Chapter LXXVII

He bade them meet together at the palace, in the hall. When he found them met together he had them numbered o'er. Bivár's great Cid had with him thousands three, and thirty score. His heart was glad within him, and a smile was on his face. "Thanks be to God, Minaya, and to Mary Mother's grace. Out from Bivár the city we led a lesser power. Wealth have we, and shall have greater as at some later hour.

"Minaya, if it please thee, if it seemeth good to thee, To Castile I fain would send thee, where our possessions be, Unto the King Alphonso that is my lord by right. Out of the mighty plunder we won here in the fight I would give him five score horses, the which to him now take; kiss thou his hand and earnestly plead with him for the sake Of my wife Xiména and the twain, maids of my blood that be, If yet it be his pleasure that they be brought to me.

I will send for them. But be it known how this my message runs: The lady of my lord the Cid and her maids, my little ones, Men shall seek for in such fashion that They shall come to the strange country we have conquered by our might."

To him Minaya answered: "Yea and with right good heart." After they thus had spoken they got ready to depart. The Cid to Alvar Fañez an hundred men decreed To do his will, and serve him on the journey at his need. And he bade give to San Pedro marks of silver fifty score, And beside to Abbot Sancho a full five hundred morn

LXXVIII. Of these things while they were joyous, came thither from the East, A clerk, the Bishop don Jerome, so all men called that priest. Excelling was his knowledge, and prudent was his rede, 'Twas a mighty man of valor afoot or on the steed. Of the Cid's deeds the tidings he was seeking to procure, And he yearned sore, ever sighing for battle with the Moor. If his fill of fight and wounding with his hands he e'er should get, Therefore a Christian never need have reason for regret. When my lord the Cid had heard it, he was well pleased thereby:

"Hark, Minaya Alvar Fañez, by him who is on high, When the Lord God would aid us, let us give Him thanks again. . Round Valencia a bishopric to stablish I am fain, And I will further give it unto this Christian leal. Thou shalt bear with thee good tidings when thou goest to Castile."