Chapter LXII

"Ho! Count, do thou eat somewhat," even so my lord Cid spoke, "If thou dost not eat, thou shalt not look again on Christian folk; If in such guise thou eatest that my will is satisfied, Thyself, Count, and, moreover, two noblemen beside Will I make free of your persons and set at liberty."

And when the Count had heard it exceeding glad was he. "Cid, if thou shalt perform it, this promise thou dost give, Thereat I much shall marvel as long as I shall live." "Eat then, oh Count; when fairly thy dinner thou hast ta'en I will then set at liberty thee and the other twain. But what in open battle thou didst lose and I did earn, Know that not one poor farthing's worth to thee will I return, For I need it for these henchmen who hapless follow me. They shall be paid with what I win from others as from thee. With the Holy Father's favor we shall live after this wise, Like banished men who have not any grace in the King's eyes."

Glad was the Count. For water he asked his hands to lave. And that they brought before him, and quickly to him gave. The Count of Barcelona began to eat his fill With the men the Cid had given him, and God! with what a will! He who in happy hour was born unto the Count sate near:

"Ha! Count, if now thou dinest not with excellent good cheer, And to my satisfaction, here we shall still delay, And we twain in no manner shall go forth hence away." Then said the Count: "Right gladly and according to my mind!" With his two knights at that season in mighty haste he dined. My lord the Cid was well content that all his eating eyed, For the Count don Remónd his hands exceeding nimbly plied.

"If thou art pleased, my lord the Cid, in guise to go are we. Bid them bring to us our horses; we will mount speedily. Since I was first Count, never have I dined with will so glad, Nor shall it be forgotten what joy therein I had."

They gave to them three palfreys. Each had a noble selle. Good robes of fur they gave them, and mantles fair as well. Count don Remónd rode onward with a knight on either side. To the camp's end the Castilian along with them did ride.

"Ha! Count, forth thou departest to freedom fair and frank; For what thou hast left with me I have thee now to thank. If desire to avenge it is present to thy mind, Send unto me beforehand when thou comest me to find. Either that thou wilt leave thy goods or part of mine wilt seize."

"Ha! my lord Cid, thou art secure, be wholly at thine ease. Enough have I paid to thee till all this year be gone. As for coming out to find thee, I will not think thereon."