The Lay of the Cid Part 8

The hill, where his encampment in that season he had made, While the Moorish folk endureth, while there are Christians still, Shall they ever name in writing 'My Lord the Cid, his Hill.'

While he was there great ravage in all the land he made, Under tribute the whole valley of the Martin he laid.

And unto Zaragoza did the tidings of him go, Nor pleased the Moors; nay rather they were filled with grievous woe.

For fifteen weeks together my lord Cid there did stay.

When the good knight saw how greatly Minaya did delay, Then forth with all his henchmen on a night march he tried.

And he left all behind him, and forsook the mountain side, Beyond the town of Teruel good don Rodrigo went.

In the pine grove of Tevar Roy Diaz pitched his tent.

And all the lands about him he harried in the raid, And on Zaragoza city a heavy tribute laid.

When this he had accomplished and three weeks had made an end, Out of Castile Minaya unto the Cid did wend.

Two hundred knights were with him that had belted on the brands.

Know ye well that there were many foot-soldiers in his bands.

When the Cid saw Minaya draw near unto his view, With his horse at a full gallop to embrace the man he flew.

He kissed his mouth, his very eyes in that hour kissed the Cid.

And then all things he told him, for naught from him he hid.

Then beautifully upon him smiled the good Campeador: "G.o.d and his righteousness divine be greatly praised therefor.

While thou shalt live, Minaya, well goeth this my game."

L.

G.o.d! How happy was the army that thus Minaya came, For of them they left behind them he brought the tidings in, From comrade and from brethren and the foremost of their kin.

LI.

But G.o.d! What a glad aspect the Cid fair-bearded wore That duly had Minaya paid for ma.s.ses fifty score, And of his wife and daughters all of the state displayed!

G.o.d! How content was he thereat! What n.o.ble cheer he made!

"Ha! Alvar Fanez, many now may thy life-days be.

What fair despatch thou madest! Thou art worth more than we."

LII.

And he who in good hour was born tarried in no way then, But he took knights two hundred, and all were chosen men; And forth when fell the evening a-raiding did they haste.

At Alcaniz the meadows the Campeador laid waste, And gave all places round about to ravage and to sack.

On the third day to whence he came the Cid again turned back.

LIII.

Thro' all the country roundabout have the tidings of them flown.

It grieved the men of Huesca and the people of Monzon.

Glad were they in Zaragoza since the tribute they had paid, For outrage at Roy Diaz's hand no whit were they afraid.

LIV.

Then back to their encampment they hastened with their prey.

All men were very merry for a mighty spoil had they.

The Cid was glad exceeding; Alvar Fanez liked it well.

But the great Cid smiled, for there at ease he could not bear to dwell.

"Ha! All my knights, unto you the truth will I confess: Who still in one place tarries, his fortune will grow less.

Let us tomorrow morning prepare to ride apace, Let us march and leave forever our encampment in this place."

Unto the pa.s.s of Alucat the lord Cid got him gone.

Then to Huesca and to Montalban he hastily marched on.

And ten full days together on that raid they were to ride.

The tidings to all quarters went flying far and wide, how that the Exile from Castile great harm to them had done.

LV.

Afar into all quarters did the tidings of him run.

They brought the message to the Count of Barcelona's hand, How that the Cid Roy Diaz was o'errunning all the land.

He was wroth. For a sore insult the tiding did he take.

LVI.

The Count was a great braggart and an empty word he spake: "Great wrongs he put upon me, he of Bivar, the Cid.

Within my very palace much shame to me he did: He gave no satisfaction though he struck my brother's son; And the lands in my keeping now doth he over-run.

I challenged him not; our pact of peace I did not overthrow; But since he seeks it of me, to demand it I will go."

He gathered the his powers that were exceeding strong, Great bands of Moors and Christians to his array did throng.

After the lord Cid of Bivar they went upon their way, Three nights and days together upon the march were they.

At length in Tevar's pine grove the Cid they have o'erta'en.

So strong were they that captive to take him were they fain.

My lord Cid don Rodrigo bearing great spoil he went.

From the ridge unto the valley he had finished the descent.

And in that place they bore him Count don Remond his word.

My lord Cid sent unto him when the message he had heard:

"Say to the Count that it were well his anger now should cease.

No goods of his I carry. Let him leave me in peace."

Thereto the Count gave answer: "Not so the matter ends.

For what was and is of evil he shall make me full amends.

The Exile shall know swiftly whom he has sought to slight."

Back hastened the amba.s.sador as swiftly as he might.

And then my lord Cid of Bivar knew how the matter lay, And that without a battle they could not get away.

LVII.

"Ha! lay aside your booty now, every cavalier, And take in hand your weapons, and get on your battle-gear.

Count don Remond against us will deliver battle strong; Great bands of Moors and Christians he brings with him along.

He will not for any reason without fighting let us go.

Here let us have the battle since they pursue us so.

So get you on your armour and girth the horses tight.

Down the hill they come in hosen and their saddles are but light, And loose their girths. Each man of us has a Galician selle, And moreover with the jackboots are our hosen covered well.

We should beat them though we numbered but fivescore cavaliers.

Before they reach the level, let us front them with the spears.

For each you strike three saddles thereby shall empty go.

Who was the man he hunted, Remond Berenguel shall know This day in Tevar's pine grove, who would take from me my prey."

LVIII.

When thus the Cid had spoken, were all in good array; They had taken up their weapons and each had got to horse.

They beheld the Frankish army down the hill that held its course.

And at the end of the descent, close to the level land, The Cid who in good hour was born, to charge them gave command.

And this did his good henchmen perform with all their heart; With the pennons and the lances they n.o.bly played their part, Smiting at some, and others overthrowing in their might.

He who was born in happy hour has conquered in the fight.

There the Count don Remond he took a prisoner of war, And Colada the war-falchion worth a thousand marks and more.