Chapter XXXII

The Cid with all his booty lieth in Alcocér. He let the tent be sent for, that he left behind him there. It irked the men of Teca, wroth in Terrér were they; Know ye on all Calatayúd sorely the thing did weigh. To the Sovereign of Valencia they sent the news apace: How that the King Alfonso hath banished in disgrace One whom men call my lord the Cid, Roy Diaz of Bivár, He came to lodge by Alcocér, and strong his lodgings are. He drew them out to ambush; he has won the castle there. "If thou aidest not needs must thou lose both Teca and Terrér, Thou wilt have lost Calatayúd that cannot stand alone. All things will go to ruin on the banks of the Jalón, And round about Jilóca on the far bank furthermore."

When the King Tamín had heard it, his heart was troubled sore: "Here do I see three Moorish kings. Let two without delay With three thousand Moors and weapons for the fight ride there away; Likewise they shall be aided by the men of the frontier. See that ye take him living and bring him to me here. He must pay for the realm's trespass till I be satisfied."

Three thousand Moors have mounted and fettled them to ride. All they unto Segórbe have come to lodge that night. The next day they got ready to ride at morning light. In the evening unto Celfa they came the night to spend. And there they have determined for the borderers to send. Little enow they tarried; from every side they came. Then they went forth from Celfa (of Canál it has its name), Never a whit they rested, but marched the livelong day. And that night unto their lodging in Calatayúd came they. And they sent forth their heralds through the length of all the land. A great and sovran army they gathered to their hand. With the two Kings Fáriz and Gálve (these are the names they bear). They will besiege my noble lord the Cid in Alcocér.