The Lay of the Cid Part 21

To me or unto whom I will, they shall pay the money down."

Very great was the rejoicing in Valencia the town That rose in all the levies of the Cid Campeador, That G.o.d's will hath vouchsafed them to triumph in the war.

Likewise of both his sons-in-law excelling was the mirth, For each of them won booty five thousand marks in worth.

Themselves they deem right wealthy, those Heirs of Carrion twain.

And they with all the others to the palace came again.

With my lord the Cid the Bishop don Jerome standeth here.

And the good AIvar Fanez, the fighting cavalier.

Of the Campeador his household are many others by.

When the heirs of Carrion entered, they were given greeting high.

By Minaya for the sake of my lord Cid Campeador: "Come, brothers, by your presence now are we honored more."

When they were come the Campeador was merry of his cheer: "Lo! now behold, my sons-in-law, my faithful wife and dear, With Dame Sol and Dame Elvira that are my daughters twain, Now n.o.bly may they serve you and n.o.bly entertain.

Now glory to Saint Mary, Mother of our Lord! G.o.d's name!

You are like from these your marriages to win abundant fame.

Unto the land of Carrion fair tidings shall be sped."

CXXIII.

Out spake the Heir Ferrando when all the word was said: "Glory to the Creator, and, n.o.ble Cid, to thee.

We have so many riches that numberless they be.

Through you we have much honor, and we have fought for you; We conquered the Moriscos in the battle, and we slew King Bucar, proven traitor, so pray you have a care Now for some other matter; well marcheth our affair."

My lord the Cid his henchmen spake smiling round about Of whoso fought most fiercely or best pursued the rout.

But Diego and Ferrando mid such men they did not find.

And now in all the j.a.ping the henchmen had designed Both day and night together they mocked sore the Heirs again.

A very evil counsel together took the twain.

Verily they are brothers, forthwith apart they turn To the thing that they have spoken, let us have no concern.

"Let us return to Carrion. Here overlong we wait.

The riches wc have gathered are excellent and great.

We cannot hope to spend them in the mountance of our lives.

CXXIV.

"Now of the Cid the Campeador let us demand our wives.

Let us say that we will bear them to the lands of Carrion.

The place where they are heiresses shall unto them be shown.

We shall take them from Valencia, from the Campeador his reach.

And then upon the journey we shall work our will on each, Ere the matter of the lion for a sore reproach and scorn They turn to our discomfort who are heirs of Carrion born.

We shall bear with us of treasure nigh priceless a fair stock.

Of the daughters of the Campeador we two shall make our mock.

We shall be rich men always who possess such valiant things, And fit to marry daughters of emperors or kings, Who art the Counts of Carrion by virtue of our birth.

The Campeador his daughters we shall mock at in our mirth.

Ere the matter of the lion they throw at us in disdain."

When this they had decided the two returned again.

Ontspake Ferrand Golzalvez for silence in the Court:

"Cid Campeador, so may our G.o.d abide thy strong support, May it please Dame Ximena, but first seem good to thee, And Minaya Alvar Fanez and all men here that be Give us our wives. By marriage are they ours in very deed.

Unto our lands in Carrion those ladies we will lead.

With the dower-lands to enfeoff them that we gave for bridal right Of the lands of our possession, thy daughters shall have sight, And those wherein the children to be born to us shall share."

The Cid my lord the Campeador scented no insult there: "I shall give you my daughters and of my wealth dispone.

Ye gave them glebe of dowry in the lands of Carrion, Three thousands marks of dower shall to my girls belong.

I will give mules and palfreys both excellent and strong, And great steeds of battle swift and of mighty thew, And cloth and silken garments with the gold woven through.

Colada and Tizon the swords I will give to you likewise Full well ye know I got them in very gallant guise.

My sons ye are, for to you do I give my daughters two.

My very heart's blood thither ye carry home with you.

In Leon and in Galicia and Castile let all men hear How I sent forth my sons-in-law with such abundant gear.

And serve you well my daughters, your wedded wives that be.

An you serve them well rich guerdon ye shall obtain of me."

To this the heirs of Carrion their full a.s.sent made plain.

The daughters of the Campeador were given them and ta'en, And they began receiving as the Cid's orders went.

When of all their heart's desire they were at last content, Then Carrion's heirs commanded that the packs be loaded straight,

Through Valencia the city was the press of business great, And all have taken weapons and all men gallop strong, For they must forth the daughters of the Cid to speed along Unto the lands of Carrion. To mount all men prepare, Farewell all men are saying. But the two sisters there, Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, kneeled to the Cid Campeador: "A boon, so may G.o.d keep thee, O father, we implore.

Thou begottest us. Our mother she brought us forth in pain.

Our liege-lord and our lady, here do ye stand ye twain.

Now to the lands of Carrion to send us is your will; It is our bounden duty thy commandment to fulfil.

And so we two together ask but this boon of thee, That in the lands of Carrion thy tidings still may be."

My lord the Cid has clasped them, and he has kissed the twain.

CXXV.

This hath he done. Their mother hath doubled it again.

"Go, daughters! the Creator of you henceforth have care Mine and your father's blessing you still with you shall bear.

Go forth where you are dowered in Carrion to dwell.

I have, after my thinking, married you pa.s.sing well."

The hands of their father and their mother kissed the two.

Blessing and benediction they gave to them anew.

My lord Cid and the others have fettled them to ride, With armor and with horses and caparisons of pride.

From Valencia the splendid were the Heirs departing then.

They took leave of the ladies and all their bands of men.

Through the meadow of Valencia forth under arms they went.

The Cid and all his armies were very well content.

He who in good hour belted brand in signs had seen it plain That these marriages in no way should stand without a stain.

But since the twain are married, he may not repent him now.

CXXVI.

"My nephew Felez Munoz, I prithee where art thou?

Thou art my daughters' cousin in thy soul and in thine heart.

With them even unto Carrion I command thee to depart.

Thou shalt see what lands for dower to my girls are given o'er, And shalt come again with tidings unto the Campeador.''

Quoth Felez Munoz: "Heart and soul that duty pleases me."

Minaya Alvar Fanez before the Cid came he: "Back to the town of Valencia, Oh Cid, now let us go; For if our G.o.d and Father the Creator's will be so, To Carrion's lands thy daughters to visit we shall wend.

Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, to G.o.d do we commend.

Such things may you accomplish as will make us glad and fain."

The sons-in-law gave answer: "Now that may G.o.d ordain."