Chapter 5

Gone is Minaya. Home again did the two counts return. He hastens to San Pedro where the three ladies are. Very great was the rejoicing when they saw him from afar. To offer prayer Minaya to San Pedro did descend. He turned back unto the ladies when the prayer was at an end. "I greet thee, Dame Xiména. God thee prosper and maintain, And so likewise thy daughters, the noble children twain. In the city where he dwelleth the lord Cid greets thee fair. Good health has he and riches that are beyond compare. The King for a gift to him your freedom gave to me, To take you to Valencia our land of lawful fee. If the Cid might behold you well and unharmed again, He would be all rejoicing, but scant would be his pain." "May the Creator so decide," the Dame Xiména said. Minaya Alvar Fañez sent three horsemen on ahead, To the Cid within Valencia the men did he commend: "Announce unto the Campeador, whom the Lord God defend, That the King his wife and daughters has released unto my hands, And has ordered escort for us as we travel through his lands. Fifteen days from this time forwar, if God keep us in his care, With his wife and with his daughters I will come unto him there, With the noble ladies also their servitors that be." The riders are gone forward, to the matter they will see.

Minaya Alvar Fañez in San Pedro did abide. There might you see the household swarming in from every side; Unto my lord Cid of Bivár in Valencia would they go. They besought Alvar Fañez that he would them favor so. To them replied Minaya. "That will I gladly do." And five and sixty horsemen have swelled his retinue, And he had brought an hundred thither in his command. To accompany the ladies, they arrayed a noble band.

Minaya marks five hundred to the Abbot then gave o'er. I will tell how he expended other five and twenty score. Xiména the good lady and likewise her daughters twain, And they that served before her, the women of her train, To deck out all those ladies good Minaya did prepare With the best array in Burgos, that he might discover there, And the mules and palfreys likewise that they might be fair to see. When he had decked the ladies in this manner beautifully, Got ready good Minaya to ride upon his way. Lo now! Raquél and Vidas. Down at his feet fell they: "A boon! true knight, Minaya! If the Cid stand not our aid, He has ruined us. If only the amount to us were paid We would forego the usury!" "So will I tell the Cid, If God bring me there. High favor shall there be for what ye did. Answered Raquél and Vidas: "The Creator send it so. If not, we will leave Burgos in search of him to go."

Minaya Alvar Fañez to San Pedro got him gone. Many people came around him as he started to ride on. At parting from the Abbot great grief of heart was there: "Minaya Alvar Fañez, God keep thee in his care. The hands of the good Campeador, I prithee kiss for me That he may keep the convent still in his memory, And always may endeavor to make it prosper more, So shall increase the honor of the Cid Campeador." "Right gladly will I do it," Minaya straight replied. Their leave then have they taken and fettled them to ride, And with them went the herald on their need that was to wait. Through the King's realm an escort they gave them very great. From San Pedro to Medína in five days time they passed. Lo, the dames and Alvar Fañez to Medína came at last!

I will tell you of the horsemen that brought those tidings through. When my lord the good Cid of Bivár thereof the import knew, He was glad at heart and merry. His voice he lifted straight: "Who sends a noble messenger, should like return await. Munio Gustióz, Per Vermudóz, the first of all are you, And Martin Antolínez from Burgos, tried and true, And Jerome the bishop also, a worthy clerk is he, With a hundred ride you ready to fight if need shall be. Through Saint Mary's to Molína further onward shall ye wend; Avelgalvon there holds sway my vassal and my friend. With another hundred horsemen he will watch you on your way. Ride forth unto Medína with all the speed ye may, With Minaya Alvar Fañez my wife and daughters there Haply ye shall discover as the messengers declare. Bring them hither to me nobly. In Valencia I will bide, That cost me dear. Unguarded 'twere madness undenied To leave it. 'Tis my portion. There will I stay therefore."

They fettled them for riding, when all his words were o'er; With utmost speed they hastened, their march they would not stay. They have passed by Saint Mary's. At Froncháles rested they. Next day into Molína, their halting-place, they spurred. When those tidings the Morisco Avengalvón had heard, To welcome them with joyance unto them did he descend: "Are you then come the vassals of my heart's dearest friend? Be it known it grieves me little. Therein my joy is great."

And Muño Gustióz answered, for no man would he wait: "My lord Cid sends thee greeting, as also his command That with an hundred horsemen thou shalt serve him out of hand. In the city of Medína lie his wife and danghters twain. Thou wilt go for them straightway and bring them here again, Even unto Valencia thou shalt not from them part." Avengalvón gave answer: "I will do it with glad heart." That night he chose them escort, a mighty band were they. In the morning they got ready anew to take the way. They asked for but an hundred; ten score had he forby. They passed across the mountains that we re so steep and high, And through the thicket of Toránz, so strong they had no dread. And along through Arbujuélo adown the vale they sped.

Now round about Medína they watched on every side, Minaya Alvar Fañez that armed train descried. He was afraid and sent two knights the meaning to make plain. They delayed not, to discover his desire their hearts were fain. One stayed, to Alvar Fañez the other came once more: "A company to seek us comes from the Campeador. Per Vermudóz, lo, foremost among those ranks is he, And likewise Muño Gustióz that frankly loveth thee, And Martin Antolínez that was born in Burgos town, And don Jerome the Bishop of honorable renown. Avellgalvon the Castellan bringeth his host with these, In eagerness the honor of my lord Cid to increase. They march along together. They will be here anon." Said Minaya: "Forth now let us ride." And swiftly was it done, They would not stay. An hundred most splendidly arrayed Sallied forth on noble horses with trappings of brocade. Bells hung upon the martingales, the knights their bucklers bore At the neck, and carried lances whence flew the flags of war That Alvar Fañez' wisdom to all they might reveal, And in what guise with those ladies he had issued from Castile. All they that reconnoitering before the army ran Now lifted up their weapons, and to make good cheer began. Great mirth was there when all the rest to the Jalón drew nigh. When they came unto Minaya they did him homage high. And when Avengalvón was come, and might Minaya see, Then forward to embrace him with smiling lips came he. On the shoulder he saluted him, for such was still his way: "O Minaya Alvar Fañez! For thee what glorious day! Thou bringest here these ladies, whence we shall have great good, The fighting Cid his consort, and the daughters of his blood. We all shall do thee honor for his fortune groweth great. Though we wished him ill, we cannot diminish his estate; He will have alway our succor either in peace or war. The man who will not know the truth, he is a dolt therefor."

LXXXIV. Minaya Alvar Fañez, on his lips a smile broke out: "Ha now! Ha now! Avengalvón. Thou art his friend no doubt. If God shall bring me to the Cid and him alive I see, The things that thou has done for us shall greatly profit thee. Let us to our lodging, supper they have made ready there." Avengalvón gave answer: "'Tis a courtesy most fair; Double will I repay it ere the third morning fall." To the town they came. Minaya provided for them all. The escort that came with them, they were gladdened when they saw. Minaya the King's herald commanded to withdraw. The lord Cid in Valencia was greatly honored then, When they gave such entertainment in Medína to his men. The King paid for all. Minaya therefor had naught to pay.

At length the night was over, and came the break of day. And mass they heard, and after away they rode at last. They hastened from Medína, o'er the Jalón they pased. And down the Arbujuélo, spurring apace they ride. In haste the meadows of Toránz they cross from side to side, They came unto Molína where Avengalvón was lord. Bishop Jerome, a Christian worthy of his deed and word, Escorted the three ladies whether by day or night, And he led a good charger with his armor on his right. And he and Alvar Fañez rode aye together thus. They have entered in Molína the rich and glorious, And loyally Avengalvón the Moor has served them there. Unto the height of their desire, nothing they lacked whatever: He even bade men strike for them the horseshoe from the steed. Minaya and the ladies, God! he honored them indeed They got them upon horseback when the next morning fell. Unto Valencia loyally he served them all and well.

The Moor spent of his own estate, for naught from them took he. With such honorable matters and mirth and revelry They came nigh unto Valencia, that three leagues off doth stand. To my lord Cid who in good hour had girded on the brand, In the city of Valencia the news thereof they bore.

LXXXV. Nothing had ever gladdened him so much as this or more, For now there came good news of them for whom great love he had. Straightway two hundred horsemen to go forth to them he bade, To the good dames and Minaya fair reception to afford. But he tarried in Valencia to watch it and to ward, For he knew that Alvar Fañez with all due care would come.

LXXXVI. And lo! now the two hundred welcomed Minaya home. And the ladies and the daughters and all within the band. The Cid to them within his train had issued his command To ward full well the citadel, and the towers that were so high, And the gates that none might enter and none depart thereby. And he bade bring Baviéca that a little time before From the King of Seville he had taken, when he routed him in war. The Cid that in good season girt the brand on, of that steed Knew not if he were swift to run or to stop short at need. At the gateway of Valencia where none might work him woe, Unto his wife and daughters he desired his gear to show.

When the ladies with great honor the host had welcomed home, Then first into the city came the Bishop don Jerome. He left his horse; to chapel straightway the Bishop wet. With all men that he could gather who were of like intent And surplice-clad, with crosses of silver, once again They greeted good Minaya and the ladies of the train. He who was born in happy time tarried but little there. He has put on his surcoat. His beard was long and fair. On Baviéca saddle and caparisons they threw. The Cid took wooden weapons; forth on the steed he flew. Leaped the steed Baviéca. With a great rush did he run. 'Twas rare to see. And when he ceased they marvelled all and one. From that day Baviéca in all Spain had renown. When that career was ended, from the steed the Cid got down, And hastened forth his lady and daughters twain to greet. When Dame Xiména saw him she cast her at his feet: "Brand thou girdest in good season. Thy favour, Campeador! Thou hast brought me forth from insults that were exceeding sore. Look on me, lord! Look also on my daughters as on me. By Glod's help and thine they are noble, and gently reared they be.

And the Cid straightway embraced them, mother and daughters twain. Such joy they had that from their eyes the tears began to rain. His men rejoiced. The quintains, they pierced them with the spear. He who girt sword in a good time, hark what he said and hear.

"Oh thou my Dame Xiména, beloved and honored wife, And ye two both my daughters that are my heart and life, To the city of Valencia now do yet enter in, The fair estate that for you it was my lot to win."

His hands they have kissed straightway, the daughters and their dame. So with exceeding honor to Valencia they came.

LXXXVII. With them the lord Cid hastened to the citadel apace, He has ta 'en the ladies straightway up to the highest place. And forth in all directions they turn their lovely eyes, And they behold Valencia and how the city lies, And in another quarter they might perceive the sea. They look on fertile meadows close sown and great that be, And on all things whatever that were of fair estate God they praised with hands uplifted for that good prize and great.

My lord Cid and his followers thereof were glad and fain. And now was winter over, for March would come again. And of the countries oversea 'tis my desire to tell, Even of the King Yússuf in Morocco that did dwell.

LXXVIII. The King's heart of Morocco 'gainst the Cid was full of rage. "By force the man hath entered into my heritage, And giveth thanks to no one save Jesus Christ therefor."

And the King of Morocco gathered his hosts of war. With fifty times a thousand under arms, good men and stark, They put to sea. In galleons that army did embark To seek the Cid Rodrigo in Valencia they went, The ships came in; and straightway issued forth that armament.

LXXXIX. To Valencia that the Cid had ta'en, 'twas thither they did fare. The unbelievers halted and pitched pavilions there. With tidings of the chances to my lord the Cid they came.

XC. "Now thanks to the Creator and the Holy Father's name. All the goods in my possession, I have them here with me. Hardly I took Valencia, but I hold it for my fee; This side death, I cannot yield it. Glory to God again And to Holy Mary Mother that my wife and daughters twain Are here with me. From oversea cometh now my delight. Never will I forego it, I will take the arms of fight. My lady and my daughters shall see me lift the brand, They shall see how men build houses here in a foreign land, And how a livelihood is won their eyes shall see it well."

He took his wife and daughters up to the citadel. They raised their eyes and men they saw pitching tents everywhere. "Cid, what is this? So may the Lord still keep thee in His care." "Ha, wife, much honored! Therefor prithee be not troubled thus. 'Tis wealth most great and wondrous that they gather here for us. Scarce art thou come, when presents they would give thee in that hour. Thy daughters wait for marriage 'tis these that bring the dower." "Unto thee, Cid, and unto God do I give thanks again" "My lady in the palace in the citadel remain. When thou seest me in battle, fear not at all for me. By Saint Mary Mother's mercy, by God His charity, That thou art here before me, my heart grows great within. With God His help, this battle I certainly shall win."

XCI. Now pitched are the pavilions. Apace the morning comes. And furiously the heathen beat loud upon the drums. "'Tis a great day," with a glad heart so now the lord Cid spake. But his lady was sore frighted, her heart was like to break; The ladies and his daughters were likewise all forlorn. Never had they heard such a din since the day when they were born.

Therewith the great Cid Campeador with his hand he plucked his beard. "This shall all be to your vantage. Therefore be not afeard. Ere fifteen days are over, if so God's will it be, We shall take those drums and show them you. What they are then shall you see. And then unto the Bishop don Jerome they shall be given; They will hang them in Saint Mary's, Mother of the Lord in Heaven."

It was a vow most solemn that my lord the Cid had made. Now merry were the ladies and not so much afraid. Those Moors out of Morocco in mighty haste they sped, And on into the gardens they entered without dread.

XCII. That thing beheld the outpost. He let the tocsin sound. Of the Cid Roy Diaz ready were the companies around. They sallied from the city with their arms appointed well. When they came on the Moriscos upon them swift they fell. They drove them from the gardens in exceeding sorry plight; Of the Moors a full five hundred they slaughtered in that fight.

XCIII. Even to the pavilions the pursuers would not slack; They had done much and nobly when they thought of turning back. There Alvar Salvadórez a prisoner did remain. Then those that ate his bread returned to the lord Cid again. With his own eyes he beheld it, to his face they spake thereon; My lord the Cid was gladdened of the deeds that they had done. "My knights we cannot other. Then harken unto me: 'Tis a noble day, yet nobler will tomorrow's battle be. Arm you ere dawn. The Bishop don Jerome our souls will shrive, Saying mass for us ere at them we are ready to let drive. It shall be in no other fashion, we will go smite the foe, In God's name and his Apostle's the good Saint James also. For better fight than let them in the land devour our bread." "With a good will and gladly," in reply to him they said

And then outspake Minaya, for nothing tarried he: "Since thou wishest this, give orders of another sort to me. For the sore need of battle grant me six score horse and ten; From the far flank, when thou charges will I fall on them then. On one side or the other the Lord will stand our stead." "With right good will," unto him answered the Cid and said.

XCIV. And now broke forth the morning, and now drew back the night. Those bands of Christ delayed not to get ready for the fight. At the middle cocks ere morning, mass for them Jerome did chant, And mass said, absolution in full to them did grant:

"Who face to face shall perish this day the fight within, May Christ receive his spirit, on my soul I take his sin. Cid, don Rodrigo, in good hour thou girdedst brand; to thee I sang the mass this morning. Grant then my boon to me: Give me to strike the foremost the first stroke of the war." "The thing to thee is granted," answered the Campeador.

XCV. Out through the Quarter Towers full armed away they went. The lord Cid and his henchmen did counsel and consent. Levies they left behind them, the gates to watch and keep. On the steed Baviéca sprang the lord Cid with a leap. Fair trappings and caparisons girded that steed about. With the standard from Valencia forthwith they sallied out. Were with the Cid four thousand less but a score and ten, They came gladly to a battle against fifty thousand men. Alvar Alvarez and Minaya on the other side did smite. It seemed good to the Creator, and they threw them into flight. With the lance the Cid did battle, hand he set to sword as well. So many Moors he slaughtered that their numbers none might tell. Down from his elbow streaming the blood of battle came. Even against King Yússuf three buffets did he aim. He 'scaped from underneath the sword for his steed could run apace, And bore him to Culléra, an exceeding mighty place. Even so far he of Bivár pursued them as they fled, With a host of gallant vassals in his company that sped. He who in happy hour was born from that pursuit turned back; He was gladdened of the booty they had taken inthe attack. Good to him seemed Baviéca from head to tail that day. In his hands remained the booty of that battle for a prey. Of the twoscore and ten thousand, when they were counted o'er, There 'scaped out of that battle but an hundred men and four. My lord the Cid his henchmen have sacked the field around; Of the gold and of the silver three thousand marks they found, And of the other booty was no measure to be had. My lord Cid and his vassals were all exceeding glad, For in winning of the battle God's grace to them was shown, When the king of Morocco in this guise was overthrown. The Cid left Alvar Fañez to count the spoil and slain. With fivescore horse he entered Valencia once again. Helmless he rode. Upon his brow the coif was disarrayed. Through the town on Baviéca he galloped, hand on blade. And the ladies gave him welcome, on his coming that did wait. My lord Cid stopped before them, reining in the charger great: "Ladies, I bow before you. Groweth apace my fame. While you have held Valencia in the field I overcame. This was our God's desire and all his Saints likewise, Since at your coming hither He gave us such a prize. Look on the bloody sword-blade and the steed with sweat a-foam. With such are the Moriscos in the battle overcome. Pray now to God that I may yet live some few years from this; You shall enter to great honor and men your hands shall kiss."

So he spake as he dismounted. When on the ground stood he When the dames and his daughters and his wife of high degree Saw him get off, they kneeled them down before the Campeador: "Thy will be done, and mayst thou live through many a long year more."

The Cid unto the palace returning then they brought; They rested them on benches most exquisitely wrought: "Ha! Dame Xiména, wife of mine, didst thou beg this of me? These dames thou hast brought hither so well that wait on thee, In marriage to my vassals I am fain to give them o'er, And unto every lady for her dower marks ten score. Men shall know of their good service, in the kingdom of Castile. With my maids' affairs hereafter at our leisure we shall deal." All there rose up together, and kissed his fingers straight, The rejoicing in the palace it was exceeding great. As my lord Cid commanded so they brought the thing about.

Minaya Alvar Fañez tarried on the field without, With his men to write and reckon. Arms, tents and rich array In great store they discovered. It was a sovran prey. The richest of the treasure I am fain now to recite: The tale of all the horses they could not take aright; They wandered all caparisoned. Was none to take a steed. The Moors out of their provinces had gathered wealth indeed. Though this were so, were given to the gallant Campeador Of the best of all the horses for his share fifty score. When the Cid had so many the rest content might bide. What store of rich pavilions and carven poles beside To the lord Cid and his vassals by the chance of war did fall, And the King's tent of Morocco was the richest of them all, All gold wrought are the tent-poles that pavilion that sustain. My lord Cid the great Campeador did at that time ordain That it stand pitched; to move it let not a Christian dare. "Since hither from Morocco is come a tent so fair, To Alfonso the Castilian I am fain to send it now; That the Cid hath captured somewhat then lightly will be trow."

Laden with mighty riches to Valencia came they home. That very noble cleric, the Bishop don Jerome, When a surfeit of the fighting he had had of his hands twain, Was at a loss to number the Moors that he had slain. What fell to him of booty was sovran great of worth. My lord Cid don Rodrigo (in a good time was his birth,) Of all his fifth share of the spoil has sent him the tenth part.

XCVI. The Christians in Valencia were all right glad of heart, For now excelling riches, horses and arms they had. Xiména and her daughters all three were passing glad, And the other dames; as wedded upon themselves looked they. And my lord Cid the noble in no wise would delay. "Where art thou brave Minaya? Come hither to me now. For thy great share of booty, no gratitude hast thou? Of this my fifth of all the prey, I tell thee clear and plain, Take unto thy good pleasure, but let the rest remain. And tomorrow in the morning thou shalt certainly ride out With the horses of my portion that I captured in the rout, With the saddles and the bridles and the swords that them behove, For the sake of my lady and for my daughters love. Since Alfonso sent the ladies whither they were content, These same two hundred horses to him thou shalt present, That of him who rules Valencia the King no ill may say."