All talking with each other thus along their way they passed, But now they've come to Burgos, and met the King at last;When they came near his nobles, a whisper through them ran,--"He rides amidst the gentry that slew the Count Lozan."With very haughty gesture Rodrigo reined his horse, Right scornfully he shouted, when he heard them so discourse, "If any of his kinsmen or vassals dare appear, The man to give them answer, on horse or foot,is here."--"The devil ask the question," thus muttered all the band;--With that they all alighted, to kiss the good King's hand,--All but the proud Rodrigo, he in his saddle stayed,--Then turned to him his father (you may hear the words he said).
"Now, light, my son, I pray thee, and kiss the good King's hand, He is our lord, Rodrigo; we hold of him our land."--But when Rodrigo heard him, he looked in sulky sort, I wot the words he answered they were both cold and short.
"Had any other said it, his pains had well been paid, But thou, sir, art my father, thy word must be obeyed."--With that he sprung down lightly, before the King to kneel, But as the knee was bending, out leapt his blade of steel.
The King drew back in terror, when he saw the sword was bare;"Stand back, stand back, Rodrigo, in the devil's name beware;Your looks bespeak a creature of father Adam's mould, But in your wild behaviour you're like some lion bold."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 Bavieca--I 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." 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 them--they 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 commanding--and 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 Bivar--Mount, 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.
