Part 7 (1/2)

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 n.o.ble battle-charger rode the great Campeador.

His coif was wrinkled. Name of G.o.d! 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 G.o.d on high!”

The Cid his henchmen plundered the encampment far and wide Of the s.h.i.+elds 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 pa.s.sing glad.

He gave some monies, some much goods to be divided fair, And full an hundred horses fell to the Cid's fifth share.

G.o.d's name! his every va.s.sal n.o.bly 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 Fanez: ”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 ma.s.ses 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 Fanez, 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: 'G.o.d 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 Fariz. With him they held a council there, The folk that dwelt in Teca and the townsmen of Terrer, And the people of Calatayud, of the three the fairest town.