Chapter XCIV

And now broke forth the morning, and now drew back the night. Those bands of Christ delayed not to get ready for the fight. At the middle cocks ere morning, mass for them Jerome did chant, And mass said, absolution in full to them did grant:

"Who face to face shall perish this day the fight within, May Christ receive his spirit, on my soul I take his sin. Cid, don Rodrigo, in good hour thou girdedst brand; to thee I sang the mass this morning. Grant then my boon to me: Give me to strike the foremost the first stroke of the war." "The thing to thee is granted," answered the Campeador.