Chapter XCIII

Even to the pavilions the pursuers would not slack; They had done much and nobly when they thought of turning back. There Alvar Salvadórez a prisoner did remain. Then those that ate his bread returned to the lord Cid again. With his own eyes he beheld it, to his face they spake thereon; My lord the Cid was gladdened of the deeds that they had done. "My knights we cannot other. Then harken unto me: 'Tis a noble day, yet nobler will tomorrow's battle be. Arm you ere dawn. The Bishop don Jerome our souls will shrive, Saying mass for us ere at them we are ready to let drive. It shall be in no other fashion, we will go smite the foe, In God's name and his Apostle's the good Saint James also. For better fight than let them in the land devour our bread." "With a good will and gladly," in reply to him they said

And then outspake Minaya, for nothing tarried he: "Since thou wishest this, give orders of another sort to me. For the sore need of battle grant me six score horse and ten; From the far flank, when thou charges will I fall on them then. On one side or the other the Lord will stand our stead." "With right good will," unto him answered the Cid and said.