I. My Cid the Campeador made ready to appear at the Cortes in Toledo,
and he left the Bishop Don Hieronymo, and Martin Pelaez the Asturian,
to command in Valencia, and five hundred knights with them, all
hidalgos. And he spake with his daughters, and commanded and besought
them to tell him the whole truth, how this matter had been, and not say
the thing which was false; and they did accordingly, and related unto
him all, even as it had befallen them. And the Cid departed from
Valencia, and with him went Alvar Fañez Minaya with two hundred
knights, and Pero Bermudez with one hundred; and Martin Antolinez with
fifty, and Martin Ferrandez with other fifty, and Felez Ferruz and
Benito Sanchez with fifty each; ... these were five hundred knights.
And there went fifty with Martin Garcia and Martin Salvadorez, and
fifty with Pero Gonzalvez and Martin Muñoz, and Diego Sanchez of
Arlanza went with fifty, and Don Nuño, he who colonized Cubiella, and
Alvar Bermudez he who colonized Osma, went with forty, and Gonzalo
Muñoz of Orbaneja, and Muño Ravia, and Yvañez Cornejo with sixty, and
Muño Fernandez the Lord of Monteforte, and Gomez Fernandez he who
colonized Pampliego with sixty; and Don Garcia de Roa and Serrazin his
brother, Lord of Aza, with ninety; and Antolin Sanchez of Soria took
with him forty knights who were his children or his kin: ... nine
hundred knights were they in all. And there went with them five hundred
esquires on foot, all hidalgos, beside those who were bred in his
household, and beside other foot-men, who were many in number. All
these went well clad in right good garments, and with good horses, to
serve the Cid both in Cortes and in the war.
II. King Don Alfonso made no delay, but sent out his letters through
Leon and Santiago, to the Portugueze and the Calicians, and they of
Carrion, and the Castillians, that he would hold a Cortes in Toledo at
the end of seven weeks, and that they who did not appear should no
longer be accounted his vassals. At this greatly were the Infantes of
Carrion troubled, for they feared the coming of my Cid the Campeador.
And they took counsel with their kin and prayed the King that he would
hold them excused from that Cortes; and the King made answer, that
nothing but God should excuse them from it, for the Campeador was
coming to demand justice against them, and he, quoth the King, who will
not appear, shall quit my kingdoms. So when they saw that they must
needs appear, they took counsel with the Count Don Garcia, the enemy of
my Cid, who alway wished him ill, and they went with the greatest
company that they could assemble, thinking to dismay my Cid the
Campeador. And they arrived before him.
III. When my Cid drew nigh unto Toledo, he sent Alvar Fañez forward to
kiss the King's hand, and let him wit that he should be there that
night. When the King heard this it rejoiced his heart, and he took
horse and went out with a great company to meet him who was born in
happy hour; and there went with him his sons-in-law, the Count Don
Anrrich, and the Count Don Remond; this one was the father of the good
Emperor. When they came in sight, the Cid dismounted and fell to the
ground, and would have abased himself to honour his Lord, but the King
cried out to him and said, By St. Isidro this must not be to-day!
Mount, Cid, or I shall not be well pleased! I welcome you with heart
and soul; ... and my heart is grieved for your grief. God send that the
court be honoured by you! Amen, said my Cid the Campeador, and he
kissed his hand, and afterwards saluted him. And the Cid said, I thank
God that I see you, Sir; and he humbled himself to Count Don Anrrich,
and Count Don Remond, and the others, and said, God save all our
friends, and chiefly you, Sir! my wife Doña Ximena kisses your hand,
and my daughters also, that this thing which hath befallen us, may be
found displeasing unto you. And the King said, That will it be, unless
God prevent. So they rode toward Toledo. And the King said unto him, I
have ordered you to be lodged in my Palaces of Galiana, that you may be
near me. And the Cid answered, Gramercy, Sir! God grant you long life
and happy, but in your Palaces there is none who should be lodged save
you. When you hold your Cortes let it be in those Palaces of Galiana,
for there is better room there than in the Alcazar. I will not cross
the Tagus to-night, but will pass the night in St. Servans on this
side, and hold a vigil there. To-morrow I will enter the city, and be
in the court before dinner. The King said that it pleased him well, and
he returned into Toledo. And the Cid went into the Church of St.
Servans, and ordered candles to be placed upon the altar, for he would
keep a vigil there; and there he remained with Minaya and the other
good ones, praying to the Lord, and talking in private. The tents of
his company were pitched upon the hills round about. Any one who beheld
them might well have said, that it looked like a great host.
IV. When the King entered the city, he bade his seneschal, Benito
Perez, make ready the Palaces of Galiana for the next day, when the
Cortes should begin; and he fitted the great Palace after this manner.
He placed _estrados_ with carpets upon the ground, and hung the walls
with cloth of gold. And in the highest place he placed the royal chair
in which the King should sit; it was a right noble chair and a rich,
which he had won in Toledo, and which had belonged to the Kings
thereof; and round about it right noble _estrados_ were placed for the
Counts and honourable men who were come to the Cortes. Now the Cid knew
how they were fitting up the Palaces of Galiana, and he called for a
squire, who was a young man, one whom he had brought up and in whom he
had great trust; he was an hidalgo, and hight Ferran Alfonso; and the
Cid bade him take his ivory seat which he had won in Valencia, and
which had belonged to the Kings thereof, and place it in the Palace, in
the best place, near the seat of the King; and that none might hurt or
do dishonour unto it, he gave him a hundred squires, all hidalgos, to
go with him, and ordered them not to leave it till he should come there
the next day. So when they had dined, they made the seat be taken up,
and went with it to the Palaces of Galiana, and placed it near the seat
of the King, as the Cid had commanded; and all that day and night they
remained there guarding the ivory seat, till the Cid should come and
take his place thereon; every one having his sword hung from his neck.
This was a right noble seat, and of subtle work, so that whoso beheld
it would say it was the seat of a good man, and that it became such a
one as the Cid. It was covered with cloth of gold, underneath which was
a cushion.
V. On the morrow, after the King had heard mass, he went into the
Palace of Galiana, where the Cortes was to assemble, and the Infantes
of Carrion and the other Counts and Ricos-omes with him, save the Cid
who was not yet come; and when they who did not love the Cid beheld his
ivory seat, they began to make mock of it. And Count Garcia said to the
King, I beseech your Grace, tell me, for whom that couch is spread
beside your seat: for what dame is it made ready; will she come drest
in the _almexia_ ... or with white _alquinales_ on her head, or after
what fashion will she be apparelled? Sir, a seat like that is fit for
none but your Grace: give order to take it for yourself, or that it be
removed. When Ferran Alfonso, who was there to guard the ivory seat
heard this, he answered and said, Count, you talk full foolishly, and
speak ill of one against whom it behoves you not to talk. He who is to
sit upon this seat is better than you, or than all your lineage; and he
hath ever appeared a man to all his enemies, not like a woman as you
say. If you deny this I will lay hands upon you, and make you
acknowledge it before my Lord the King Don Alfonso, who is here
present. And I am of such a race that you cannot acquit yourself by
saying I am not your peer, and the vantage of half your arms I give
you! At these words was the King greatly troubled, and the Counts also,
and all the honourable men who were there present. And Count García who
was an angry man, wrapt his mantle under his arm, and would have struck
Ferran Alfonso, saying, Let me get at the boy who dares me! And Ferran
Alfonso laid hand upon his sword and came forward to meet him, saying,
that if it were not for the King, he would punish him thereright for
the folly which he had uttered. But the King seeing that these words
went on from bad to worse, put them asunder that farther evil might not
happen, and he said, None of ye have reason to speak thus of the seat
of the Cid; he won it like a good knight and a valiant, as he is. There
is not a King in the world who deserves this seat better than my vassal
the Cid, and the better and more honourable he is, the more am I
honoured through him. This seat he won in Valencia, where it had
belonged to the Kings thereof; and much gold and silver, and many
precious stones hath he won; and many a battle hath he won both against
Christians and Moors: and of all the spoil which he hath won, he hath
alway sent me part, and great presents and full rich, such as never
other vassal sent to his Lord; and this he hath done in acknowledgment
that I am his Lord. Ye who are talking here against him, which of ye
hath ever sent me such gifts as he? If any one be envious, let him
atchieve such feats as he hath done, and I will seat him with myself to
do him honour.
VI. Now the Cid had performed his vigil in the Church of St. Servan,
matins and primes were said, and mass performed; and then he made ready
to go to the Cortes, and with him went Alvar Fañez Minaya, whom he
called his right arm, and Pero Bermudez, and Muño Gustios, and Martin
Antolinez that doughty Burgalese, and Alvar Alvarez, and Alvar
Salvadorez, and Martin Muñoz, and Felez Muñoz the Cid's nephew, and
Malanda who was a learned man, and Galin Garciez the good one of
Aragon: these and others made ready to go with him, being an hundred of
the best of his company. They wore _velmezes_ under their harness, that
they might be able to bear it, and then their mail, which was as bright
as the sun: over this they had ermine or other skins, laced tight that
the armour might not be seen, and under their cloaks, their swords
which were sweet and sharp. He who was born in happy hour made no
tarriance; he drew on his legs hose of fine cloth, and put on over them
shoes which were richly worked. A shirt of _ranzal_ he wore, which was
as white as the sun; all the fastenings were wrought with gold and
silver: over this a _brial_ of gold tissue; and over this a red skin
with points of gold. My Cid the Campeador alway wore it. On his head he
had a coif of scarlet wrought with gold, which was made that none might
clip the hair of the good Cid. His was a long beard, and he bound it
with a cord. And he bade Alvar Fañez and Pero Bermudez assemble their
companions, and when he saw them he said, If the Infantes of Carrion
should seek a quarrel, where I have a hundred such as these I may be
well without fear! And he said, Let us mount now and go to the Cortes.
We go to make one defiance, and peradventure it may be two or three,
through the folly of those who may stir against us. Ye will be ready to
aid me, saying and doing as I shall call upon ye, always saving the
honour and authority of King Don Alfonso our Lord; see now that none of
ye say or do ought amiss, for it would be unseemly. Then called he for
his horse, and bestrode it, and rode to the Cortes.
VII. My Cid and his company alighted at the gate of the Palaces of
Galiana, and he and his people went in gravely, he in the midst and his
hundred knights round about him. When he who was born in happy hour
entered, the good King Don Alfonso rose up, and the Counts Don Anrrich
and Don Remond did the like, and so did all the others, save the
curly-headed one of Granon, and they who were on the side of the
Infantes of Carrion. All the others received him with great honour. And
he said unto the King, Sir, where do you bid me sit with these my
kinsmen and friends who are come with me? And the King made answer,
Cid, you are such a one, and have past your time so well to this day,
that if you would listen to me and be commanded by me, I should hold it
good that you took your seat with me; for he who hath conquered Kings,
ought to be seated with Kings. But the Cid answered, That, Sir, would
not please God, but I will be at your feet for by the favour of the
King your father Don Ferrando was I made, his creature and the creature
of your brother King Don Sancho am I, and it behoveth not that he who
receiveth bounty should sit with him who dispenseth it. And the King
answered, Since you will not sit with me, sit on your ivory seat, for
you won it like a good man; and from this day I order that none except
King or Prelate sit with you, for you have conquered so many high-born
men, and so many Kings, both Christians and Moors, that for this reason
there is none who is your peer, or ought to be seated with you. Sit
therefore like a King and Lord upon your ivory seat. Then the Cid
kissed the King's hand, and thanked him for what he had said, and for
the honour which he had done him; and he took his seat, and his hundred
knights seated themselves round about him. All who were in the Cortes
sate looking at my Cid and at his long beard which he had bound with a
cord; but the Infantes of Carrion could not look upon him for shame.
VIII. When they were all seated the King gave command that they should
be silent; and when the Cid saw that they were all still, he rose and
spake after this manner. Sir King Don Alfonso, I beseech you of your
mercy that you would hear me, and give command that I should be heard,
and that you would suffer none to interrupt me, for I am not a man of
speech, neither know I how to set forth my words, and if they interrupt
me I shall be worse. Moreover, Sir, give command that none be bold
enough to utter unseemly words, nor be insolent towards me, least we
should come to strife in your presence. Then King Don Alfonso rose and
said, Hear me, as God shall help you! Since I have been King I have
held only two Cortes, one in Burgos, and one in Carrion. This third I
have assembled here in Toledo for the love of the Cid, that he may
demand justice against the Infantes of Carrion for the wrongs which we
all know. The Counts Don Anrrich and Don Remoud shall be Alcaldes in
this cause; and these other Counts who are not on either side, give ye
all good heed, for ye are to take cognizance that the right may be
decreed. And I give order, and forbid any one, to speak without my
command, or to utter aught insolent against the Cid; and I swear by St.
Isidro, that whosoever shall disturb the Cortes shall lose my love and
be banished from the kingdom. I am on the side of him who shall be
found to have the right. Then those Counts who were appointed Alcaldes
were sworn upon the Holy Gospels, that they would judge between the Cid
and the Infantes of Carrion, rightly and truly, according to the law of
Castille and Leon.
IX. When this was done the King bade the Cid make his demand; and the
Cid rose and said, Sir, there is no reason for making long speeches
here, which would detain the Cortes. I demand of the Infantes of
Carrion, before you, two swords which I gave into their keeping; the
one is Colada and the other Tizona. I won them like a man, and gave
them to the keeping of the Infantes that they might honour my daughters
with them, and serve you. When they left my daughters in the Oak-forest
of Corpes they chose to have nothing to do with me, and renounced my
love; let them therefore give me back the swords, seeing that they are
no longer my sons-in-law. Then the King commanded the Alcaldes to judge
upon this demand according as they should find the right; and they took
counsel and judged, that the swords should be restored unto the Cid.
And Count Don Garcia said they would talk concerning it; and the
Infantes of Carrion talked apart with those who were on their side, and
they thought that they were well off; for that the Cid would demand
nothing more of them, but would leave the Cortes when he had recovered
the swords. So they brought the swords Colada and Tizona, and delivered
them to the King. The King drew the swords, and the whole Court shone
with their brightness: their hilts were of solid gold; all the good men
of the Cortes marvelled at them. And the Cid rose and received them,
and kissed the King's hand, and went back to his ivory seat; and he
took the swords in his hand and looked at them; they could not change
them, for the Cid knew them well, and his whole frame rejoiced, and he
smiled from his heart. And he laid them upon his lap and said, Ah, my
swords, Colada and Tizona, truly may I say of you, that you are the
best swords in Spain; and I won you, for I did not get you either by
buying or by barter. I gave ye in keeping to the Infantes of Carrion
that they might do honour to my daughters with ye. But ye were not for
them! they kept ye hungry, and did not feed ye with flesh as ye were
wont to be fed. Well is it for you that ye have escaped that thraldom
and are come again to my hands, and happy man am I to recover you. Then
Alvar Fañez rose and kissed the hand of the Cid, and said, I beseech
you give Colada into my keeping while this Cortes shall last, that I
may defend you therewith: and the Cid gave it him and said. Take it, it
hath changed its master for the better. And Pero Bermudez rose and made
the same demand for the sword Tizona, and the Cid gave it him in like
manner. Then the Cid laid hand upon his beard as he was wont to do, and
the Infantes of Carrion and they who were of their side thought that he
meant to disturb the Cortes, and they were greatly afraid; but he sate
still like a man of good understanding, for he was not one who did
things lightly.
X. Then the Cid rose and said, Thanks be to God and to you, Sir King, I
have recovered my swords Colada and Tizona, I have now another demand
against the Infantes of Carrion, King Don Alfonso, you well know that
it was your pleasure to bid me meet you at Requeña, and I went there in
obedience to your command. And you asked of me my daughters in marriage
for the Infantes, and I did not refuse, in that I would not disobey
your command; and you bade me deliver them to my kinsman here Don Alvar
Fañez, and he gave them to the Infantes to be their wives, and the
blessing was given them in the church of St. Mary, according to the law
of Rome. You, Sir, gave them in marriage, not I; and you did it for
good, not for evil; but what they did was after another wise. And
though they are of great blood and honourable, yet would I not have
given my daughters to them, unless in obedience to your command; and
this, Sir, you well know, for so I said unto you. I gave them, when
they took my daughters from Valencia, horses and mules, and cups and
vessels of fine gold, and much wrought silver, and many noble garments,
and other gifts, three thousand marks of silver in all, thinking that I
gave it to my daughters whom I loved. Now, Sir, since they have cast my
daughters off, and hold themselves to have been dishonoured in marrying
them, give command that they restore unto me this which is my own, or
that they show cause why they should not. Then might you have seen the
Infantes of Carrion in great chafing. And Count Don Remond called upon
them to speak; and they said, We gave his swords to the Cid Campeador,
that he might ask nothing more of us, if it please the King. But the
King said that they must answer to the demand. And they asked to
consult together concerning it; and the King bade them take counsel and
make answer incontinently. So they went apart, and with them eleven
Counts and Ricos-omes who were on their side, but no right or reason
could they find for opposing this demand which the Cid had made.
Howbeit Count Don Garcia spake for them and said, Sir, this which the
Cid demands back from them, it is true that he gave it, but they have
expended it in your service; we hold therefore that they are not bound
to make restitution of it, seeing how it hath been expended.
Nevertheless if you hold it to be lawful that they should restore this
money, give order that time be given them to make the payment, and they
will go to Carrion, their inheritance, and there discharge the demand
as you shall decree. When the Count had thus said he sate down. And the
Cid arose and said, Sir, if the Infantes of Carrion have expended aught
in your service, it toucheth not me. You and the Alcaldes whom you have
appointed have heard them admit that I gave them this treasure, and
this excuse which they set up; I pray you let judgment be given whether
they are bound to pay it or not. Then King Don Alfonso answered and
said, If the Infantes of Carrion have expended aught in my service, I
am bound to repay it, for the Cid must not lose what is his own; and he
bade the Alcaldes consult together and judge according to what they
should find right. And the Alcaldes having taken counsel gave judgment,
that seeing the Infantes acknowledged the Cid had given them this
treasure with his daughters, and they had abandoned them, they must
needs make restitution in the Cortes of the King there right: and the
King confirmed this sentence, and the Cid rose and kissed the King's
hand. Greatly were the Infantes of Carrion troubled at this sentence,
and they besought the King that he would obtain time for them from the
Cid, in which to make their payment; and the King besought him to grant
them fifteen days, after this manner, that they should not depart from
the Court till they had made the payment, and that they should plight
homage for the observance of this. And the Cid granted what the King
desired, and they plighted homage accordingly in the hands of the King,
Then made they their account with the King, and it was found that what
they had expended for his service was two hundred marks of silver, and
the King said that he would repay this, so that there remained for them
two thousand and eight hundred to pay. Who can tell the trouble in
which the Infantes were, to pay this treasure to the Cid, they and all
their kindred and friends, for it was full hard for them to accomplish,
And they took up upon trust horses and mules and wrought silver, and
other precious things, and as they could get them, delivered them over
to the Cid. Then might you have seen many a good-going horse brought
there, and many a good mule, and many a good palfrey, and many a good
sword with its mountings. And they sent to Carrion to their father and
mother to help them, for they were in great trouble; and they raised
for them all they could, so that they made up the sum within the time
appointed. And then they thought that the matter was at an end, and
that nothing more would be demanded from them.
XI. After this payment had been made the Cortes assembled again, and
the King and all the honourable men being each in his place, the Cid
rose from his ivory seat, and said, Sir, praise be to God and your
favour, I have recovered my swords, and my treasure; now then I pray
you let this other demand be heard which I have to make against the
Infantes. Full hard it is for me to make it, though I have it rooted in
my heart! I say then, let them make answer before you, and tell why it
was that they besought you to marry them with my daughters, and why
they took them away from me from Valencia, when they had it in heart to
dishonour me, and to strike them, and leave them as they were left, in
the Oak-forest of Corpes? Look, Sir, what dishonour they did them! they
stript them of the garments which they had not given them, as if they
had been bad women, and the children of a bad father. With less than
mortal defiance I shall not let them go!... How had I deserved this,
Infantes, at your hands? I gave you my daughters to take with you from
Valencia; with great honour and great treasures gave I them unto
you;... Dogs and Traitors,... ye took them from Valencia when ye did
not love them, and with your bridles ye smote and with your spurs ye
spurned and wounded them, and ye left them alone in the Oak-forest, to
the wild beasts, and to the birds of the mountain! King Don Alfonso,
they neither remembered God, nor you, nor me, nor their own good
fortune! And here was fulfilled the saying of the wise man, that harder
it is for those who have no understanding to bear with good than with
evil. Praise be to God and to your grace, such a one am I, and such
favour hath God shown me, from the day when I first had horse and arms,
until now, that not only the Infantes of Carrion, but saving yourself,
Sir, there is not a King in Christendom who might not think himself
honoured in marrying with either of my daughters,... how much more then
these traitors!... I beseech you give me justice upon them for the evil
and dishonour which they have done me! And if you and your Cortes will
not right me, through the mercy of God and my own good cause, I will
take it myself, for the offence which they have committed against God
and the faith, and the truth which they promised and vowed to their
wives. I will pull them down from the honour in which they now are;
better men than they have I conquered and made prisoners ere now! and
with your license, Sir, to Carrion will I follow them, even to their
inheritance, and there will I besiege them, and take them by the
throat, and carry them prisoners to Valencia to my daughters, and there
make them do penance for the crime which they have committed, and feed
them with the food which they deserve. If I do not perform this, call
me a flat traitor. When the King heard this he rose up and said, that
it might be seen how he was offended in this thing. Certes, Cid Ruydiez
Campeador, I asked your daughters of you for the Infantes of Carrion,
because, as they well know, they besought me to do so, I never having
thought thereof. It well seemeth now that they were not pleased with
this marriage which I made at their request, and great part of the
dishonour which they have done you, toucheth me. But seeing ye are here
in my presence, it is not fitting that you make your demand in any
other manner than through my Cortes; do you therefore accuse them, and
let them acquit themselves if they can before my Alcaldes, who will
pass sentence according to what is right. And the Cid kissed the King's
hand, and returned to his place upon the ivory seat.
XII. Then the Cid arose and said, God prosper you, Sir, in life, and
honour, and estate, since you have compassion for me and for the
dishonour which my daughters have received. And he turned towards the
Infantes of Carrion, and said, Ferrando Gonzalez and Diego Gonzalez, I
say that ye are false traitors for leaving your wives as ye left them
in the Oak-forest; and here before the King I attaint you as false
traitors, and defy you, and will produce your peers who shall prove it
upon you, and slay you or thrust you out of the lists, or make you
confess it in your throats. And they were silent. And the King said,
that seeing they were there present, they should make answer to what
the Cid had said. Then Ferrando Gonzalez the elder arose and said, Sir,
we are your subjects, of your kingdom of Castille, and of the best
hidalgos therein, sons of the Count Don Gonzalo Gonzalez; and we hold
that men of such station as ourselves were not well married with the
daughters of Ruydiez of Bivar. And for this reason we forsook them,
because they come not of blood fit for our wives, for one lineage is
above another. Touching what he says, that we forsook them, he saith
truly; and we hold that in so doing we did nothing wrong, for they were
not worthy to be our wives, and we are more to be esteemed for having
left them, than we were while they were wedded with us. Now then, Sir,
there is no reason why we should do battle upon this matter with any
one. And Diego Gonzalez his brother arose and said, You know, Sir, what
perfect men we are in our lineage, and it did not befit us to be
married with the daughters of such a one as Ruydiez; and when he had
said this he held his peace and sate down. Then Count Don García rose
and said, Come away, Infantes, and let us leave the Cid sitting like a
bridegroom in his ivory chair:... he lets his beard grow and thinks to
frighten us with it!... The Campeador put up his hand to his beard, and
said, What hast thou to do with my beard, Count? Thanks be to God, it
is long because it hath been kept for my pleasure; never son of woman
hath taken me by it; never son of Moor or of Christian hath plucked it,
as I did yours in your castle of Cabra, Count, when I took your castle
of Cabra, and took you by the beard; there was not a boy of the host
but had his pull at it. What I plucked then is not yet methinks grown
even!... And the Count cried out again, Come away, Infantes, and leave
him! Let him go back to Rio de Ovierna, to his own country, and set up
his mills, and take toll as he used to do!... he is not your peer that
you should strive with him. At this the knights of the Cid looked at
each other with fierce eyes and wrathful countenances; but none of them
dared speak till, the Cid bade them, because of the command which he
had given.
XIII. When the Cid saw that none of his people made answer he turned to
Pero Bermudez and said, Speak, Pero Mudo, what art thou silent for? He
called him Mudo, which is to say, Dumb-ee, because he snaffled and
stuttered when he began to speak; and Pero Bermudez was wroth that he
should be so called before all that assembly. And he said, I tell you
what, Cid, you always call me Dumb-ee in Court, and you know I cannot
help my words; but when anything is to be done, it shall not fail for
me. And in his anger he forgot what the Cid had said to him and to the
others that they should make no broil before the King. And he gathered
up his cloak under his arm and went up to the eleven Counts who were
against the Cid, to Count Garcia, and when he was nigh him he clenched
his fist, and gave him a blow which brought him to the ground. Then was
the whole Cortes in an uproar by reason of that blow, and many swords
were drawn, and on one side the cry was Cabra and Grañon, and on the
other side it was Valencia and Bivar; but the strife was in such sort
that the Counts in short time voided the Palace, King Don Alfonso
meantime cried out aloud, forbidding them to fight before him, and
charging them to look to his honour; and the Cid then strove what he
could to quiet his people, saying to the King. Sir, you saw that I
could bear it no longer, being thus maltreated in your presence; if it
had not been before you, well would I have had him punished. Then the
King sent to call those Counts who had been driven out; and they came
again to the Palace, though they fain would not, complaining of the
dishonour which they had received. And the King said unto them that
they should defend themselves with courtesy and reason, and not revile
the Cid, who was not a man to be reviled; and he said that he would
defend as far as he could the rights of both parties. Then they took
their seats on the estrados as before.
XIV. And Pero Bermudez rose and said to Count Garcia, Foul mouth, in
which God hath put no truth, thou hast dared let thy tongue loose to
speak of the Cid's beard. His is a praiseworthy beard, and an
honourable one, and one that is greatly feared, and that never hath
been dishonoured, nor overcome! and if you please you may remember when
he fought against you in Cabra, hundred to hundred, he threw you from
your horse, and took thee by the beard, and made thee and thy knights
prisoners, and carried thee prisoner away across a pack-saddle; and his
knights pulled thy beard for thee, and I who stand here had a good
hand-full of it: how then shall a beard that hath been pulled speak
against one that hath alway been honourable! If you deny this, I will
fight you upon this quarrel before the King our Lord. Then Count Suero
González rose in great haste and said, Nephews, go you away and leave
these rascally companions: if they are for fighting, we will give them
their fill of that, if our Lord the King should think good so to
command; that shall not fail for us, though they are not our peers.
Then Don Alvar Fañez Minaya arose and said, Hold thy peace, Count Suero
Gonzalez! you have been to breakfast before you said your prayers, and
your words are more like a drunkard's than one who is in his senses.
Your kinsmen like those of the Cid!... if it were not out of reverence
to my Lord and King, I would teach you never to talk again in this way.
And then the King saw that these words were going on to worse, and
moreover that they were nothing to the business; and he commanded them
to be silent, and said, I will determine this business of the defiance
with the Alcaldes, as shall be found right; and I will not have these
disputes carried on before me, least you should raise another uproar in
my presence.
XV. Then the King rose and called to the Alcaldes, and went apart with
them into a chamber, and the Cid and all the others remained in the
Hall. And when the King and the Alcaldes had taken counsel together
concerning what was right in this matter, they came out from the
chamber, and the King went and seated himself in his chair, and the
Alcaldes each in his place, and they commanded all persons to be silent
and hear the sentence which the King should give. Then the King spake
thus: I have taken counsel with these Counts whom I appointed to be
Alcaldes in this cause between the Cid and the Infantes of Carrion, and
with other honourable and learned men: and this is the sentence which I
give; that both the Infantes and Count Suero Gonzalez their fosterer
and uncle, forasmuch as it is given me to understand that he was the
adviser and abettor in the dishonour which they did unto the daughters
of the Cid, shall do battle with such three of the Cid's people as it
may please him to appoint, and thereby acquit themselves if they can.
When the King had given this sentence, the Cid rose and kissed, his
hand and said, May God have you, Sir, in his holy keeping long and
happy years, seeing you have judged justly, as a righteous King and our
natural Lord. I receive your sentence; and now do I perceive that it is
your pleasure to show favour unto me, and to advance mine honour, and
for this reason I shall ever be at your service. Then Pero Bermudez
rose up and went to the Cid and said, A boon, Sir! I beseech you let me
be one of those who shall do battle on your part, for such a one do I
hold myself to be, and this which they have done is so foul a thing,
that I trust in God to take vengeance for it. And the Cid made answer
that he was well pleased it should be so, and that he should do battle
with Ferrando Gonzalez the eldest; and upon that Pero Bermudez kissed
his hand. Then Martin Antolinez of Burgos rose and besought the Cid
that he might be another, and the Cid granted his desire, and said that
he should do battle with Diego Gonzalez the younger brother. And then
Muño Gustioz of Linquella rose and besought the Cid that he might be
the third, and the Cid granted it, and appointed him to do battle with
Count Suero Gonzalez. And when the Cid had appointed his three
champions, the King gave command that the combat should be performed on
the morrow; but the Infantes were not prepared to fight so soon, and
they besought him of his favour that he would let them go to Carrion,
and that they would come prepared for the battle. And the King would
not allow this time which they requested; howbeit the Counts Don
Anrrich and Don Remond his sons-in-law, and Count Don Nuño, spake with
him, and besought him of his grace that he would allow them three
weeks; and the King at their intreaty granted it with the pleasure of
the Cid.
XVI. Now when all this had been appointed, as ye have heard, and while
they were all in the court, there came into the Palace messengers from
the Kings of Aragon and of Navarre, who brought letters to King Don
Alfonso, and to the Cid Campeador, wherein those Kings sent to ask the
daughters of the Cid in marriage, the one for the Infante Don Sancho of
Aragon, the other for the Infante Garcia Ramirez of Navarre. And when
they came before the King, they bent their knees and gave him the
letters, and delivered their message; the like did they to the Cid.
Much were the King and the Cid also pleased at this news, and the King
said unto him, What say you to this? And the Cid answered, I and my
daughters are at your disposal, do you with us as you shall think good.
And the King said, I hold it good that they wed with these Infantes,
and that from henceforward they be Queens and Ladies; and that for the
dishonour which they have received, they now receive this honour. And
the Cid rose and kissed the hands of the King, and all his knights did
the like. These messengers hight, he of Aragon Yñigo Ximenez, and he of
Navarre Ochoa Perez. And the King gave order that his letters of
consent to these marriages should be given, and the Cid did the like.
And those knights did homage before the King, that in three months from
that day the Infantes of Aragon and of Navarre should come to Valencia,
to the Cid, to be wedded to his daughters. Great joy had the companions
of the Cid that these marriages were appointed, seeing how their honour
was increased; and contrariwise, great was the sorrow of the Infantes
of Carrion and their friends, because it was to their confusion and
great shame. And King Don Alfonso said aloud unto the Cid before them
all, Praised be the name of God, because it hath pleased him that the
dishonour which was done to me and to you and your daughters, should
thus be turned into honour: for they were the wives of the sons of
Counts, and now shall they be the wives of the sons of Kings, and
Queens hereafter. Great was the pleasure of the Cid and his company at
these words of the King, for before they had sorrow, and now it was
turned into joy. And the Infantes went away from the Palace full sadly,
and went to their lodging, and prepared to go to Carrion that they
might make ready for the combat, which was to be in three weeks from
that time.
XVII. Then the Cid said unto the King, Sir, I have appointed those who
are to do battle with the Infantes and their uncle for the enmity and
treason which they committed against me and my daughters; and now, Sir,
as there is nothing more for me to do here, I will leave them in your
hand, knowing that you will not suffer them to receive any displeasure
or wrong soever, and that you will defend their right. And if it please
you I would fain return to Valencia, where I have left my wife and
daughters, and my other companions; for I would not that the Moors
should rise up against me during my absence, thinking peradventure that
I have not sped so well in this matter as I have done, praised be God
and you. And moreover I have to make ready for these marriages which
you have now appointed. And the King bade him go when he pleased, and
good fortune with him, and said that he would protect his knights and
maintain his right in all things. Then the Cid kissed the King's hand
for this which he had said, and commended the knights to his keeping.
And the King called for Count Don Remond his son-in-law, and gave the
knights of the Cid to his charge, and bade them not depart from him;
and then the King rose and returned to the Alcazar.
XVIII. Then the Cid took off his coif of _ranzal,_ which was as white
as the sun, and he loosed his beard, and took it out of the cord with
which it was bound. All they who were there could not be satisfied with
looking at him. And the Counts Don Anrrich and Don Remond came up to
him, and he embraced them, and thanked them and the other good men who
had been Alcaldes in this business, for maintaining his right; and he
promised to do for them in requital whatever they might require; and he
besought them to accept part of his treasures. And they thanked him for
his offer, but said that it was not seemly. Howbeit he sent great
presents to each of them, and some accepted them and some did not. Who
can tell how nobly the Cid distributed his treasure before he departed?
And he forgave the King the two hundred marks which should have been
paid on account of the Infantes. And to the knights who had come from
Aragon and Navarre concerning the marriages, he gave many horses, and
money in gold, and sent them with great honour into their own country.
XIX. On the morrow the Cid went to take leave of the King, and the King
went some way out of the town with him, and all the good men who were
in the court also, to do him honour as he deserved. And when he was
about to dispeed himself of the King they brought him his precious
horse Bavieca, and he turned to the King and said, Sir, I should depart
ill from hence if I took with me so good a horse as my Bavieca, and did
not leave him for you, for such a horse as this is fit for you and for
no other master: and that you may see what he is, I will do before you
what it is long since I have done except in the battles which I have
had with my enemies. Then he mounted his horse, with his ermine
housings, and gave him the spur. Who can tell the goodness of the horse
Bavieca, and of the Cid who rode him? And as the Cid was doing this the
horse brake one of his reins, yet he came and stopt before the King as
easily as if both the reins had been whole. Greatly did the King and
all they who were with him marvel at this, saying that they had never
seen or heard of so good a horse as that. And the Cid besought the King
that he would be pleased to take the horse, but the King answered, God
forbid that I should take him!... rather would I give you a better if I
had one, for he is better bestowed on you than on me or any other, for
upon that horse you have done honour to yourself, and to us, and to all
Christendom, by the good feats which you have atchieved. Let him go as
mine, and I will take him when I please. Then the Cid kissed the King's
hand and dispeeded himself, and the King embraced him and returned to
Toledo.
XX. Now when the Cid had taken leave of the King, and of the other
honourable men and Counts, and Ricos-omes who were with him, Pero
Bermudez and Martin Antolinez and Muño Gustioz went on yet awhile with
him: and he counselled them how to demean themselves so as to clear him
of the shame which had been done him, and to be held for good knights
themselves, and to take vengeance for King Don Alfonso, and for him,
and for themselves, that he might receive good tidings from them in
Valencia. And they took his counsel well, as they afterwards manifested
when there was occasion. But Martin Antolinez made answer, Why do you
say this, Sir? we have undertaken the business and we shall go through
it; and they said unto him, God have you in his guidance. Sir, and be
you sure and certain, that by the mercy and help of God we shall so
demean ourselves as to come to you without shame. But if for our sins
it should betide otherwise, never more shall we appear before you dead
or living,... for slain we may be, but never vanquished. Then he bade
them return to the King, praying to God to have them in his keeping,
and assist them in fulfilling their demand, as he knew that their cause
was right.