Chronicle Of The Cid
by
Various
Part 2 out of 5
slew for him, being his vassal, and ye of Zamora have received Vellido
and harboured him within your walls. Now therefore I say that he is a
traitor who hath a traitor with him, if he knoweth and consenteth unto
the treason. And for this I impeach the people of Zamora, the great as
well as the little, the living and the dead, they who now are and they
who are yet unborn; and I impeach the waters which they drink and the
garments which they put on; their bread and their wine, and the very
stones in their walls. If there be any one in Zamora to gainsay what I
have said, I will do battle with him, and with God's pleasure conquer
him, so that the infamy shall remain upon you. Don Arias Gonzalo
replied, If I were what thou sayest I am, it had been better for me
never to have been born; but in what thou sayest thou liest. In that
which the great do the little have no fault, nor the dead for the deeds
of the living, which they neither see nor hear: but setting aside these
and the things which have no understanding, as to the rest I say that
thou liest, and I will do battle with thee upon this quarrel, or give
thee one in my stead. But know that you have been ill advised in making
this impeachment, for the manner is, that whosoever impeacheth a
Council must do battle with five, one after another, and if he conquer
the five he shall be held a true man, but if either of the five conquer
him, the Council is held acquitted and he a liar. When Don Diego heard
this it troubled him; howbeit he dissembled this right well, and said
unto Don Arias Gonzalo, I will bring twelve Castillians, and do you
bring twelve men of Zamora, and they shall swear upon the Holy Gospel
to judge justly between us, and if they find that I am bound to do
battle with five, I will perform it. And Don Arias made answer that he
said well, and it should be so. And truce was made for three times nine
days, till this should have been determined and the combat fought.
III. Then when the truce was made, Don Arias Gonzalo went out from the
town into the host of the Castillians, and his sons with him, and many
of the knights of the town; and all the Ricos-omes and knights who were
in the host assembled together with them, and consulted what was to be
done in this impeachment. And they chose out twelve alcades on the one
part, and twelve on the other, who should decide in what manner he was
bound to perform combat who impeached a Council. And the four and
twenty alcades accorded concerning what was the law in this case; and
two of them who were held the most learned in these things arose, the
one being a Castillian and the other of Zamora, and said that they had
found the law as it was written to be this: That whosoever impeacheth
the Council of a town which was a bishop's seat, must do battle with
five in the field, one after another; and that after every combat there
should be given unto him fresh arms and horse, and three sops of bread,
and a draught either of wine or of water, as he chose. And in this
sentence which the twain pronounced, the other twenty and two accorded.
IV. On the morrow before the hour of tierce, the four and twenty
alcades marked out the lists upon the sand beside the river, at the
place which is called Santiago, and in the middle of the lists they
placed a bar, and ordained that he who won the battle should lay hand
on the bar, and say that he had conquered: and then they appointed a
term of nine days for the combatants to come to those lists which had
been assigned. And when all was appointed as ye have heard, Don Arias
returned to Zamora, and told the Infanta Dona Urraca all that had been
done, and she ordered a meeting to be called, at which all the men of
the town assembled. And when they were gathered together, Don Arias
Gonzalo said unto them, Friends, I beseech ye, if there be any here
among ye who took counsel for the death of King Don Sancho, or were
privy thereunto, that ye now tell me, and deny it not; for rather would
I go with my sons to the land of the Moors, than be overcome in the
field, and held for a traitor. Then they all replied, that there was
none there who knew of the treason, nor had consented unto it. At this
was Don Arias Gonzalo well pleased, and he bade them go each to his
house; and he went to his house also with his sons, and chose out four
of them to do combat, and said that he would be the fifth himself; and
he gave them directions how to demean themselves in the lists, and
said, that he would enter first; and if, said he, what the Castillian
saith be true, I would die first, not to see the infamy; but if what he
saith be false, I shall conquer him, and ye shall ever be held in
honour.
V. When the day appointed was come, Don Arias Gonzalo early in the
morning armed his sons, and they armed him; and it was told him that
Don Diego Ordonez was already in the lists. Then he and his sons
mounted their horses, and as they rode through the gates of their
house, Dona Urraca, with a company of dames met them, and said to Don
Arias, weeping, Remember now how my father, King Don Ferrando, left me
to your care, and you swore between his hands that you would never
forsake me; and lo! now you are forsaking me. I beseech you remain with
me, and go not to this battle, for there is reason enough why you
should be excused, and not break the oath which you made unto my
father. And she took hold on him, and would not let him go, and made
him be disarmed. Then came many knights around him, to demand arms of
him, and request that they might do battle in his stead; nevertheless
he would give them to none. And he called for his son Pedro Arias, who
was a right brave knight, though but of green years, and who had
greatly intreated his father before this, that he would suffer him to
fight in his stead. And Don Arias armed him compleatly with his own
hands, and instructed him how to demean himself, and gave him his
blessing with his right hand, and said unto him, that in such a point
he went to save the people of Zamora, as when our Lord Jesus Christ
came through the Virgin Mary, to save the people of this world, who
were lost by our father Adam. Then went they into the field, where Don
Diego Ordonez was awaiting them, and Pedrarias entered the lists, and
the judges placed them each in his place, and divided the sun between
them, and went out, leaving them in the lists.
VI. Then they turned their horses one against the other, and ran at
each other full bravely, like good knights. Five times they
encountered, and at the sixth encounter their spears brake, and they
laid hand upon their swords, and dealt each other such heavy blows that
the helmets failed; and in this manner the combat between them
continued till noon. And when Don Diego Ordonez saw that it lasted so
long, and he could not yet conquer him, he called to mind that he was
there fighting to revenge his Lord, who had been slain by a foul
treason, and he collected together all his strength. And he lifted up
his sword and smote Pedrarias upon the helmet, so that he cut through
it, and through the hood of the mail also, and made a wound in the
head. And Pedrarias with the agony of death, and with the blood which
ran over his eyes, bowed down to the neck of the horse; yet with all
this he neither lost his stirrups, nor let go his sword. And Don Diego
Ordonez seeing him thus, thought that he was dead, and would not strike
him again; and he called aloud, saying, Don Arias, send me another son,
for this one will never fulfil your bidding. When Pedrarias heard this,
grievously wounded as he was, he wiped the blood away with the sleeve
of his mail, and went fiercely against him: and he took the sword in
both hands, and thought to give it him upon his head; but the blow
missed, and fell upon the horse, and cut off great part of his
nostrils, and the reins with it; and the horse immediately ran away
because of the great wound which he had received. And Don Diego had no
reins wherewith to stop him, and perceiving that he should else be
carried out of the lists, he threw himself off. And while he did this,
Pedrarias fell down dead, just without the mark. And Don Diego Ordonez
laid hand on the bar, and said. Praised be the name of God, one is
conquered. And incontinently the judges came and took him by the hand,
and led him to a tent and disarmed him, and gave him three sops, and he
drank of the wine and rested awhile. And afterwards they gave him other
arms, and a horse that was a right good one, and went with him to the
lists.
VII. Then Don Arias Gonzalo called for another son, whose name was
Diego Arias, and said unto him, To horse! and go fight to deliver this
Council and to revenge the death of your brother; and he answered, For
this am I come hither. Then his father gave him his blessing and went
with, him to the lists. And the judges took the reins of the two
champions and led them each to his place, and went out and left them in
the lists. And they ran against each other with such force that both
shields failed, and in another career they brake their lances. Then
laid they hand on their good swords, and delivered such blows that
their helmets were cut away, and the sleeves of the mail. And at
length Diego Arias received such a blow near the heart that he fell
dead. And Don Diego Ordonez went to the bar and laid hold on it, and
cried out to Don Arias Gonzalo, Send me another son, for I have
conquered two, thanks be to God. Then the judges came and said that the
dead knight was not yet out of the lists, and that he must alight and
cast him out. And Don Diego Ordonez did as they had directed him, and
alighted from his horse and took the dead man by the leg, and dragged
him to the line, and then letting the leg fall he thrust him out of the
lists with his feet. And then he went and laid hand upon the bar again,
saying that he had liefer fight with a living man than drag a dead one
out of the field. And then the judges came to him, and led him to the
tent, and disarmed him, and gave him the three sops and the wine, as
they had done before, and sent to say to Don Arias Gonzalo that this
son also was slain, and that he should send another.
VIII. Then Don Arias Gonzalo, in great rage and in great trouble called
for his son Rodrigo Arias, who was a good knight, right hardy and
valiant, the elder of all the brethren; he had been in many a
tournament, and with good fortune. And Don Arias said unto him, Son, go
now and do battle with Diego Ordonez, to save Dona Urraca your Lady,
and yourself, and the Council of Zamora; and if you do this, in happy
hour were you born. Then Rodrigo Arias kissed his hand and answered,
Father, I thank you much for what you have said, and be sure that I
will save them, or take my death. And he took his arms and mounted, and
his father gave him his blessing, and went with him to the lists; and
the judges took his reins and led him in. And when the judges were gone
out, they twain ran at each other, and Don Diego missed his blow, but
Rodrigo Arias did not miss, for he gave him so great a stroke with the
lance that it pierced through the shield, and broke the saddle-bow
behind, and made him lose his stirrups, and he embraced the neck of his
horse. But albeit that Don Diego was sorely bested with that stroke, he
took heart presently, and went bravely against him, and dealt him so
great a blow that he broke the lance in him; for it went through the
shield and all his other arms, and great part of the lance remained in
his flesh. After this they laid hand to sword, and gave each to the
other great blows, and great wounds with them. And Rodrigo Arias gave
so great a wound to Diego Ordonez, that he cut his left arm through to
the bone. And Don Diego Ordonez, when he felt himself so sorely
wounded, went against Rodrigo Arias and delivered him a blow upon the
head which cut through the helmet and the hood of the mail, and entered
into his head. When Rodrigo Arias felt himself wounded to death, he let
go the reins and took his sword in both hands, and gave so great a blow
to the horse of Don Diego that he cut his head open. And the horse in
his agony ran out of the lists, and carried Don Diego out also, and
there died. And Rodrigo Arias fell dead as he was following him. Then
Don Diego Ordonez would have returned into the field to do battle with,
the other two, but the judges would not permit this, neither did they
think good to decide whether they of Zamora were overcome in this third
duel or not. And in this manner the thing was left undecided.
Nevertheless, though no sentence was given, there remained no infamy
upon the people of Zamora. But better had it been for Don Arias Gonzalo
if he had given up Vellido to the Castillians, that he might have died
the death of a traitor; he would not then have lost these three sons,
who died like good men, in their duty. Now what was the end of Vellido
the history sayeth not, through the default of the Chroniclers; but it
is to be believed, that because the impeachment was not made within
three days, Don Arias Gonzalo thrust him out of the town as Dona Urraca
had requested, and that he fled into other lands, peradventure among
the Moors. And though it may be that he escaped punishment in this
world, yet certes he could not escape it in hell where he is tormented
with Dathan and Abiram. and with Judas the Traitor, for ever and ever.
IX. In the meantime the Infanta Dona Urraca wrote letters secretly and
sent messengers with them to Toledo to King Don Alfonso, telling him
that King Don Sancho his brother was dead, and had left no heir, and
that he should come as speedily as he could to receive the kingdoms,
And she bade her messengers deliver these privately that the Moors
might not discover what had taken place, lest they should seize upon
King Don Alfonso, whom she dearly loved. Moreover the Castillians
assembled together and found that as King Don Sancho had left no son to
succeed him they were bound by right to receive King Don Alfonso as
their Lord; and they also sent unto him in secret. Howbeit, certain of
those spies who discover to the Moors whatever the Christians design to
do, when they knew the death of King Don Sancho, went presently to
acquaint the Moors therewith. Now Don Peransures, as he was a man of
great understanding and understood the Arabick tongue, when he knew the
death of King Don Sancho, and while he was devising how to get his Lord
away from Toledo, rode out every day, as if to solace himself, on the
way towards Castille, to see whom he might meet, and to learn tidings.
And it fell out one day that he met a man who told him he was going
with news to King Alimaymon, that King Don Sancho was dead; and Don
Peransures took him aside from the road as if to speak to him, and cut
off his head. And Peransures returned into the road and met another man
coming with the same tidings to the King, and he slew him in like
manner. Nevertheless the tidings reached King Alimaymon. Now Peransures
and his brethren feared that if the Moor knew this he would not let
their Lord depart, but would seize him and make hard terms for his
deliverance; and on the other hand, they thought that if he should
learn it from any other than themselves, it would be yet worse. And
while they were in doubt what they should do, King Don Alfonso,
trusting in God's mercy, said unto them, When I came hither unto this
Moor, he received me with great honour, and gave to me abundantly all
things of which I stood in need, even as if I had been his son; how
then should I conceal from him this favour which it hath pleased God to
show me? I will go and tell it unto him. But Don Peransures besought
him not to tell him of his brother's death. And he went to King
Alimaymon and said unto him, that he would fain go into his own
country, if it pleased him, to help his vassals, who stood greatly in
need of him, and he besought him that he would give him men. The death
of King Don Sancho he did not make known. And King Alimaymon answered
that he should not do this, because he feared that King Don Sancho his
brother would take him. And King Don Alfonso said, that he knew the
ways and customs of his brother, and did not fear him, if it pleased
the King to give him some Moors to help him. Now Alimaymon had heard of
the death of King Don Sancho, and be had sent to occupy the roads and
the passes, that King Don Alfonso might be stopt if he should attempt
to depart without his knowledge. Howbeit he did not fully believe the
tidings, seeing that King Don Alfonso did not speak of it; and he
rejoiced in his heart at what the King said, and he said unto him, I
thank God, Alfonso, that thou hast told me of thy wish to go into thine
own country; for in this thou hast dealt loyally by me, and saved me
from that which might else have happened, to which the Moors have alway
importuned me. And hadst thou departed privily thou couldest not have
escaped being slain or taken. Now then go and take thy kingdom; and I
will give thee whatever thou hast need of to give to thine own people
and win their hearts that they may serve thee. And he then besought him
to renew the oath which he had taken, never to come against him nor his
sons, but alway to befriend them; and this same oath did the King of
Toledo make unto him. Now Alimaymon had a grandson whom he dearly
loved, who was not named in the oath, and King Don Alfonso therefore
was not bound to keep it towards him. And King Don Alfonso made ready
for his departure, and Alimaymon and the chief persons of the court
went out from the city with him and rode with him as far as the Sierra
del Dragon, which is now called Valtome; and he gave him great gifts,
and there they took leave of each other with great love.
X. As soon as King Don Alfonso arrived at Zamora, he pitched his tents
in the field of Santiago, and took counsel with his sister. And the
Infanta Dona Urraca, who was a right prudent lady and a wise, sent
letters throughout the land, that a Cortes should assemble and receive
him for their Lord. And when the Leonese and the Gallegos knew that
their Lord King Don Alfonso was come, they were full joyful, and they
came to Zamora and received him for their Lord and King. And afterwards
the Castillians arrived, and they of Navarre, and they also received
him for their Lord and King, but upon this condition, that he should
swear that he had not taken counsel for the death of his brother King
Don Sancho. Howbeit they did not come forward to receive the oath, and
they kissed his hands in homage, all, save only Ruydiez, my Cid. And
when King Don Alfonso saw that the Cid did not do homage and kiss his
hand, as all the other chief persons and prelates and Councils had
done, he said, Since now ye have all received me for your Lord, and
given me authority over ye, I would know of the Cid Ruydiez why he will
not kiss my hand and acknowledge me; for I would do something for him,
as I promised unto my father King Don Ferrando, when he commended him
to me and to my brethren. And the Cid arose and said, Sir, all whom you
see here present, suspect that by your counsel the King Don Sancho your
brother came to his death; and therefore, I say unto you that, unless
you clear yourself of this, as by right you should do, I will never
kiss your hand, nor receive you for my Lord. Then said the King, Cid,
what you say pleases me well; and here I swear to God and to St. Mary,
that I never slew him, nor took counsel for his death, neither did it
please me, though he had taken my kingdom from me. And I beseech ye
therefore all, as friends and true vassals, that ye tell me how I may
clear myself. And the chiefs who were present said, that he and twelve
of the knights who came with him from Toledo, should make this oath in
the church at St. Gadea at Burgos, and that so he should be cleared.
XI. So the King and all his company took horse and went to Burgos. And
when the day appointed for the oath was come, the King went to hear
mass in the church of Gadea, and his sisters the Infantas Dona Urraca
and Dona Elvira with him, and all his knights. And the King came
forward upon a high stage that all the people might see him, and my Cid
came to him to receive the oath; and my Cid took the book of the
Gospels and opened it, and laid it upon the altar, and the King laid
his hands upon it, and the Cid said unto him, King Don Alfonso, you
come here to swear concerning the death of King Don Sancho your
brother, that you neither slew him nor took counsel for his death; say
now you and these hidalgos, if ye swear this. And the King and the
hidalgos answered and said, Yea, we swear it. And the Cid said, If ye
knew of this thing, or gave command that it should be done, may you die
even such a death as your brother the King Don Sancho, by the hand of a
villain whom you trust; one who is not a hidalgo, from another land,
not a Castillian; and the King and the knights who were with him said
Amen. And the king's colour changed; and the Cid repeated the oath unto
him a second time, and the King and the twelve knights said Amen to it
in like manner, and in like manner the countenance of the King was
changed again. And my Cid repeated the oath unto him a third time, and
the King and the knights said Amen; but the wrath of the King was
exceeding great, and he said to the Cid, Ruydiez, why dost thou thus
press me, man? To-day thou swearest me, and to-morrow thou wilt kiss my
hand. And from that day forward there was no love towards my Cid in the
heart of the King.
XII. After this was King Don Alfonso crowned King of Castille, and
Leon, and Galicia, and Portugal; and he called himself King and Emperor
of all Spain, even as his father had done before him. And in the
beginning of his reign he did in all things according to the counsel of
the Infanta Dona Urraca his sister; and he was a good King, and kept
his kingdom so well, that rich and poor alike dwelt in peace and
security, neither did one man take arms against another, nor dare to do
it, if he valued the eyes in his head. And if the King was noble and
high of lineage, much more was he of heart; and in his days justice
abounded in the land so, that if a woman had gone alone throughout the
whole of his dominions, bearing gold and silver in her hand, she would
have found none to hurt her, neither in the waste, nor in the peopled
country. The merchants and pilgrims also who passed through his lands
were so well protected, that none durst do them wrong. Never while the
kingdom was his, had they of his land to do service to any other Lord.
And he was a comforter of the sorrowful, and an increaser of the faith,
and a defender of the churches, and the strength of the people; a judge
without fear; there was not in Spain a consoler of the poor and of
those who were oppressed, till he came. Now there was a mortal enmity
between my Cid and Count Garcia Ordonez, and in this year did my Cid
gather together those of his table, and all his power, and entered into
the lands of Logrono, and Navarre, and Calahorra, burning and spoiling
the country before him. And he laid siege to the Castle of Faro and
took it. And he sent messengers to the Count his enemy, to say that he
would wait for him seven days, and he waited. And the mighty men of the
land came to the Count Don Garcia, but come against my Cid that they
dared not do, for they feared to do battle with him.
XIII. In the second year of the reign of King Don Alfonso, the King of
Cordova made war upon Alimaymon, King of Toledo, and did great damage
in his land, and held him besieged in Toledo; and King Don Alfonso drew
forth a great host and went to help the King of Toledo. When Alimaymon
knew that he was coming with so great a power, he was greatly dismayed,
thinking that he came against him; and he sent to remind him of the
love and the honour which he had shown unto him in the days of his
brother King Don Sancho, and of the oath which he had taken; and to
beseech him that he would continue in peace with him. And the King
detained his messengers, giving them no reply, and went on advancing
into the land, doing no hurt therein. And when he came to Olias, he
ordered the whole army to halt. And when the King of Cordova knew that
King Don Alfonso was coming, he rose up from before Toledo, and fled
away, and the men of Toledo pursued him, and inflicted great loss upon
him in his flight.
XIV. And when the army had halted at Olias, the King called for the
messengers of Alimaymon, and took with him five knights, and rode to
Toledo. And when they came to the gate which is called Visagra, the
messengers who went with him made him enter the town, and he sent one
of them to tell the King that he was there, and went on in the meantime
towards the Alcazar. And when King Alimaymon heard this, he would not
wait till a beast should be brought him that he might ride, but set out
on foot and went to meet him; and as he was going out he met King Don
Alfonso, and they embraced each other. And the King of Toledo kissed
King Don Alfonso's shoulder, for the joy and pleasure that he had in
his heart at seeing him; and he gave thanks to God for what he had done
to King Don Alfonso, and thanked him also for the truth which was in
him, in coming thus to his deliverance, and for remembering the oath
which they had made each to the other. And they rejoiced together all
that night, and great was the joy of the people of Toledo, because of
the love which King Don Alfonso bore toward their Lord. But great was
the sorrow in the host of the Castillians, for they never thought to
see their Lord again; and they thought that he had committed a great
folly in thus putting himself into the power of the Moors.
XV. On the morrow, King Don Alfonso besought King Alimaymon that he
would go and eat with him at Olias, and see how he came to help him.
And they went both together with a little company, and when they of the
host saw their Lord they were all right joyful, and the two Kings went
through the camp, and they sat down to eat in the tent of the King,
which was a large one. And while they were at meat King Don Alfonso
gave order in secret that five hundred knights should arm themselves
and surround the tent. And when the King of Toledo saw these armed
knights, and that the tent was surrounded, he was in great fear, and he
asked of King Don Alfonso what it should be; and the King bade him eat,
and said, that afterwards they would tell him. And after they had
eaten, King Don Alfonso said to Alimaymon, You made me swear and
promise when you had me in Toledo in your power that no evil should
ever come against you on my part: now since I have you in my power I
will that you release me from this oath and covenant. And the King of
Toledo consented to release him, and besought him to do him no other
wrong, and he acquitted him from the promise three times. And when he
had done this King Don Alfonso called for the book of the Gospels, and
said unto him, Now then that you are in my power, I swear and promise
unto you, never to go against you, nor against your son, and to aid you
against all other men in the world. And I make this oath unto you
because there was reason why I should have broken that other one,
seeing that it was made when I was in your hands; but against this I
must not go, for I make it when you are in mine, and I could do with
you even whatever pleased me; and he laid his hands upon the book, and
swore even as he had said. Right joyful was the King of Toledo at this
which King Don Alfonso had done, for the loyalty which he had shown
towards him. And they remained that night together; and on the morrow
Alimaymon returned to his city full gladly, and King Don Alfonso made
his host move on towards Cordova, and Alimaymon went with him; and they
overran the land, and burnt towns and villages, and destroyed castles,
and plundered whatever they could find; and they returned each into his
own country with great spoils. And from thenceforward the King of
Cordova durst no more attack the King of Toledo.
XVI. In the following years, nothing is found to be related, save that
my Cid did battle by command of the King with a knight called Ximen
Garcia de Tiogelos, who was one of the best of Navarre: they fought for
the castle of Pazluengas, and for two other castles, and my Cid
conquered him, and King Don Alfonso had the castles. And after this my
Cid did battle in Medina Celi, with a Moor called Faras, who was a good
knight in arms, and he defeated and slew him and another also. And in
the fifth year of the reign of King Don Alfonso, the King sent the Cid
to the Kings of Seville and of Cordova, for the tribute which they were
bound to pay him. Now there was at this time war between Almocanis,
King of Seville and Almundafar, King of Granada, and with Almundafar
were these men of Castille, the Count Don Garcia Ordonez and Fortun
Sanchez, the son-in-law of King Don Garcia, of Navarre, and Lope
Sanchez his brother, and Diego Perez, one of the best men of Castille;
and they aided him all that they could, and went against the King of
Seville, and when my Cid knew this it troubled him, and he sent unto
them requiring them not to go against the King of Seville, nor to
destroy his country, because he was King Don Alfonso's vassal;
otherwise the King must defend him. And the King of Granada and the
Ricos-omes who were with him cared nothing for his letters, but entered
boldly into the land of Seville, and advanced as far as Cabra, burning
and laying waste before them. When the Cid saw this he gathered
together what Christians he could and went against them. And the King
of Granada and the Christians who were with him, sent to tell him that
they would not go out of the country for him. And the wrath of the Cid
was kindled, and he went against them, and fought with them in the
field, and the battle lasted from the hour of tierce even until the
hour of sexts; and many died upon the part of the King of Granada, and
at length my Cid overcame them and made them, take to flight. And Count
Garcia Ordonez was taken prisoner, and Lope Sanchez, and Diego Perez,
and many other knights, and of other men so many that they were out of
number; and the dead were so many that no man could count them; and the
spoils of the field were very great. And the Cid held these good men
prisoners three days and then set them free, and he returned with great
honour and great riches to Seville. And King Almocanis received him
full honourably, and gave him great gifts for himself, and paid him the
full tribute for the King; and he returned rich to Castille, and with
great honour. And King Don Alfonso was well pleased with the good
fortune of the Cid in all his feats; but there were many who wished ill
to him, and sought to set the King against him.
XVII. After this King Don Alfonso assembled together all his power and
went against the Moors. And the Cid should have gone with him, but he
fell sick and perforce therefore abode at home. And while the King was
going through Andalusia, having the land at his mercy, a great power of
the Moors assembled together on the other side, and entered the land,
and besieged the castle of Gormaz, and did much evil. At this time the
Cid was gathering strength; and when he heard that the Moors were in
the country, laying waste before them, he gathered together what force
he could, and went after them; and the Moors, when they heard this,
dared not abide his coming, but began to fly. And the Cid followed them
to Atienza, and to Ciguenza, and Fita, and Guadalajara, and through the
whole land of St. Esteban, as far as Toledo, slaying and burning, and
plundering and destroying, and laying hands on all whom he found, so
that he brought back seven thousand prisoners, men and women; and he
and all his people returned rich and with great honour. But when the
King of Toledo heard of the hurt which he had received at the hands of
the Cid, he sent to King Don Alfonso to complain thereof, and the King
was greatly troubled. And then the Ricos-omes who wished ill to the
Cid, had the way open to do him evil with the King, and they said to
the King, Sir, Ruydiez hath broken your faith, and the oath and promise
which you made to the King of Toledo: and he hath done this for no
other reason but that the Moors of Toledo may fall upon us here, and
slay both you and us. And the King believed what they said, and was
wroth against the Cid, having no love towards him because of the oath
which he had pressed upon him at Burgos concerning the death of King
Don Sancho his brother. And he went with all speed to Burgos, and sent
from thence to bid the Cid come unto him.
XVIII. Now my Cid knew the evil disposition of the King towards him,
and when he received his bidding, he made answer that he would meet him
between Burgos and Bivar. And the King went out from Burgos and came
nigh unto Bivar; and the Cid came up to him and would have kissed his
hand, but the King withheld it, and said angrily unto him, Ruydiez,
quit my land. Then the Cid clapt spurs to the mule upon which he rode,
and vaulted into a piece of ground which was his own inheritance, and
answered, Sir, I am not in your land, but in my own. And the King
replied full wrathfully, Go out of my kingdoms without any delay. And
the Cid made answer, Give me then thirty days time, as is the right of
the hidalgos; and the King said he would not, but that if he were not
gone in nine days time he would come and look for him. The Counts were
well pleased at this; but all the people of the land were sorrowful.
And then the King and the Cid parted. And the Cid sent for all his
friends and his kinsmen and vassals, and told them how King Don Alfonso
had banished him from the land, and asked of them who would follow him
into banishment, and who would remain at home. Then Alvar Fanez, who
was his cousin-german, came forward and said, Cid, we will all go with
you, through desert and through peopled country, and never fail you. In
your service will we spend our mules and horses, our wealth and our
garments, and ever while we live be unto you loyal friends and vassals.
And they all confirmed what Alvar Fanez had said; and the Cid thanked
them for their love, and said that there might come a time in which he
should guerdon them.
XIX. And as he was about to depart he looked back upon his own home,
and when he saw his hall deserted, the household chests unfastened, the
doors open, no cloaks hanging up, no seats in the porch, no hawks upon
the perches, the tears came into his eyes, and he said, My enemies have
done this ... God be praised for all things. And he turned toward the
East and knelt and said, Holy Mary Mother, and all Saints, pray to God
for me, that he may give me strength to destroy all the Pagans, and to
win enough from them to requite my friends therewith, and all those who
follow and help me. Then he called for Alvar Fanez and said unto him,
Cousin, the poor have no part in the wrong which the King hath done us;
see now that no wrong be done unto them along our road: and he called
for his horse. And then an old woman who was standing at her door said,
Go in a lucky minute, and make spoil of whatever you wish. And with
this proverb he rode on, saying, Friends, by God's good pleasure we
shall return to Castilla with great honour and great gain. And as they
went out from Bivar they had a crow on their right hand, and when they
came to Burgos they had a crow on the left.
XX. My Cid Ruydiez entered Burgos, having sixty streamers in his
company. And men and women went forth to see him, and the men of Burgos
and the women of Burgos were at their windows, weeping, so great was
their sorrow; and they said with one accord, God, how good a vassal if
he had but a good Lord! and willingly would each have bade him come in,
but no one dared so to do. For King Don Alfonso in his anger had sent
letters to Burgos, saying that no man should give the Cid a lodging;
and that whosoever disobeyed should lose all that he had, and moreover
the eyes in his head. Great sorrow had these Christian folk at this,
and they hid themselves when he came near them because they did not
dare speak to him; and my Cid went to his Posada, and when he came to
the door he found it fastened, for fear of the King. And his people
called out with a loud voice, but they within made no answer. And the
Cid rode up to the door, and took his foot out of the stirrup, and gave
it a kick, but the door did not open with it, for it was well secured;
a little girl of nine years old then came out of one of the houses and
said unto him, O Cid, the King hath forbidden us to receive you. We
dare not open our doors to you, for we should lose our houses and all
that we have, and the eyes in our head. Cid, our evil would not help
you, but God and all his Saints be with you. And when she had said this
she returned into the house. And when the Cid knew what the King had
done he turned away from the door and rode up to St. Mary's, and there
he alighted and knelt down, and prayed with all his heart; and then he
mounted again and rode out of the town, and pitched his tent near
Arlanzon, upon the Glera, that is to say, upon the sands. My Cid
Ruydiez, he who in a happy hour first girt on his sword, took up his
lodging upon the sands, because there was none who would receive him
within their door. He had a good company round about him, and there he
lodged as if he had been among the mountains.
XXI. Moreover the King had given orders that no food should be sold
them in Burgos, so that they could not buy even a pennyworth. But
Martin Antolinez, who was a good Burgalese, he supplied my Cid and all
his company with bread and wine abundantly. Campeador, said he to the
Cid, to-night we will rest here, and to-morrow we will be gone. I shall
be accused for what I have done in serving you, and shall be in the
King's displeasure; but following your fortunes, sooner or later, the
King will have me for his friend, and if not, I do not care a fig for
what I leave behind. Now this Martin Antolinez was nephew unto the Cid,
being the son of his brother, Ferrando Diaz. And the Cid said unto him,
Martin Antolinez, you are a bold Lancier; if I live I will double you
your pay. You see I have nothing with me, and yet must provide for my
companions. I will take two chests and fill them with sand, and do you
go in secret to Rachel and Vidas, and tell them to come hither
privately; for I cannot take my treasures with me because of their
weight, and will pledge them in their hands. Let them come for the
chests at night, that no man may see them. God knows that I do this
thing more of necessity than of wilfulness; but by God's good help I
shall redeem all. Now Rachel and Vidas were rich Jews, from whom the
Cid used to receive money for his spoils. And Martin Antolinez went in
quest of them, and he passed through Burgos and entered into the
Castle; and when he saw them he said, Ah Rachel and Vidas, my dear
friends! now let me speak with ye in secret. And they three went apart.
And he said to them, Give me your hands that you will not discover me
neither to Moor nor Christian! I will make you rich men for ever. The
Campeador went for the tribute and he took great wealth, and some of it
he has kept for himself. He has two chests full of gold; ye know that
the King is in anger against him, and he cannot carry these away with
him without their being seen. He will leave them therefore in your
hands, and you shall lend him money upon them, swearing with great
oaths and upon your faith, that ye will not open them till a year be
past. Rachel and Vidas took counsel together and answered, We well knew
he got something when he entered the land of the Moors; he who has
treasures does not sleep without suspicion; we will take the chests,
and place them where they shall not be seen. But tell us with what will
the Cid be contented, and what gain will he give us for the year?
Martin Antolinez answered like a prudent man, My Cid requires what is
reasonable; he will ask but little to leave his treasures in safety.
Men come to him from all parts. He must have six hundred marks. And the
Jews said, We will advance him so much. Well then, said Martin
Antolinez, ye see that the night is advancing; the Cid is in haste,
give us the marks. This is not the way of business, said they; we must
take first, and then give. Ye say well, replied the Burgalese: come
then to the Campeador, and we will help you to bring away the chests,
so that neither Moors nor Christians may see us. So they went to horse
and rode out together, and they did not cross the bridge, but rode
through the water that no man might see them, and they came to the tent
of the Cid.
XXII. Meantime the Cid had taken two chests, which were covered with
leather of red and gold, and the nails which fastened down the leather
were well gilt; they were ribbed with bands of iron, and each fastened
with three locks; they were heavy, and he filled them with sand. And
when Rachel and Vidas entered his tent with Martin Antolinez, they
kissed his hand; and the Cid smiled and said to them, Ye see that I am
going out of the land, because of the King's displeasure; but I shall
leave something with ye. And they made answer, Martin Antolinez has
covenanted with us, that we shall give you six hundred marks upon these
chests, and keep them a full year, swearing not to open them till that
time be expired, else shall we be perjured. Take the chests, said
Martin Antolinez; I will go with you, and bring back the marks, for my
Cid must move before cock-crow. So they took the chests, and though
they were both strong men they could not raise them from the ground;
and they were full glad of the bargain which they had made. And Rachel
then went to the Cid and kissed his hand and said, Now, Campeador, you
are going from Castille among strange nations, and your gain will be
great, even as your fortune is. I kiss your hand, Cid, and have a gift
for you, a red skin: it is Moorish and honourable. And the Cid said, It
pleases me; give it me if ye have brought it, if not, reckon it upon
the chests. And they departed with the chests, and Martin Antolinez and
his people helped them, and went with them. And when they had placed
the chests in safety, they spread a carpet in the middle of the hall,
and laid a sheet upon it and they threw down upon it three hundred
marks of silver. Don Martin counted them, and took them without
weighing. The other three hundred they paid in gold. Don Martin had
five squires with him, and he loaded them all with the money. And when
this was done he said to them, Now Don Rachel and Vidas, you have got
the chests, and I who got them for you well deserve a pair of hose. And
the Jews said to each other, Let us give him a good gift for this which
he has done; and they said to him, We will give you enough for hose and
for a rich doublet and a good cloak; you shall have thirty marks. Don
Martin thanked them and took the marks, and bidding them both farewell,
he departed right joyfully.
XXIII. When Martin Antolinez came into the Cid's tent he said unto him,
I have sped well, Campeador! you have gained six hundred marks, and I
thirty. Now then strike your tent and be gone. The time draws on, and
you may be with your Lady Wife at St. Pedro de Cardena, before the cock
crows. So the tent was struck, and my Cid and his company went to horse
at this early hour. And the Cid turned his horse's head toward St.
Mary's, and with his right hand he blest himself on the forehead, and
he said, God be praised! help me, St. Mary. I go from Castille because
the anger of the King is against me, and I know not whether I shall
ever enter it again in all my days. Help me, glorious Virgin, in my
goings, both by night and by day. If you do this and my lot be fair, I
will send rich and goodly gifts to your altar, and will have a thousand
masses sung there. Then with a good heart he gave his horse the reins.
And Martin Antolinez said to him, Go ye on; I must back to my wife and
tell her what she is to do during my absence. I shall be with you in
good time. And back he went to Burgos, and my Cid and his company
pricked on. The cocks were crowing amain, and the day began to break,
when the good Campeador reached St. Pedro's. The Abbot Don Sisebuto was
saying matins, and Dona Ximena and five of her ladies of good lineage
were with him, praying to God and St. Peter to help my Cid. And when he
called at the gate and they knew his voice, God, what a joyful man was
the Abbot Don Sisebuto! Out into the court yard they went with torches
and with tapers, and the Abbot gave thanks to God that he now beheld
the face of my Cid. And the Cid told him all that had befallen him, and
how he was a banished man; and he gave him fifty marks for himself, and
a hundred for Dona Ximena and her children. Abbot, said he, I leave two
little girls behind me, whom I commend to your care. Take you care of
them and of my wife and of her ladies: when this money be gone, if it
be not enough, supply them abundantly; for every mark which you expend
upon them I will give the Monastery four. And the Abbot promised to do
this with a right good will. Then Dona Ximena came up and her daughters
with her, each of them borne in arms, and she knelt down on both her
knees before her husband, weeping bitterly, and she would have kissed
his hand; and she said to him, Lo now you are banished from the land by
mischief-making men, and here am I with your daughters, who are little
ones and of tender years, and we and you must be parted, even in your
life time. For the love of St. Mary tell me now what we shall do. And
the Cid took the children in his arms, and held them to his heart and
wept, for he dearly loved them. Please God and St. Mary, said he, I
shall yet live to give these my daughters in marriage with my own
hands, and to do you service yet, my honoured wife, whom I have ever
loved, even as my own soul.
XXIV. A great feast did they make that day in the Monastery for the
good Campeador, and the bells of St. Pedro's rung merrily. Meantime the
tidings had gone through Castille how my Cid was banished from the
land, and great was the sorrow of the people. Some left their houses to
follow him, others forsook their honourable offices which they held.
And that day a hundred and fifteen knights assembled at the bridge of
Arlanzon, all in quest of my Cid; and there Martin Antolinez joined
them, and they rode on together to St. Pedro's. And when he of Bivar
knew what a goodly company were coming to join him, he rejoiced in his
own strength, and rode out to meet them and greeted them full
courteously; and they kissed his hand, and he said to them, I pray to
God that I may one day requite ye well, because ye have forsaken your
houses and your heritages for my sake, and I trust that I shall pay ye
two fold. Six days of the term allotted were now gone, and three only
remained: if after that time he should be found, within the King's
dominions, neither for gold nor for silver could he then escape. That
day they feasted together, and when it was evening the Cid distributed
among them, all that he had, giving to each man according to what he
was; and he told them that they must meet at mass after matins, and
depart at that early hour. Before the cock crew they were ready, and
the Abbot said the mass of the Holy Trinity, and when it was done they
left the church and went to horse. And my Cid embraced Dona Ximena and
his daughters, and blest them; and the parting between them was like
separating the nail from the quick flesh: and he wept and continued to
look round after them. Then Alvar Fanez came up to him and said, Where
is your courage, my Cid? In a good hour were you born of woman. Think
of our road now; these sorrows will yet be turned into joy. And the Cid
spake again to the Abbot, commending his family to his care;--well did
the Abbot know that he should one day receive good guerdon. And as he
took leave of the Cid, Alvar Fanez said to him, Abbot, if you see any
who come to follow us, tell them what route we take, and bid them make
speed, for they may reach us either in the waste or in the peopled
country. And then they loosed the reins and pricked forward.
XXV. That night my Cid lay at Spinar de Can, and people flocked to him
from all parts, and early on the morrow he set out; Santestevan lay on
his left hand, which is a good city, and Ahilon on the right, which
belongs to the Moors, and he passed by Alcobiella, which is the
boundary of Castille. And he went by the Calzada de Quinea, and crost
the Douro upon rafts. That night, being the eighth, they rested at
Figeruela, and more adventurers came to join him. And when my Cid was
fast asleep, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him in a vision, and said,
Go on boldly and fear nothing; for everything shall go well with thee
as long as thou livest, and all the things which thou beginnest, thou
shalt bring to good end, and thou shalt be rich and honourable. And the
Cid awoke and blest himself; and he crost his forehead and rose from
his bed, and knelt down and gave thanks to God for the mercy which he
had vouchsafed him, being right joyful because of the vision. Early on
the morrow they set forth; now this was the last day of the nine. And
they went on towards the Sierra de Miedes. Before sunset the Cid halted
and took account of his company; there were three hundred lances, all
with streamers, besides foot-soldiers. And he said unto them, Now take
and eat, for we must pass this great and wild Sierra, that we may quit
the land of King Alfonso this night. To-morrow he who seeks us may find
us. So they passed the Sierra that night.
BOOK IV.
I. Now hath my Cid left the kingdom of King Don Alfonso, and entered
the country of the Moors. And at day-break they were near the brow of
the Sierra, and they halted there upon the top of the mountains, and
gave barley to their horses, and remained there until evening. And they
set forward when the evening had closed, that none might see them, and
continued their way all night, and before dawn they came near to
Castrejon, which is upon the Henares. And Alvar Fanez said unto the
Cid, that he would take with him two hundred horsemen, and scour the
country as far as Fita and Guadalajara and Alcala, and lay hands on
whatever he could find, without fear either of King Alfonso or of the
Moors. And he counselled him to remain in ambush where he was, and
surprise the castle of Castrejon: and it seemed good unto my Cid. Away
went Alvar Fanez, and Alvar Alvarez with him, and Alvar Salvadores, and
Galin Garcia, and the two hundred horsemen; and the Cid remained in
ambush with the rest of his company. And as soon as it was morning, the
Moors of Castrejon, knowing nothing of these who were so near them,
opened the castle gates, and went out to their work as they were wont
to do. And the Cid rose from ambush and fell upon them, and took all
their flocks, and made straight for the gates, pursuing them. And there
was a cry within the castle that the Christians were upon them, and
they who were within ran to the gates to defend them, but my Cid came
up sword in hand; eleven Moors did he slay with his own hand, and they
forsook the gate and fled before him to hide themselves within, so that
he won the castle presently, and took gold and silver, and whatever
else he would.
II. Alvar Fanez meantime scoured the country along the Henares as far
as Alcala, and he returned driving flocks and herds before him, with
great stores of wearing apparel, and of other plunder. He came with the
banner of Minaya, and there were none who dared fall upon his rear. And
when the Cid knew that he was nigh at hand he went out to meet him, and
praised him greatly for what he had done, and gave thanks to God. And
he gave order that all the spoils should be heaped together, both what
Alvar Fanez had brought, and what had been taken in the castle; and he
said to him, Brother, of all this which God hath given us, take you the
fifth, for you well deserve it; but Minaya would not, saying, You have
need of it for our support. And the Cid divided the spoil among the
knights and foot-soldiers, to each his due portion; to every horseman a
hundred marks of silver, and half as much to the foot-soldiers: and
because he could find none to whom to sell his fifth, he spake to the
Moors of Castrejon, and sent to those of Fita and Guadalajara, telling
them that they might come safely to purchase the spoil, and the
prisoners also whom he had taken, both men prisoners and women, for he
would have none with him. And they came, and valued the spoil and the
prisoners, and gave for them three thousand marks of silver, which they
paid within three days: they bought also much of the spoil which had
been divided, making great gain, so that all who were in my Cid's
company were full rich. And the heart of my Cid was joyous, and he sent
to King Don Alfonso, telling him that he and his companions would yet
do him service upon the Moors.
III. Then my Cid assembled together his good men and said unto them,
Friends, we cannot take up our abode in this castle, for there is no
water in it, and moreover the King is at peace with these Moors, and I
know that the treaty between them hath been written; so that if we
should abide here he would come against us with all his power, and with
all the power of the Moors, and we could not stand against him. If
therefore it seem good unto you, let us leave the rest of our prisoners
here, for it does not beseem us to take any with us, but to be as free
from all encumbrance as may be, like men who are to live by war, and to
help ourselves with our arms. And it pleased them well that it should
be so. And he said to them, Ye have all had your shares, neither is
there anything owing to any one among ye. Now then let us be ready to
take horse betimes on the morrow, for I would not fight against my Lord
the King. So on the morrow they went to horse and departed, being rich
with the spoils which they had won: and they left the castle to the
Moors, who remained blessing them for this bounty which they had
received at their hands. Then my Cid and his company went up the
Henares as fast as they could go, and they passed by the Alcarias, and
by the caves of Anquita, and through the waters, and they entered the
plain of Torancio, and halted between Fariza and Cetina: great were the
spoils which they collected as they went along. And on the morrow they
passed Alfama, and leaving the Gorge below them they passed Bobierca,
and Teca which is beyond it, and came against Alcocer. There my Cid
pitched his tents upon a round hill, which was a great hill and a
strong; and the river Salon ran near them, so that the water could not
be cut off. My Cid thought to take Alcocer: so he pitched his tents
securely, having the Sierra on one side, and the river on the other,
and he made all his people dig a trench, that they might not be
alarmed, neither by day nor by night.
IV. When my Cid had thus encamped, he went to look at the Alcazar, and
see if he could by any means enter it. And the Moors offered tribute to
him if he would leave them in peace; but this he would not do, and he
lay before the town. And news went through all the land that the Cid
was come among them, and they of Calatayud were in fear. And my Cid lay
before Alcocer fifteen weeks; and when he saw that the town did not
surrender, he ordered his people to break up their camp, as if they
were flying, and they left one of their tents behind them, and took
their way along the Salon, with their banners spread. And when the
Moors saw this they rejoiced greatly, and there was a great stir among
them, and they praised themselves for what they had done in
withstanding him, and said, that the Cid's bread and barley had failed
him, and he had fled away, and left one of his tents behind him. And
they said among themselves, Let us pursue them and spoil them, for if
they of Teruel should be before us the honour and the profit will be
theirs, and we shall have nothing. And they went out after him, great
and little, leaving the gates open and shouting as they went; and there
was not left in the town a man who could bear arms. And when my Cid saw
them coming he gave orders to quicken their speed, as if he was in
fear, and would not let his people turn till the Moors were far enough
from the town. But when he saw that there was a good distance between
them and the gates, then he bade his banner turn, and spurred towards
them, crying, Lay on, knights, by God's mercy the spoil is our own.
God! what a good joy was theirs that morning! My Cid's vassals laid on
without mercy;--in one hour, and in a little space, three hundred Moors
were slain, and the Cid and Alvar Fanez had good horses, and got
between them and the Castle, and stood in the gateway sword in hand,
and there was a great mortality among the Moors; and my Cid won the
place, and Pero Bermudez planted his banner upon the highest point of
the Castle. And the Cid said, Blessed be God and all his Saints, we
have bettered our quarters both for horses and men. And he said to
Alvar Fanez and all his knights, Hear me, we shall get nothing by
killing these Moors;--let us take them and they shall show us their
treasures which they have hidden in their houses, and we will dwell
here and they shall serve us. In this manner did my Cid win Alcocer,
and take up his abode therein.
V. Much did this trouble the Moors of Teca, and it did not please those
of Teruel, nor of Calatayud. And they sent to the King of Valencia to
tell him that one who was called Ruydiez the Cid, whom King Don Alfonso
had banished, was come into their country, and had taken Alcocer; and
if a stop were not put to him, the King might look upon Teca and Teruel
and Calatayud as lost, for nothing could stand against him, and he had
plundered the whole country, along the Salon on the one side, and the
Siloca on the other. When the King of Valencia, whose name was Alcamin,
heard this, he was greatly troubled. And incontinently he spake unto
two Moorish Kings who were his vassals, bidding them take three
thousand horsemen, and all the men of the border, and bring the Cid to
him alive, that he might make atonement to him for having entered his
land.
VI. Fariz and Galve were the names of these two Moorish Kings, and they
set out with the companies of King Alcamin from Valencia, and halted
the first night in Segorve, and the second night at Celfa de Canal. And
they sent their messengers through the land to all the Councils
thereof, ordering all men at arms, as well horsemen as footmen, to join
them, and the third night they halted at Calatayud, and great numbers
joined them; and they came up against Alcocer, and pitched their tents
round about the Castle. Every day their host increased, for their
people were many in number, and their watchmen kept watch day and
night; and my Cid had no succour to look for except the mercy of God,
in which he put his trust. And the Moors beset them so close that they
cut off their water, and albeit the Castillians would have sallied
against them, my Cid forbade this. In this guise were my Cid and his
people besieged for three weeks, and when the fourth week began, he
called for Alvar Fanez, and for his company, and said unto them. Ye see
that the Moors have cut off our water, and we have but little bread;
they gather numbers day by day, and we become weak, and they are in
their own country. If we would depart they would not let us, and we
cannot go out by night because they have beset us round about on all
sides, and we cannot pass on high through the air, neither through the
earth which is underneath. Now then if it please you let us go out and
fight with them, though they are many in number, and either defeat them
or die an honourable death.
VII. Then Minaya answered and said. We have left the gentle land of
Castille, and are come hither as banished men, and if we do not beat
the Moors they will not give us food. Now though we are but few, yet
are we of a good stock, and of one heart and one will; by God's help
let us go out and smite them to-morrow, early in the morning, and you
who are not in a state of penitence, go and shrieve yourselves and
repent ye of your sins. And they all held that what Alvar Fanez had
said was good. And my Cid answered, Minaya, you have spoken as you
should do. Then ordered he all the Moors, both men and women, to be
thrust out of the town, that it might not be known what they were
preparing to do; and the rest of that day and the night also they
passed in making ready for the battle. And on the morrow at sunrise the
Cid gave his banner to Pero Bermudez, and bade him bear it boldly like
a good man as he was, but he charged him not to thrust forward with it
without his bidding. And Pero Bermudez kissed his hand, being well
pleased. Then leaving only two foot-soldiers to keep the gates, they
issued out; and the Moorish scouts saw them and hastened to the camp.
Then was there such a noise of tambours as if the earth would have been
broken, and the Moors armed themselves in great haste. Two royal
banners were there, and five city ones, and they drew up their men in
two great bodies, and moved on, thinking to take my Cid and all his
company alive; and my Cid bade his men remain still and not move till
he should bid them.
VIII. Pero Bermudez could not bear this, but holding the banner in his
hand, he cried, God help you, Cid Campeador; I shall put your banner in
the middle of that main body; and you who are bound to stand by it--I
shall see how you will succour it. And he began to prick forward. And
the Campeador called unto him to stop as he loved him, but Pero
Bermudez replied he would stop for nothing, and away he spurred and
carried his banner into the middle of the great body of the Moors. And
the Moors fell upon him that they might win the banner, and beset him
on all sides, giving him many and great blows to beat him down;
nevertheless his arms were proof, and they could not pierce them,
neither could they beat him down, nor force the banner from him, for he
was a right brave man and a strong, and a good horseman, and of great
heart. And when the Cid saw him thus beset he called to his people to
move on and help him. Then placed they their shields before their
hearts, and lowered their lances with the streamers thereon, and
bending forward, rode on. Three hundred lances were they, each with its
pendant, and every man at the first charge slew his Moor. Smite them,
knights, for the love of charity, cried the Campeador. I am Ruydiez,
the Cid of Bivar! Many a shield was pierced that day, and many a false
corselet was broken, and many a white streamer dyed with blood, and
many a horse left without a rider. The Misbelievers called on Mahomet,
and the Christians on Santiago, and the noise of the tambours and of
the trumpets was so great that none could hear his neighbour. And my
Cid and his company succoured Pero Bermudez, and they rode through the
host of the Moors, slaying as they went, and they rode back again in
like manner; thirteen hundred did they kill in this guise. If you would
know who they were, who were the good men of that day, it behoves me to
tell you, for though they are departed, it is not fitting that the
names of those who have done well should die, nor would they who have
done well themselves, or who hope so to do, think it right; for good
men would not be so bound to do well if their good feats should be kept
silent. There was my Cid, the good man in battle, who fought well upon
his gilt saddle; and Alvar Fanez Minaya, and Martin Antolinez the
Burgalesa of prowess, and Muno Gustios, and Martin Munoz who held
Montemayor, and Alvar Alvarez, and Alvar Salvadores, and Galin Garcia
the good one of Aragon, and Felez Munoz the nephew of the Campeador.
Wherever my Cid went, the Moors made a path before him, for he smote
them down without mercy. And while the battle still continued, the
Moors killed the horse of Alvar Fanez, and his lance was broken, and he
fought bravely with his sword afoot. And my Cid, seeing him, came up to
an Alguazil who rode upon a good horse, and smote him with his sword
under the right arm, so that he cut him through and through, and he
gave the horse to Alvar Fanez, saying, Mount, Minaya, for you are my
right hand.
IX. When Alvar Fanez was thus remounted, they fell upon the Moors
again, and by this time the Moors were greatly disheartened, having
suffered so great loss, and they began to give way. And my Cid, seeing
King Fariz, made towards him, smiting down all who were in his way; and
he came up to him, and made three blows at him; two of them failed, but
the third was a good one, and went through his cuirass, so that the
blood ran down his legs. And with that blow was the army of the Moors
vanquished, for King Fariz, feeling himself so sorely wounded, turned
his reins and fled out of the field, even to Teruel. And Martin
Antolinez the good Burgalese came up to King Galve, and gave him a
stroke on the head, which scattered all the carbuncles out of his
helmet, and cut through it even to the skin; and the King did not wait
for another such, and he fled also. A good day was that for
Christendom, for the Moors fled on all sides. King Fariz got into
Teruel, and King Galve fled after him, but they would not receive him
within the gates, and he went on to Calatayud. And the Christians
pursued them even to Calatayud. And Alvar Fanez had a good horse; four
and thirty did he slay in that pursuit with the edge of his keen sword,
and his arm was all red, and the blood dropt from his elbow. And as he
was returning from the spoil he said, Now am I well pleased, for good
tidings will go to Castille, how my Cid has won a battle in the field.
My Cid also turned back; his coif was wrinkled, and you might see his
full beard; the hood of his mail hung down upon his shoulders, and the
sword was still in his hand. He saw his people returning from the
pursuit, and that of all his company fifteen only of the lower sort
were slain, and he gave thanks to God for this victory. Then they fell
to the spoil, and they found arms in abundance, and great store of
wealth; and five hundred and ten horses. And he divided the spoil,
giving to each man his fair portion, and the Moors whom they had put
out of Alcocer before the battle, they now received again into the
castle, and gave to them also a part of the booty, so that all were
well content. And my Cid had great joy with his vassals.
X. Then the Cid called unto Alvar Fanez and said, Cousin, you are my
right hand, and I hold it good that you should take of my fifth as much
as you will, for all would be well bestowed upon you; but Minaya
thanked him, and said, that he would take nothing more than his share.
And the Cid said unto him, I will send King Don Alfonso a present from
my part of the spoils. You shall go into Castille, and take with you
thirty horses, the best which were taken from the Moors, all bridled
and saddled, and each having a sword hanging from the saddle-bow; and
you shall give them to the King, and kiss his hand for me, and tell him
that we know how to make our way among the Moors. And you shall take
also this bag of gold and silver, and purchase for me a thousand masses
in St. Mary's at Burgos, and hang up there these banners of the Moorish
Kings whom we have overcome. Go then to St. Pedro's at Cardena, and
salute my wife Dona Ximena, and my daughters, and tell them how well I
go on, and that if I live I will make them rich women. And salute for
me the Abbot Don Sancho, and give him fifty marks of silver; and the
rest of the money, whatever shall be left, give to my wife, and bid
them all pray for me. Moreover the Cid said unto him, This country is
all spoiled, and we have to help ourselves with sword and spear. You
are going to gentle Castille; if when you return you should not find us
here, you will hear where we are.
XI. Alvar Fanez went his way to Castille, and he found the King in
Valladolid, and he presented to him the thirty horses, with all their
trappings, and swords mounted with silver hanging from the saddle-bows.
And when the King saw them, before Alvar Fanez could deliver his
bidding, he said unto him, Minaya, who sends me this goodly present;
and Minaya answered, My Cid Ruydiez, the Campeador, sends it, and
kisses by me your hands. For since you were wroth against him, and
banished him from the land, he being a man disherited, hath helped
himself with his own hands, and hath won from the Moors the Castle of
Alcocer. And the King of Valencia sent two Kings to besiege him there,
with all his power, and they begirt him round about, and cut off the
water and bread from us so that we could not subsist. And then holding
it better to die like good men in the field, than shut up like bad
ones, we went out against them, and fought with them in the open field,
and smote them and put them to flight; and both the Moorish Kings were
sorely wounded, and many of the Moors were slain, and many were taken
prisoners, and great was the spoil which we won in the field, both of
captives and of horses and arms, gold and silver and pearls, so that
all who are with him are rich men. And of his fifth of the horses which
were taken that day, my Cid hath sent you these, as to his natural
Lord, whose favour he desireth. I beseech you, as God shall help you,
show favour unto him. Then King Don Alfonso answered, This is betimes
in the morning for a banished man to ask favour of his Lord; nor is it
befitting a King, for no Lord ought to be wroth for so short a time.
Nevertheless, because the horses were won from the Moors, I will take
them, and rejoice that my Cid hath sped so well. And I pardon you,
Minaya, and give again unto you all the lands which you have ever held
of me, and you have my favour to go when you will, and come when you
will. Of the Cid Campeador, I shall say nothing now, save only that all
who choose to follow him may freely go, and their bodies and goods and
heritages are safe. And Minaya said, God grant you many and happy years
for his service. Now I beseech you, this which you have done for me, do
also to all those who are in my Cid's company, and show favour unto
them also, that their possessions may be restored unto them. And the
King gave order that it should be so. Then Minaya kissed the King's
hand and said, Sir, you have done this now, and you will do the rest
hereafter.
XII. My Cid remained awhile in Alcocer, and the Moors of the border
waited to see what he would do. And in this time King Fariz got well of
his wound, and my Cid sent to him and to the Moors, saying, that if
they would give him three thousand marks of silver, he would leave
Alcocer and go elsewhere. And King Fariz and the Moors of Techa, and of
Ternel, and of Calatayud, were right glad of this, and the covenant was
put in writing, and they sent him the three thousand marks. And my Cid
divided it among his company, and he made them all rich, both knights
and esquires and footmen, so that they said to one another, He who
serves a good Lord, happy man is his dole. But the Moors of Alcocer
were full sorry to see him depart, because he had been to them a kind
master and a bountiful; and they said unto him, Wherever you go, Cid,
our prayers will go before you; and they wept both men and women when
my Cid went his way. So the Campeador raised his banner and departed,
and he went down the Salon, and crossed it; and as he crossed the river
they saw good birds, and signs of good fortune. And they of Za and of
Calatayud were well pleased, because he went from them. My Cid rode on
till he came to the knoll above Monte-Real; it is a high hill and
strong, and there he pitched his tents, being safe on all sides. And
from thence he did much harm to the Moors of Medina and of the country
round about; and he made Daroca pay tribute, and Molina also, which is
on the other side, and Teruel also, and Celfa de Canal, and all the
country along the river Martin. And the news went to the King of
Zaragoza, and it neither pleased the King nor his people.
XIII. Ever after was that knoll called the Knoll of the Cid. And when
the perfect one had waited a long time for Minaya and saw that he did
not come, he removed by night, and passed by Teruel and pitched his
camp in the pine-forest of Tebar. And from thence he infested the Moors
of Zaragoza, insomuch that they held it best to give him gold and
silver and pay him tribute. And when this covenant had been made,
Almudafar, the King of Zaragoza, became greatly his friend, and
received him full honourably into the town. In three weeks time after
this came Alvar Fanez from Castille. Two hundred men of lineage came
with him, every one of whom wore sword girt to his side, and the
foot-soldiers in their company were out of number. When my Cid saw
Minaya he rode up to him, and embraced him without speaking, and kissed
his mouth and the eyes in his head. And Minaya told him all that he had
done. And the face of the Campeador brightened, and he gave thanks to
God and said, It will go well with me, Minaya, as long as you live!
God, how joyful was that whole host because Alvar Fanez was returned!
for he brought them greetings from their kinswomen and their brethren,
and the fair comrades whom they had left behind. God, how joyful was my
Cid with the fleecy beard, that Minaya had purchased the thousand
masses, and had brought him the biddings of his wife and daughters!
God, what a joyful man was he!
XIV. Now it came to pass that while my Cid was in Zaragoza the days of
King Almudafar were fulfilled: and he left his two sons Zulema and
Abenalfange, and they divided his dominions between them; and Zulema
had the kingdom of Zaragoza, and Abenalfange the kingdom of Denia. And
Zulema put his kingdom under my Cid's protection, and bade all his
people obey him even as they would himself. Now there began to be great
enmity between the two brethren, and they made war upon each other. And
King Don Pedro of Aragon, and the Count Don Ramon Berenguer of
Barcelona, helped Abenalfange, and they were enemies to the Cid because
he defended Zulema. And my Cid chose out two hundred horsemen and went
out by night, and fell upon the lands of Alcaniz; and he remained out
three days in this inroad, and brought away great booty. Great was the
talk thereof among the Moors: and they of Monzon and of Huesca were
troubled, but they of Zaragoza rejoiced; because they paid tribute to
the Cid, and were safe. And when my Cid returned to Zaragoza he divided
the spoil among his companions, and said to them, Ye know, my friends,
that for all who live by their arms, as we do, it is not good to remain
long in one place. Let us be off again to-morrow. So on the morrow they
moved to the Puerto de Alucant, and from thence they infested Huesca
and Montalban. Ten days were they out upon this inroad; and the news
was sent every where how the exile from Castille was handling them, and
tidings went to the King of Denia and to the Count of Barcelona, how my
Cid was over-running the country.
XV. When Don Ramon Berenguer the Count of Barcelona heard this, it
troubled him to the heart, and he held it for a great dishonour,
because that part of the land of the Moors was in his keeping. And he
spake boastfully saying, Great wrong doth that Cid of Bivar offer unto
me; he smote my nephew in my own court and never would make amends for
it, and now he ravages the lands which are in my keeping, and I have
never defied him for this nor renounced his friendship; but since he
goes on in this way I must take vengeance. So he and King Abenalfange
gathered together a great power both of Moors and Christians, and went
in pursuit of the Cid, and after three days and two nights they came up
with him in the pine-forest of Tebar, and they came on confidently,
thinking to lay hands on him. Now my Cid was returning with much spoil,
and had descended from the Sierra into the valley when tidings were
brought him that Count Don Ramon Berenguer and the King of Denia were
at hand, with a great power, to take away his booty, and take or slay
him. And when the Cid heard this he sent to Don Ramon saying, that the
booty which he had won was none of his, and bidding him let him go on
his way in peace: but the Count made answer, that my Cid should now
learn whom he had dishonoured, and make amends once for all. Then my
Cid sent the booty forward, and bade his knights make ready. They are
coming upon us, said he, with a great power both of Moors and
Christians, to take from us the spoils which we have so hardly won, and
without doing battle we cannot be quit of them; for if we should
proceed they would follow till they overtook us: therefore let the
battle be here, and I trust in God that we shall win more honour, and
something to boot. They come down the hill, drest in their hose, with
their gay saddles, and their girths wet; we are with our hose covered
and on our Galician saddles;--a hundred such as we ought to beat their
whole company. Before they get upon the plain ground let us give them
the points of our lances; for one whom we run through, three will jump
out of their saddles; and Ramon Berenguer will then see whom he has
overtaken to-day in the pine-forest of Tebar, thinking to despoil him
of the booty which I have won from the enemies of God and of the faith.
XVI. While my Cid was speaking, his knights had taken their arms, and
were ready on horseback for the charge. Presently they saw the pendants
of the Frenchmen coming down the hill, and when they were nigh the
bottom, and had not yet set foot upon the plain ground, my Cid bade his
people charge, which they did with a right good will, thrusting their
spears so stiffly, that by God's good pleasure not a man whom they
encountered but lost his seat. So many were slain and so many wounded,
that the Moors were dismayed forthwith, and began to fly. The Count's
people stood firm a little longer, gathering round their Lord; but my
Cid was in search of him, and when he saw where he was, he made up to
him, clearing the way as he went, and gave him such a stroke with his
lance that he felled him down to the ground. When the Frenchmen saw
their Lord in this plight they fled away and left him; and the pursuit
lasted three leagues, and would have been continued farther if the
conquerors had not had tired horses. So they turned back and collected
the spoils, which were more than they could carry away. Thus was Count
Ramon Berenguer made prisoner, and my Cid won from him that day the
good sword Colada, which was worth more than a thousand marks of
silver. That night did my Cid and his men make merry, rejoicing over
their gains. And the Count was taken to my Cid's tent, and a good
supper was set before him; nevertheless he would not eat, though my Cid
besought him so to do. And on the morrow my Cid ordered a feast to be
made, that he might do pleasure to the Count, but the Count said that
for all Spain he would not eat one mouthful, but would rather die,
since he had been beaten in battle by such a set of ragged fellows. And
Ruydiez said to him, Eat and drink, Count, of this bread and of this
wine, for this is the chance of war: if you do as I say you shall be
free; and if not you will never return again into your own lands. And
Don Ramond answered, Eat you, Don Rodrigo, for your fortune is fair and
you deserve it; take you your pleasure, but leave me to die. And in
this mood he continued for three days, refusing all food. But then my
Cid said to him, Take food, Count, and be sure that I will set you
free, you and any two of your knights, and give you wherewith to return
into your own country. And when Don Ramond heard this, he took comfort
and said, If you will indeed do this thing I shall marvel at you as
long as I live. Eat then, said Ruydiez, and I will do it: but mark you,
of the spoil which we have taken from you I will give you nothing; for
to that you have no claim neither by right nor custom, and besides we
want it for ourselves, being banished men, who must live by taking from
you and from others as long as it shall please God. Then was the Count
full joyful, being well pleased that what should be given him was not
of the spoils which he had lost; and he called for water and washed his
hands, and chose two of his kinsmen to be set free with him; the one
was named Don Hugo, and the other Guillen Bernalto. And my Cid sate at
the table with them, and said, If you do not eat well, Count, you and I
shall not part yet. Never since he was Count did he eat with better
will than that day! And when they had done he said, Now, Cid, if it be
your pleasure let us depart. And my Cid clothed him and his kinsmen
well with goodly skins and mantles, and gave them each a goodly
palfrey, with rich caparisons, and he rode out with them on their way.
And when he took leave of the Count he said to him, Now go freely, and
I thank you for what you have left behind; if you wish to play for it
again let me know, and you shall either have something back in its
stead, or leave what you bring to be added to it. The Count answered,
Cid, you jest safely now, for I have paid you and all your company for
this twelve months, and shall not be coming to see you again so soon.
Then Count Ramond pricked on more than apace, and many times looked
behind him, fearing that my Cid would repent what he had done, and send
to take him back to prison, which the perfect one would not have done
for the whole world, for never did he do disloyal thing.
XVII. Then he of Bivar returned to Zaragoza, and divided the spoil,
which was so great that none of his men knew how much they had. And the
Moors of the town rejoiced in his good speed, liking him well, because
he protected them so well that they were safe from all harm. And my Cid
went out again from Zaragoza, and rode over the lands of Monzon and
Huerta and Onda and Buenar. And King Pedro of Aragon came out against
him, but my Cid took the Castle of Monzon in his sight; and then he
went to Tamarit: and one day as he rode out hunting from thence with
twelve of his knights, he fell in with a hundred and fifty of the King
of Aragon's people, and he fought with them and put them to flight, and
took seven knights prisoners, whom he let go freely. Then he turned
towards the sea-coast, and won Xerica and Onda and Almenar, and all the
lands of Borriana and Murviedro; and they in Valencia were greatly
dismayed because of the great feats which he did in the land. And when
he had plundered all that country he returned to Tamarit, where Zulema
then was.
XVIII. Now Zulema had sent for my Cid, and the cause was this. His
brother the King of Denia had taken counsel with Count Ramon Berenguer,
and with the Count of Cardona, and with the brother of the Count of
Urgel, and with the chiefs of Balsadron and Remolin and Cartaxes, that
they should besiege the Castle of Almenar, which my Cid had refortified
by command of King Zulema. And they came up against it while my Cid was
away, besieging the Castle of Estrada, which is in the rivers Tiegio
and Sege, the which he took by force. And they fought against it and
cut off the water. And when my Cid came to the King at Tamarit, the
King asked him to go and fight with the host which besieged Almenar;
but my Cid said it would be better to give something to King
Abenalfange that he should break up the siege and depart; for they were
too great a power to do battle with, being as many in number as the
sands on the sea-shore. And the King did as he counselled him, and sent
to his brother King Abenalfange, and to the chiefs who were with him,
to propose this accord, and they would not. Then my Cid, seeing that
they would not depart for fair means, armed his people, and fell upon
them. That was a hard battle and well fought on both sides, and much
blood was shed, for many good knights on either party were in the
field; howbeit he of good fortune won the day at last, he who never was
conquered. King Abenalfange and Count Ramon and most of the others
fled, and my Cid followed, smiting and slaying for three leagues; and
many good Christian knights were made prisoners. Ruydiez returned with
great honour and much spoil, and gave all his prisoners to King Zulema,
who kept them eight days, and then my Cid begged their liberty and set
them free. And he and the King returned to Zaragoza, and the people
came out to meet them, with great joy, and shouts of welcome. And the
King honoured my Cid greatly, and gave him power in all his dominions.
XIX. At this time it came to pass that Almofalez, a Moor of Andalusia,
rose up with the Castle of Rueda, which was held for King Don Alfonso.
And because he held prisoner there the brother of Adefir, another Moor,
Adefir sent to the King of Castille, beseeching him to come to succour
him, and recover the Castle. And the King sent the Infante Don Ramiro
his cousin, and the Infante Don Sancho, son to the King of Navarre, and
Count Don Gonzalo Salvadores, and Count Don Nuno Alvarez, and many
other knights with them; and they came to the Castle, and Almofalez
said he would not open the gates to them, but if the King came he would
open to him. And when King Don Alfonso heard this, incontinently he
came to Rueda. And Almofalez besought him to enter to a feast which he
had prepared; howbeit the King would not go in, neither would his
people have permitted him so to have risked his person. But the Infante
Don Sancho entered, and Don Nuno, and Don Gonzalo, and fifteen other
knights; and as soon as they were within the gate, the Moors threw down
great stones upon them and killed them all. This was the end of the
good Count Don Gonzalo Salvadores, who was so good a knight in battle
that he was called He of the Four Hands. The bodies were ransomed,
seeing that there was no remedy, the Castle being so strong, and Don
Gonzalo was buried in the Monastery of Ona, according as he had
appointed in his will; and the Infante Don Sancho with his forefathers
the Kings of Navarre, in the royal Monastery of Naxara.
XX. Greatly was King Don Alfonso troubled at this villainy, and he sent
for the Cid, who was in those parts; and the Cid came to him with a
great company. And the King told him the great treason which had been
committed, and took the Cid into his favour, and said unto him that he
might return with him into Castille. My Cid thanked him for his bounty,
but he said he never would accept his favour unless the King granted
what he should request; and the King bade him make his demand. And my
Cid demanded, that when any hidalgo should be banished, in time to
come, he should have the thirty days, which were his right, allowed
him, and not nine only, as had been his case; and that neither hidalgo
nor citizen should be proceeded against till they had been fairly and
lawfully heard; also, that the King should not go against the
privileges and charters and good customs of any town or other place,
nor impose taxes upon them against their right; and if he did, that it
should be lawful for the land to rise against him, till he had amended
the misdeed. And to all this the King accorded, and said to my Cid that
he should go back into Castille with him: but my Cid said he would not
go into Castille till he had won that castle of Rueda, and delivered
the villainous Moors thereof into his hands, that he might do justice
upon them. So the King thanked him greatly, and returned into Castille,
and my Cid remained before the Castle of Rueda. And he lay before it so
long, and beset it so close, that the food of the Moors failed, and
they had no strength to defend themselves; and they would willingly
have yielded the castle, so they might have been permitted to leave it
and go whither they would; but he would have their bodies, to deliver
them up to the King. When they saw that it must be so, great part of
them came out, and yielded themselves prisoners; and then my Cid
stormed the Castle, and took Almofalez and they who held with him, so
that none escaped; and he sent him and his accomplices in the treason
to the King. And the King was right glad when they were brought before
him, and he did great justice upon them, and sent to thank my Cid for
having avenged him.
XXI. After my Cid had done this good service to King Don Alfonso, he
and King Zulema of Zaragoza entered Aragon, slaying, and burning, and
plundering before them, and they returned to the Castle of Monzon with
great booty. Then the Cid went into King Abenalfange's country, and did
much mischief there; and he got among the mountains of Moriella, and
beat down every thing before him, and destroyed the Castle of Moriella.
And King Zulema sent to bid him build up the ruined Castle of Alcala,
which is upon Moriella; and the Cid did so. But King Abenalfange being
sorely grieved hereat, sent to King Pedro of Aragon, and besought him
to come and help him against the Campeador. And the King of Aragon
gathered together a great host in his anger, and he and the King of
Denia came against my Cid, and they halted that night upon the banks of
the Ebro; and King Don Pedro sent letters to the Cid, bidding him leave
the castle which he was then edifying. My Cid made answer, that if the
King chose to pass that way in peace, he would let him pass, and show
him any service in his power. And when the King of Aragon saw that he
would not forsake the work, he marched against him, and attacked him.
Then was there a brave battle, and many were slain; but my Cid won the
day, and King Abenalfange fled, and King Don Pedro was taken prisoner,
and many of his Counts and knights with him. My Cid returned to
Zaragoza with this great honour, taking his prisoners with him; and he
set them all freely at liberty, and having tarried in Zaragoza a few
days, set forth for Castille, with great riches and full of honours.
XXII. Having done all these things in his banishment, my Cid returned
to Castille, and the King received him well, and gave him the Castle of
Duenas, and of Orcejon, and Ybia, and Campo, and Gana, and Berviesca,
and Berlanga, with all their districts. And he gave him privileges with
leaden seals appendant, and confirmed with his own hand, that whatever
castles, towns, and places, he might win from the Moors, or from any
one else, should be his own, quit and free for ever, both for him and
for his descendants. Thus was my Cid received into the King's favour,
and he abode with him long time, doing him great services, as his Lord.
BOOK V.
I. In these days King Yahia reigned in Toledo, the grandson of King
Alimaymon, who had been the friend of King Don Alfonso; for Alimaymon
was dead, and his son Hicem also. Now Yahia was a bad King, and one who
walked not in the ways of his fathers. Insolent he was towards the
elders, and cruel towards his people: and his yoke was so heavy that
all men desired to see his death, because there was no good in him. And
the people seeing that he did not protect them, and that their lands
were ravaged safely, went to him and said, Stand up, Sir, for thy
people and thy country, else we must look for some other Lord who will
defend us. But he was of such lewd customs that he gave no heed to
their words. And when they knew that there was no hope of him, the
Moors sent to the King of Badajoz, inviting him to come and be their
protector, saying that they would deliver the city into his hands in
spite of Yahia. And the Muzarabes who dwelt in the city sent to King
Don Alfonso, exhorting him to win Toledo, which he might well do, now
that he was no longer bound by his oath. Then both Kings came, thinking
to have the city: and the King of Badajoz came first, and the gates
were opened to him in despite of Yahia. Howbeit King Don Alfonso
speedily arrived, and the King of Badajoz, seeing that he could not
maintain Toledo against him, retreated, and King Don Aifonso pursued
him into his own dominions and gave orders that he should be attacked
along the whole of his border, and did not leave him till he had
plainly submitted. In this manner was Yahia delivered from the King of
Badajoz; but King Don Alfonso knowing how that city was to be taken,
contented himself with overrunning the country, and despoiling it, even
to the walls of the city; and thus he did for four years, so that he
was master of the land.
II. In all this time did my Cid do good service to King Don Alfonso.
And in these days King Don Alfonso fought at Consuegra with King
Abenalfange of Denia, and in this battle the Christians were defeated,
and Diego Rodriguez, the son of my Cid, was slain. Greatly was his
death lamented by the Christians, for he was a youth of great hope, and
one who was beginning to tread in the steps of his father. And King Don
Alfonso was fain to retire into the Castle of that town. And
Abenalfange gathered together the greatest power of the Moors that he
could, and entered the land of the Christians, and past the mountains,
and came even to Medina del Campo, and there Alvar Fanez Minaya met
him. Minaya had but five and twenty hundred horse with him, and of the
Moors there were fifteen thousand; nevertheless by God's blessing he
prevailed against them. And by the virtue of God Alvar Fanez gave King
Abenalfange a cruel wound in the face, so that he fled away. Great
honour did Minaya win for this victory.
III. Now had King Don Alfonso for many years cut down the bread and the
wine and the fruits in all the country round about Toledo, and he made
ready to go against the city. The tidings of this great enterprise
spread far and wide, and adventurers came from all parts lo be present;
not only they of Castille and Leon, Asturias and Nagera, Galicia and
Portugal, but King Sancho Ramirez of Aragon came also, with the flower
of Aragon and Navarre and Catalonia, and Franks and Germans and
Italians, and men of other countries, to bear their part in so great
and catholic a war. And the King entertained them well, being full
bountiful, insomuch that he was called He of the Open Hand. Never had
so goodly a force of Christians been assembled in Spain, nor so great
an enterprise attempted, since the coming of the Moors. And of this
army was my Cid the leader. So soon as the winter was over they began
their march. And when they came to a ford of the Tagus, behold the
river was swoln, and the best horsemen feared to try the passage. Now
there was a holy man in the camp, by name Lesmes, who was a monk of St.
Benedict's; and he being mounted upon an ass rode first into the ford,
and passed safely through the flood; and all who beheld him held it for
a great miracle.
IV. Greatly to be blamed are they who lived in those days for not
handing down to everlasting remembrance the worthy feats which were
atchieved at this siege. For not only was Toledo a strong city, both by
nature and in its walls and towers, but the flower of the chivalry of
all Spain and of all Christendom was there assembled, and the Moors of
Spain also, knowing that this was, as it were, the heart of their
empire, did all they could to defend it: greatly to be blamed are they
who neglected to transmit to us the memory of their deeds, and greatly
have they wronged the worthy knights whose exploits should else have
gained for them a never-dying renown. Nothing more, owing to their
default, can we say of this so notable a siege, than that when Don
Cabrian, the Bishop of Leon, was earnestly engaged in prayer for the
success of the Christian arms, the glorious St. Isidro appeared unto
him, and certified that in fifteen days the city should be surrendered;
and even so it came to pass, for the gates were opened to the King on
Thursday the twenty-fifth of May, in the year of the aeera 1123, which
is the year of Christ 1085. The first Christian banner which entered
the city was the banner of my Cid, and my Cid was the first Christian
Alcayde of Toledo. Of the terms granted unto the Moors, and how they
were set aside for the honour of the Catholic faith, and of the cunning
of the Jews who dwelt in the city, and how the Romish ritual was
introduced therein, this is not the place to speak; all these things
are written in the Chronicles of the Kings of Spain.
V. Now Yahai, when he saw that he could by no means hold Toledo,
because on the one hand the Moors would give it to the King of Badajoz,
and on the other King Don Alfonso warred against it, he made a covenant
with King Don Alfonso to yield the city to him, if he with the help of
Alvar Fanez would put him in possession of Valencia, which had belonged
unto Hicem and Alimaymon, his fathers, but which the Guazil Abdalla
Azis held now as his own, calling himself King thereof. And he
covenanted that King Don Alfonso should also put into his hand Santa
Maria de Albarrazin, and the kingdom of Denia; and the King assented to
the covenant, thinking that in this manner the land would be all his
own. Yahia therefore sent Abenfarat, who was his cousin, to Valencia,
to spy out what the Guazil would do, whether he would peaceably deliver
up the kingdom unto him, or whether he would oppose his coming, which
he greatly doubted, because it was rumoured that he was about to give
his daughter in marriage to the King of Zaragoza. Abenfarat went his
way, and took up his abode in the house of a Moor who was called
Abenlupo; and while he sojourned there the marriage of the Guazil's
daughter was effected, and the Guazil himself fell sick and died. Then
Abenfarat tarried yet awhile to see what would be the issue, for the
men of Valencia were greatly troubled because of the death of their
King. He left two sons, between whom there was no brotherly love during
his life, and now that he was dead there was less. And they divided
between them all that he had left, even the least thing did they
divide, each being covetous to possess all that he could; and they made
two factions in the town, each striving to possess himself of the power
therein. But the men of Valencia who were not engaged on their side,
and they also who held the castles round about, were greatly troubled
because of this strife which was between them; and they also were
divided between two opinions, they who were of the one wishing to give
the kingdom to the King of Zaragoza, and they who were of the other to
yield themselves unto Yahai the grandson of Alimaymon, because of the
covenant which King Don Alfonso had made with him. When Abenfarat knew
these things he returned unto Yahia, and told him all even as it was;
and Yahia saw that he should have the city, because of the discord
which was therein.
VI. Then Yahia gathered together all his people, knights, and cross-bow
men, and foot-soldiers, and they of his board, and the officers of his
household which are the eunuchs; and he set forward on the way toward
Valencia, and Alvar Fanez and his body of Christians with him. And he
sent to the townsmen greeting them, and saying that he was coming to
dwell among them and to be their King, and that he would deal
bountifully by them; and that he should wait awhile in the town which
was called Sera. The chief men of the town took counsel together what
they should do, and at length they agreed to receive him for their
Lord; and this they did more in fear of King Don Alfonso and of Alvar
Fanez than for any love towards him. This answer they sent him by
Aboeza the Alcayde. Now Aboeza would fain have departed from Valencia
when the Guazil Abdalla Azis died, because of the strife which was in
the city, and he thought to betake himself to his own Castle of
Monviedro and dwell there, away from the troubles which were to come.
Upon this purpose he took counsel with his friend Mahomed Abenhayen the
Scribe, for there was great love between them; and when the Scribe
heard what he purposed to do he was grieved thereat, and represented
unto him that it was not fitting for him to forsake the city at such a
time, so that Aboeza was persuaded. And they twain covenanted one to
the other, to love and defend each other against all the men in the
world, and to help each other with their persons and possessions; and
Aboeza sent trusty men of his kinsfolk and friends to keep the Castles
of Monviedo and Castro and Santa Cruz, and other Castles which were in
his possession, and he himself abode in Valencia. And now he went out
to Yahia to give unto him the keys of the city, and the good men of the
city went out with him, and they made obeisance to him and promised to
serve him loyally. Then Yahia, the grandson of Alimaymon, set forth
with all his company from Sera, and all the people of Valencia, high
and low, went out to meet him with great rejoicings. And Aboeza adorned
the Alcazar right nobly, that Yahia and his women and they of his
company might lodge within. The most honourable of his knights took up
their lodging in the town, and the cross-bow men and others of low
degree lodged round about the Alcazar, and in certain dwellings which
were between it and the Mosque, and Alvar Fanez and the Christians who
were with him, in the village which was called Ruzaf.
VII. Yahia being now King in Valencia, made Aboeza his Guazil, and gave
him authority throughout all his kingdom. Nevertheless he bore
displeasure against him in his heart, because he had served Abdalla
Azis; and on his part also Aboeza secretly feared the King, and knew
not whether it were better to depart from him, or not; howbeit he
thought it best to remain and serve him right loyally and well, that so
he might win his good will; and when the King perceived this, his anger
abated and was clean put out of mind. And he made Aboeza his favourite,
and made a vow unto him and confirmed it by a writing, that he would
never take away his favour from him, nor change him for another, nor do
any thing in his dominions without him. With this was Aboeza satisfied,
and the fear which he felt in his heart was removed. And they who held
the castles brought great gifts to Yahia, with much humility and
reverence, such as the Moors know how to put on. This they did to set
his heart at rest, that he might confide in them, and send away Alvar
Fanez into his own country, and not keep him and his people at so great
a charge, for it cost them daily six hundred maravedis, and the King
had no treasure in Valencia, neither was he so rich that he could
support his own company and supply this payment; and for this reason
the Moors complained of the great cost. But on the other hand, Yahia
feared that if he should send away Alvar Fanez, the Moors would rise
against him; and to maintain him he laid a great tax upon the city and
its district, saying that it was for barley. This tax they levied upon
the rich as well as the poor, and upon the great as well as the little,
which they held to be a great evil and breach of their privileges, and
thought that by his fault Valencia would be lost, even as Toledo had
been. This tribute so sorely aggrieved the people, that it became as it
were a bye word in the city, Give the barley. They say there was a
great mastiff, with whom they killed beef in the shambles, who,
whenever he heard, 'Give the barley,'began to bark and growl: upon
which a Trobador said, Thanks be to God, we have many in the town who
are like the mastiff.
VIII. When they who held the Castles sent presents to King Yahia, there
was one among them, by name Abenmazot, who held Xativa, who neither
sent him gifts, nor came to offer obedience. And the King sent to bid
him come before him. But then Abenmazot sent a messenger with letters
and full rich presents, saying that he could by no means come himself,
and this not from any feigning, and that he would alway do him service
with a true good will. And he besought him as his Lord to let him
remain in Xativa, and he would give him the rents thereof; but if it
was his pleasure to appoint some other in his stead, he besought that
he would then give him something for himself and his company to subsist
upon, seeing that he desired nothing but the King's favour to be well
with him. Then the King took counsel with Aboeza the Guazil, and the
Guazil advised him to do unto Abenmazot even as he had requested, and
let him keep Xativa; and to send away Alvar Fanez because of the great
charge it was to maintain him, and to live in peace, and put his
kingdom in order; in all which he advised him like a good counsellor
and a true. But the King would not give heed to him; instead thereof he
communicated his counsel to the two sons of Abdalla Azis who had
submitted unto him, and whom he had taken into his favour, and they
told him that Aboeza had advised him ill, and that it behoved him to
lead out his host and bring Abenmazot to obedience. And the King
believed them and went out and besieged Xativa. And the first day he
entered the lower part of the town, but Abenmazot retired to the
Alcazar and the fortresses, and defended the upper part; and the King
besieged him there for four months, attacking him every day, till food
began to fail both in the army of the King and in the town. And they of
Valencia could not supply what was to be paid to Alvar Fanez and his
company, much less what the King wanted. Then the King understood that
he had been ill advised, and for this reason he condemned one of the
sons of Abdalla Azis to pay Alvar Fanez for thirty days; and he seized
a Jew who was one of his Almoxarifes in Valencia, that is to say, one
who collected the taxes, and took from him all that he had, because he
had advised him ill, and while this lasted the people of Valencia had
some respite.
IX. When Abenmazot saw that the King was bent upon destroying him, and
that every day he prest him more and more, he sent to Abenalfange who
was King of Denia and Tortosa, saying, that if he would come and help
him, he would make him Lord of Xativa and of all his other Castles, and
would be at his mercy; and this he did to escape from the hands of
Yahia. When Abenalfange heard this it pleased him well, and he sent one
of his Alcaydes, who was called the Left-handed, to enter the Alcazar,
and help to defend it till he could collect a company of Christians who
might deal with Alvar Fanez. So that Left-handed one entered the
Alcazar with his company, and the Lord of the Castle which was called
Almenar, was already there to help Abenmazot, and encourage him that he
should not submit. Then Abenalfange gathered together all his host and
his cavalry, and brought with him Giralte the Roman, with a company of
French knights, and came towards Xativa, as a hungry lion goes against
a sheep, or like the coming of a flood in its hour; so that Vahia was
dismayed at the tidings of his approach, and fled as fast as he could
to the Isle of Xucar, and though that Isle was so near, he thought he
had done a great thing; and from thence he went to Valencia, holding
himself greatly dishonoured. Then Abenalfange had Xativa and all its
Castles, so that it was all one kingdom as far as Denia. And he took
Abenmazot with all his women and his household and all that he had, to
Denia, and gave him possessions there, and did him much honour. And
when it was seen that King Yahia was thus dishonoured, and that Alvar
Fanez had not helped him as had been looked for, they who held the
Castles lost all fear of him, so that their hearts were changed towards
him, as well they of Valencia as of the other Castles, and they said
that they would rather belong to Abenalfange than to him, because the
town could not bear the charge of the Christians, nor the oppressions
which they suffered because of them.
X. Abenalfange abode some days in Xativa, and then moved on towards
Valencia, thinking to win the city; for he knew how greatly the people
were oppressed because of the Christians, and that they could not bear
it, and that there was no love between them and their Lord. And he
passed by a place which was an oratory of the Moors in their festivals,
which they call in Arabic Axera, or Araxea; and he halted near
Valencia, so that they in the town might see him, and he went round
about the town, to the right and to the left, wheresoever he would. The
King of Valencia with his knights was near the wall watching him, and
Alvar Fanez and his company were in readiness lest the French should
defy them. And after Abenalfange had staid their awhile he drew off and
went his way to Tortosa. And Yahia was perplexed with Alvar Fanez, and
sought for means to pay him, and he threw the two sons of Abdalla Azis
into prison, and many other good men of the town also, and took from
them great riches. Then he made a covenant with Alvar Fanez, that he
should remain with him, and gave him great possessions. And when the
Moors saw that Alvar Fanez was in such power, all the ruffians and lewd
livers in the town flocked unto him, so that Valencia was in the hands
of him and his followers; and the Moors being desperate of remedy
deserted the town, and went whither they could, setting at nought their
inheritances, for no man was safe, neither in his goods nor person.
Then Alvar Fanez made an inroad into the lands of Abenalfange, and
overran the lands of Buriana, and other parts; and there went with him
a great company of those Moorish desperadoes who had joined him, and of
other Moorish Almogavares, and they stormed towns and castles, and slew
many Moors, and brought away flocks and herds both of cattle and of
brood mares, and much gold and silver, and store of wearing apparel,
all which they sold in Valencia.
XI. Now when one of the sons of Abdalla Azis was loosed from prison, he
placed his love upon Alvar Fanez and gave him goodly gifts, and upon
Aboeza the King's Guazil, and upon a Jew who was a messenger from King
Don Alfonso. And they all sent to King Don Alfonso to beseech him that
he would take the son of Abdalla Azis and all that he had under his
protection, so that Yahia might do no evil unto him, neither take by
force from him anything that was his; and for this protection he
promised to give the King thirty thousand maravedis yearly. This
request King Don Alfonso granted, and incontinently he took him under
his protection, and sent to the King of Valencia to request that he
would do him no wrong. Therefore the son of Abdalla Azis was from that
time held in more honour because of the love of King Don Alfonso;
nevertheless he was still kept under a guard in his own house, that he
should not issue forth. And because of this confinement not thinking
himself safe, he made a hole through the wall and got out by night in
woman's apparel, and lay hid all the next day in a garden, and on the
following night mounted on horseback and rode to Monviedro. When the
Guazil knew this he took his son and his uncle as sureties for him for
the thirty thousand maravedis, which the Jew was now come to receive
for King Don Alfonso. And they went to Monviedro to him, and communed
with him, and accorded with him that he should pay the one-half
immediately, and whenever he returned to Valencia and was safe there in
possession of all his rents and inheritances, that then he should pay
the remainder; so he paid the fifteen thousand forthwith in silver, and
in rings of gold, and in cloth, and in strings of pearls, and the Jew
returned therewith to King Don Alfonso. At this time his brother was
released from prison by desire of the King of Zaragoza, and he went
unto him; and many of the rich men of the city also betook themselves
to Monviedro, because they were not secure neither in their possessions
nor in their bodies.
XII. In these days the Almoravides arose in Barbary. The rise of this
people and all that they did in Spain are not for me to relate in this
place. Suffice it to say, that King Don Alfonso being in great danger,
sent for Alvar Fanez and all his company; and that he had so much to do
for himself that he took no thought for Valencia. And when they who had
the keeping of Yahia's Castles saw this they rose against him, so that
few remained unto him, and they of his vassals in whom he put the most
trust proved false, so that the heart of the King of Denia and Tortosa
grew, and he thought to win Valencia. The chief persons of the town
also sent unto him, saying that if he would come they would give the
city into his hands. So he gathered together his host, and a company of
French also, and sent them forward under the command of his uncle,
saying that he would follow and join them on a certain day. But they
went forward, and Yahia thinking that if he could conquer them he
should be secure, went out and fought against them; and he was defeated
and lost a great part of his people and of his arms, and returned into
the city with great loss. When Abenalfange, who was a day's journey
off, heard this, he marched all night, and came before Valencia. And
King Yahia knew not what to do, and was minded to yield up the town.
And he took counsel with his people, and they advised him to send for
help to King Don Alfonso, and also to the King of Zaragoza, and he did
accordingly. And an Arrayaz of Cuenca, whose name was Abencano. who was
a native of Valencia, went to Zaragoza, and told the King that if he
would go thither he would deliver the city into his hands, for it
appertained unto him rather than to Abenalfange.
XIII. And in those days my Cid gathered together a great force, and
went to the borders of Aragon, and crost the Douro, and lodged that
night in Fresno. From thence he went to Calamocha, where he kept
Whitsuntide. While he lay there the King of Albarrazin, being in great
fear of him, sent to him requesting that they might meet. And when they
saw each other they established great love between them, and the King
from that day became tributary to the Cid. Then the Cid went to
Zaragoza, where he tas full honourably received. And when Abencano came
to Zaragoza inviting King Almescahen to go and take Valencia, and King
Yahia sent also to beg succour at his hands, the King asked the Cid to
go with him, and gave him whatever he demanded. So greatly did this
King desire to have Valencia, that he looked not whether his force was
great or little, nor whether that of the Cid was greater than his own,
but went on as fast as he could. When the King of Denia heard that he
was coming and the Cid with him, he durst not abide them. And he
thought that the King of Zaragoza by the Cid's help would win the city,
and that he should remain with the labour he had undergone, and the
cost. Then he placed his love upon King Yahia, and sent him all the
food he had, and besought him to help him, saying that he would supply
him with whatever he needed. King Yahia was well pleased with this,
though he well understood the reason, and firm writings were made to
this effect, and then Abenalfange went to Tortosa.
XIV. And when the King of Zaragoza and the Cid drew nigh unto Valencia,
Yahia went out to Welcome them, and thanked them greatly for coming to
his assistance; and he lodged them in the great garden, which was
called the Garden of Villa Nueva, and honoured them greatly and sent
them great presents, and he invited them afterwards to come with their
honourable men and be his guests in the Alcazar. But the King of
Zaragoza all this while had his eye upon the town, thinking that it
would be given up to him as Abencano had promised; but he saw no sign
of this, neither knew he how he could win it. Moreover Yahia had placed
his love upon the Cid, and had sent him full noble gifts when he was
upon the road, in secret, so that the King of Zaragoza knew not
thereof. And the King of Zaragoza asked counsel of the Cid how he might
get Valencia into his hands, and besought the Cid to help him. But the
Cid made answer, how could that be, seeing that Yahia had received it
from the hands of King Don Alfonso, who had given it unto him that he
might dwell therein. If indeed King Don Alfonso should give it to the
King of Zaragoza, then might the King win it, and he would help him so
to do; otherwise he must be against him. When the King heard this he
perceived how the Cid stood in this matter, and he left an Alcayde with
a body of knights to assist King Yahia, and also to see if he could win
the town; and he himself returned to Zaragoza.
XV. Then the Cid went to besiege the Castle called Xerica, by advice of
the King of Zaragoza, that he might have a frontier against Monviedro.
This he did because, when the King came to relieve Valencia, Aboeza had
covenanted to give up Monviedro unto him, the which he had not done;
and the King thought that if he made war upon these Castles they must
either yield unto him, or be at his mercy, because they did not belong
to the King of Denia. But when Aboeza knew this he sent to Abenalfange
the King of Denia, saying that he would give him the Castle; and the
King of Denia incontinently came and took possession of it, and Aboeza
became his vassal. When the Cid saw this he understood that Valencia
must needs be lost, and thought in his heart that he could win the city
for himself, and keep it. Then sent he letters to King Don Alfonso, in
which he besought him of his mercy not to think it ill that the people
who were with him should remain with him, for he would do God service,
and maintain them at the cost of the Moors, and whensoever the King
stood in need of their service, he and they would go unto him and serve
him freely; and at other times they would make war upon the Moors, and
break their power, so that the King might win the land. Well was King
Don Alfonso pleased at this, and he sent to say that they who were in
the Cid's company might remain with him, and that as many as would
might go join him. And my Cid went to the King to commune with him, and
while my Cid was with him, Don Ramon Berenguer, Lord of Barcelona, came
to Zaragoza; and the King gave him great gifts, that he might not place
his love upon any other for want; for the King had now put away his
love from the Cid, thinking that because of him he had lost Valencia.
And presently he sent a force to besiege Valencia under Don Ramon
Berenguer; and he had two Bastilles built, one in Liria, which King
Yahia had given him when he came to relieve him, and the other in
Juballa, and he thought to build another on the side of Albuhera, so
that none might enter into the city, neither go out from it. And he
re-edified the Castle of Cebolla, that the Count might retire thither
if it should be needful; and every day the Count attacked the city, and
King Yahia defended himself, looking for the coming of the Cid to help
him, according to the covenant which was between them.
XVI. When the Cid returned from Castille and knew that Valencia was
besieged by the French, he went to Tares, which is near Monviedro, and
encamped there with his people, who were many in number. And when the
Count knew that the Cid was so near, he feared him, holding him to be
his enemy. And the Cid sent to him to bid him move from that place and
raise the siege of Valencia. The Count took counsel with his knights,
and they said that they would rather give battle to the Cid. Howbeit
the Cid had no wish to fight with them, because the Count was related
to King Don Alfonso, and moreover he had defeated him and made him
prisoner heretofore: so he sent a second time, bidding him depart. And
the Count seeing that he could not abide there in the Cid's despite,
broke up the siege and went his way by Requena, for he would not pass
through Zaragoza. Then the Cid went to Valencia, and King Yahia
received him full honourably, and made a covenant with him to give him
weekly four thousand maravedis of silver, and he on his part was to
reduce the Castles to his obedience, so that they should pay the same
rents unto him as had been paid unto the former Kings of Valencia; and
that the Cid should protect him against all men, Moors or Christians,
and should have his home in Valencia, and bring all his booty there to
be sold, and that he should have his granaries there. This covenant was
confirmed in writing, so that they were secure on one side and on the
other. And my Cid sent to all those who held the Castles, commanding
them to pay their rents to the King of Valencia as they had done
aforetime, and they all obeyed his command, every one striving to have
his love.
XVII. When, the Cid had thus set the land in order he went against the
King of Denia, and warred against Denia and against Xativa, and he
abode there all the winter, doing great hurt, insomuch that there did
not remain a wall standing from Orihuela to Xativa, for he laid every
thing waste; and all his booty and his prisoners he sold in Valencia,
Then he went towards Tortosa, destroying every thing as he went; and he
pitched his camp near unto the city of Tortosa, in a place which in
Arabic is called Maurelet, and he cut down every thing before him,
orchards and vines and corn. When King Abenalfange saw that the land
was thus destroyed, and that neither bread, nor wine, nor flocks would
be left him, he sent to Count Ramon Berenguer, beseeching him to gather
together a great force, and drive the Cid out of the land, for which
service he would give him whatever he might stand in need of. And the
Count, thinking now to be revenged of the Cid for his former defeat,
and because he had taken from him the rents which he used to receive
from the land of Valencia, took what the King gave him, and assembled a
great host of the Christians. This was so great a power when the Moors
had joined, that they surely thought the Cid would fly before them; for
the Moors held that these Frenchmen were the best knights in the world,
and the best appointed, and they who could bear the most in battle.
When the Cid knew that they came resolved to fight him, he doubted that
he could not give them battle because of their great numbers, and
sought how he might wisely disperse them. And he got among the mountain
values, whereunto the entrance was by a narrow strait, and there he
planted his barriers, and guarded them well that the Frenchmen might
not enter. The King of Zaragoza sent to tell him to be upon his guard,
for Count Ramon Berenguer would without doubt attack him: and the Cid
returned for answer, Let him come. On the morrow the Count came nearer,
and encamped a league off, in sight of him, and when it was night he
sent his spies to view the camp of Ruydiez the Cid. The next day he
sent to bid him come out and fight, and the Cid answered, That he did
not want to fight nor to have any strife with him, but to pass on with
his people. And they drew nearer and invited him to come out, and
defied him, saying that he feared to meet them in the field; but he set
nothing by all this. They thought he did it because of his weakness,
and that he was afraid of them: but what he did was to wear out their
patience.
XVIII. Then the Count sent a letter to the Cid after this fashion: I
Count Don Ramon Berenguer of Barcelona, and all my vassals with me, say
unto thee, Ruydiez, that we have seen thy letter to King Almescahen of
Zaragoza, which thou toldest him to show unto us, that we might have
the more cause of quarrel against thee. Before this thou hast done
great displeasure unto us, so that we ought at all times to bear ill
will against thee. And now while thou hast our goods in thy possession
as booty, thou sendest thy letter to King Almescahen, saying that we
are like our wives. God give us means to show thee that we are not
such. And thou saidst unto him, that before we could be with thee thou
wouldst come to us; now we will not alight from our horses till we have
taken vengeance on thee, and seen what sort of Gods these mountain
crows and daws are, in whom thou puttest thy trust to fight with us;
whereas we believe in one God alone, who will give us vengeance against
thee. Of a truth, to-morrow morning we will be with thee, and if thou
wilt leave the mountain and come out to us in the plain, then wilt thou
be, as they call thee, Rodrigo the Campeador. But if thou wilt not do
this, thou wilt then be what according to the custom of Castille is
called _alevoso_, and _bauzador_ according to the custom of France;
that is to say, a false traitor. And if thou wilt not come down from
the mountain it shall not avail thee, for we will not depart from hence
till we have thee in our hands, either dead or alive, and we will deal
with thee as thou hast done by us, and God in his mercy now take
vengeance upon thee for his churches which thou hast destroyed.
XIX. When the Cid had read this letter he wrote another in reply after
this manner: I Ruydiez and my vassals: God save you Count! I have seen
your letter in which you tell me that I sent one to King Almescahen of
Zaragoza speaking contumeliously of you and of all your vassals; and
true it is that I did so speak, and I will tell you for what reason.
When you were with him you spake contumeliously of me before him,
saying of me the worst you could, and affirming that I did not dare
enter the lands of Abenalfange for fear of you. Moreover Ramon de
Bajaran, and other of your knights who were with him, spake ill of me
and of my vassals before King Don Alfonso of Castille, and you also
after this went to King Don Alfonso, and said that you would have
fought with me, and driven me out of the lands of Abenalfange, but that
I was dismayed, and did not dare do battle with you; and you said unto
him, that if it had not been for the love of him, you would not have
suffered me to be one day in the land. Now then I say that I thank you
because you no longer let me alone for the love of him. Come! here I
am; this is the plainest ground among these mountains, and I am ready
to receive you. But I know you dare not come, for Moors and Christians
know that I conquered you once, and took you and your vassals, and took
from ye all that ye had with ye: and if ye come now ye shall receive
the same payment at my hands as heretofore. As for what thou sayest
that I am a false traitor, thou lyest, and art a false traitor thyself.
XX. Greatly was the Count enraged when he read this letter, and he took
counsel with his vassals, and in the night time took possession of the
mountain above the camp of the Cid, thinking that by this means he
might conquer him. On the morrow the Cid sent away certain of his
company as if they were flying, and bade them go by such ways that the
French might see them, and instructed them what to say when they should
be taken. When the French saw them, they pursued and took them, and
carried them before the Count, and he asked of them what the Cid would
do. Then made they answer that he meant to fly, and had only remained
that day to put his things in order for flight, and as soon as night
came he would make his escape by way of the mountain. Moreover they
said that the Cid did not think Count Ramon had it so much at heart to
give him battle, or he would not have awaited till his coming; and they
counselled the Count to send and take possession of the passes by which
he meant to escape, for so he might easily take him. Then the Frenchmen
divided their host into four parts, and sent them to guard the passes,
and the Count himself remained with one part at the entrance of the
straits. The Cid was ready with all his company, and he had sent the
Moors who were with him forward to the passes whither his men had
directed the Frenchmen, and they lay in ambush there; and when the
Frenchmen were in the strong places, and had begun to ascend, little by
little, as they could, they rose upon them from the ambush and slew
many, and took others of the best, and among the prisoners was
Guirabent, the brother of Giralte the Roman, who was wounded in the
face. And the Cid went out and attacked the Count, and the battle was a
hard one; the Count was beaten from his horse, nevertheless his men
remounted him, and he bade them stand to it bravely; and the battle
lasted long time; but at the end, he who was never conquered won the
day. And the Cid took a good thousand prisoners; among them was Don
Bernalte de Tamaris, and Giralte the Roman, and Ricarte Guillen. And he
put them all in irons, and reproached them saying, that he well knew
what his chivalry was, and his hardihood, and that he should thus beat
them all down; and he said to them that he was in God's service, taking
vengeance for the ills which the Moors had done unto the Christians,
and had done them no wrong; but they being envious of him, had come to
help the Moors, therefore God had helped him, because he was in his
service. And he took their tents, and their horses, and their arms,
which were many and good; and much gold and silver, and fine linen, and
all that they had, so that he and all his company were rich men with
the spoils. And when Count Ramon heard in his flight, that the Cid had
taken all his chief captains, and that well nigh all his power was
either slain or taken, he thought it best to come unto the Cid and
trust unto his mercy, and he came full humbly and put himself into his
hands. And the Cid received him full well and honoured him greatly, and
let him go into his own country. And the Count offered a price for the
prisoners which was a full great ransom, and moreover the swords
precious above all others, which were made in other times. Bountiful
was the Cid when he received this ransom, and great part of it he
returned unto them again, and showed them great courtesy, and they did
homage to him never to come against him with any man in the world.
XXI. When Abenalfange the King of Denia and Tortosa heard this, he was
so sorely grieved that he fell sick and died. He left one son who was a
little one, and the sons of Buxar were his guardians. One of these held
Tortosa for the child, and the other held Xativa, and one who was their
cousin held Denia. And they knowing that they could neither live in
peace, nor yet have strength for war, unless they could have the love
of the Cid, sent humbly to say unto him that if he would do no hurt to
their lands they would do whatever he pleased, and pay him yearly what
he should think good. And the Cid demanded of them fifty thousand
maravedis of silver, every year: and the covenant was made between
them, and the whole country from Tortosa to Orihuela was under his
protection and at his command. And he fixed the tribute which each
Castle was to pay, that it should be certain; and it was as you shall
be told. The Lord of Albarrazin was to pay ten thousand, according to
covenant as you heard heretofore, and the Lord of Alfuente ten
thousand, and Monviedro eight thousand, and Segorbe six thousand, and
Xerica four thousand, and Almenara three thousand. Liria at that time
paid nothing, for it was in the Lordship of Zaragoza; but the Cid had
it in his heart to fight with that King. For every thousand maravedis a
hundred more were paid for a Bishop, whom the Moors called Alat
Almarian. And you are to know that whatever my Cid commanded in
Valencia was done, and whatever he forbad was forbidden. And because
the King was sick of a malady which continued upon him long time, so
that he could not mount on horseback, and was seen by none, Valencia
remained under the command of his Guazil Abenalfarax, whom the Cid had
appointed. And then the Cid appointed trusty men in the city who should
know to how much the rents amounted, as well those of the land as of
the sea; and in every village he placed a knight to protect it, so that
none dared do wrong to another, nor take any thing from him. Each of
these knights had three maravedis daily. And the people complained
greatly of what they gave these knights, and of that also which they
paid to King Yahia. Yet were they withal abundantly supplied with
bread, and with flocks which the Christians brought in, and with
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