Chapter 3
XXIX. In Alcocér the burghers to the Cid their tribute paid And all the dwellers in Terrér and Teca furthermore. And the townsmen of Calatayúd, know well, it irked them sore. Full fifteen weeks he tarried there, but the town yielded not. And when he saw it forthwith the Cid devised a plot. Save one left pitched behind him, he struck his every tent. Then with his ensign lifted, down the Jalón he went, With mail-shirts on and girded swords, as a wise man should him bear. To draw forth to his ambush the men of Alcocér. And when they saw it, name of God! How glad was everyone! "The provender and fodder of my lord the Cid are gone. If he leaves one tent behind him, the burden is not light Of the others that he beareth. He 'scapes like one in flight. Let us now fall upon him, great profit shall we gain. We shall win a mighty booty before he shall be ta'en By them who have their dwelling in the city of Terrér; For if by chance they take him, in the spoil we shall not share. The tribute that he levied, double he shall restore."
Forth from the town of Alcocér in wild haste did they pour. When the Cid saw them well without he made as if he fled; With his whole host in confusion down the Jalón he sped.
"The prize 'scapes," cried the townsmen. Forth rushed both great and small, In the lust of conquest thinking of nothing else at all. They left the gates unguarded, none watched them any more. And then his face upon them turned the great Campeador, He saw how twixt them and their hold there lay a mighty space; He made them turn the standard. They spurred the steeds apace. "Ho! cavaliers! Now swiftly let every man strike in, By the Creator's favor this battle we shall win." And there they gave them battle in the midmost of the mead. Ah God! is the rejoicing on this morning great indeed. The Cid and Alvar Fañez went spurring on ahead; Know ye they had good horses that to their liking sped. 'Twixt the townsmen and the castle swiftly the way they broke. And the Cid's henchmen merciless, came striking stroke on stroke, In little space three hundred of the Moors they there have slain. Loud was the shouting of the Moors in the ambush that were ta'en. But the twain left them; on they rushed. Right for the hold they made And at the gate they halted, each with a naked blade. Then up came the Cid's henchmen for the foe were all in flight. Know ye the Cid has taken Alcocér by such a sleight.
XXX. Per Vermudóz came thither who the Cid's flag did bear. On the high place of the city he lifted it in air. Outspoke the Cid Roy Diaz. Born in good hour was he:
"To God in Heaven and all his saints great thanks and praises be. We shall better now our lodging for cavalier and steed."
XXXI. Alvar Fañez and all ye my knights, now hearken and give heed We have taken with the castle a booty manifold. Dead are the Moors. Not many of the living I behold. Surely we cannot sell them the women and the men; And as for striking off their heads, we shall gain nothing then. In the hold let us receive them, for we have the upper hand. When we lodge within their dwellings, they shall do as we command."
XXXII. The Cid with all his booty lieth in Alcocér. He let the tent be sent for, that he left behind him there. It irked the men of Teca, wroth in Terrér were they; Know ye on all Calatayúd sorely the thing did weigh. To the Sovereign of Valencia they sent the news apace: How that the King Alfonso hath banished in disgrace One whom men call my lord the Cid, Roy Diaz of Bivár, He came to lodge by Alcocér, and strong his lodgings are. He drew them out to ambush; he has won the castle there. "If thou aidest not needs must thou lose both Teca and Terrér, Thou wilt have lost Calatayúd that cannot stand alone. All things will go to ruin on the banks of the Jalón, And round about Jilóca on the far bank furthermore."
When the King Tamín had heard it, his heart was troubled sore: "Here do I see three Moorish kings. Let two without delay With three thousand Moors and weapons for the fight ride there away; Likewise they shall be aided by the men of the frontier. See that ye take him living and bring him to me here. He must pay for the realm's trespass till I be satisfied."
Three thousand Moors have mounted and fettled them to ride. All they unto Segórbe have come to lodge that night. The next day they got ready to ride at morning light. In the evening unto Celfa they came the night to spend. And there they have determined for the borderers to send. Little enow they tarried; from every side they came. Then they went forth from Celfa (of Canál it has its name), Never a whit they rested, but marched the livelong day. And that night unto their lodging in Calatayúd came they. And they sent forth their heralds through the length of all the land. A great and sovran army they gathered to their hand. With the two Kings Fáriz and Gálve (these are the names they bear). They will besiege my noble lord the Cid in Alcocér.
XXXIII. They pitched the tents and got them to their lodging there and then. Strong grew their bands for thereabouts was found great store of men. Moreover all the outposts, which the Moors set in array, Marched ever hither and thither in armour night and day. And many are the outposts, and great that host of war. From the Cid's men, of water have they cut off all the store. My lord the Cid's brave squadrons great lust to fight they had, But he who in good hour was born firmly the thing forbade. For full three weeks together they hemmed the city in.
XXXIV. When three weeks were well nigh over and the fourth would soon begin, My lord Cid and his henchmen agreed after this guise:
"They have cut us off from water; and our food must fail likewise. They will not grant unto us that we depart by night, And very great is their power for us to face and fight. My knights what is your pleasure, now say, that we shall do? Then first outspake Minaya the good knight and the true:
"Forth from Castile the noble unto this place we sped; If with the Moors we fight not, they will not give us bread. Here are a good six hundred and some few more beside. In the name of the Creator let nothing else betide: Let us smite on them tomorrow."
The Campeador said he: "Minaya Alvar Fañez, thy speaking liketh me. Thou hast done thyself much honor, as of great need thou must."
All the Moors, men and women, he bade them forth to thrust That none his secret counsel might understand aright And thereupon they armed them all through that day and night. And the next day in the dawning when soon the sun should rise, The Cid was armed and with him all the men of his emprise. My lord the Cid spake to them even as you shall hear.
"Let all go forth, let no one here tarry in the rear, Save only two footsoldiers the gates to watch and shield. They will capture this our castle, if we perish in the field; But if we win, our fortunes shall grow both great and fair. Per Vermudóz, my banner I bid thee now to bear; As thou art very gallant, do thou keep it without stain. But unless I so shall order thou shalt not loose the rein."
He kissed the Cid's hand. Forth he ran the battle-flag to take. They oped the gates, and outward in a great rush did they break. And all the outposts of the Moor beheld them coming on, And back unto the army forthwith they got them gone. What haste there was among the Moors! To arm they turned them back. With the thunder of the war-drum the earth was like to crack. There might you see Moors arming, that swift their ranks did close. Above the Moorish battle two flags-in-chief arose, But of their mingling pennons the number who shall name? Now all the squadrons of the Moors marching right onward came, That the Cid and all his henchmen they might capture out of hand.
"My gallant men here in this place see that ye firmly stand, Let no man leave the war-ranks till mine order I declare."
Per Vermudóz, he found it too hard a thing to bear, He spurred forth with the banner that in his hand he bore:
"May the Creator aid thee, thou true Cid Campeador, Through the line of battle yonder thy standard I will take; I shall see how you bring succor, who must for honor's sake." Said the Campeador: "Of charity, go not to the attack." For answer said Per Vermudóz: "Is naught shall hold me back." Spurring the steed he hurled him through the strong line of the foes. The serried Moors received him and smote him mighty blows, To take from him the banner; yet they could not pierce his mail. Said the Campeador: "Of charity go help him to prevail."
XXXV. Before their breasts the war-shields there have they buckled strong, The lances with the pennons they laid them low along, And they have bowed their faces over the saddlebow, And thereaway to strike them with brave hearts did they go. He who in happy hour was born with a great voice did call:
"For the love of the Creator, smite them, my gallants ah. I am Roy Diaz of Bivár, the Cid, the Campeador."
At the rank where was Per Vermudóz the mighty strokes they bore. They are three hundred lances that each a pennon bear. At one blow every man of them his Moor has slaughtered there, And when they wheeled to charge anew as many more were slain.
XXXV. You might see great clumps of lances lowered and raised again, And many a shield of leather pierced and shattered by the stroke, And many a coat of mail run through, its meshes all to-broke, And many a white pennon come forth all red with blood, And running without master full many a charger good.
Cried the Moors "Mahound!" The Christians shouted on Saint James of grace. On the field Moors thirteen hundred were slain in little space.
XXXVII. On his gilded selle how strongly fought the Cid, the splendid knight. And Minaya Alvar Fañez who Zoríta held of right, And brave Martin Antolínez that in Burgos did abide, And likewise Muño Gustióz, the Cid's esquire tried! So also Martin Gustióz who ruled Montemayór, And by Alvar Salvadórez Alvar Alvarez made war And Galínd Garcíaz the good knight that came from Aragon, There too came Felez Múñoz the Cid his brother's son. As many as were gathered there straightway their succor bore, And they sustained the standard and the Cid Campeador.
XXXVIII. Of Minaya Alvar Fañez the charger they have slain The gallant bands of Christians came to his aid amain. His lance was split and straightway he set hand upon the glaive, What though afoot, no whit the less he dealt the buffets brave. The Cid, Roy Diaz of Castile, saw how the matter stood. He hastened to a governor that rode a charger good. With his right hand he smote him such a great stroke with the sword That the waist he clave; the half of him he hurled unto the sward. To Minaya Alvar Fañez forthwith he gave the steed. "Right arm of mine, Minaya, now horse thee with all speed! I shall have mighty succor from thee this very day.
The Moors leave not the battle; firm standeth their array, And surely it behooves us to storm their line once more."
Sword in hand rode Minaya; on their host he made great war, Whom he overtook soever, even to death he did. He who was born in happy hour, Roy Diaz, my lord Cid, Thrice smote against King Fáriz. Twice did the great strokes fail, But the third found the quarry. And down his shirt of mail Streamed the red blood. To leave the field he wheeled his horse away. By that one stroke the foeman were conquered in the fray.
XXXIX. And Martin Antolínez a heavy stroke let drive At Gálve. On his helmet the rubies did he rive; The stroke went through the helmet for it reached unto the flesh. Be it known, he dared not tarry for the man to strike afresh. King Fáriz and King Gálve, but beaten men are they. What a great day for Christendom! On every side away Fled the Moors. My lord Cid's henchmen still striking gave them chase. Into Terrér came Fáriz, but the people of the place Would not receive King Gálve. As swiftly as he might Onward unto Calatayúd he hastened in his flight. And after him in full pursuit came on the Campeador. Till they came unto Calatayúd that chase they gave not o'er.
XL. Minaya Alvar Fañez hath a horse that gallops well. Of the Moors four and thirty that day before him fell. And all his arm was bloody, for 'tis a biting sword; And streaming from his elbow downward the red blood poured. Said Minaya: "Now am I content; well will the rumor run To Castile, for a pitched battle my lord the Cid hath won." Few Moors are left, so many have already fallen dead, For they who followed after slew them swiftly as they fled. He who was born in happy hour came with his host once more. On his noble battle-charger rode the great Campeador. His coif was wrinkled. Name of God! but his great beard was fair. His mail-hood on his shoulders lay. His sword in hand he bare. And he looked upon his henchmen and saw them drawing nigh:
"Since we ha' won such a battle, glory to God on high!"
The Cid his henchmen plundered the encampment far and wide Of the shields and of the weapons and other wealth beside. Of the Moors they captured there were found five hundred steeds and ten. And there was great rejoicing among those Christian men, And the lost of their number were but fifteen all told. They brought a countless treasure of silver and of gold. Enriched were all those Christians with the spoil that they had ta'en And back unto their castle they restored the Moors again; To give them something further he gave command and bade. With all his train of henchmen the Cid was passing glad. He gave some monies, some much goods to be divided fair, And full an hundred horses fell to the Cid's fifth share. God's name! his every vassal nobly did he requite, Not only the footsoldiers but likewise every knight. He who in happy hour was born wrought well his government, And all whom he brought with him therewith were well content.
"Harken to me, Minaya, my own right arm art thou. Of the wealth, wherewith our army the Creator did endow, Take in thine hand whatever thou deemest good to choose. To Castile I fain would send thee to carry there the news Of our triumph. To Alphonso the King who banished me A gift of thirty horses I desire to send with thee. Saddled is every charger, each steed is bridled well. There hangeth a good war-sword at the pommel of each selle." Said Minaya Alvar Fañez: "I will do it with good cheer.
XLI. "Of the gold and the fine silver, behold a bootful here. Nothing thereto is lacking. Thou shalt pay the money down At Saint Mary's Church for masses fifty score in Burgos town; To my wife and to my daughters the remainder do thou bear. Let them offer day and night for me continually their prayer. If I live, exceeding wealthy all of those dames shall be.
XLII. Minaya Alvar Fañez, therewith content was he. They made a choice of henchmen along with him to ride. They fed the steeds. Already came on the eventide. Roy Diaz would decide it with his companions leal.
XLIII. "Dost thou then go, Minaya, to the great land of Castile And unto our well-wishers with a clear heart canst thou say: 'God granted us his favor, and we conquered in the fray?' If returning thou shalt find us here in this place, 'tis well; If not, where thou shalt hear of us, go seek us where we dwell. For we must gain our daily bread with the lance and with the brand, Since otherwise we perish here in a barren land. And therefore as methinketh, we must get hence away."
XLIV. So was it, and Minaya went at the break of day. But there behind the Campeador abode with all his band. And waste was all the country, an exceeding barren land. Each day upon my lord the Cid there in that place they spied, The Moors that dwelt on the frontier and outlanders beside. Healed was King Fáriz. With him they held a council there, The folk that dwelt in Teca and the townsmen of Terrér, And the people of Calatayúd, of the three the fairest town. In such wise have they valued it and on parchment set it down That for silver marks three thousand Alcocér the Cid did sell.
XLV. Roy Diaz sold them Alcocér. How excellently well He paid his vassals! Horse and foot he made them wealthy then, And a poor man you could not find in all his host of men. In joy he dwelleth aye who serves a lord of noble heart.
XLVI. When my lord the Cid was ready from the Castle to depart, The Moors both men and women cried out in bitter woe: "Lord Cid art thou departing? Still may our prayers go Before thy path, for with thee we are full well content." For my lord the great Cid of Bivár, when from Alcocér he went, The Moors both men and women made lamentation sore. He lifted up the standard, forth marched the Campeador. Down the Jalón he hastened, on he went spurring fast. He saw birds of happy omen, as from the stream he passed. Glad were the townsmen of Terrér that he had marched away, And the dwellers in Calatayúd were better pleased than they. But in the town of Alcocér 'twas grief to all and one, For many a deed of mercy unto them the Cid had done. My lord the Cid spurred onward. Forward apace he went; 'Twas near to the hill Monreál that he let pitch his tent. Great is the hill and wondrous and very high likewise. Be it known from no quarter doth he need to dread surprise. And first he forced Doróca tribute to him to pay, And then levied on Molína on the other side that lay, Teruél o'er against him to submit he next compelled And lastly Celfa de Canál within his power he held.
XLVII. May my lord the Cid, Roy Diaz, at all times God's favor feel. Minaya Alvar Fañez has departed to Castile. To the King thirty horses for a present did he bring. And when he had beheld them beautifully smiled the King: "Who gave thee these, Minaya, so prosper thee the Lord?" "Even the Cid Roy Diaz, who in good hour girded sword. Since you banished him, by cunning has he taken Alcocér. To the King of Valencia the tidings did they bear. He bade that they besiege him; from every water-well They cut him off. He sallied forth from the citadel, In the open field he fought them, and he beat in that affray Two Moorish kings he captured, sire, a very mighty prey. Great King, this gift he sends thee. Thine hands and feet also He kisses. Show him mercy; such God to thee shall show." Said the King: "'Tis over early for one banished, without grace In his lord's sight, to receive it at the end of three week's space. But since 'tis Moorish plunder to take it I consent. That the Cid has taken such a spoil, I am full well content. Beyond all this. Minaya. thine exemption I accord, For all thy lands and honors are unto thee restored. Go and come! Henceforth my favor I grant to thee once more. But to thee I say nothing of the Cid Campeador.
XLVIII. "Beyond this, Alvar Fañez, I am fain to tell it thee That whosoever in my realm in that desire may be, Let them, the brave and gallant, to the Cid betake them straight. I free them and exempt them both body and estate." Minaya Alvar Fañez has kissed the King's hands twain:
"Great thanks, as to my rightful lord I give thee, King, again. This dost thou now, and better yet as at some later hour. We shall labor to deserve it, if God will give us power." Said the King: "Minaya, peace for that. Take through Castile thy way. None shall molest. My lord the Cid seek forth without delay."
XLIX. Of him I fain would tell you in good hour that girt the blade. The hill, where his encampment in that season he had made, While the Moorish folk endureth, while there are Christians still, Shall they ever name in writing 'My Lord the Cid, his Hill.' While he was there great ravage in all the land he made, Under tribute the whole valley of the Martin he laid. And unto Zaragoza did the tidings of him go, Nor pleased the Moors; nay rather they were filled with grievous woe. For fifteen weeks together my lord Cid there did stay. When the good knight saw how greatly Minaya did delay, Then forth with all his henchmen on a night march he tried. And he left all behind him, and forsook the mountain side, Beyond the town of Teruél good don Rodrigo went. In the pine grove of Tévar Roy Diaz pitched his tent. And all the lands about him he harried in the raid, And on Zaragoza city a heavy tribute laid.
When this he had accomplished and three weeks had made an end, Out of Castile Minaya unto the Cid did wend. Two hundred knights were with him that had belted on the brands. Know ye well that there were many foot-soldiers in his bands. When the Cid saw Minaya draw near unto his view, With his horse at a full gallop to embrace the man he flew. He kissed his mouth, his very eyes in that hour kissed the Cid. And then all things he told him, for naught from him he hid. Then beautifully upon him smiled the good Campeador: "God and his righteousness divine be greatly praised therefor. While thou shalt live, Minaya, well goeth this my game."
L. God! How happy was the army that thus Minaya came, For of them they left behind them he brought the tidings in, From comrade and from brethren and the foremost of their kin.
LI. But God! What a glad aspect the Cid fair-bearded wore That duly had Minaya paid for masses fifty score, And of his wife and daughters all of the state displayed! God! How content was he thereat! What noble cheer he made!
"Ha! Alvar Fañez, many now may thy life-days be. What fair despatch thou madest! Thou art worth more than we."
LII. And he who in good hour was born tarried in no way then, But he took knights two hundred, and all were chosen men; And forth when fell the evening a-raiding did they haste. At Alcañiz the meadows the Campeador laid waste, And gave all places round about to ravage and to sack. On the third day to whence he came the Cid again turned back.
LIII. Thro' all the country roundabout have the tidings of them flown. It grieved the men of Huésca and the people of Monzón. Glad were they in Zaragoza since the tribute they had paid, For outrage at Roy Diaz's hand no whit were they afraid.
LIV. Then back to their encampment they hastened with their prey. All men were very merry for a mighty spoil had they. The Cid was glad exceeding; Alvar Fañez liked it well. But the great Cid smiled, for there at ease he could not bear to dwell.
"Ha! All my knights, unto you the truth will I confess: Who still in one place tarries, his fortune will grow less. Let us tomorrow morning prepare to ride apace, Let us march and leave forever our encampment in this place." Unto the pass of Alucát the lord Cid got him gone. Then to Huésca and to Montalban he hastily marched on. And ten full days together on that raid they were to ride. The tidings to all quarters went flying far and wide, how that the Exile from Castile great harm to them had done.
LV. Afar into all quarters did the tidings of him run. They brought the message to the Count of Barcelona's hand, How that the Cid Roy Diaz was o'errunning all the land. He was wroth. For a sore insult the tiding did he take.
LVI. The Count was a great braggart and an empty word he spake: "Great wrongs he put upon me, he of Bivár, the Cid. Within my very palace much shame to me he did: He gave no satisfaction though he struck my brother's son; And the lands in my keeping now doth he over-run. I challenged him not; our pact of peace I did not overthrow; But since he seeks it of me, to demand it I will go."
He gathered the his powers that were exceeding strong, Great bands of Moors and Christians to his array did throng. After the lord Cid of Bivár they went upon their way, Three nights and days together upon the march were they. At length in Tévar's pine grove the Cid they have o'erta'en. So strong were they that captive to take him were they fain.
My lord Cid don Rodrigo bearing great spoil he went. From the ridge unto the valley he had finished the descent. And in that place they bore him Count don Remónd his word. My lord Cid sent unto him when the message he had heard:
"Say to the Count that it were well his anger now should cease. No goods of his I carry. Let him leave me in peace."