IX. BOOK with these Counts whom I appointed to be Alcaldes in this cause between the Cid and the Infantes of Carrion, and with other honorable and learned men: and this is the sentence which I give; that both the Infantes and Count Suero Gonzalez their fosterer and uncle, forasmuch as it is given me to understand that he was the adviser and abetter in the dishonor which they did unto the daughters of the Cid, shall do battle with such three of the Cid's people as it may please him to appoint, and thereby acquit themselves if they can. When the King had given this sentence, the Cid rose and kissed his hand and said, May God have you, Sir, in his holy keeping long and happy years, seeing you have judged justly, as a righteous King and our natural Lord. I receive your sentence; and now do I perceive that it is your pleasure to show favor unto me, and to advance mine honor, and for this reason I shall ever be at your service. Then Pero Bermudez rose up and went to the Cid and said, A boon, Sir! I beseech you let me be one of those who shall do battle on your part, for such a one do I hold myself to be, and this which they have done is so foul a thing, that I trust in God to take vengeance for it. And the Cid made answer that he was well pleased it should be so, and that he should do battle with Ferrando Gonzalez the eldest; and upon that Pero Bermudez kissed his hand. Then Martin Antolinez of Burgos rose and besought the Cid that he might be another, and the Cid granted his desire, and said that he should do battle with Diego Gonzalez the younger brother. And then Muño Gustioz of Linquella rose and besought the Cid that he might be the third, and the Cid granted it, and appointed him to do battle with Count Suero Gonzalez. And when the Cid had appointed his three champions, the King gave command that the combat should be performed on the morrow; but the Infantes were not prepared to fight so soon, and they besought him of his favor that he would let them go to Carrion, and that they would come prepared for the battle. And the King would not allow this time IX. Chr. del which they requested; howbeit the Counts Don Anrrich BOOK and Don Remond his sons-in-law, and Count Don Nuño, spake with him, and besought him of his grace that he would Cid. cap. allow them three weeks; and the King at their entreaty Chr. Gen. granted it with the pleasure of the Cid. 259. ff. 277. Infantes of Navarre the daugh Cid in XVI. Now when all this had been appointed, as ye have How the heard, and while they were all in the court, there came into Aragon and the Palace messengers from the Kings of Aragon and of sent to ask Navarre, who brought letters to King Don Alfonso, and to ters of the the Cid Campeador, wherein those Kings sent to ask the marriage. daughters of the Cid in marriage; the one for the Infante Don Sancho of Aragon, and the other for the Infante Garcia Ramirez of Navarre. And when they came before the King, they bent their knees and gave him the letters, and delivered their message; the like did they to the Cid. Much were the King and the Cid also pleased at this news, and the King said unto him, What say you to this? And the Cid answered, I and my daughters are at your disposal, do you with us as you shall think good. And the King said I hold it good that they wed with these Infantes, and that from henceforward they be Queens and ladies; and that for the dishonor which they have received, they now receive this honor. And the Cid rose and kissed the hands of the King, and all his knights did the like. These messengers hight, he of Aragon Yñigo Ximenez, and he of Navarre Ochoa Perez. And the King gave order that his letters of consent to these marriages should be given, and the Cid did the like. And those knights did homage before the King, that in three months from that day the Infantes of Aragon and Navarre should come to Valencia, to the Cid, to be wedded to his daughters. Great joy had the companions of the Cid that these marriages were appointed, seeing how their honor was increased; and contrariwise, great was the sorrow of the Infantes of Carrion and their friends, because it was to their confusion and great shame. And King Don Alfonso said aloud unto the Cid before them all, Praised be IX. BOOK with these Counts whom I appointed to be Alcaldes in this cause between the Cid and the Infantes of Carrion, and with other honorable and learned men: and this is the sentence which I give; that both the Infantes and Count Suero Gonzalez their fosterer and uncle, forasmuch as it is given me to understand that he was the adviser and abetter in the dishonor which they did unto the daughters of the Cid, shall do battle with such three of the Cid's people as it may please him to appoint, and thereby acquit themselves if they can. When the King had given this sentence, the Cid rose and kissed his hand and said, May God have you, Sir, in his holy keeping long and happy years, seeing you have judged justly, as a righteous King and our natural Lord. I receive your sentence; and now do I perceive that it is your pleasure to show favor unto me, and to advance mine honor, and for this reason I shall ever be at your service. Then Pero Bermudez rose up and went to the Cid and said, A boon, Sir! I beseech you let me be one of those who shall do battle on your part, for such a one do I hold myself to be, and this which they have done is so foul a thing, that I trust in God to take vengeance for it. And the Cid made answer that he was well pleased it should be so, and that he should do battle with Ferrando Gonzalez the eldest; and upon that Pero Bermudez kissed his hand. Then Martin Antolinez of Burgos rose and besought the Cid that he might be another, and the Cid granted his desire, and said that he should do battle with Diego Gonzalez the younger brother. And then Muño Gustioz of Linquella rose and besought the Cid that he might be the third, and the Cid granted it, and appointed him to do battle with Count Suero Gonzalez. And when the Cid had appointed his three champions, the King gave command that the combat should be performed on the morrow; but the Infantes were not prepared to fight so soon, and they besought him of his favor that he would let them go to Carrion, and that they would come prepared for the battle. And the King would not allow this time IX. which they requested; howbeit the Counts Don Anrrich BOOK and Don Remond his sons-in-law, and Count Don Nuño, spake with him, and besought him of his grace that he would Cid. cap. allow them three weeks; and the King at their entreaty Chr. Gen. granted it with the pleasure of the Cid. Chr. del 259. ff. 277. Infantes of Navarre the daugh Cid in marriage. XVI. Now when all this had been appointed, as ye have How the heard, and while they were all in the court, there came into Aragon and the Palace messengers from the Kings of Aragon and of sent to ask Navarre, who brought letters to King Don Alfonso, and to ters of the the Cid Campeador, wherein those Kings sent to ask the daughters of the Cid in marriage; the one for the Infante Don Sancho of Aragon, and the other for the Infante Garcia Ramirez of Navarre. And when they came before the King, they bent their knees and gave him the letters, and delivered their message; the like did they to the Cid. Much were the King and the Cid also pleased at this news, and the King said unto him, What say you to this? And the Cid answered, I and my daughters are at your disposal, do you with us as you shall think good. And the King said I hold it good that they wed with these Infantes, and that from henceforward they be Queens and ladies; and that for the dishonor which they have received, they now receive this honor. And the Cid rose and kissed the hands of the King, and all his knights did the like. These messengers hight, he of Aragon Yñigo Ximenez, and he of Navarre Ochoa Perez. And the King gave order that his letters of consent to these marriages should be given, and the Cid did the like. And those knights did homage before the King, that in three months from that day the Infantes of Aragon and Navarre should come to Valencia, to the Cid, to be wedded to his daughters. Great joy had the companions of the Cid that these marriages were appointed, seeing how their honor was increased; and contrariwise, great was the sorrow of the Infantes of Carrion and their friends, because it was to their confusion and great shame. And King Don Alfonso said aloud unto the Cid before them all, Praised be IX. BOOK the name of God, because it hath pleased him that the dishonor which was done to me and to you in your daughters, should thus be turned into honor: for they were the wives of the sons of Counts, and now shall they be the wives of the sons of Kings, and Queens hereafter. Great was the pleasure of the Cid and his company at these words of the King, for before they had sorrow, and now it was turned into joy. And the Infantes went away from the Palace full sadly, and went to their lodging, and prepared to go to Carrion that they might make ready for the combat, which was to be in three weeks from that time. Chr. del Cid. cap. 260. Chr. Gen. ff. 297. How the mitted his knights to protection. XVII. Then the Cid said unto the King, Sir, I have appointed those who are to do battle with the Infantes and three their uncle, for the enmity and treason which they committhe King's ted against me and my daughters; and now, Sir, as there is nothing more for me to do here, I will leave them in your hand, knowing that you will not suffer them to receive any displeasure or wrong soever, and that you will defend their right. And if it please you I would fain return to Valencia, where I have left my wife and daughters, and my other companions; for I would not that the Moors should rise up against me during my absence, thinking peradventure that I have not sped so well in this matter as I have done, praised be God and you. And moreover I have to make ready for these marriages which you have now appointed. And the King bade him go when he pleased, and good fortune with him, and said that he would protect his knights and maintain his right in all things. Then the Cid kissed the King's hand for this which he had said, and commended the knights to his keeping. And the King called for Count Don Remond, his son-in-law, and gave the knights of the Cid to his charge, and bade them not depart from him; and then the King rose and returned to the Alcazar. Chr. del Cid. cap. 261. Chr. Gen. ff. 298. Of the nobleness with which XVIII. Then the Cid took off his coif of ranzal, which the Cid dis- was as white as the sun, and he loosed his beard, and took tributed his it out of the cord with which it was bound. All they who treasure. |