Part 11 (2/2)

And now is all Valencia in peaceable estate.

Minaya Alvar Fanez to Castile departed straight; His halts I will pa.s.s over, nor renew them to the mind.

But he sought out Alphonso where the King was to find.

The King to Sahagun had gone before some little s.p.a.ce, But was come back to Carrion; he might find him in that place.

Minaya Alvar Fanez was glad when this was known.

With his presents he departed forthwith to Carrion.

Lx.x.xI.

Now whn the ma.s.s was over, thence did Alfonso rise, And Minaya Alvar Fanez came there in n.o.ble guise..

In the presence of the people he kneeled upon his knee He fell at don Alphonso's foot, and bitter tears shed he.

He kissed his hands; unto the King most lovely words he spake:

LXXII.

”A boon my lord Alfonso for the Creator's sake!

My lord Cid of the battles has kissed thy hands ere now, Thy hands and thy feet likewise, for his n.o.ble lord art thou, If thou favorest him, G.o.d's favor come upon thee from above.

Thou didst send him into exile and bearest him no love, Though in strange lands he thriveth. Jerica he won in war And Onda, so they call it; so also Almenar, And likewise Murviedro (for a greater town 'tis known), And he has ta'en Cebolla and further Castejon And he has stormed Penacadell that is a place of power.

He is master of Valencia and these places at this hour.

With his own hand the great Campeador a bishop hath ordained.

He has forced five pitched battles and in each three victory gained.

The gift of the Creator was a very mighty prey, Do thou behold the tokens of the truth of that I say: Here be an hundred horses that in strength and speed excel; With bridle and with saddle each one is furnished well.

He kissed thy hands and begged thee thine acceptance to accord.

He declares himself thy va.s.sal, and owns thee for his lord.”

The King has lifted his right hand and crossed himself thereon: ”With what a wondrous booty the Campeador has won I am well pleased in spirit. Saint Isidore to speed!

I am glad the Campeador does now so many a fair deed.

I accept the gift of horses that the Cid to me has sent”

Though the King thereby was gladdened, was Ordonez not content;

”Meseems that in the Moorish land is no man any more, Since so his will upon them works the Cid Campeador.”

To the Count the King gave answer: ”So speak not of him now!

In faith he doth me service of a better sort than thou.”

And then outspoke Minaya, like a n.o.bleman spoke he: ”The Cid, if it shall please thee, desires a boon of thee, For his wife Dame Ximena and his daughters two beside, That they may leave the convent where he left them to abide, And may hasten to Valencia to the n.o.ble Campeador.”

Then said the King in answer: ”My heart is glad therefor.

That they be given escort I will issue the command, So that they may be protected as they travel through my land From insult and dishonor and whatever harm may be.

And when these ladies shall have reached my kingdom's boundary, Have a care how thou shalt serve them, thou and the Campeador.

Now hark to me, my va.s.sals, and my courtiers furthermore: I like not that to Roy Diaz any losses shall befall, And therefore to his va.s.sals, the Cid their lord that call, I restore that which I seized on, their possession and their fee.

Let them keep their lands, no matter where the Campeador may be From harm and hurt the safety of their persons I accord.

This I do that they may lightly render service to their lord.”

Minaya Alvar Fanez kissed the King's hand straightway.

And the King smiled upon him and a fair word did he say: ''Who'er to serve the Campeador desireh now to ride, As for me, he has permission, and G.o.d's grace with him abide.

More than by further hatred by this measure shall we gain.”

Counsel straightway together held the Heirs of Carrion twain.

”The fame of the Cid Campeador grows great on every side, An we might wed his daughters, would our needs be satisfied.

Scarce we dare frame this project e'en to ourselves alone; The Cid is of Bivar, and we are Counts of Carrion.”

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