Chapter XXXVIII

Of Minaya Alvar Fañez the charger they have slain The gallant bands of Christians came to his aid amain. His lance was split and straightway he set hand upon the glaive, What though afoot, no whit the less he dealt the buffets brave. The Cid, Roy Diaz of Castile, saw how the matter stood. He hastened to a governor that rode a charger good. With his right hand he smote him such a great stroke with the sword That the waist he clave; the half of him he hurled unto the sward. To Minaya Alvar Fañez forthwith he gave the steed. "Right arm of mine, Minaya, now horse thee with all speed! I shall have mighty succor from thee this very day.

The Moors leave not the battle; firm standeth their array, And surely it behooves us to storm their line once more."

Sword in hand rode Minaya; on their host he made great war, Whom he overtook soever, even to death he did. He who was born in happy hour, Roy Diaz, my lord Cid, Thrice smote against King Fáriz. Twice did the great strokes fail, But the third found the quarry. And down his shirt of mail Streamed the red blood. To leave the field he wheeled his horse away. By that one stroke the foeman were conquered in the fray.