Part 4 (1/2)

He crossed himself, and unto G.o.d 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 Miedes the Cid encamped that night, With the towers of Atienza 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 G.o.d you speed.

Let him eat who will; who will not, let him get upon the steed.

We shall pa.s.s 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 va.s.sals and gave a.s.sent 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 Henares a town standeth that Castejon 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 Fanez 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 Castejon 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 G.o.d 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 Salvadorez, Alvar Alvarez shall advance, likewise Galind Garciaz, 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 Guadalajara, from Hita far and wide, To Alcala 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 Castejon 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 G.o.d! how beautifully it shone!

All men arose in Castejon, 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 Castejon.

Round the city were the people scattered the whole country o'er.