Part 24 (2/2)
And now through all my Kingdom forth shall mine heralds go, For in Toledo city a court shall they proclaim, So that counts may come and n.o.bles that be of lesser name.
The Heirs of Carrion thither I will summon furthermore; And there shall they give justice to my lord Cid Campeador.
Yet while I can prevent it, he shall have no cause to mourn.
Cx.x.xIV.
”And say unto the Campeador, who in good hour was born, That he may with his va.s.sals for these seven weeks prepare To come unto Toledo. That term I grant him fair.
I will hold these a.s.sizes since the Cid to me is dear.
Greet them all for me fairly, let them be of joyful cheer.
For what befel, of honor they yet shall have no lack.”
His leave ta'en, Muno Gustioz to my lord Cid turned back.
Since he had undertaken that the charge on him should fall, Alfonso the Castilian delayed it not at all.
To Leon and Santiago he sent letters without fail, And unto the Galicians, and the men of Portingale.
Tidings to them in Carrion and in Castile they bring Of a Court held in Toledo by the much honored King, And that there they should be gathered when seven weeks should end.
Who stayed at home, true va.s.salage no longer could pretend.
And all men so determined throughout his breadth of lands Not to fail in the fulfillment of the King's high commands.
Cx.x.xV.
Now are the Heirs of Carrion troubled by the report That the King within Toledo was about to hold his court.
They fear my lord Cid Campeador will have his part therein, And they took counsel, seeing that they were near of kin.
The King for dispensation to stay from court they prayed.
Said the King: ”I will not do it, as G.o.d shall stand mine aid.
For my lord Cid the Campeador that place shall come unto, And you shall do him justice for he makes complaint of you.
Who refuses, or denies it to come unto mine a.s.size, Let him quit my realm. The fellow finds no favor in mine eyes.”
And now the Heirs of Carrion saw that it must be done Since they are very near of kin, counsel they took thereon.
Count Garcia that to ruin the Cid sought evermore, My lord the Cid's arch-foeman, share in these matters bore.
This man has given counsel to the Heirs of Carrion twain.
Time came: to the a.s.sizes to hasten they were fain.
Thither among the foremost doth good King Alfonso go, With him the Count don Henry, and Count don Remond also-- For the sire of the most n.o.ble the Emperor was he known.
There came the Count don Froila and the Count don Birbon.
Out of his realm came many of wise hearts and leal All the best men were gathered of the kingdom of Castile.
And there with Crespo de Granon, Count don Garcia came And he who ruled in Oca--Alvar Diaz was his name.
With Gonzalvo Ansuorez, Ansuor Gonzalvez stood.
Know ye well with them was Pero of the Ansuorez blood.
Diego and Ferrando both to the place resort, And with them a great company that they had brought to Court.
Upon my lord Cid Campeador 'tis their intent to fall.
Unto the place they gather from every side and all.
But he who in good hour was born, not yet hath he drawn nigh.
Because so long he tarries is the king displeased thereby.
My lord the Cid the Campeador is come on the fifth day.
He has sent Alvar Fanez ahead of his array, That he might kiss the King his hands that is his lord of right, The King might know it surely, he would be at hand that night.
Now when the King had heard it, his heart was glad indeed.
With companies most mighty the King leaped on the steed, And him who in good hour was born he went to welcome there.
Came the Cid and all his henchmen equipped exceeding fair.
Oh! n.o.ble troops that follow a captain of such might!
When good King don Alfonso of my lord the Cid got sight, My lord the Cid, the Campeador, cast himself on the sward.
Himself he thus could humble and do honor to his lord.
When the King saw he tarried not.
”Saint Isidore to speed!
This day so shalt thou never. Mount, Cid, upon the steed!
If not, so ends my pleasure. Let us greet on either part With heart and soul. What grieveth thee hath hurt me to the heart.
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