Chapter CXI

To make beautiful the palace, then one and all began. There was displayed much arras on wall and pavement both, Much purple and much samite and store of precious cloth. 'Twould have pleased you in that palace to have sat you down to eat. And speedily together did his knights assembled meet.

And for the Heirs of Carrión as at that time they sent, To horse they got and onward to the palace forth they went. And fine is all their raiment, and stuff of proof likewise. They came afoot and properly, God! in what lowly guise! The Cid and all his vassals received them when they came. They bowed the head before him; they bowed before his dame; Straightway to take their places on a noble seat they strode. Of my lord Cid all the henchmen exceeding wisdom showed, His speech who in good hour was born in quiet they expect.

And now the noble Campeador hath risen up erect: "Since such a deed is toward, why do we tarry here? Come hither Alvar Fañez whom I cherish and hold dear. My daughters twain, behold them, to thy hand I give them o'er. Be it known so to perform it unto the King I swore, To fail in our agreement is in no way mine intent. To the Heirs of Carrión their brides, now with thine hand present; Let them have benediction and speed the wedding through."

To him replied Minaya: "This will I gladly do."

The ladies rose. He gave them into Minaya's care. To Carrión's Heirs, Minaya now doth his charge declare: "Lo! Minaya here before you, ye brothers born that be! By the hand of King Alfonso, who has laid this charge on me, I give to you these ladies that are both of noble blood, That to wife ye take them nobly and in fair guise and good."

And with a will and gladly to take their brides they came, And they kissed the hands straightway of my lord Cid and his dame.

They came forth from the palace when all these things were done. And then unto Saint Mary's in haste they got them gone. Bishop Jerome his vestments swiftly to him has ta 'en, And he abode the coming at the portal of the fane. He has given them his blessing, and chanted mass in course.

When from the church they issued with speed they got to horse. They hastened from Valencia forth on the sandy shore. God! the Cid and his companions, how well their arms they bore! He who in happy hour was born, three times hath changed his steed. With what he saw my lord the Cid was well content indeed, For the two heirs of Carrión have well their steeds bestrode. With the ladies to Valencia then home again they rode. In that fair hold resplendent was the wedding that they had. To rear up seven quintains the Cid next morning bade; Before they went to dinner, were the seven burst in twain.

Full fifteen days together at the wedding they remain. The fifteen days well nigh are done; homeward the nobles ride. My lord Cid don Rodrigo who was born in a good tide Of the mules and the palfreys and the battle-chargers swift, Of beasts alone an hundred has granted forth in gift, And cloaks, fur capes, and raiment of other sort great store, and bestowed wealth in money in abundance furthermore. The vassals of my lord the Cid, for they had counselled so, For their part bridal tokens upon the guests bestow. He came by great possession whoso thereof was fain, Who was at the bridal, wealthy came to Castile again. Now are all these guests together about to ride away; To Roy Diaz in good hour born their last devoirs they pay, And likewise to the ladies, and his men of high descent. My lord Cid and his vassals they left in high content. They said much honor of them as was indeed their due. Diégo and Ferrándo were passing merry too; Of the Count don Gonzálvo they were the children twain.

And now the guests came homeward unto Castile again. The Cid and his two sons-in-law in Valencia they stay. There dwell the Heirs until two years have well nigh passed away. It was a mighty welcome in that city that they had. The Cid and all his vassals were all exceeding glad. Saint Mary and our Father, may it please them to consent That the Cid and he who wrought it with the bridal be content. Of this Cantar the couplets come now unto their end. The Saints and the Creator preserve you and defend.

CANTAR III

THE AFFRONT OF CORPES