Part 9 (1/2)

LIX.

By the victory there much honor unto his beard he did.

And then the Count to his own tent was taken by the Cid.

He bade his squires guard him. From the tent he hastened then.

From every side together about him came his men.

The Cid was glad, so mighty were the spoils of that defeat.

For the lord Cid don Rodrigo they prepared great stock of meat.

But namely the Count don Remond, thereby he set no store.

To him they brought the viands, and placed them him before.

He would not eat, and at them all he mocked with might and main:

”I will not eat a mouthful for all the wealth in Spain; Rather will I lose my body and forsake my soul forby, Since beaten in the battle by such tattered louts was I.”

LX.

My lord the Cid Roy Diaz you shall hearken what he said: ”Drink of the wine I prithee, Count, eat also of the bread.

If this thou dost, no longer shalt thou be a captive then; If not, then shalt thou never see Christendom again.”

LXI.

”Do thou eat, don Rodrigo, and prepare to slumber sweet.

For myself I will let perish, and nothing will I eat.”

And in no way were they able to prevail till the third day, Nor make him eat a mouthful while they portioned the great prey.

LXII.

”Ho! Count, do thou eat somewhat,” even so my lord Cid spoke, ”If thou dost not eat, thou shalt not look again on Christian folk; If in such guise thou eatest that my will is satisfied, Thyself, Count, and, moreover, two n.o.blemen beside Will I make free of your persons and set at liberty.”

And when the Count had heard it exceeding glad was he.

”Cid, if thou shalt perform it, this promise thou dost give, Thereat I much shall marvel as long as I shall live.”

”Eat then, oh Count; when fairly thy dinner thou hast ta'en I will then set at liberty thee and the other twain.

But what in open battle thou didst lose and I did earn, Know that not one poor farthing's worth to thee will I return, For I need it for these henchmen who hapless follow me.

They shall be paid with what I win from others as from thee.

With the Holy Father's favor we shall live after this wise, Like banished men who have not any grace in the King's eyes.”

Glad was the Count. For water he asked his hands to lave.

And that they brought before him, and quickly to him gave.

The Count of Barcelona began to eat his fill With the men the Cid had given him, and G.o.d! with what a will!

He who in happy hour was born unto the Count sate near:

”Ha! Count, if now thou dinest not with excellent good cheer, And to my satisfaction, here we shall still delay, And we twain in no manner shall go forth hence away.”

Then said the Count: ”Right gladly and according to my mind! ”

With his two knights at that season in mighty haste he dined.

My lord the Cid was well content that all his eating eyed, For the Count don Remond his hands exceeding nimbly plied.

”If thou art pleased, my lord the Cid, in guise to go are we.

Bid them bring to us our horses; we will mount speedily.

Since I was first Count, never have I dined with will so glad, Nor shall it be forgotten what joy therein I had.”

They gave to them three palfreys. Each had a n.o.ble selle.

Good robes of fur they gave them, and mantles fair as well.

Count don Remond rode onward with a knight on either side.