Part 24 (1/2)

When to him who in good honor was born the news of it was sent, Swiftly he got on horseback, and forth to greet them went.

As he rode he brandished weapons; very joyful was his face.

My lord the Cid came forward his daughters to embrace.

And after he had kissed them he smiled upon the two: ”Are ye then come my daughters? 'Gainst ill G.o.d succor you.

This marriage I accepted, daring not say otherwise.

May the Creator grant it, who dwelleth in the skies, That you with better husbands hereafter I may see.

G.o.d! on my sons of Carrion grant me avenged to be.

”The hands of their father to kiss, the two bent down.

And under arms they hastened and came into the town.

Their mother Dame Ximena with them good cheer she made.

And he who in good hour was born, he tarried not nor stayed, But there unto his comrades so privily he spake: To King Alfonso of Castile those tidings shall they take.

Cx.x.xIII.

”Where art thou, Muno Gustioz, va.s.sal of fair report In a good time I cherished and reared thee in my court.

To King Alfonso in Castile these tidings do thou take.

His hands with heart and spirit do thou kiss them for my sake-- I am known for his va.s.sal, he for my lord is known-- At the dishonor done me by the heirs of Carrion Shall the good King be troubled in his soul and in his heart.

He gave to wed my daughters, therein I had no part.

Since my girls they have deserted with great dishonor thus, If they have put an insult by that action upon us, The great part and the little, my lord's is all the scorn.

My possessions, which are mighty, off with them have they borne, This and the other insult well may make me ill content.

Bring them to parley with me in a.s.size or parliament, So that I may have justice on the heirs of Carrion, For in my heart the anguish exceeding great is grown.”

Thereupon Muno Gustioz swiftly the steed bestrode.

To wait upon his pleasure two hors.e.m.e.n with him rode, And with him were esquires that of his household were.

They departed from Valencia as fast as they could spur, They gave themselves no respite either by night or noon.

And the King don Alfonso he found at Sahagun.

Of Castile is he the ruler, of Leon furthermore.

And likewise of Asturias, yea, to San Salvador.

As far as Santiago for lord paramount is he known.

The counts throughout Galicia him for their sovereign own.

As soon as Muno Gustioz got down from horseback there, Before the Saints he kneeled him, and to G.o.d he made his prayer.

Where the court was in the palace straightway his steps he bent.

The hors.e.m.e.n two that served him as their lord beside him went.

As soon as they had entered amid the royal train The King saw them and knew lightly Muno Gustioz again.

The King rose up and n.o.bly he welcomed him and well.

before the King Alfonso on bended knee he fell.

The King's feet, Muno Gustioz, that wight, has kissed withal: ”A boon, King, thee the sovereign of kingdoms broad they call.

The Campeador, he kisses so well thy feet and hands; Thou art his lord; thy va.s.sal as at all times he stands.

To Carrion's Heirs his daughters were given to wed by thee.

It was a glorious marriage for it was thy decree.

The honor that befel us is to thee already known, What flout was put upon us by the Heirs of Carrion.

Fiercely they scourged the daughters of the Cid Campeador.

Naked, in great dishonor and from the scourging sore, In Corpes Wood unguarded they cast the dames away, Unto the savage creatures and the forest-fowl a prey, And lo! now to Valencia his daughters are restored.

For this thy hand he kisses as a va.s.sal to his lord, That thou bring them to confront him in a.s.size or parliament.

He holds himself dishonored, but fouler art thou shent.

And King, sore should it grieve thee, and he prays, for wise art thou, That my lord Cid may have justice on the Heirs of Carrion now.”

The king long while was silent, pondering thereon apart: ”The truth will I say to thee. It grieves me to the heart.

So hast thou, Muno Gustioz, herein a true thing said, For to Carrion's Heirs, his daughters I gave indeed to wed.

For good I did it, deeming that there his vantage lay.

But would now that that marriage had ne'er been made today.

My lord the Cid and I myself, sore grieved at heart are we.

I must help him unto justice, so G.o.d my savior be.

Though I would not at this season, I must do even so.