Part 14 (1/2)

”My lady in the palace in the citadel remain.

When thou seest me in battle, fear not at all for me.

By Saint Mary Mother's mercy, by G.o.d His charity, That thou art here before me, my heart grows great within.

With G.o.d His help, this battle I certainly shall win.”

XCI.

Now pitched are the pavilions. Apace the morning comes.

And furiously the heathen beat loud upon the drums.

”'Tis a great day,” with a glad heart so now the lord Cid spake.

But his lady was sore frighted, her heart was like to break; The ladies and his daughters were likewise all forlorn.

Never had they heard such a din since the day when they were born.

Therewith the great Cid Campeador with his hand he plucked his beard.

”This shall all be to your vantage. Therefore be not afeard.

Ere fifteen days are over, if so G.o.d's will it be, We shall take those drums and show them you. What they are then shall you see.

And then unto the Bishop don Jerome they shall be given; They will hang them in Saint Mary's, Mother of the Lord in Heaven.”

It was a vow most solemn that my lord the Cid had made.

Now merry were the ladies and not so much afraid.

Those Moors out of Morocco in mighty haste they sped, And on into the gardens they entered without dread.

XCII.

That thing beheld the outpost. He let the tocsin sound.

Of the Cid Roy Diaz ready were the companies around.

They sallied from the city with their arms appointed well.

When they came on the Moriscos upon them swift they fell.

They drove them from the gardens in exceeding sorry plight; Of the Moors a full five hundred they slaughtered in that fight.

XCIII.

Even to the pavilions the pursuers would not slack; They had done much and n.o.bly when they thought of turning back.

There Alvar Salvadorez a prisoner did remain.

Then those that ate his bread returned to the lord Cid again.

With his own eyes he beheld it, to his face they spake thereon; My lord the Cid was gladdened of the deeds that they had done.

”My knights we cannot other. Then harken unto me: 'Tis a n.o.ble day, yet n.o.bler will tomorrow's battle be.

Arm you ere dawn. The Bishop don Jerome our souls will shrive, Saying ma.s.s for us ere at them we are ready to let drive.

It shall be in no other fas.h.i.+on, we will go smite the foe, In G.o.d's name and his Apostle's the good Saint James also.

For better fight than let them in the land devour our bread.”

”With a good will and gladly,” in reply to him they said

And then outspake Minaya, for nothing tarried he: ”Since thou wishest this, give orders of another sort to me.

For the sore need of battle grant me six score horse and ten; From the far flank, when thou charges will I fall on them then.

On one side or the other the Lord will stand our stead.”

”With right good will,” unto him answered the Cid and said.

XCIV.

And now broke forth the morning, and now drew back the night.

Those bands of Christ delayed not to get ready for the fight.

At the middle c.o.c.ks ere morning, ma.s.s for them Jerome did chant, And ma.s.s said, absolution in full to them did grant:

”Who face to face shall perish this day the fight within, May Christ receive his spirit, on my soul I take his sin.

Cid, don Rodrigo, in good hour thou girdedst brand; to thee I sang the ma.s.s this morning. Grant then my boon to me: Give me to strike the foremost the first stroke of the war.”

”The thing to thee is granted,” answered the Campeador.

XCV.