Chapter IV

Fain had they made him welcome, but none dared do the thing For fear of Don Alfonso, and the fury of the King. His mandate unto Burgos came ere the evening fell. With utmost care they brought it, and it was sealed well 'That no man to Roy Diaz give shelter now, take heed And if one give him shelter, let him know in very deed He shall lose his whole possession, nay! the eyes within his head Nor shall his soul and body be found in better stead.'

Great sorrow had the Christians, and from his face they hid. Was none dared aught to utter unto my lord the Cid.

Then the Campeador departed unto his lodging straight. But when he was come thither, they had locked and barred the gate. In their fear of King Alfonso had they done even so. An the Cid forced not his entrance, neither for weal nor woe Durst they open it unto him. Loudly his men did call. Nothing thereto in answer said the folk within the hall. My lord the Cid spurred onward, to the doorway did he go. He drew his foot from the stirrup, he smote the door one blow. Yet the door would not open, for they had barred it fast. But a maiden of nine summers came unto him at last:

"Campeador, in happy hour thou girdedst on the sword. 'This the King's will. Yestereven came the mandate of our lord. With utmost care they brought it, and it was sealed with care: None to ope to you or greet you for any cause shall dare. And if we do, we forfeit houses and lands instead. Nay we shall lose, moreover, the eyes within the head And, Cid, with our misfortune, naught whatever dost thou gain. But may God with all his power support thee in thy pain."

So spake the child and turned away. Unto her home went she. That he lacked the King's favor now well the Cid might see. He left the door; forth onward he spurred through Burgos town. When he had reached Saint Mary's, then he got swiftly down He fell upon his knee and prayed with a true heart indeed: and when the prayer was over, he mounted on the steed. North from the gate and over the Arlanzon he went. Here in the sand by Burgos, the Cid let pitch his tent. Roy Diaz, who in happy hour had girded on the brand, Since none at home would greet him, encamped there on the sand. With a good squadron, camping as if within the wood. They will not let him in Burgos buy any kind of food. Provender for a single day they dared not to him sell.