The Lay of the Cid Part 2

Said Martin, "Let the chests be ta'en as swiftly as may be, Take them, Raquel and Vidas, and keep them in your care.

And we shall even go with you that the money we may bear, For ere the first c.o.c.k croweth must my lord the Cid depart."

At the loading of the coffers you had seen great joy of heart.

For they could not heave the great chests up though they were stark and hale.

Dear was the minted metal to Vidas and Raquel; And they would be rich forever till their two lives it were o'er

X.

The hand of my good lord the Cid, Raquel had kissed once more: "Ha! Campeador, in happy hour thou girdedst on the brand.

Forth from Castile thou goest to the men of a strange land.

Such is become thy fortune and great thy gain shall be Ah Cid, I kiss thine hands again--but make a gift to me Bring me a Moorish mantle splendidly wrought and red."

"So be it. It is granted," the Cid in answer said, "If from abroad I bring it, well doth the matter stand; If not, take it from the coffers I leave here in your hand."

And then Raquel and Vidas bore the two chests away.

With Martin Antolinez into Burgos entered they.

And with fitting care, and caution unto their dwelling sped.

And in the midmost of the hall a plaited quilt they spread.

And a milk-white cloth of linen thereon did they unfold.

Three hundred marks of silver before them Martin told.

And forthwith Martin took them, no whit the coins he weighed.

Then other marks three hundred in gold to him they paid.

Martin had five esquires. He loaded all and one.

You shall hear what said don Martin when all this gear was done:

"Ha! don Raquel and Vidas, ye have the coffers two.

Well I deserve a guerdon, who obtained this prize for you."

XI.

Together Vidas and Raquel stepped forth apart thereon: "Let us give him a fair present for our profit he has won.

Good Martin Antolinez in Burgos that dost dwell, We would give thee a fair present for thou deserves well.

Therewith get breeches and a cloak and mantle rich and fine.

Thou hast earned it. For a present these thirty marks are thine.

For it is but just and honest, and, moreover, thou wilt stand Our warrant in this bargain whereto we set our hand."

Don Martin thanked them duly and took the marks again.

He yearned to leave the dwelling and well he wished the twain.

He is gone out from Burgos. O'er the Arlanzon he went.

And him who in good hour was born he found within his tent.

The Cid arose and welcomed him, with arms held wide apart: "Thou art come, Antolinez, good va.s.sal that thou art!

May you live until the season when you reap some gain of me."

"Here have I come, my Campeador, with as good heed as might be.

Thou hast won marks six hundred, and thirty more have I.

Ho! order that they strike the tents and let us swiftly fly.

In San Pedro de Cardenas let us hear the c.o.c.k ere day.

We shall see your prudent lady, but short shall be our stay.

And it is needful for us from the kingdom forth to wend, For the season of our suffrance drawns onward to its end."

XII.

They spake these words and straightaway the tent upgathered then, My lord the Cid rode swiftly with all his host of men.

And forth unto Saint Mary's the horse's head turned he, And with his right hand crossed himself: "G.o.d, I give thanks to thee Heaven and Earth that rulest. And thy favor be my weal Holy Saint Mary, for forthright must I now quit Castile.

For I look on the King with anger, and I know not if once more I shall dwell there in my life-days. But may thy grace watch o'er My parting, Blessed Virgin, and guard me night and day.

If thou do so and good fortune come once more in my way, I will offer rich oblations at thine altar, and I swear Most solemnly that I will chant a thousand ma.s.ses there."

XIII.

And the lord Cid departed fondly as a good man may.

Forthwith they loosed the horses, and out they spurred away.

Said good Martin Antolinez in Burgos that did dwell: "I would see my lady gladly and advise my people well What they shall do hereafter. It matters not to me Though the King take all. Ere sunrise I shall come unto thee."

XIV.

Martin went back to Burgos but my lord the Cid spurred on To San Pedro of Cardenas as hard as horse could run, With all his men about him who served him as is due.

And it was nigh to morning, and the c.o.c.ks full oft they crew, When at last my lord the Campeador unto San Pedro came.

G.o.d's Christian was the Abbot. Don Sancho was his name; And he was saying matins at the breaking of the day.

With her five good dames in waiting Ximena there did pray.

They prayed unto Saint Peter and G.o.d they did implore: "O thou who guidest all mankind, succor the Campeador."

XV.

One knocked at the doorway, and they heard the tidings then.

G.o.d wot the Abbot Sancho was the happiest of men.

With the lights and with the candles to the court they ran forth right, And him who in good hour was born they welcomed in delight.

"My lord Cid," quoth the Abbot, "Now G.o.d be praised of grace!

Do thou accept my welcome, since I see thee in this place."

And the Cid who in good hour was born, hereunto answered he:

"My thanks to thee, don Sancho, I am content with thee.

For myself and for my va.s.sals provision will I make.

Since I depart to exile, these fifty marks now take.

If I may live my life-span, they shall be doubled you.

To the Abbey not a groatsworth of damage will I do.

For my lady do I give you an hundred marks again, Herself, her dames and daughters for this year do you maintain.

I leave two daughters with you, but little girls they be.

In thine arms keep them kindly. I commend them here to thee.

Don Sancho do thou guard them, and of my wife take care.

If thou wantest yet and lackest for anything whate'er, Look well to their provision, thee I conjure once more, And for one mark that thou spendest the Abbey shall have four."

And with glad heart the Abbot his full a.s.sent made plain.

And lo! the Dame Ximena came with her daughters twain.

Each had her dame-in-waiting who the little maiden bore.

And Dame Ximena bent the knee before the Campeador.

And fain she was to kiss his hand, and, oh, she wept forlorn!

"A boon! A boon! my Campeador. In a good hour wert thou born.

And because of wicked slanderers art thou banished from the land.

XVI.

"Oh Campeador fair-bearded, a favor at thy hand!

Behold I kneel before thee, and thy daughters are here with me, That have seen of days not many, for children yet they be, And these who are my ladies to serve my need that know.

Now well do I behold it, thou art about to go.

Now from thee our lives a season must sunder and remove, But unto us give succor for sweet Saint Mary's love."