Part 29 (1/2)

Like n.o.blemen this combat, ye ought duly to achieve, For the Campeador his henchmen naught undone therein will leave.

If forth, ye come victorious, then great shall be your fame; But if that ye are vanquished, impute to us no blame.

All know ye sought it.”

Carrion's Heirs were filled with grief each one.

And greatly they repented the thing that they had done.

Were it undone fain were they to give all Carrion's fee.

The henchmen of the Campeador are fully armed all three.

Now was the King Alfonso come forth to view them o'er.

Then spake to him the henchmen that served the Campeador: ”We kiss thy hands as va.s.sals to their lord and master may, 'Twixt our party and their party thou shalt be judge this day.

For our succor unto justice but not to evil stand.

Here Carrion's Heirs of henchmen have gathered them a band.

What, or what not, we know not, that in secret they intend; But our lord in thine hand left us our safety to defend.

For the love of the Creator justly maintain our part.”

Said then the King in answer: ”With all my soul and heart.”

They brought for them the chargers of splendid strength and speed.

They signed the cross upon the selles. They leaped upon the steed.

The bucklers with fair bosses about their necks are cast.

And the keen pointed lances, in the hand they grip them fast.

Each lance for each man of the three doth its own pennon bear.

And many worthy n.o.bles have gathered round them there.

To the field where were the boundaries, accordingly they went.

The three men of the Campeador were all of one intent, That mightily his foeman to smite each one should ride.

Lo! were the Heirs of Carrion upon the other side, With stores of men, for many of their kin were with the two.

The King has given them judges, justice and naught else to do, That yea or nay they should not any disputation make.

To them where in the field they sate the King Alfonso spake: ”Hearken, ye Heirs of Carrion, what thing to you I say: In Toledo ye contrived it, but ye did not wish this fray.

Of my lord Cid the Campeador I brought these knights all three To Carrion's land, that under my safe-conduct they might be.

Wait justice. Unto evil no wise turn your intent.

Whoso desireth evil with force will I prevent; Such a thing throughout my kingdom he shall bitterly bemoan.”

How downcast were the spirits of the Heirs of Carrion!

Now with the King the judges have marked the boundaries out.

They have cleared all the meadow of people roundabout.

And unto the six champions the boundaries have they shown-- Whoever went beyond them should be held for overthrown.

The folk that round were gathered now all the s.p.a.ce left clear; To approach they were forbiddden within six lengths of a spear.

'Gainst the sun no man they stationed, but by lot gave each his place.

Forth between them came the judges, and the foes are face to face.

Of my lord Cid the henchmen toward the Heirs of Carrion bore, And Carrion's Heirs against them who served the Campeador.

The glance of every champion fixes on his man forthright; Before their b.r.e.a.s.t.s the bucklers with their hands have they gripped tight, The lances with the pennons now have they pointed low, And each bends down his countenance over the saddlebow; Thereon the battle-chargers with the sharp spurs smote they, And fain the earth had shaken where the steeds sprang away.

The glance of every champion fixes on his man forthright.

Three against three together now have they joined the fight.

Whoso stood round for certain deemed that they dead would fall.

Per Vermudoz the challenge who delivered first of all, Against Ferrand Gonzalvez there face to face he sped.

They smote each other's bucklers withouten any dread.

There has Ferrand Gonzalvez pierced don Pero's target through.

Well his lance-shaft in two places he shattered it in two.

Unto the flesh it came not, for there glanced off the steel.

Per Vermudoz sat firmly, therefore he did not reel.

For every stroke was dealt him, the buffet back he gave, He broke the boss of the buckler, the s.h.i.+eld aside he drave.

He clove through guard and armour, naught availed the man his gear.

Nigh the heart into the bosom he thrust the battle-spear.