Chapter 6

He bade go with Minaya Per Vermudóz straightway. The next day in the morning they departed with all speed, And a full two hundred henchmen along with them they lead, With greetings from the Cid who fain would kiss his hands aright. Even out of the battle where my lord Cid won the fight, For a gift he sent Alfonso of horses good ten score: "While I have breath within me, I will serve him evermore."

XCVII. They have issued from Valencia. And they fettle them to fare. They must watch well so mighty a booty do they bear. And night and day they hastened for they gave themselves no rest. The mountains that divide the lauds they have passed o'er the crest. And the folk they fell to asking where Alfonso

XCVIII. O'er the mountains, o'er the rivers, o'er the hills they took the road. And at length before Valladolíd where the King lay they were. Minaya and Per Vermudóz sent tidings to him there, That reception to their followers he might bid his men extend. "My lord Cid of Valencia presents with us doth send."

XCIX. Glad was the King. Man gladder you never yet did see. He commanded all his nobles to ride forth hastily. And forth among the first of them did King Alfonso go, Of him who in good hour was born the tidings for to know. Know you the Heirs of Carrión happed in that place to be, Also Count don García the Cid's worst enemy. Of the tidings some were merry, and some were all folorn. They caught sight of his henchmen who in happy hour was born. They feared it was an army for no herald came before. Straightway the King Alfonso crossed himself o'er and o'er. Minaya and Per Vermudóz came forward with all speed, They leaped from the saddle, they dismounted from the steed. Before the King Alfonso upon their knees they fell. They kissed the ground beneath him, the kissed his feet as well: "Now a boon, King Alfonso. Thou art great and glorious. For my lord Cid the Campeador do we embrace thee thus. He holds himself thy vassal; he owns thee for his lord. He prizes high the honor thou didst to him accord. O King, but a few days agone in the fight he overcame The King out of Morocco, Yússuf (that is his name), With a host of fifty thousand from the field he drove away. The booty that he captured was a great and sovran prey. Great wealth unto his followers because of this did fall. He sends thee twoscore horses and doth kiss thy hands withal. Said King Alfonso: "Gladly to accept them am I fain. To the Cid who sent me such a gift I send my thanks again. When I do unto his liking, may he live to see the day."

Thereat were many of good cheer and kissed his hands straightway. Grieved was Count don García. Wroth was his heart within. Apart he wells a little with ten men of his kin: "A marvel is this matter of the Cid, so grows his fame. Now by the honor that he hath we shall be put to shame. Kings he o'erthroweth lightly, and lightly bringeth steeds As though he dead had found them; we are minished by his deeds."

C. Hear now of King Alfonso what he said upon this score: "Thanks be to the Creator and the lord Saint Isidore For the two hundred horses that the Cid to me hath sent. Yet shall he serve me better in this my government. To Minaya Alvar Fañez and Per Vermudóz I say That you forthwith clothe your bodies in honorable array, And as you shall require it of me take battle-gear Such as before Roy Diaz in good manner shall appear. Take then the gift I give you even these horses three. As it seems to my avisement, as my heart telleth me, Out of all these adventures some good will come to light."

CI. They kissed his hands and entered to take their rest that night. In all things that they needed he bade men serve them well.

Of the two Heirs of Carrión now am I fain to tell, How secretly they counselled what thing should be their cast: "Of my lord Cid the high affairs go forward wondrous fast. Let us demand his daughters that with them we may wed. Our fortune and our honor thereby may be well sped." Unto the King Alfonso with their secret forth went they.

CII. "As from our King and master a boon of thee we pray By favor of thy counsel we desire to obtain That thou ask for us in marriage of the Cid his daughters twain. With honor and with profit shall the match for then, be fraught."

Thereon for a full hour's space pondered the King and thought "I cast out the good Campeador, and wrong I do him still For his good to me. I know not if the match be to his will, But we in hand will take it, since so your pleasures tend."

Alvar Fañez and Per Vermudóz, for them the King let send. He took them to a hall apart: "Now harken to me both Minaya and Per Vermudóz. The Cid my service doth; The Campeador, his pardon well hath he earned of me. And shall have it. I will meet him, if so his will shall be. In parley other tidings of my court I will make known; Dídago and Ferrándo, the Heirs of Carrión, Are fain to wed his daughters. Bear ye the message well, And I pray you that these tidings to the Campeador ye tell. It will be unto his honor, great will his fame have grown, When he becomes the father of the Heirs of Carrión."

Minaya spake: (Per Vermudóz was glad of that he spake) "To ask him thy desire we will even undertake. And the Cid shall do thereafter as his pleasure shall decide."

"Say to the Cid Roy Diaz that was born in a glad tide, That I will parley with him in the best place he may, And there shall be the boundary wherever he shall say. To my lord Cid in all things will I show my favor plain."

Unto the King they gave farewell, and got them gone again, And onward to Valencia they hastened with their force.

When the good Campeador had heard, swiftly he got to horse, And came to meet them smiling, and strong, embraced the two. "Minaya and Per Vermudóz, ye are come back anew! There are not many countries where two such gallants dwell. From my lord King Alfonso what tidings are to tell? Is he content? Did he vouchsafe to take the gift from me?"

Said Minaya, "In his soul and heart right well content is he, And his good will he sendeth unto thee furthermore." Said the Cid: "To the Creator now mighty thanks therefor."

The Leonese Alfonso his pleasure they made known That the Cid should give his daughters to the Heirs of Carrión. He deemed it would make him glorious and cause his fame to grow. And in all truth and honor would advise him even so.

When my lord the Cid had heard it, the noble Campeador, Then a long time much pondering he turned the tidings o'er, "For this to Christ my master do I give thanks again. I was sent forth to exile and my honor suffered stain. That which is mine I conquered by mine endeavor high. Unto God for the King's favor a thankful man am I, And that for them of Carrión they ask my daughters two. Minaya and Per Vermudóz, thereof what thinketh you?"

"Whate'er shall be your pleasure, that is it we shall say." Said the Cid: "The Heirs of Carrión, of a great line are they, And they are proud exceeding, and their favor fair at court. Yet ill doth such a marriage with my desire coport. But since it is his pleasure that is of more worth than we, Let us talk thereof a little, but secret let us be. May the Lord God in Heaven accord us as is best."

"Besides all this Alfonso this word to thee addressed: He would come to parley with thee in what place thou art fain. He desireth well to see thee and honor thee again. Then what to do is fittest ye might be well agreed."

Said the Cid: "Now by this saying I am well pleased indeed."

"Where thou wilt hold this parley" said Minaya, "ponder well. "In that the king desired it, no wondrous thing befell," That wherever we might find him we might seek him in his way, As to our King and Master, our high devoir to pay. Haply we may desire what good to him shall seem. Nigh to the river Tagus that is a noble stream, If so my lord desire it, we will hold the parley there."

He wrote the letters straightway and sealed them well and fair. And then unto two horsemen he gave the letters o 'er. Whatso the King desireth, that will the Campeador.

CIII. Unto the King much honored, the letters they present. When he had looked upon them, then was his heart content. "To the Cid who in good time girt brand my greeting do I send, And let us hold the parley when three weeks are at an end. If I yet live, then doubtless I shall wait him in that place." They tarried not, but hastened home to the Cid apace.

On both sides for the parley they got ready point device. In Castile was ne'er such foison of mules without a price, Nor so many fair-paced palfreys, nor strong steeds swift to guide, Nor so many noble pennons on the stout lances tied, And shields whereof the bosses did with gold and silver shine, Robes, furs and Alexandrian cloth of satin woven fine. And the King gave his order, to send much victual there, To the waters of the Tagus where the parley they prepare. The King leads many a good troop, and Carrión's Heirs are gay. And here they run in debt apace, and there again they pay, For they thought to have great profit and increase manifold, And whatso they should desire, goods of silver and of gold. And now hath King Alfonso got swiftly to his horse, With counts and little nobles and vassals in great force. As for the Heirs of Carrión great companies they bring. From León and from Galicia came much people with the King; Know well, the levies of Castile, they are a countless train. And straight unto the parley they rode with slackened rein.

CIV. In the city of Valencia, my lord Cid Campeador Did not tarry, but the parley, he prepared himself therefor. There were stout mules a-many and palfreys swift to course, Great store of goodly armour, and many a fleet war-horse, Many fair cloaks and mantles, and many skins withal; In raiment of all colors are clad both great and small. Minaya Alvar Fañez and Per Vermudóz that wight, Martin Muñoz in Montemayór that held the rule of right, And Martin Antolínez that in Burgos had his home, And that most worthy cleric, the Bishop don Jerome, And with Alvar Salvadórez Alvar Alvarez beside, And likewise Muño Gustióz a gallant knight and tried, Also Galínd Garcíaz, that in Aragon abode, These to ride with the good Campeador got ready for the road. And the people in the palace prepared them all and one.

Unto Alvar Salvadórez and the man of Aragon, Galínd Garcíaz, his command has given the Campeador That heart and soul Valencia they shall guard it and watch o'er. And, moreover, all the others on their behests shall wait. And my lord Cid has ordered that they bar the castle gate And nowise throw it open either by night or day. His wife and his two daughters within the hold are they, Whom he loves best, and the ladies that do their pleasure still. And he has so disposed it, even as a good lord will, That not a soul among them shall venture from the tower, Till to them he returneth, who was born in happy hour.

They issued from Valencia, forward they spurred along. On their right were many horses, that were both swift and strong. The Cid had ta 'en them. No man would have given him a steed. And he rideth to the parley, the which he had decreed With the King. In passage of a day, he came the King before. When anear they saw him coming, the gallant Campeador, With great worship to receive him, forth unto him they ride. When he had looked upon them, who was born in a glad tide, He halted his companions save his knights of dearest worth. With fifteen of his henchmen he leaped down unto the earth, As he who in good hour was born had willed that it should be. Forthwith to earth he bends him on the hand and on the knee. And the grass of the meadow with his very teeth he rent, And wept exceeding sorely so great was his content. How well unto Alfonso to do homage doth he know And there before his sovereign's foot he cast him even so. As for the King Alfonso, at heart it irked him sore: "Rise up! Rise up upon thy feet, O thou Cid Campeador, And kiss my hand, nor prithee in this guise my feet embrace, And if thou wilt not do it, thou shalt not have my grace." But natheless the good Campeador yet knelt on bended knee: "As of my rightful master, I ask a boon of thee, And namely that thy favor on me thou wilt bestow, So that all men about us the thing may hear and know."

Said the King: "Now that right gladly and of good heart will I do; And here I give thee pardon, and my favor I renew. And thee unto my kingdom right welcome I will make."

My lord the Cid addressed him, after this wise he spake: "Gramercy, lord Alfonso, I will take what thou hast given. I will utter forth for this my thanks unto our God in Heaven, And then to thee, and to the bands that round about me stand."

And on his knees yet kneeling, he kissed Alfonso's hand; To his feet he rose, and on the lips greeted him with a kiss. The others in the presence they were well pleased at this. It irked Garci Ordoñez and Alvar Diaz sore.

My lord Cid spake and uttered this saying furthermore.

"To our Father and Creator I offer thanks again, That my lord the King his pardon he vouchsafed me to attain. In the day and the night season the Lord will cherish me. Thou shalt be my guest, my master, if so thy pleasure be." Said the King: "Today in no way were that seemly in my sight. Thou art but now come hither, but we came in last night. Today, therefore, Cid Campeador, thou shalt remain my guest, And on the morrow morning we shall be at thy behest."

My lord the Cid has kissed his hand, granting it should be so. Then came the Heirs of Carrión, their courtesy to show: "We greet thee Cid. Thou wast brought forth in an hour of promise high. And so far will we serve thee as in our power may lie." "So grant it the Creator," to them the Cid replied. The Cid my lord Roy Diaz, who was born in a good tide, Unto the King his master was guest for that day's space, Who could not let him from his sight, he held him in such grace. At the Cid's beard grown so swiftly, long while the King did stare. At the Cid much they marvelled, as many as were there.

And now the day was over, and upon them fell the night. The next day in the morning the sun rose clear and bright. The Cid had bidden his henchmen meat for all men to array. With my lord Cid the Campeador so well content were they That all were very merry, and moreover of one mind That for three years together so well they had not dined.

The next day in the morning, when at last the sun outshone, Then did Jerome the Bishop his matin song intone. And when from mass they issued, all gathered in one place, And the King did not tarry but began his speech apace: "Hear me now, counts and nobles, and all my henchmen leal-- Unto my lord Cid Campeador I needst must make appeal. God grant unto his profit that the thing may prove to be. Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, I ask their hands of thee, That thou wilt in marriage give them to the Heirs of Carrión twain. To me the match seems noble, and thereon there hangs much gain. They ask them of thee. To that end I add my own command. On my side and thine as many as round about us stand, My henchmen and thy henchmen, let them therefor intercede. Give them to us my lord the Cid. So God thee help and speed." Said the Cid: "My girls to marry are hardly yet in state, For their days are not many, nor are their ages great. As for the Heirs of Carrión, much fame of them men say; They suit well with my daughters, and for better e'en than they. 'Twas I begot my daughters, but thou didst rear the twain. They and I for that bounty yet in thy debt remain. Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, unto thee do I present, To whom thou wilt then give them and I will be content."

Said the King: "My thanks unto thee and to all the court I own." Upon their feet got swiftly the Heirs of Carrión; Of him who in good hour was born, lightly they kissed the hands. Before the King Alfonso they made exchange of brands.

Out spake the King Alfonso like a man of gentle race: "My thanks, so noble art thou, but first to God for grace That for the Heirs of Carrión thou givest thy daughters twain. Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, in hand I have them ta'en. To Carrión's Heirs as consorts those ladies I award. I give away thy daughters as brides with thine accord, May it please God that thou therewith in full content mayest rest. Behold, the heirs of Carrión that wait on thy behest. Let them go with thee, prithee, for I from hence must wend. Three hundred marks of silver I give them to this end, To spend upon the marriage or what else pleaseth thee, Since within high Valencia in thy wardship they will be. The sons and the daughters shall thy children be all four; Whate'er shall be thy pleasure, do with them, Campeador."

The Cid received them from him, and the King's hand did kiss. "My sovereign and my master, I think thee well for this. Thou shalt give away my daughters, for I will not do the deed." After the parle was over they gave pledges and agreed That the next day in the morning when forth the sun should flame, All persons at the parley should return to whence they came. Thereby both fame and honor had the lord Cid Campeador, And many mules and mighty, and fair palfreys furthermore, And fine and precious raiment. And to give gifts he began, Whatso he would to who would take, and denied it to no man. As gifts full sixty horses did the lord Cid present. Whoe'er was at the parley therewith was full content. Now were they fain of parting, for night was like to fall.

The King the Heirs of Carrión took by the hand withal, In the power of the Cid Campeador he put them both straightway. "Behold them here thy children; since thy sons-in-law are they; From this day forth do with them as thy heart shall give accord. May they serve thee as their father, and keep thee for their lord."

"I thank thee and accept, O King, the gift which thou hast given. Mayst thou be well rewarded by God who is in heaven.

CV. "Of thee, my liege and sovran, a boon do I request Since thou givest to wed my daughters in what way likes thee best, Choose one my girls to give away, who in thy place shall stand, Since thou hast them, I will never give them o'er with mine own hand. To the Heirs. Such satisfaction to them shall be denied." "Behold here Alvar Fañez," the King to him replied, "Take them by the hand and give them to the heirs, even as I Here afar off have ta ten them, as though I were hard by; And throughout all the vigil their sponsor shalt thou be. When again to me thou comest tell all the truth to me."

Said Alvar Fañez: "Faith! My lord, I am content indeed."

CVI. To all this with due caution, know well they have agreed. "Ha! King, my lord Alfonso much honored, for a sign Of the parley that we held here, thou shalt take a gift of mine. I bring thee thirty palfreys that are trapped rich and well, And thirty fleet war-horses, each with a noble selle. Take them and I will kiss thy hand." The King Alfonso spake: "Deep in thy debt thou hast me. Thy present I will take Which thou givest. The Creator and all his saints accord For the kindness thou hast done me that thou have a fair reward. Oh my lord Cid Roy Diaz, thou hast done me honor high. Full well thou cost my service, and well content am I. Mayst thou reap of me some harvest ere my life be at an end. Into God's hands I give thee. From the parley will I wend. Hail God in Heaven! grant us our treaty well to keep."

CVII. The Cid mounted Baviéca his charger at a leap. "Here before my King Alfonso I say it openly, Who would fain go to the marriage or would have a gift of me, Let him come with me. His profit shall be great, as I conceive."

Now of his lord Alfonso the lord Cid took his leave.. His company he wished not, he departed from him straight. There might you see a many of knights of fair estate Taking leave of King Alfonso, that the while his hands did kiss: "Let it be now thy pleasure, and prithee grant us this-- 'Neath the Cid to great Valencia now will we march away To see the Heirs of Carrión upon their wedding day, And Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra that the Cid's daughters be."

Therewith the King was satisfied and gave them liberty. And the King's bands diminished and the Cid's increased the more. Great company of people marched with the Campeador.

They rode straight to Valencia ta'en when his star was high. On Diégo and Ferrándo he bade them keep an eye. Muño Gustióz and Per Vermudóz they had commandment plain-- In all my lord Cid's household were not a better twain The ways of them of Carrión to discover them and find. Ansuór Gonzálvez joined the Heirs who was a noisy hind, Loose-tongued, and for untrustful in other things well known. They showered many honors on the Heirs of Carrión.

Behold them in Valencia that the Cid my lord had ta'en. When they looked upon the city they were exceeding fain. Muño Gustióz and don Pero, to them the lord Cid spake: "Straightway the Heirs of Carrión unto a lodging take, But do you tarry with them, so doth my order run. When entereth in the morning, when breaketh forth the sun, Of Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, their brides, they shall have sight."

CVIII. Then every man departed to his lodging-place that night. The Cid Campeador has entered his castle once again. Abode him Dame Xiména, she and her daughters twain.

"Campeador who in good season girt sword, thou hast come thy ways; May the eyes of our faces behold thee many days."

"I am come, wife much honored, by the Creator's grace, And sons-in-law I bring thee, whence our fame shall wax apace. I have married you well, my daughters, so thank me for it well.

CIX. Forthwith a-kissing of his hands his wife and daughters fell, And likewise all the ladies their pleasure still that did. "Thanks be to the Creator and to thee, fair-bearded Cid, What thing thou cost soever, it is well done indeed. In all thy days thy daughters shall never be in need."

"When thou givest us in marriage, great wealth to us shall fall."

CX. "Wife o'mine, Dame Xiména. praise God who made us all. Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, my girls to you I say, From your marriage in all honor shall we increase alway. But that I did not begin it, the truth now understand; My lord Alfonso sought you and stately made demand With such firm will, I wist not how to deny the thing. And I put you both, my daughters, in the keeping of the King. Know that he giveth you to wed, and that I am not the man."

CXI. To make beautiful the palace, then one and all began. There was displayed much arras on wall and pavement both, Much purple and much samite and store of precious cloth. 'Twould have pleased you in that palace to have sat you down to eat. And speedily together did his knights assembled meet.

And for the Heirs of Carrión as at that time they sent, To horse they got and onward to the palace forth they went. And fine is all their raiment, and stuff of proof likewise. They came afoot and properly, God! in what lowly guise! The Cid and all his vassals received them when they came. They bowed the head before him; they bowed before his dame; Straightway to take their places on a noble seat they strode. Of my lord Cid all the henchmen exceeding wisdom showed, His speech who in good hour was born in quiet they expect.

And now the noble Campeador hath risen up erect: "Since such a deed is toward, why do we tarry here? Come hither Alvar Fañez whom I cherish and hold dear. My daughters twain, behold them, to thy hand I give them o'er. Be it known so to perform it unto the King I swore, To fail in our agreement is in no way mine intent. To the Heirs of Carrión their brides, now with thine hand present; Let them have benediction and speed the wedding through."

To him replied Minaya: "This will I gladly do."

The ladies rose. He gave them into Minaya's care. To Carrión's Heirs, Minaya now doth his charge declare: "Lo! Minaya here before you, ye brothers born that be! By the hand of King Alfonso, who has laid this charge on me, I give to you these ladies that are both of noble blood, That to wife ye take them nobly and in fair guise and good."