Part 17 (1/2)

Said the King: ”Today in no way were that seemly in my sight.

Thou art but now come hither, but we came in last night.

Today, therefore, Cid Campeador, thou shalt remain my guest, And on the morrow morning we shall he at thy behest.”

My lord the Cid has kissed his hand, granting it should be so.

Then came the Heirs of Carrion, their courtesy to show: ”We greet thee Cid. Thou wast brought forth in an hour of promise high.

And so far will we serve thee as in our power may lie.”

”So grant it the Creator,” to them the Cid replied.

The Cid my lord Roy Diaz, who was born in a good tide, Unto the King his master was guest for that day's s.p.a.ce, Who could not let him from his sight, he held him in such grace.

At the Cid's beard grown so swiftly, long while the King did stare.

At the Cid much they marvelled, as many as were there.

And now the day was over, and upon them fell the night.

The next day in the morning the sun rose clear and bright.

The Cid had bidden his henchmen meat for all men to array.

With my lord Cid the Campeador so well content were they That all were very merry, and moreover of one mind That for three years together so well they had not dined.

The next day in the morning, when at last the sun outshone, Then did Jerome the Bishop his matin song intone.

And when from ma.s.s they issued, all gathered in one place, And the King did not tarry but began his speech apace: ”Hear me now, counts and n.o.bles, and all my henchmen leal-- Unto my lord Cid Campeador I needst must make appeal.

G.o.d grant unto his profit that the thing may prove to be.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, I ask their hands of thee, That thou wilt in marriage give them to the Heirs of Carrion twain.

To me the match seems n.o.ble, and thereon there hangs much gain.

They ask them of thee. To that end I add my own command.

On my side and thine as many as round about us stand, My henchmen and thy henchmen, let them therefor intercede.

Give them to us my lord the Cid. So G.o.d thee help and speed.”

Said the Cid: ”My girls to marry are hardly yet in state, For their days are not many, nor are their ages great.

As for the Heirs of Carrion, much fame of them men say; They suit well with my daughters, and for better e'en than they.

'Twas I begot my daughters, but thou didst rear the twain.

They and I for that bounty yet in thy debt remain.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, unto thee do I present, To whom thou wilt then give them and I will be content.”

Said the King: ”My thanks unto thee and to all the court I own.”

Upon their feet got swiftly the Heirs of Carrion; Of him who in good hour was born, lightly they kissed the hands.

Before the King Alfonso they made exchange of brands.

Out spake the King Alfonso like a man of gentle race: ”My thanks, so n.o.ble art thou, but first to G.o.d for grace That for the Heirs of Carrion thou givest thy daughters twain.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, in hand I have them ta'en.

To Carrion's Heirs as consorts those ladies I award.

I give away thy daughters as brides with thine accord, May it please G.o.d that thou therewith in full content mayest rest.

Behold, the heirs of Carrion that wait on thy behest.

Let them go with thee, prithee, for I from hence must wend.

Three hundred marks of silver I give them to this end, To spend upon the marriage or what else pleaseth thee, Since within high Valencia in thy wards.h.i.+p they will be.

The sons and the daughters shall thy children be all four; Whate'er shall be thy pleasure, do with them, Campeador.”

The Cid received them from him, and the King's hand did kiss.

”My sovereign and my master, I think thee well for this.

Thou shalt give away my daughters, for I will not do the deed.”

After the parle was over they gave pledges and agreed That the next day in the morning when forth the sun should flame, All persons at the parley should return to whence they came.

Thereby both fame and honor had the lord Cid Campeador, And many mules and mighty, and fair palfreys furthermore, And fine and precious raiment. And to give gifts he began, Whatso he would to who would take, and denied it to no man.