Chapter CXIX

And now with all that booty, homeward again they wheeled. And be it known that steadfastly they plundered all the field. With him who in good hour was born to the fonts they came once more; My lord the Cid Roy Diaz, the famous Campeador, With two swords he greatly cherished through the carnage swiftly passed. O'er his brow his cap was wrinkled, back was his mail-hood cast, And but a little ruffled was the cap upon his hair. On every side his henchmen came thronging to him there. My lord the Cid saw somewhat and was well pleased thereby, For he looked forth before him lifting up his eyes on high. And Diégo and Ferrándo he beheld, that near him drew. Of the Count don Gonzalvo the children were the two. My lord the Cid smiled beautifully, for a glad man was he.

"Are ye come here, my sons-in-law? Ye are both sons to me. I know that with the fighting ye are right well content. To Carrión fair tidings that concern you shall be sent, How by us the King Búcar unto defeat was thrust. As sure as unto the Lord God and all his saints I trust, With the rout of the foeman shall we all we be satisfied. Minaya Alvar Fañez came now unto his side. Hacked with the swords was all the shield that at his neck he wore. The strokes of many lances had scarred it furthermore. They that those strokes had stricken, had reaped therefrom no gain. Down the blood streamed from his elbows. More than twenty had he slain. "To God and to the Father on High now praises be, And Cid who in good hour wast born so likewise unto thee. Thou slewest the King Búcar, and we ha' won the day. To thee and to thy vassals belongeth all the prey. And as for thy two sons-in-law they have been proved aright, Who got their fill of Moorish war upon the field of fight."

Said my lord Cid in answer, I therefore am right glad. Since they are proved, hereafter in esteem shall they be had."

In honesty he said it, but a jest the thing they thought. The prey unto Valencia they gathered and they brough't. My lord the Cid was merry and his vassals with him there. Six hundred marks of silver were allotted to his share.

The sons-in-law of my lord Cid, when they had ta'en away Their war-prize, when the booty safe in their hand had they, Took care that no decrease thereof should in their time be made. In the city of Valencia they were splendidly arrayed, Feeding well, and wearing noble cloaks and gallant capes of fur. The Cid and all his henchmen exceeding glad they were.