The Lay of the Cid Part 6

From the Cid's men, of water have they cut off all the store.

My lord the Cid's brave squadrons great l.u.s.t to fight they had, But he who in good hour was born firmly the thing forbade.

For full three weeks together they hemmed the city in.

x.x.xIV.

When three weeks were well nigh over and the fourth would soon begin, My lord Cid and his henchmen agreed after this guise:

"They have cut us off from water; and our food must fail likewise.

They will not grant unto us that we depart by night, And very great is their power for us to face and fight.

My knights what is your pleasure, now say, that we shall do.?

Then first outspake Minaya the good knight and the true:

"Forth from Castile the n.o.ble unto this place we sped; If with the Moors we fight not, they will not give us bread.

Here are a good six hundred and some few more beside.

In the name of the Creator let nothing else betide: Let us smite on them tomorrow."

The Campeador said he: "Minaya Alvar Fanez, thy speaking liketh me.

Thou hast done thyself much honor, as of great need thou must."

All the Moors, men and women, he bade them forth to thrust That none his secret counsel might understand aright And thereupon they armed them all through that day and night.

And the next day in the dawning when soon the sun should rise, The Cid was armed and with him all the men of his emprise.

My lord the Cid spake to them even as you shall hear.

"Let all go forth, let no one here tarry in the rear, Save only two footsoldiers the gates to watch and s.h.i.+eld.

They will capture this our castle, if we perish in the field; But if we win, our fortunes shall grow both great and fair.

Per Vermudoz, my banner I bid thee now to bear; As thou art very gallant, do thou keep it without stain.

But unless I so shall order thou shalt not loose the rein."

He kissed the Cid's hand. Forth he ran the battle-flag to take.

They oped the gates, and outward in a great rush did they break.

And all the outposts of the Moor beheld them coming on, And back unto the army forthwith they got them gone.

What haste there was among the Moors! To arm they turned them back.

With the thunder of the war-drum the earth was like to crack.

There might you see Moors arming, that swift their ranks did close.

Above the Moorish battle two flags-in-chief arose, But of their mingling pennons the number who shall name?

Now all the squadrons of the Moors marching right onward came, That the Cid and all his henchmen they might capture out of hand.

"My gallant men here in this place see that ye firmly stand, Let no man leave the war-ranks till mine order I declare."

Per Vermudoz, he found it too hard a thing to bear, He spurred forth with the banner that in his hand he bore:

"May the Creator aid thee, thou true Cid Campeador, Through the line of battle yonder thy standard I will take; I shall see how you bring succor, who must for honor's sake."

Said the Campeador: "Of charity, go not to the attack."

For answer said Per Vermudoz: "Is naught shall hold me back."

Spurring the steed he hurled him through the strong line of the foes.

The serried Moors received him and smote him mighty blows, To take from him the banner; yet they could not pierce his mail.

Said the Campeador: "Of charity go help him to prevail."

x.x.xV.

Before their b.r.e.a.s.t.s the war-s.h.i.+elds there have they buckled strong, The lances with the pennons they laid them low along, And they have bowed their faces over the saddlebow, And thereaway to strike them with brave hearts did they go.

He who in happy hour was born with a great voice did call:

"For the love of the Creator, smite them, my gallants ah.

I am Roy Diaz of Bivar, the Cid, the Campeador."

At the rank where was Per Vermudoz the mighty strokes they bore.

They are three hundred lances that each a pennon bear.

At one blow every man of them his Moor has slaughtered there, And when they wheeled to charge anew as many more were slain.

x.x.xV.

You might see great clumps of lances lowered and raised again, And many a s.h.i.+eld of leather pierced and shattered by the stroke, And many a coat of mail run through, its meshes all to-broke, And many a white pennon come forth all red with blood, And running without master full many a charger good.

Cried the Moors "Mahound!" The Christians shouted on Saint James of grace.

On the field Moors thirteen hundred were slain in little s.p.a.ce.

x.x.xVII.

On his gilded selle how strongly fought the Cid, the splendid knight.

And Minaya Alvar Fanez who Zorita held of right, And brave Martin Antolinez that in Burgos did abide, And likewise Muno Gustioz, the Cid's esquire tried!

So also Martin Gustioz who ruled Montemayor, And by Alvar Salvadorez Alvar Alvarez made war And Galind Garciaz the good knight that came from Aragon, There too came Felez Munoz the Cid his brother's son.

As many as were gathered there straightway their succor bore, And they sustained the standard and the Cid Campeador.

x.x.xVIII.

Of Minaya Alvar Fanez the charger they have slain The gallant bands of Christians came to his aid amain.

His lance was split and straightway he set hand upon the glaive, What though afoot, no whit the less he dealt the buffets brave.

The Cid, Roy Diaz of Castile, saw how the matter stood.

He hastened to a governor that rode a charger good.

With his right hand he smote him such a great stroke with the sword That the waist he clave; the half of him he hurled unto the sward.

To Minaya Alvar Fanez forthwith he gave the steed.

"Right arm of mine, Minaya, now horse thee with all speed!

I shall have mighty succor from thee this very day.

The Moors leave not the battle; firm standeth their array, And surely it behooves us to storm their line once more."

Sword in hand rode Minaya; on their host he made great war, Whom he overtook soever, even to death he did.

He who was born in happy hour, Roy Diaz, my lord Cid, Thrice smote against King Fariz. Twice did the great strokes fail, But the third found the quarry. And down his s.h.i.+rt of mail Streamed the red blood. To leave the field he wheeled his horse away.

By that one stroke the foeman were conquered in the fray.

x.x.xIX.

And Martin Antolinez a heavy stroke let drive At Galve. On his helmet the rubies did he rive; The stroke went through the helmet for it reached unto the flesh.

Be it known, he dared not tarry for the man to strike afresh.

King Fariz and King Galve, but beaten men are they.

What a great day for Christendom! On every side away Fled the Moors. My lord Cid's henchmen still striking gave them chase.

Into Terrer came Fariz, but the people of the place Would not receive King Galve. As swiftly as he might Onward unto Calatayud he hastened in his flight.

And after him in full pursuit came on the Campeador.

Till they came unto Calatayud that chase they gave not o'er.

XL.

Minaya Alvar Fanez hath a horse that gallops well.

Of the Moors four and thirty that day before him fell.

And all his arm was b.l.o.o.d.y, for 'tis a biting sword; And streaming from his elbow downward the red blood poured.