Chapter 2

"Ha, don Raquél and Vidas, you have forgotten me! And now must I get hence away who am banished in disgrace, For the king from me in anger hath turned away his face. I deem that from my chattels you shall gain somewhat of worth. And you shall lack for nothing while you dwell upon the earth.'

A-kissing of his hands forthwith Raquél and Vidas fell. Good Martin Antolínez had made the bargain well, That to him on the coffers marks six hundred they should lend. And keep them safe, moreover, till the year had made an end. For so their word was given and sworn to him again, If they looked ere that within them, forsworn should be the twain, The Cid would never give them one groat of usury.

Said Martin, "Let the chests be ta'en as swiftly as may be, Take them, Raquél and Vidas, and keep them in your care. And we shall even go with you that the money we may bear, For ere the first cock croweth must my lord the Cid depart."

At the loading of the coffers you had seen great joy of heart. For they could not heave the great chests up though they were stark and hale. Dear was the minted metal to Vidas and Raquél; And they would be rich forever till their two lives it were o'er

X. The hand of my good lord the Cid, Raquél had kissed once more: "Ha! Campeador, in happy hour thou girdedst on the brand. Forth from Castile thou goest to the men of a strange land. Such is become thy fortune and great thy gain shall be Ah Cid, I kiss thine hands again--but make a gift to me Bring me a Moorish mantle splendidly wrought and red." "So be it. It is granted," the Cid in answer said, "If from abroad I bring it, well doth the matter stand; If not, take it from the coffers I leave here in your hand."

And then Raquél and Vidas bore the two chests away. With Martin Antolínez into Burgos entered they. And with fitting care, and caution unto their dwelling sped. And in the midmost of the hall a plaited quilt they spread. And a milk-white cloth of linen thereon did they unfold. Three hundred marks of silver before them Martin told. And forthwith Martin took them, no whit the coins he weighed. Then other marks three hundred in gold to him they paid. Martin had five esquires. He loaded all and one. You shall hear what said don Martin when all this gear was done:

"Ha! don Raquél and Vidas, ye have the coffers two. Well I deserve a guerdon, who obtained this prize for you."

XI. Together Vidas and Raquél stepped forth apart thereon: "Let us give him a fair present for our profit he has won. Good Martin Antolínez in Burgos that dost dwell, We would give thee a fair present for thou deserves well. Therewith get breeches and a cloak and mantle rich and fine. Thou hast earned it. For a present these thirty marks are thine. For it is but just and honest, and, moreover, thou wilt stand Our warrant in this bargain whereto we set our hand."

Don Martin thanked them duly and took the marks again. He yearned to leave the dwelling and well he wished the twain. He is gone out from Burgos. O'er the Arlanzon he went. And him who in good hour was born he found within his tent.

The Cid arose and welcomed him, with arms held wide apart: "Thou art come, Antolínez, good vassal that thou art! May you live until the season when you reap some gain of me."

"Here have I come, my Campeador, with as good heed as might be. Thou hast won marks six hundred, and thirty more have I. Ho! order that they strike the tents and let us swiftly fly. In San Pedro de Cardeñas let us hear the cock ere day. We shall see your prudent lady, but short shall be our stay. And it is needful for us from the kingdom forth to wend, For the season of our suffrance drawns onward to its end."

XII. They spake these words and straightaway the tent upgathered then, My lord the Cid rode swiftly with all his host of men. And forth unto Saint Mary's the horse's head turned he, And with his right hand crossed himself: "God, I give thanks to thee Heaven and Earth that rulest. And thy favor be my weal Holy Saint Mary, for forthright must I now quit Castile. For I look on the King with anger, and I know not if once more I shall dwell there in my life-days. But may thy grace watch o'er My parting, Blessed Virgin, and guard me night and day. If thou do so and good fortune come once more in my way, I will offer rich oblations at thine altar, and I swear Most solemnly that I will chant a thousand masses there."

XIII. And the lord Cid departed fondly as a good man may. Forthwith they loosed the horses, and out they spurred away. Said good Martin Antolínez in Burgos that did dwell: "I would see my lady gladly and advise my people well What they shall do hereafter. It matters not to me Though the King take all. Ere sunrise I shall come unto thee."

XIV. Martin went back to Burgos but my lord the Cid spurred on To San Pedro of Cardeñas as hard as horse could run, With all his men about him who served him as is due. And it was nigh to morning, and the cocks full oft they crew, When at last my lord the Campeador unto San Pedro came. God's Christian was the Abbot. Don Sancho was his name; And he was saying matins at the breaking of the day. With her five good dames in waiting Xiména there did pray. They prayed unto Saint Peter and God they did implore: "O thou who guidest all mankind, succor the Campeador."

XV. One knocked at the doorway, and they heard the tidings then. God wot the Abbot Sancho was the happiest of men. With the lights and with the candles to the court they ran forth right, And him who in good hour was born they welcomed in delight.

"My lord Cid," quoth the Abbot, "Now God be praised of grace! Do thou accept my welcome, since I see thee in this place." And the Cid who in good hour was born, hereunto answered he:

"My thanks to thee, don Sancho, I am content with thee. For myself and for my vassals provision will I make. Since I depart to exile, these fifty marks now take. If I may live my life-span, they shall be doubled you. To the Abbey not a groatsworth of damage will I do. For my lady do I give you an hundred marks again, Herself, her dames and daughters for this year do you maintain. I leave two daughters with you, but little girls they be. In thine arms keep them kindly. I commend them here to thee. Don Sancho do thou guard them, and of my wife take care. If thou wantest yet and lackest for anything whate'er, Look well to their provision, thee I conjure once more, And for one mark that thou spendest the Abbey shall have four." And with glad heart the Abbot his full assent made plain. And lo! the Dame Xiména came with her daughters twain. Each had her dame-in-waiting who the little maiden bore. And Dame Xiména bent the knee before the Campeador. And fain she was to kiss his hand, and, oh, she wept forlorn!

"A boon! A boon! my Campeador. In a good hour wert thou born. And because of wicked slanderers art thou banished from the land.

XVI. "Oh Campeador fair-bearded, a favor at thy hand! Behold I kneel before thee, and thy daughters are here with me, That have seen of days not many, for children yet they be, And these who are my ladies to serve my need that know. Now well do I behold it, thou art about to go. Now from thee our lives a season must sunder and remove, But unto us give succor for sweet Saint Mary's love."

The Cid, the nobly bearded, reached down unto the twain, And in his arms his daughters has lifted up again, And to his heart he pressed them, so great his love was grown, And his tears fell fast and bitter, and sorely did he moan: "Xiména as mine own spirit I loved thee, gentle wife; But o'er well dost thou behold it, we must sunder in our life. I must flee and thou behind me here in the land must stay. Please God and sweet Saint Mary that yet upon a day I shall give my girls in marriage with mine own hand rich and well, And thereafter in good fortune be suffered yet to dwell, May they grant me, wife, much honored, to serve thee then once more."

XVII. A mighty feast they had prepared for the Great Campeador The bells within San Pedro they clamor and they peal. That my lord the Cid is banished men cry throughout Castile. And some have left their houses, from their lands some fled away. Of knights an hundred and fifteen were seen upon that day, By the bridge across the Arlanzon together they came o'er. One and all were they calling on the Cid Campeador. And Martin Antolínez has joined him with their power. They sought him in San Pedro, who was born in a good hour.

XVIII. When that his host was growing, heard the great Cid of Bivár, Swift he rode forth to meet them, for his fame would spread afar. When they were come before him, he smiled on them again. And one and all drew near him and to kiss his hand were fain. My lord the Cid spake gladly: "Now to our God on high I make my supplication that ere I come to die I may repay your service that house and land has cost, And return unto you double the possession that ye lost."

My lord the Cid was merry that so great his commons grew, And they that were come to him they all were merry too.

Six days of grace are over, and there are left but three, Three and no more. The Cid was warned upon his guard to be, For the King said, if thereafter he should find him in the land, Then neither gold nor silver should redeem him from his hand. And now the day was over and night began to fall His cavaliers unto him he summoned one and all:

"Hearken, my noble gentlemen. And grieve not in your care. Few goods are mine, yet I desire that each should have his share. As good men ought, be prudent. When the cocks crow at day, See that the steeds are saddled, nor tarry nor delay. In San Pedro to say matins the Abbot good will be; He will say mass in our behalf to the Holy Trinity. And when the mass is over, from the abbey let us wend, For the season of our sufferance draws onward to an end. And it is sure, moreover, that we have far to go." Since so the Cid had ordered, they must do even so. Night passed, and came the morning. The second cock he crew; Forthwith upon the horses the caparisons they threw.

And the bells are rung for matins with all the haste they may. My lord Cid and his lady to church they went their way. On the steps Xiména cast herself, that stood the shrine before, And to God passionately she prayed to guard the Campeador:

"Our Father who art in Heaven, such glory is in Thee! Thou madest firmament and earth, on the third day the sea. The stars and moon Thou madest, and the great sun to warm. In the womb of Mary Mother, Thou tookest human form. Thou didst appear in Bethlehem as was Thy will and choice. And in Thy praise and glory shepherds lifted up their voice. And thither to adore Thee from Arabia afar Came forth the three kings, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. And gold and myrrh and frankincense they proffered eagerly. Thou didst spare the prophet Jonah when he fell into the sea. And Thou didst rescue Daniel from the lions in the cave. And, moreover, in Rome city Saint Sebastian didst Thou save. From the sinful lying witness Saint Susanna didst Thou ward. And years two and thirty didst Thou walk the Earth, our Lord, Showing, the which all men take heed, Thy miracles divine. Of the stone, bread Thou madest, and of the water, wine. Thou didst raise up Saint Lazarus according to Thy will. Thou didst let the Hebrews take Thee. On Calvary the hill, In the place Golgotha by name, Thee, Lord, they crucified. And the two thieves were with Thee, whom they hanged on either side, One is in heaven, the other he came not thereunto. A miracle most mighty on the cross there didst Thou do. Blind was Longinus never had seen from his birth-year. The side of our Lord Jesus he pierced it with the spear. Forth the blood issued swiftly, and ran down the shaft apace. It stained his hands. He raised them and put them to his face. Forthwith his eyes were opened and in every way might see. He is ransomed from destruction for he straight believed on Thee. From the sepulchre Thou rosest, and into Hell didst go, According to Thy purpose, and its gates didst overthrow, To bring forth the Holy Fathers. And King of Kings Thou art, And of all the world the Father, and Thee with all my heart Do I worship and acknowledge, and further I implore That Saint Peter speed my prayer for the Cid Campeador, That God keep his head from evil; and when this day we twain Depart, then grant it to us that we meet in life again."

And now the prayer is over and the mass in its due course. From church they came, and already were about to get to horse. And the Cid clasped Xiména, but she, his hand she kissed. Sore wept the Dame, in no way the deed to do she wist. He turned unto his daughters and he looked upon the two: "To the Spiritual Father, have I commended you. We must depart. God knoweth when we shall meet again." Weeping most sore--for never hast thou beheld such pain As the nail from the flesh parteth, from each other did they part.

And Cid with all his vassals disposed himself to start, And as he waited for them anew he turned his head, Minaya AIvar Fañez then in good season said:

"Cid! Where is now thy courage? Upon a happy day Wast thou born. Let us bethink us of the road and haste away. A truce to this. Rejoicing out of these griefs shall grow. The God who gave us spirits shall give us aid also."

Don Sancho the good Abbot, they charged him o'er again To watch and ward Xiména and likewise her daughters twain, And the ladies that were with them. That he shall have no lack Of guerdon let the Abbot know. By this was he come back, Then out spake Alvar Fañez: "Abbot, if it betide That men should come desirous in our company to ride, Bid them follow but be ready on a long road to go Through the sown and through the desert; they may overtake us so."

They got them upon horseback, they let the rein go slack. The time drew near when on Castile they needs must turn the back. Spinaz de Can, it was the place where the Cid did alight. And a great throng of people welcomed him there that night. On the next day at morning, he got to horse once more, And forth unto his exile rode the true Campeador. To the left of San Estévan the good town did he wheel. He marched through Alcobiella the frontier of Castile. O'er the highway to Quinéa his course then has he bent. Hard by Navas de Palos o'er Duéro stream he went. All night at Figueruéla did my lord the Cid abide. And very many people welcomed him on every side..

XIX. When it was night the Cid lay down. In a deep sleep he fell, And to him in a vision came the angel Gabriel:

"Ride, Cid, most noble Campeador, for never yet did knight Ride forth upon an hour whose aspect was so bright. While thou shalt live good fortune shall be with thee and shine." When he awoke, upon his face he made the holy sign.

XX. He crossed himself, and unto God his soul commended then, he was glad of the vision that had come into his ken The next day at morning they began anew to wend. Be it known their term of sufferance at the last has made an end. In the mountains of Miédes the Cid encamped that night, With the towers of Atiénza where the Moors reign on the right.

XXI. 'Twas not yet come to sunset, and lingered still the day. My lord the Cid gave orders his henchmen to array. Apart from the footsoldiers, and valiant men of war, There were three hundred lances that each a pennon bore.

XXII. "Feed all the horses early, so may our God you speed. Let him eat who will; who will not, let him get upon the steed.

We shall pass the mountain ranges rough and of dreadful height. The land of King Alfonso we can leave behind tonight. And whosoe'er will seek us shall find us ready then."

By night the mountain ranges he traversed with his men. Morn came. From the hills downward they were about to fare. In a marvelous great forest the Cid bade halt them there, And to feed the horses early; and he told them all aright In what way he was desirous that they should march by night. They all were faithful vassals and gave assent thereto; The behests of their great captain it behooved them all to do. Ere night, was every man of them unto the riding fit. So did the Cid that no man might perchance get wind of it. They marched all through the night-tide and rested not at all. Near Henáres a town standeth that Castejón men call. There the Cid went into ambush with the men of his array.

XXIII. He couched there in the ambush till the breaking of the day. This Minaya Alvar Fañez had counselled and had planned:

"Ha, Cid, in happy hour thou girdedst on the brand. Thou with an hundred henchmen shalt abide to hold the rear. Till we have drawn forth Castejón unto the bushment here. But give me now two hundred men on a harrying raid to ride. We shall win much if thy fortune and our God be on our side.

"Well didst thou speak, Minaya," the Campeador he said, "Do thou with the two hundred ride on a harrying raid. With Alvar Salvadórez, Alvar Alvarez shall advance, likewise Galínd Garcíaz, who is a gallant lance. Let them ride beside Minaya, each valiant cavalier. Let them ride unfearing forward and turn from naught for fear. Out unto Guadalajára, from Hita far and wide, To Alcalá the city forth let the harriers ride. That they bring all the booty let them be very sure, Let them leave naught behind them for terror of the Moor. Here with an hundred lances in the rear will I remain, And capture Castejón good store of provender to gain. If thou come in any danger as thou ridest on the raid, Send swiftly hither, and all Spain shall say how I gave aid." Now all the men were chosen who on the raid should ride, And those who in the rearguard with the lord Cid should abide.

And now the dawn was breaking and morning coming on, And the sun rising. Very God! how beautifully it shone! All men arose in Castejón, and wide they threw the gates; And forth they went to oversee their farmlands and estates. All were gone forth, and the gates stand open as they were thrown, And but a little remnant were left in Castejón. Round the city were the people scattered the whole country o'er. Then forth out of the ambush issued the Campeador. And without fail round Castejón he rushed along his way. The Moors, both men and women, he took them for a prey, And of their flocks as many as thereabouts there strayed. My lord Cid don Rodrigo straight for the gateway made, And they that held it, when they saw that swift attack begin, Fled in great fear, and through the gates Roy Diaz entered in With the sword naked in his hand; and fifteen Moors he slew Whom he ran down. In Castejón much gold, and silver too, He captured. Then unto him his knights the booty brought. To my lord Cid they bore it. The spoil they valued naught.

Lo! the two hundred men and three to plunder that rode out, Sped fearlessly, and ravaged the country roundabout. For the banner of Minaya unto Alcalá did gleam. Then they bore home the booty up the Henáres stream Past Guadalajára. Booty exceeding great they bore Of sheep and kine and vesture and of other wealth good store. Straightway returned Minaya. None dared the rear attack. With the treasure they had taken his company turned back. Lo, they wore come to Castejón, where the Campeador abode. He left the hold well guarded. Out from the place he rode. With all his men about him to meet them did he come, And with arms wide asunder welcomed Minaya home:

"Thou art come, Alvar Fañez, good lance thou art indeed. Whereso I send thee, in such wise I well may hope to speed. Put straightway all together the spoil both shine and mine; The fifth part of all, Minaya, an thou so desire, is thine."

XXIV. "Much do I thank thee for it, illustrious Campeador. With what thou giv'st me, the fifth part of all our spoils of war, The King Alfonso of Castile full well content would be. I renounce it in thy favor; and without a claim to thee. But I swear to God who dwelleth in the high firmament, That till upon my charger I gallop in content Against the Moors, and till I wield both spear and brand again, And till unto my elbow from the blade the blood doth drain Before the Cid illustrious, howe'er so small it be, I will not take the value of a copper groat from thee. When through me some mighty treasure thou hast at thy command. I will take thy gift; till such a time, all else is in thine hand."

XXV. They heaped the spoil together. Pondered the Cid my lord, He who in happy hour had girded on the sword, How tidings of his raiding to the King would come ere long, And Alfonso soon would seek him with his host to do him wrong. He bade his spoil-dividers make a division fair, And furthermore in writing give to each man his share. The fortune of each cavalier had sped exceeding well, One hundred marks of silver to each of them there fell, And each of the foot soldiers the half of that obtained. A round fifth of the treasure for my lord the Cid remained But here he could not sell it, nor in gifts give it away. No captives, men or women, he desired in his array. And with the men of Castejón he spoke to this intent To Hita and Guadalajára ambassadors he sent To find how high the ransom of the fifth part they would rate. Even as they assessed it, his profit would be great. Three thousand marks of silver the Moors agreed to pay. The Cid was pleased. And duly was it paid on the third day.

My lord the Cid determined with all his men of war That there within the castle they would abide no more, And that they would have held it, but that water sore it lacked:

"Ye Moors are friendly to the King; even so runs the pact, With his host will he pursue us. And I desire to flee From Castejón; Minaya and my men, so hark to me;

XXVI. "Nor take it ill, mine utterance. For here we cannot stay. The king will come to seek us, for he is not far away; But to destroy the castle seems in no way good to me. An hundred Moorish women in that place I will set free And of the Moors an hundred. Since there, as it befell, I captured them. Hereafter shall they all speak of me well. Ye all are paid; among you is no man yet to pay. Let us on the morrow morning prepare to ride away, For against my lord AIfonso the strife I would not stir."

What the Cid said was pleasing to his every follower. Rich men they all departed from the hold that they had ta'en And the Moors both men and women blessed them o'er and o'er again.

Up the Henáres hastened they and hard they rode and strong. They passed through the Alcárrias, and swift they marched along, By the Caverns of Anquíta they hastened on their way. They crossed the stream. Into Taránz the great plain entered they, And on down through that region as hard as they might fare. Twixt Faríza and Cetína would the Cid seek shelter there. And a great spoil he captured in the country as he went, For the Moors had no inkling whatso'er of his intent. On the next day marched onward the great Cid of Bivár, And he went by Alháma, and down the vale afar. And he passed Bubiérca and Atéca likewise passed, And it was nigh to Alcocér that he would camp at last Upon a rounded hillock that was both strong and high. They could not rob him of water; the Jalón it flowed hard by. My lord Cid don Rodrigo planned to storm Alcocér.

XXVII. He pitched a strong encampment upon the hillock there, Some men were toward the mountains, some by the stream arrayed. The gallant Cid, who in good hour had girded on the blade, Bade his men near the water dig a trench about the height, That no man might surprise them by day nor yet by night. So might men know that there the Cid had taken up his stand.

XXVIII. And thereupon the tidings went out through all that land, How my lord Cid the Campeador had there got footing sure, He is gone forth from the Christians, he is come unto the Moor, In his presence no man dareth plough the farmlands as of yore. Very merry with his vassals was the great Campeador. And Alcocér the Castle wider tribute had he laid.