Chapter CIV

In the city of Valencia, my lord Cid Campeador Did not tarry, but the parley, he prepared himself therefor. There were stout mules a-many and palfreys swift to course, Great store of goodly armour, and many a fleet war-horse, Many fair cloaks and mantles, and many skins withal; In raiment of all colors are clad both great and small. Minaya Alvar Fañez and Per Vermudóz that wight, Martin Muñoz in Montemayór that held the rule of right, And Martin Antolínez that in Burgos had his home, And that most worthy cleric, the Bishop don Jerome, And with Alvar Salvadórez Alvar Alvarez beside, And likewise Muño Gustióz a gallant knight and tried, Also Galínd Garcíaz, that in Aragon abode, These to ride with the good Campeador got ready for the road. And the people in the palace prepared them all and one.

Unto Alvar Salvadórez and the man of Aragon, Galínd Garcíaz, his command has given the Campeador That heart and soul Valencia they shall guard it and watch o'er. And, moreover, all the others on their behests shall wait. And my lord Cid has ordered that they bar the castle gate And nowise throw it open either by night or day. His wife and his two daughters within the hold are they, Whom he loves best, and the ladies that do their pleasure still. And he has so disposed it, even as a good lord will, That not a soul among them shall venture from the tower, Till to them he returneth, who was born in happy hour.

They issued from Valencia, forward they spurred along. On their right were many horses, that were both swift and strong. The Cid had ta 'en them. No man would have given him a steed. And he rideth to the parley, the which he had decreed With the King. In passage of a day, he came the King before. When anear they saw him coming, the gallant Campeador, With great worship to receive him, forth unto him they ride. When he had looked upon them, who was born in a glad tide, He halted his companions save his knights of dearest worth. With fifteen of his henchmen he leaped down unto the earth, As he who in good hour was born had willed that it should be. Forthwith to earth he bends him on the hand and on the knee. And the grass of the meadow with his very teeth he rent, And wept exceeding sorely so great was his content. How well unto Alfonso to do homage doth he know And there before his sovereign's foot he cast him even so. As for the King Alfonso, at heart it irked him sore: "Rise up! Rise up upon thy feet, O thou Cid Campeador, And kiss my hand, nor prithee in this guise my feet embrace, And if thou wilt not do it, thou shalt not have my grace." But natheless the good Campeador yet knelt on bended knee: "As of my rightful master, I ask a boon of thee, And namely that thy favor on me thou wilt bestow, So that all men about us the thing may hear and know."

Said the King: "Now that right gladly and of good heart will I do; And here I give thee pardon, and my favor I renew. And thee unto my kingdom right welcome I will make."

My lord the Cid addressed him, after this wise he spake: "Gramercy, lord Alfonso, I will take what thou hast given. I will utter forth for this my thanks unto our God in Heaven, And then to thee, and to the bands that round about me stand."

And on his knees yet kneeling, he kissed Alfonso's hand; To his feet he rose, and on the lips greeted him with a kiss. The others in the presence they were well pleased at this. It irked Garci Ordoñez and Alvar Diaz sore.

My lord Cid spake and uttered this saying furthermore.

"To our Father and Creator I offer thanks again, That my lord the King his pardon he vouchsafed me to attain. In the day and the night season the Lord will cherish me. Thou shalt be my guest, my master, if so thy pleasure be." Said the King: "Today in no way were that seemly in my sight. Thou art but now come hither, but we came in last night. Today, therefore, Cid Campeador, thou shalt remain my guest, And on the morrow morning we shall be at thy behest."

My lord the Cid has kissed his hand, granting it should be so. Then came the Heirs of Carrión, their courtesy to show: "We greet thee Cid. Thou wast brought forth in an hour of promise high. And so far will we serve thee as in our power may lie." "So grant it the Creator," to them the Cid replied. The Cid my lord Roy Diaz, who was born in a good tide, Unto the King his master was guest for that day's space, Who could not let him from his sight, he held him in such grace. At the Cid's beard grown so swiftly, long while the King did stare. At the Cid much they marvelled, as many as were there.

And now the day was over, and upon them fell the night. The next day in the morning the sun rose clear and bright. The Cid had bidden his henchmen meat for all men to array. With my lord Cid the Campeador so well content were they That all were very merry, and moreover of one mind That for three years together so well they had not dined.

The next day in the morning, when at last the sun outshone, Then did Jerome the Bishop his matin song intone. And when from mass they issued, all gathered in one place, And the King did not tarry but began his speech apace: "Hear me now, counts and nobles, and all my henchmen leal-- Unto my lord Cid Campeador I needst must make appeal. God grant unto his profit that the thing may prove to be. Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, I ask their hands of thee, That thou wilt in marriage give them to the Heirs of Carrión twain. To me the match seems noble, and thereon there hangs much gain. They ask them of thee. To that end I add my own command. On my side and thine as many as round about us stand, My henchmen and thy henchmen, let them therefor intercede. Give them to us my lord the Cid. So God thee help and speed." Said the Cid: "My girls to marry are hardly yet in state, For their days are not many, nor are their ages great. As for the Heirs of Carrión, much fame of them men say; They suit well with my daughters, and for better e'en than they. 'Twas I begot my daughters, but thou didst rear the twain. They and I for that bounty yet in thy debt remain. Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, unto thee do I present, To whom thou wilt then give them and I will be content."

Said the King: "My thanks unto thee and to all the court I own." Upon their feet got swiftly the Heirs of Carrión; Of him who in good hour was born, lightly they kissed the hands. Before the King Alfonso they made exchange of brands.

Out spake the King Alfonso like a man of gentle race: "My thanks, so noble art thou, but first to God for grace That for the Heirs of Carrión thou givest thy daughters twain. Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, in hand I have them ta'en. To Carrión's Heirs as consorts those ladies I award. I give away thy daughters as brides with thine accord, May it please God that thou therewith in full content mayest rest. Behold, the heirs of Carrión that wait on thy behest. Let them go with thee, prithee, for I from hence must wend. Three hundred marks of silver I give them to this end, To spend upon the marriage or what else pleaseth thee, Since within high Valencia in thy wardship they will be. The sons and the daughters shall thy children be all four; Whate'er shall be thy pleasure, do with them, Campeador."

The Cid received them from him, and the King's hand did kiss. "My sovereign and my master, I think thee well for this. Thou shalt give away my daughters, for I will not do the deed." After the parle was over they gave pledges and agreed That the next day in the morning when forth the sun should flame, All persons at the parley should return to whence they came. Thereby both fame and honor had the lord Cid Campeador, And many mules and mighty, and fair palfreys furthermore, And fine and precious raiment. And to give gifts he began, Whatso he would to who would take, and denied it to no man. As gifts full sixty horses did the lord Cid present. Whoe'er was at the parley therewith was full content. Now were they fain of parting, for night was like to fall.

The King the Heirs of Carrión took by the hand withal, In the power of the Cid Campeador he put them both straightway. "Behold them here thy children; since thy sons-in-law are they; From this day forth do with them as thy heart shall give accord. May they serve thee as their father, and keep thee for their lord."

"I thank thee and accept, O King, the gift which thou hast given. Mayst thou be well rewarded by God who is in heaven.