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When Rodrigo heard him say so； he leapt into his seat； And thence he made his answer； with visage nothing sweet； 〃I'd think it little honour to kiss a kingly palm； And if my father's kissed it； thereof ashamed I am。〃
When he these words had uttered； he turned him from the gate。 His true three hundred gentles behind him followed straight； If with good gowns they came that day； with better arms they went； And if their mules behind did stay； with horses they're content。
Tr。 by Lockhart。
THE CID'S COURTSHIP。
Now； of Rodrigo de Bivar great was the fame that run； How he five Kings had vanquished； proud Moormen every one； And how； when they consented to hold of him their ground； He freed them from the prison wherein they had been bound。
To the good King Fernando； in Burgos where he lay； Came then Ximena Gomez； and thus to him did say： 〃I am Don Gomez； daughter； in Gormaz Count was he； Him slew Rodrigo of Bivar in battle valiantly。
〃Now am I come before you； this day a boon to crave； And it is that I to husband may this Rodrigo have； Grant this； and I shall hold me a happy damosell； Much honoured shall I hold me； I shall be married well。
〃I know he's born for thriving； none like him in the land； I know that none in battle against his spear may stand； Forgiveness is well pleasing in God our Saviour's view； And I forgive him freely； for that my sire he slew。〃
Right pleasing to Fernando was the thing she did propose； He writes his letter swiftly； and forth his foot…page goes； I wot； when young Rodrigo saw how the King did write； He leapt on BaviecaI wot his leap was light。
With his own troop of true men forthwith he took the way； Three hundred friends and kinsmen； all gently born were they； All in one colour mantled； in armour gleaming gay； New were both scarf and scabbard； when they went forth that day。
The King came out to meet him。 with words of hearty cheer； Quoth he； 〃My good Rodrigo； you are right welcome here； This girl Ximena Gomez would have ye for her lord； Already for the slaughter her grace she doth accord。
〃I pray you be consenting； my gladness will be great； You shall have lands in plenty； to strengthen your estate。〃 〃Lord King〃； Rodrigo answers； 〃in this and all beside； Command； and I'll obey you。 The girl shall be my bride。〃
But when the fair Ximena came forth to plight her hand； Rodrigo； gazing on her； his face could not command： He stood and blushed before her；thus at the last said he 〃I slew thy sire； Ximena； but not in villany：…
〃In no disguise I slew him； man against man I stood； There was some wrong between us* and I did shed his blood。 I slew a man； I owe a man； fair lady； by God's grace； An honoured husband thou shalt have in thy dead father's place。〃
＇1＇ See the account of this quarrel； 〃Non es de Sessudos Homes。〃
Tr。 by Lockhart。
BAVIECA。
The favorite warrior horse of the Cid。 There are several more ballads devoted to this charger。
The King looked on him kindly； as on a vassal true； Then to the King Ruy Diaz spake after reverence due； 〃O King； the thing is shameful； that any man beside The liege lord of Castile himself should Bavieca ride：
〃For neither Spain or Araby could another charger bring So good as he； and certes； the best befits my King。 But that you may behold him； and know him to the core； I'll make him go as he was wont when his nostrils smelt the Moor。〃
With that； the Cid； clad as he was in mantle furred and wide； On Bavieca vaulting； put the rowel in his side； And up and down； and round and round； so fierce was his career； Streamed like a pennon on the wind Ruy Diaz' minivere。
And all that saw them praised themthey lauded man and horse； As matched well； and rivalless for gallantry and force Ne'er had they looked on horseman might to this knight come near； Nor on other charger worthy of such a cavalier。
Thus； to and fro a…rushing； the fierce and furious steed； He snapt in twain his hither rein：〃God pity now the Cid。〃 〃God pity Diaz；〃 cried the Lords；but when they looked again； They saw Ruy Diaz ruling him； with the fragment of his rein； They saw him proudly ruling with gesture firm and calm； Like a true lord commandingand obeyed as by a lamb。
And so he led him foaming and panting to the King； But 〃No；〃 said Don Alphonso； 〃it were a shameful thing That peerless Bavieca should ever be bestrid By any mortal but BivarMount； mount again； my Cid。〃
Tr。 by Lockhart。
FROM THE POEM OF THE CID。
The Cid has been banished by King Alphonso； has entered the Moors； country and taken a city。 The Moors rally； gather their allies and surround the Cid's army。 He turns to consult with his men。
〃From water they have out us off； our bread is running low； If we would steal away by night； they will not let us go； Against us there are fearful odds if we make choice to fight； What would ye do now gentlemen； in this our present plight？〃 Minaya was the first to speak： said the stout cavalier； 〃Forth from Castile the gentle thrust； we are but exiles here； Unless we grapple with the Moor bread he will never yield； A good six hundred men or more we have to take the field； In God's name let us falter not； nor countenance delay； But sally forth and strike a blow upon to…morrow's day。〃 〃Like thee the counsel；〃 said my Cid； 〃thou speakest to my mind； And ready to support thy word thy hand we ever find。〃 Then all the Moors that bide within the walls he bids to go Forth from the gates； lest they； perchance； his purpose come to know In making their defences good they spend the day and night； And at the rising of the sun they arm them for the fight。 Then said the Cid： 〃Let all go forth； all that are in our band； Save only two of those on foot； beside the gate to stand。 Here they will bury us if death we meet on yonder plain； But if we win our battle there； rich booty we shall gain。 And thou Pero Bermuez； this my standard thou shalt hold； It is a trust that fits thee well； for thou art stout and bold； But see that thou advance it not unless I give command。〃 Bermuez took the standard and he kissed the Champion's hand。 Then bursting through the castle gates upon the plain they is how； Back on their lines in panic fall the watchmen of the foe。 And hurrying to and fro the Moors are arming all around； While Moorish drums go rolling like to split the very ground； And in hot haste they mass their troops behind their standards twain； Two mighty bands of men…at…arms to count them it were vain。 And now their line comes sweeping on； advancing to the fray； Sure of my Cid and all his band to make an easy prey。 〃Now steady； comrades〃' said my Cid； 〃our ground we have to stand； Let no man stir beyond the ranks until I give command。〃 Bermuez fretted at the word； delay he could not brook； He spurred his charger to the front； aloft the banner shook： 〃O loyal Cid Campeador； God give the aid！ I go To plant thy ensign in among the thickest of the foe； And ye who serve it； be it yours our standard to restore。〃 〃Not soas thou dost love me； stay！〃 called the Campeador。 Came Pero's answer； 〃Their attack I cannot； will not stay。〃 He gave his horse the spur and dashed against the Moors array。 To win the standard eager all the Moors await the shock； Amid a rain of blows he stands