Chapter LVII

"Ha! lay aside your booty now, every cavalier, And take in hand your weapons, and get on your battle-gear. Count don Remónd against us will deliver battle strong; Great bands of Moors and Christians he brings with him along. He will not for any reason without fighting let us go. Here let us have the battle since they pursue us so. So get you on your armour and girth the horses tight. Down the hill they come in hosen and their saddles are but light, And loose their girths. Each man of us has a Galician selle, And moreover with the jackboots are our hosen covered well. We should beat them though we numbered but fivescore cavaliers. Before they reach the level, let us front them with the spears. For each you strike three saddles thereby shall empty go. Who was the man he hunted, Remónd Berenguél shall know This day in Tévar's pine grove, who would take from me my prey."