Part 5 (2/2)

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 Alcocer by such a sleight.

x.x.x.

Per Vermudoz 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 G.o.d in Heaven and all his saints great thanks and praises be.

We shall better now our lodging for cavalier and steed.”

x.x.xI.

Alvar Fanez 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.

ln the hold let us receive them, for we have the upper hand.

When we lodge within their dwellings, they shall do as we command.”

x.x.xII.

The Cid with all his booty lieth in Alcocer.

He let the tent be sent for, that he left behind him there.

It irked the men of Teca, wroth in Terrer were they; Know ye on all Calatayud 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 Bivar, He came to lodge by Alcocer, 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 Terrer, Thou wilt have lost Calatayud that cannot stand alone.

All things will go to ruin on the banks of the Jalon, And round about Jiloca on the far bank furthermore.”

When the King Tamin 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 trespa.s.s till I be satisfied.”

Three thousand Moors have mounted and fettled them to ride.

All they unto Segorbe 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 Ca.n.a.l it has its name), Never a whit they rested, but marched the livelong day.

And that night unto their lodging in Calatayud 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 Fariz and Galve (these are the names they bear).

They will besiege my n.o.ble lord the Cid in Alcocer.

x.x.xIII.

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.

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