Cid came in the rear with a thousand horsemen
all in coats of mail, and two thousand five hundred men a-foot. And in
this array they proceeded till they came in sight of the Moors. As soon
as the Cid saw their tents he ordered his men to slacken their pace,
and got upon his horse Bavieca, and put himself in the front before all
his army, and his sons-in-law the Infantes of Carrion advanced
themselves with him. Then the Bishop Don Hieronymo came to the Cid and
said, This day have I said the mass of the Holy Trinity before you, I
left my own country and came to seek you, for the desire I had to kill
some Moors, and to do honour to my order and to my own hands. Now would
I be the foremost in this business; I have my pennon and my armorial
bearing, and will employ them by God's help, that my heart may rejoice.
And my Cid, if you do not for the love of me grant this I will go my
ways from you. But the Cid bade him do his pleasure, saying that it
would please him also. And then the great multitude of the Moors began
to come out of their tents, and they formed their battle in haste, and
came against the Christians, with the sound of trumpets and tambours,
and with a great uproar; and as they came out upon the alarm, not
expecting that the Cid would come against them so soon, they did not
advance in order, as King Bucar had commanded. And when the Cid saw
this, he ordered his banner to be advanced, and bade his people lay on
manfully. The Bishop Don Hieronynio he pricked forward; two Moors he
slew with the two first thrusts of the lance; the haft broke, and he
laid hand on his sword, God,... how well the Bishop fought! two he slew
with the lance and five with the sword; the Moors came round about him
and laid on load of blows, but they could not pierce his arms. He who
was born in happy hour had his eyes upon him, and he took his shield
and placed it before him, and lowered his lance, and gave Bavieca the
spur, that good horse. With heart and soul he went at them, and made
his way into their first battle; seven the Campeador smote down, and
four he slew. In short time they joined battle in such sort that many
were slain and many overthrown, on one side and on the other, and so
great was the din of strokes and of tambours that none could hear what
another said; and they smote away cruelly, without rest or respite.
VIII. Now it came to pass in this battle that the Infante Diego
Gonzalez encountered a Moor of Africa who was of great stature and full
valiant withal, and this Moor came fiercely against him; and when the
Infante saw how fiercely he was coming, he turned his back and fled. No
one beheld this but Felez Muñoz the nephew of the Cid, who was a
squire; he set himself against the Moor with his lance under his arm,
and gave him such a thrust in the breast, that the streamer of the
lance came out all red with blood between his shoulders, and he down'd
with the dead man and took his horse by the bridle, and began to call
the Infante Diego Gonzalez. When the Infante heard himself called by
his name he turned his head to see who called him, and when he saw that
it was his cousin Felez Muñoz, he turned and awaited him. And Felez
Muñoz said, Take this horse, cousin Diego Gonzalez, and say that you
killed the Moor; nobody shall ever know otherwise from me, unless you
give just cause. While they were talking the Cid came up, after another
Moorish knight, whom he reached just as he came up to them, and smote
him with his sword upon the head, so that he split it down to the
teeth. When Felez Muñoz saw the Cid, he said, Sir, your son-in-law Don
Diego Gonzalez hath great desire to serve and help you in this day's
work, and he hath just slain a Moor from whom he hath won this horse:
and this pleased the Cid much, for he weened that it was true. And then
they all three advanced themselves toward the midst of the battle,
giving great strokes, and smiting and slaying. Who can tell how
marvellously the Bishop Don Hieronymo behaved himself in this battle,
and how well all the rest behaved, each in his way, and above all, the
Cid Campeador, as the greatest and best of all! nevertheless the power
of the Moors was so great that they could not drive them to flight, and
the business was upon the balance even till the hour of nones. Many
were the Christians who died that day among the foot-soldiers; and the
dead, Moors and Christians together, were so many, that the horses
could scant move among their bodies. But after the hour of nones the
Cid and his people smote the Moors so sorely that they could no longer
stand against them, and it pleased God and the good fortune of the Cid
that they turned their backs; and the Christians followed, hewing them
down, and smiting and slaying; ana they tarried not to lay hands on
those whom they felled, but went on in the pursuit as fast as they
could. Then might you have seen cords broken, and stakes plucked up as
the Christians came to the tents; my Cid's people drove King Bucar's
through their camp, and many an arm with its sleeve-mail was lopt off,
and many a head with its helmet fell to the ground; and horses ran
about on all sides without riders. Seven full miles did the pursuit
continue. And while they were thus following their flight the Cid set
eyes upon King Bucar, and made at him to strike him with the sword; and
the Moorish King knew him when he saw him coming; Turn this way Bucar,
cried the Campeador, you who came from beyond sea, to see the Cid with
the long beard. We must greet each other and cut out a friendship! God
confound such friendship, cried King Bucar, and turned his bridle, and
began to fly towards the sea, and the Cid after him, having great
desire to reach him. But King Bucar had a good horse and a fresh, and
the Cid went spurring Bavieca who had had hard work that day, and he
came near his back; and when they were nigh unto the ships, and the Cid
saw that he could not reach him, he darted his sword at him, and struck
him between the shoulders; and King Bucar being badly wounded rode into
the sea, and got to a boat, and the Cid alighted and picked up his
sword. And his people came up, hewing down the Moors before them, and
the Moors in their fear of death ran into the sea, so that twice as
many died in the water as in the battle; nevertheless so many were they
who were slain in the field, that they were thought to be seventeen
thousand persons and upward: but a greater number died in the sea. And
so many were they who were taken prisoner, that it was a wonder; and of
the twenty and nine Kings who came with King Bucar, seventeen were
slain. And when the Cid saw that of the Moors some had gotten to the
ships and the others were slain or taken, he returned toward their
tents.
IX. My Cid Ruydiez the Campeador returned from the slaughter; the hood
of his mail was thrown back, and the coif upon his head bore the marks
of it. And when he saw his sons-in-law the Infantes of Carrion, he
rejoiced over them, and said to them to do them honour, Come here, my
sons, for by your help we have conquered in this battle. Presently
Alvar Fañez came up: the shield which hung from his neck was all
battered: more than twenty Moors had he slain, and the blood was
running from his wrist to his elbow. Thanks be to God, said he, and to
the Father who is on high, and to you, Cid, we have won the day. All
these spoils are yours and your vassals. Then they spoiled the field,
where they found great riches in gold, and in silver, and in pearls,
and in precious stones, and in sumptuous tents, and in horses, and in
oxen, which were so many that it was a wonder. The poorest man among
the Christians was made full rich that day. So great was the spoil that
six hundred horses fell to the Cid as his fifth, beside sumpter beasts
and camels, and twelve hundred prisoners; and of the other things which
were taken no man can give account, nor of the treasure which the Cid
won that day in the Campo del Quarto. God be praised! said the
Campeador...once I was poor, but now am I rich in lands and in
possessions, and in gold and in honour. And Moors and Christians both
fear me. Even in Morocco, among their Mosques, do they fear least I
should set upon them some night. Let them fear it! I shall not go to
seek them, but here will I be in Valencia, and by God's help they shall
pay me tribute. Great joy was made in Valencia for this victory, and
great was the joy of the Infantes of Carrion; five thousand marks came
to them for their portion of the spoil. And when they saw themselves so
rich, they and their uncle Suero Gonzalez took counsel together, and
confirmed the wicked resolution which they had taken.
X. One day the companions of the Cid were talking before him of this
victory, and they were saying who were the young knights that had
demeaned themselves well in the battle and in the pursuit, and who had
not; but no mention was made of the Infantes; for though some there
were who whispered to each other concerning them, none would speak ill
of them before the Cid. And the Infantes saw this, and took counsel
with their uncle, who ought not to have given them the evil counsel
that he did, and they determined forthwith to put their wicked design
in execution. So they went before the Cid, and Ferrando Gonzalez,
having enjoined silence, began to say thus. Cid, thou knowest well the
good tie which there is between thee and us, for we hold thee in the
place of a father, and thou didst receive us as thy sons on the day
when thou gavest us thy daughters to be our wives; and from that day we
have alway abode with thee, and have alway endeavoured to do that which
was to thy service; and if we have at any time failed therein it hath
not been wilfully, but for lack of better understanding. Now inasmuch
as it is long time since we departed from Castille, from our father and
from our mother, and because neither we know how it fares with them,
nor they how it fares with us, we would now, if you and Doña Ximena
should so think good, return unto them, and take our wives with us: so
shall our father and our mother and our kinsmen see how honourably we
are mated, and how greatly to our profit, and our wives shall be put in
possession of the towns which we have given them for their dower, and
shall see what is to be the inheritance of the children whom they may
have. And whensoever you shall call upon us, we will be ready to come
and do you service. Then the Cid made answer, weening that this was
spoken without deceit, My sons, I am troubled at what ye say, for when
ye take away my daughters ye take my very heart-strings: nevertheless,
it is fitting that ye do as ye have said. Go when ye will, and I will
give unto you such gifts that it shall be known in Gallicia and in
Castille and in Leon, with what riches I have sent my sons-in-law home.
XI. When the Cid had made this reply, he rose from his seat and went to
Doña Ximena his wife, and spake with her and with Alvar Fañez, and told
them what had passed with his sons-in-law, and what answer he had
given. Greatly was Doña Ximena troubled at this, and Alvar Fañez also,
that he had consented to what they asked; and she said, I do not think
it is wisely done to let them take our daughters from us, and carry
them into another country; for these our sons-in-law are traitorous and
false at heart, and if I areed them right they will do some dishonour
to our daughters, when there will be none there to call them to
account. And Alvar Fañez was of the same mind; but the Cid was
displeased at this, and marvelled greatly at what they said; and he
bade them speak no more thereof, for God would not let it be
so, ... neither were the Infantes of such a race as that they should do
this; neither, quoth he, would it come into their minds to do it, if
only because our Lord King Don Alfonso was he who made the marriage;
but if the Devil should tempt them, and they should commit this
wickedness, dearly would it cost them!
XII. So the Infantes of Carrion made ready for their departure, and
there was a great stir in Valencia. And the two sisters Doña Elvira and
Doña Sol, came and knelt before the Cid and before Doña Ximena their
mother, and said, You send us to the lands of Carrion, and we must
fulfil your command: now then give us your blessing, and let us have
some of your people with us in Carrion, we beseech you. And the Cid
embraced them and kissed them, and the mother kissed them and embraced
them twice as much, and they gave them their blessing, and their
daughters kissed their hands. And the Cid gave unto his sons-in-law
great store of cloth of gold, and of serge, and of wool, and an hundred
horses bridled and saddled, and an hundred mules with all their
trappings, and ten cups of gold, and an hundred vessels of silver, and
six hundred marks of silver in dishes and trenchers and other things.
When all this was done they took their departure and went out of
Valencia, and the Cid rode out a long league with them. He looked at
the birds, and the augury was bad, and he thought that these marriages
would not be without some evil. And his heart smote him, and he began
to think on what Doña Ximena had said, and to fear lest evil should
befall him from these sons-in-law, for the manner of their speech was
not as it was wont to be. Where art thou my nephew, where art thou
Felez Muñoz? thou art the cousin of my daughters, said he, both in
heart and in soul. Go with them even unto Carrion, and see the
possessions which are given them, and come back with tidings thereof
And Felez Muñoz said that he would do this. And the Cid bade him salute
the Moor Abengalvon in his name, with whom they should tarry a night at
Molina, and bid him do service unto his daughters, and his sons-in-law,
and accompany them as far as Medina; and for all that he shall do; said
the Cid, I will give him good guerdon. And when the ladies came to take
their leave of their father the Cid, and of their mother Doña Ximena,
great were the lamentations on both sides, as if their hearts had
divined the evil which was to come; and the Cid strove to comfort them,
saying, that he should alway think of them, and would maintain them in
good estate: and he gave them his blessing and turned back toward
Valencia, and they went their way with their husbands, and that parting
was like plucking the nail from the flesh.
XIII. So the Infantes of Carrion went their way, by the Campo del
Quarto to Chiva, and to Bonilla, and to Requena, and to Campo-Robres,
and they took up their lodging at Villa Taxo. And on the morrow they
took the road to Amaja, and leaving it on the right came to Adamuz, and
passed by Colcha, and rested at Quintana. And when Abengalvon knew that
the daughters of the Cid were coming, he went out joyfully from Molina
to meet them, and pitched tents for them in the field, and had food
brought there in abundance. God, how well he served them! and on the
morrow the Moor gave full rich and noble gifts to the daughters of his
Lord the Cid, and to each of the Infantes he gave a goodly horse. And
he took horse himself and rode on with them, having two hundred knights
in his company. They crossed the mountains of Luzon and passed
Arbuxuelo, and came to Salon, and the Moor lodged them in the place
which is called Ansarera; all this he did for the love of the Cid
Campeador. Now the Infantes seeing the riches which this Moor had with
him, took counsel together for treason, and said, Lo now if we could
slay this Moor Abengalvon, we should possess all these riches as safely
as if we were in Carrion, and the Cid could never take vengeance. And a
Moor who understood the Latin of the country, heard them and knew what
they said, and he went to Abengalvon, and said unto him, _Acaiaz_, that
is to say, Sire, take heed, for I heard the Infantes of Carrion
plotting to kill thee. Abengalvon the Moor was a bold Baron, and when
this was told him, he went with his two hundred men before the
Infantes, and what he said to them did not please them. Infantes of
Carrion, he said, tell me, what have I done? I have served ye without
guile, and ye have taken counsel for my death. If it were not for the
sake of my Cid, never should you reach Carrion! I would carry back his
daughters to the loyal Campeador, and so deal with you that it should
be talked of over the whole world. But I leave ye for traitors as ye
are. Doña Elvira and Doña Sol, I go with your favour. God grant that
this marriage may please your father! Having said this the good Moor
returned to Molina.
XIV. They went on by Valdespino, and by Parra, and Berrocal, and Val
de Endrinas, and they left Madina Celi on the right, and crost the
plain of Barahona, and past near Berlanga; and they crost the Douro by
a ford below the town, and rode on and came into the Oak-wood of
Corpes. The mountains were high, and the trees thick and lofty, and
there were wild beasts in that place. And they came to a green lawn in
the midst of that oak forest, where there was a fountain of clear
water, and there the Infantes gave order that their tents should be
pitched; and they passed the night there, making show of love to their
wives, which they badly fulfilled when the sun was risen, for this was
the place where they thought to put them to shame. Early in the morning
they ordered the sumpter beasts to be laden, and the tent struck, and
they sent all their company on, so that none remained with them,
neither man nor woman, but they and their wives were left alone that
they might disport with them at pleasure. And Doña Elvira said to her
husband, Why wouldst thou that we should remain alone in this place?
And he said, Hold thy peace, and thou shall see! And the Infantes tore
away the mantles from off their wives, and the garments which they
wore, save only their inner garment, and they held them by the hair of
their head with one hand, and with the other took the girths of their
horses. And the women said, Don Diego and Don Ferrando, ye have strong
swords and of sharp edge; the one is called Colado and the other
Tizona; cut off our heads and we shall become martyrs! But set not this
evil example upon us, for whatever shame ye do unto us shall be to your
own dishonour. But the Infantes heeded not what they said, and heat
them cruelly with the saddle-girths, and kicked them with their spurs,
so that their garments were torn, and stained with blood. Oh, if the
Cid Campeador had come upon them at that hour! And the women cried out,
and called upon God and Holy Mary to have mercy upon them; but the more
they cried, the more cruelly did those Infantes beat and kick them,
till they were covered with blood, and swooned away. Then the Infantes
took their mantles and their cloaks, and their furs of ermine and other
garments, and left them for dead, saying, Lie there, daughters of the
Cid of Bivar, for it is not fitting that ye should be our wives, nor
that ye should have your dower in the lands of Carrion! We shall see
how your father will avenge you, and we have now avenged ourselves for
the shame he did us with the Lion. And they rode away as they said
this, leaving them to the mountain birds and to the beasts of the
forest. Oh if the Cid Campeador had come upon them at that hour! And
the Infantes rode on glorying in what they had done, for they said that
the daughters of the Cid were worthy to be their harlots, but not their
wives.
XV. When the Infantes, before they committed this great cruelty,
ordered their company to ride forward, Felez Muñoz the nephew of the
Cid, rode on with the rest: but this order nothing pleased him, and he
was troubled at heart, insomuch that he went aside from his companions,
and struck into the forest, and there waited privily till he should see
his cousins come, or learn what the Infantes had done to them.
Presently he saw the Infantes, and heard what they said to each other.
Certes if they had espied him he could not have escaped death. But they
pricked on not seeing him, and he rode back to the fountain, and there
he found the women lying senseless, and in such plight as ye have
heard. And he made great lamentation over them, saying, Never can it
please God that ye my cousins should receive such dishonour! God and
St. Mary give them who have done this an evil guerdon! for ye never
deserved this, neither are ye of a race to deserve that this or any
other evil should betide ye! By this time the women began to come to
themselves, but they could not speak, for their hearts were breaking.
And Felez Muñoz called out to them, Cousins! Cousins! Doña Elvira! Doña
Sol! for the love of God rouse yourselves that we may get away before
night comes, or the wild beasts will devour us! and they came to
themselves and began to open their eyes, and saw that he who spake to
them was Felez Muñoz; and he said to them, For the love of God take
heart and let us be gone; for the Infantes will soon seek for me, and
if God do not befriend us we shall all be slain. And Doña Sol said to
him in her great pain, Cousin, for all that our father hath deserved at
your hands, give us water. Felez Muñoz took his hat and filled it with
water and gave it to them. And he comforted them and bade them take
courage, and besought them to bear up. And he placed them upon his
horse, and covered them both with his cloak, and led them through the
oak forest, into the thickest part thereof, and there he made a bed of
leaves and of grass, and laid them on it, and covered them with his
cloak, and he sate down by them and began to weep, for he knew not what
he should do: for he had no food, and if he went to seek it, great
danger was there because they were wounded and bloody, that the wild
beasts and the birds of the mountain would attack them; and on the
other hand, unless he went to his uncle the Cid, to tell him of this
wickedness, none other knew what had been done, and thus there would be
no vengeance taken.
XVI. While Felez Muñoz was in this great trouble the Infantes joined
their company, and their spurs were bloody and their hands also from
the wounds which they had given their wives. And when their people saw
them in this plight, and that their wives were not with them, they
weened that some wickedness had been done; and all they who were of
good heart and understanding among them went apart, to the number of an
hundred, with one who was named Pero Sanchez; and he spake unto them,
saying, Friends, these Infantes have done a foul deed upon their wives,
the daughters of our Lord the Cid; and they are our liege Ladies, for
we did homage to them before their father, and accepted them as such;
and the Cid made us knights that we should discharge the duty which we
owe to them. Now then, it behoveth us that we arm ourselves, and demand
of the Infantes what they have done with our ladies, and require them
at their hands. And if they will not deliver them to us, then will we
fight against them even to death; for thus shall we do right, and
otherwise we shall be ill spoken of, and not worthy to live in the
world. This was the counsel which Pero Sanchez gave, and they all held
it good and did accordingly. And the Infantes, when they saw them
coming and heard their demand, were greatly afraid, and they said, Go
to the fountain in the Oak-forest of Corpes, and there ye may find
them; we left them safe and sound, and no harm have we done unto them;
but we would not take them with us. Ill have ye done, replied those
knights, to forsake such wives, and the daughters of such a father, and
ill will ye fare for it! And from henceforward, we renounce all
friendship with ye, and defy ye for the Cid, and for ourselves, and for
all his people. And the Infantes could not reply. And when they saw
that the Infantes did not answer, they said, Get ye gone for traitors
and false caitiffs: there is no way in the world by which ye can escape
from the enemies whom ye have now made! But for all this the Infantes
made no reply, and went their way.
XVII. Pero Sanchez and those other knights rode back to the green lawn
in the Oak-forest, where they had left the dames; and when they came to
the fountain they saw that there was blood round about, but the dames
were not there; and they were greatly troubled, and knew not where to
seek them. And they went about the forest seeking them, calling them
aloud, and making great lamentation for the ill that had befallen, and
also, because they could not find them. Now Felez Muñoz and the women
heard their voices, and were in great fear, for they weened that it was
the Infantes and their company, who were returned with intent to kill
them; and in their great fear they remained still, and would fain have
been far from that place. So Pero Sanchez and they who were with him
went about seeking them in vain. Then spake up a knight called Martin
Ferrandez, who was a native of Burgos, saying, Friends, it boots us to
turn back from hence and follow after the Infantes, and do battle with
them, even unto death, because of this wickedness which they have
committed, rather than return to the Cid; for if we do not strive to
take vengeance, we are not worthy to appear before him. And if,
peradventure, we cannot come up with them upon the road, let its go
before the King Don Alfonso, and discover unto him this foul deed, and
tell him the truth thereof, to the intent that he may order justice to
be done for such a thing; for certes, greatly will he be troubled when
he knoweth it, and greatly will he be incensed against them, inasmuch
as he it was who besought the Cid to give them his daughters to wife.
And we will not depart from the King's house, nor take unto ourselves
any other Lord till the Cid shall have obtained justice in this matter.
And all those knights held this counsel to be good, and agreed to do
so. And they took their way and followed after the Infantes as fast as
they could, taking no rest; but the Infantes had ridden away full
speed, and they could not overtake them. And when they saw this they
went their way to King Don Alfonso who was at Palencia, and they came
before him and kissed his hands, and then with sorrowful hearts told
him of the evil which had befallen the Cid, in this dishonour done unto
his daughters by the Infantes of Carrion. And when the King heard it he
was grievously offended, as one who had great part therein; and he said
unto him, It must needs be, that before many days we shall receive
tidings of this from the Cid Campeador, and then upon his complaint we
will enter into the business in such wise, that every one shall have
justice. Then Pero Sanchez and the other knights kissed the King's
hands for what he had said; and they abode in his court, waiting
tidings from the Cid.
XVIII. When Felez Muñoz saw that the voices which they heard had
ceased, he went after awhile to a village which was at hand, to seek
food for the dames and for himself; and in this manner he kept them for
seven days. And in that village he found a good man, who was a
husbandman, and who lived a godly life with his wife and with his
daughters; and this good man knew the Cid Ruydiez, for the Cid had
lodged in his house, and he had heard tell of his great feats. And when
Felez Muñoz knew this he took the man aside, seeing how good a man he
was, and how well he spake of the Cid, and told him what had befallen
those dames, and how he had hidden them in the wood. And when the good
man heard it he had great ruth for them, but he held himself a happy
man in that he could do them service; and he took two asses and went
with Felez Muñoz to the place where they were hidden, and took with him
his two sons, who were young men. And when the dames saw them they
marvelled who they might be, and were ashamed and would have hidden
themselves; but they could not. And the good man bent his knees before
them, weeping, and said, Ladies, I am at the service of the Cid your
father, who hath many times lodged in my house, and I served him the
best I could, and he alway was bountiful toward me. And now, this young
man, who saith his name is Felez Muñoz, hath told me the great wrong
and dishonour which your husbands, the Infantes of Carrion, have done
unto you. And when I heard it I was moved to great sorrow, and for the
great desire I have to do service to the Cid and to you, I am come
hither, to carry you, if you will be so pleased, upon these beasts, to
my house; for you must not remain in this wild forest, where the beasts
would devour you. And when you are there, I and my wife and my
daughters will serve you the best we can; and you may then send this
squire to your father, and we will keep you secretly and well till your
father shall send for you; this place is not fit for you, for you would
die of cold and hunger. When the good man had said this, Doña Sol
turned to Doña Elvira and said, Sister, the good man saith well, and it
is better that we should go with him than remain and die here, for so
shall we see the vengeance which I trust in God our father will give
us. So they gave thanks to God, and to that man. And he set them upon
his beasts, and led them to the village, when it was now night; and
they entered his house secretly, so that none knew of their coming save
the good man and his family, whom he charged that they should tell no
man thereof. And there his wife and his daughters ministered uoto them
with pure good will.
XIX. Then these dames wrote a letter to their father the Cid, which was
a letter of credence, that he should believe the tidings which Felez
Muñoz would deliver, and they wrote it with the blood from their
wounds. And Felez Muñoz went his way toward Valencia; and when he came
to Santesteban he spake with Diego Tellez, who had been of the company
of Alvar Fañez, and told him of what had befallen. He, so soon as he
heard this great villainy, took beasts and seemly raiment, and went for
those dames, and brought them from the house of that good man to
Santesteban, and did them all honour that he could. They of Santesteban
were always gentlemen; and they comforted the daughters of the Cid, and
there they were healed of their hurts. In the mean time Felez Muñoz
proceeded on his journey; and it came to pass that he met Alvar Fañez
Minaya, and Pero Bermudez on the way, going to the King with a present
which the Cid had sent him; and the present was this, ... two hundred
horses, from those which he had won in the battle of Quarto from King
Bucar, and an hundred Moorish prisoners, and many good swords, and many
rich saddles. And as Alvar Fañez and Pero Bermudez rode on in talk,
they thought that it was he, and marvelled greatly; and he when he drew
nigh began to tear his hair, and make great lamentation, so that they
were greatly amazed. And they alighted, asking him what it was. And he
related unto them all that had befallen. But when they heard this, who
can tell the lamentation which they made? And they took counsel
together what they should do, and their counsel was this, ... that they
should proceed to the King, and demand justice at his hands in the name
of the Cid, and that Felez Muñoz should proceed to Valencia. So he told
them the name of the good man with whom he had left the dames, and the
place where he dwelt, and also how he had spoken with Diego Tellez at
Santesteban, and then they parted.
XX. Alvar Fañez and Pero Bermudez held on their way, and came to the
King, whom they found in Valladolid. And he received them right well,
and asked them for the Cid, and they kissed his hand and said, Sir, the
Cid commends himself to your grace; he hath had a good affair with King
Bucar of Morocco, and hath defeated him, and nine and twenty Kings who
came with him, in the field of Quarto, and great booty did he gain
there in gold and in silver, and in horses and tents and cattle; and he
hath slain many and taken many prisoners. And in acknowledgment of you
as his natural Lord, he sends you two hundred horses, and an hundred
black Moors, and many rich saddles and precious swords, beseeching you
to accept them at his hand, in token of the desire he hath to do
service to God and to you, maintaining the faith of Jesus Christ. And
King Don Alfonso made answer and said, that he took the present of the
Cid with a right good will, as of the truest and most honourable vassal
that ever Lord had: and he gave order to his people to receive it, and
bade Alvar Fañez and Pero Bermudez seat themselves at his feet. After a
while Alvar Fañez rose and said, Sir, when we departed from the Cid we
left him in great honour and prosperity; but on our way we met a squire
who is his nephew, by name Felez Muñoz, and he hath told us the evil
and the dishonour which both we and the Cid endure in the villainy
which the Infantes of Carrion have committed upon his daughters. You,
Sir, know how great this villainy hath been, and how nearly it toucheth
you, for the marriage was of your appointment, and I gave them by your
command to the Infantes. Pero Sánchez hath told you that the dames were
dead, as he believed them to be; but we, Sir, know that they are yet
alive, having been grievously hurt and wounded with bridles and spurs,
and stript of their garments, ... in which plight Felez Muñoz found
them. Certes such a thing as this cannot please God in heaven, and
ought to offend you who are Lord here in your own realm. Now therefore
we beseech you that you take justice for yourself, and give us and the
Cid ours. And let not the Cid be dishonoured in your time, for blessed
be God, he hath never been dishonoured yet, but hath gone on alway
advancing in honour since King Don Ferrando your father knighted him in
Coimbra. To this the King made answer and said, God knoweth the trouble
which I resent for this dishonour which hath been done to the Cid, and
the more I hear of it the more doth it trouble me, and many reasons are
there why it should; for my own sake, and for the sake of the Cid, and
for the sake of his daughters; but since they are yet alive the evil is
not so great, for as they have been wrongfully put to shame, nothing
meriting such treatment, they may be rightfully avenged, as my Cortes
shall determine. Moreover it is a grief to me that my vassals the
Infantes of Carrion should have erred so badly and with such cruelty;
but since it hath been so I cannot but do justice. I hold it good
therefore to summon them to my Cortes, which I will assemble for this
matter in Toledo, and the time assigned them shall be three months from
this day; and do ye tell the Cid to come there with such of his people
as he shall think good. Glad were Alvar Fañez and Pero Bermudez of this
reply, and they kissed his hand, and dispeeded themselves. And the King
ordered mules to be given them for the dames, with right noble saddles
and trappings of gold and cloth of gold and of wool, with menever and
gris.
XXI. Then Alvar Fañez and Pero Bermudez went their way, and Pero
Sanchez and his company departed with them. They went up Val de Esgueva
to Peñafiel, and by Roa and Arrueco, and they entered the Oak-forest of
Corpes, and Pero Sanchez showed the place beside the fountain where the
villainy had been committed; and they made such lamentation there as if
they had seen the dames lie dead before them. Then rode they to the
village where the good man dwelt, and went to his dwelling, and good
guerdon did they give unto him for the service which he had done, so
that he was full well requited. And they took with them the two sons
and the two daughters of the good man, that they might recompense them
for the good deeds of their father; and the dames gave them in
marriage, and made them full rich, and held them even as brothers and
as sisters, because of the service which they had received from them.
When it was known at Santesteban that Minaya was coming for his
kinswomen, the men of that town welcomed him and his company, and they
brought him in payment the _efurcion_, that is to say, the
supper-money, and it was full great. But Minaya would not accept it at
their hands, and he thanked them, and said, Thanks, men of Santesteban,
for what ye have done, and my Cid the Campeador will thank ye, as I do,
and God will give ye your guerdon. Then went they to visit their
kinswomen, and when they saw the dames, who can tell the great
lamentation which was made on both sides? albeit that they rejoiced to
see each other. And Minaya said unto them, By God, cousins, he knoweth
the truth, and your father and mother know it also, ... I misdoubted
this when you went away with those false ones; and it grieved me when
your father said that he had given his consent that ye should go, and
your mother gainsaid it also; but we could not prevail, for he said he
had consented. Howbeit, since ye are alive, of evils let us be thankful
for the least: you have lost one marriage, and may gain a better, and
the day will come when we shall avenge ye. That night they rested at
Santesteban, and on the morrow they set forward and took the road
towards Atienza, and the men of Santesteban escorted them as far as the
river Damor, to do them pleasure. And they past Alcoceba, and went on
to the King's Ford, and there took up there lodging at the Casa de
Berlanga. On the morrow they lodged at Medina Celi, and from thence
they went to Molina, and Abengalvon came out with a right good will to
welcome them, for love of the Cid, and he did them all the honour that
he could. And it was accorded between them that the dames should rest
there some days, because of their weakness, and that they should send
and let the Cid know what had been done.
XXII. Then Pero Bermudez went on to Valencia, and Alvar Fañez and the
rest of his company abode with the dames in Molina. And when Pero
Bermudez arrived he found the Cid Ruydiez just risen with his chivalry
from dinner, and when the Cid saw him he welcomed him right well;
howbeit he could not refrain from weeping; for before this Felez Muñoz
had told him all. And he stroked his beard and said, Thanks be to
Christ, the Lord of this world, by this beard which no one hath ever
cut, the Infantes of Carrion shall not triumph in this! And he began to
take comfort, hearing how King Don Alfonso had appointed the Cortes.
And he took Pero Bermudez by the hand and led him to Doña Ximena, who
wept greatly at seeing him, and said, Ah, Pero Bermudez, what tidings
bringest thou of my daughters? And he comforted her and said, Weep not,
Lady, for I left them alive and well at Molina, and Alvar Fañez with
them; by God's blessing you shall have good vengeance for them! Then
the Cid seated himself near his wife, and Pero Bermudez took his seat
before them, and told them all that he had done, and how the King had
summoned them to the Cortes at Toledo. And he said unto the Cid, My
uncle and Lord, I know not what to say, but ill is my luck that I could
not take vengeance before I returned here; and certes, if I could have
found them I would have died, or have compleated it: but they when they
had done this villainy dared not appear before the King, neither in his
Court, and therefore he hath issued this summons to them that they
should come. Manifestly may it be seen that the King well inclineth to
give you justice, if you fail not to demand it. Now then I beseech you
tarry not, but let us to horse and confront them and accuse them, for
this is not a thing to be done leisurely. And the Cid answered and
said, Chafe not thyself, Pero Bermudez, for the man who thinketh by
chafing to expedite his business, leaveth off worse than he began. Be
you certain, that if I die not I shall take vengeance upon those
traitors, and I trust in God not to die till I have taken it. Now
therefore, give me no more anger than I feel in my own heart, for Felez
Muñoz hath given me enough. I thank my Lord King Don Alfonso for the
answer which he gave you, and for appointing the Cortes, and in such
guise will I appear there as shall gall them who wish ill to me. God
willing, we will take our departure in good time! Do you now return to
Molina, and bring on my daughters, for I would fain see them; and I
will talk with them that they may tell me the whole truth of this
thing, that I may know the whole when I go to the court of the King to
demand vengeance.
XXIII. Pero Bermudez returned the next day to Molina, where Abengalvon
had done great honour to the dames, and to Alvar Fañez, and all that
were with him. And they departed from Molina, and Abengalvon with them,
for he would not leave them till he had brought them to Valencia to his
Lord the Cid. And when the Cid knew that they were drawing nigh he rode
out two leagues to meet them, and when they saw him they made great
lamentation, they and all his company, not only the Christians but the
Moors also who were in his service. But my Cid embraced his daughters,
and kissed them both, and smiled and said, Ye are come, my children,
and God will heal you! I accepted this marriage for you, but I could do
no other; by God's pleasure ye shall be better mated hereafter. And
when they reached Valencia and went into the Alcazar to their mother
Doña Ximena, who can tell the lamentation which was made by the mother
over her daughters, and the daughters with their mother, and by the
women of their household. Three days did this great lamentation last.
And the Cid thanked Abengalvon, his vassal, for the honour which he had
shown to his children and their company, and promised to protect him
from all who should come against him. And Abengalvon returned to Molina
well pleased.