BOOK
I.

Of the dispute concerning Calahorra.

Chr.delCia.
Сир. 6.
Chr. Gen.
f. 195.

Of the cha

VIII. Now the history relates that King Don Ferrando contended with King Don Ramiro of Aragon for the city of Calahorra, which each claimed as his own; in such guise that the King of Aragon placed it upon the trial by combat, confiding in the prowess of Don Martin Gonzalez, who was at that time held to be the best knight in all Spain. King Don Ferrando accepted the challenge, and said that Rodrigo of Bivar should do battle on his part, but that he was not then present. And they plighted homage on both parts to meet and bring each his knight, and the knight who conquered should win Calahorra for his Lord. Having ratified this engagement, they returned into their own lands. And immediately Ferrando sent for Rodrigo of Bivar, and told him all the matter as it then stood, and that he was to do battle. Well pleased was Rodrigo when he heard this, and he accorded to all that the King had said that he should do battle for him upon that cause; but till the day arrived he must needs, he said, go to Compostella, because he had vowed a pilgrimage; and the King was content therewith, gave him great gifts.

and

IX.

Rodrigo forthwith set out upon the road, and took with Rodrigo to him twenty knights. And as he went he did great good, and

rity of

wards the beper.

gave alms, feeding the
poor and needy. And upon the way they
found a leper, struggling in a quagmire, who cried out to them
with a loud voice to help him for the love of God; and when
Rodrigo heard this, he alighted from his beast and helped him,
and placed him upon the beast before him, and carried him
with him in this manner to the inn where he took up his lodg-
ing that night. At this were his knights little pleased. And
when supper was ready he bade his knights take their seats, and
he took the leper by the hand, and seated him next himself,
and ate with him out of the same dish. The knights were greatly
offended at this foul sight, insomuch that they rose up and left

I.

the chamber. But Rodrigo ordered a bed to be made ready BOOK for himself and for the leper, and they twain slept together. When it was midnight and Rodrigo was fast asleep, the leper breathed against him between his shoulders, and that breath was so strong that it passed through him, even through his breast; and he awoke, being astounded, and felt for the leper by him, and found him not; and he began to call him, but there was no reply. Then he arose in fear, and called for light, and it was brought him; and he looked for the leper and could see nothing; so he returned into the bed, leaving the light burning. And he began to think within himself what had happened, and of that breath which had passed through him, and how the leper was not there. After a while, as he was thus musing, there appeared before him one in white garments, who said unto him, Sleepest thou or` wakest thou, Rodrigo? and he answered and said, I do not sleep but who art thou that bringest with thee such brightness and so sweet an odour? Then said he, I am Saint Lazarus, and know that I was the leper to whom thou didst so much good and so great honour for the love of God; and because thou didst this for his sake hath God now granted thee a great gift; for whensoever that breath which thou hast felt shall come upon thee, whatever thing thou desirest to do, and shalt then begin, that shalt thou accomplish to thy heart's desire, whether it be in battle or aught else, so that thy honour shall go on

7 E por el bien que tu por el su amor me feziste, otorgate Dios un gran don, que quando el bafo que sentiste ante te veniere, que comiences la cosa que quisieres fazer ; assi como en lides, o en otras cosas, todas las acabaras complidamente.

Both the Chronica del Cid and the Chronica General have this passage. It is remarkable that the promised token is never afterwards referred to. The Ballad which appears to be one of the more ancient ones, omits the circumstance altogether. Sepulveda, ff. 66. Escobar. Rom. 12.

C

BOOK increasing from day to day; and thou shalt be feared both by I. Moors and Christians, and thy enemies shall never prevail

against thee, and thou shalt die an honourable death in thine own house, and in thy renown, for God hath blessed thee;therefore go thou on, and evermore persevere in doing good; and with that he disappeared *. And Rodrigo arose and prayed to our lady and intercessor St. Mary, that she would pray to her blessed son for him to watch over both his body

This miracle of the leper is sufficiently common in hagiology. Simam Rodriguez, who introduced the Jesuits into Portugal, took one in like manner into his bed, who disappeared during the night; por ventura, sem saber quem agasalhava, recolhia ao mesmo Christo, says Tellez. In most of these miraculous stories charity is carried to an excess at once loathsome and ridiculous. Thus in the Chronicle, diz que les semejava que caya la gafedad en la escudilla en que

comia.

Berganza displays some right Catholic logic upon this subject. We believe, he says, the cruelty of Dives towards Lazarus in refusing him the crumbs which fell from his table; why then should we not believe that the human heart is capable of an equal degree of charity? And as if to show there was nothing extraordinary in the miracle, he relates three such, one of which happened "about, if not at the very same time, to Pope Leo IX." The devotion of the Cid to St. Lazarus is brought forward in proof of the truth of the story. He gave、 certain houses in Palencia to form a parish and hospital under his invocation, and established a brotherhood (Cofradia) of knights in the hospital to attend to the lepers. This institution was revived by Don Alonzo Martinez de Olivera, one of his descendants, as appears by his will, and by a privilege of Fernando IV. granted in 196. Another proof is, that the promise of perpetual success_male by the Saint was accomplished.

Leprosy is a disease so loathsome, and was considered as so dreadfully infectious, that it is easy to conceive how`charity towards a leper should be considered as an effort of heroic piety.-Why was there a sort of infamy attached to it? A clergyman becoming a leper was to be superseded, and just enough allowed him from his former preferment to subsist upon; but if he were disabled by any other disease, a coadjutor was allowed him, and he was to receive half his income, and retain his rank. 1 Partida. Tit. 16. l. 18.

I.

and soul in all his undertakings; and he continued in prayer BOOK till the day broke. Then he proceeded on his way, and performed his pilgrimage, doing much good for the love of God and of St. Mary.

9

Chr. del Cid.

cap. 7. Chr. Gen. 195.

bat which

for Cala

X. Now the day came which had been appointed for the of the comcombat concerning Calahorra, between Rodrigo and Don Mar- was fought tin Gonzalez, and Rodrigo was not arrived; therefore his horra. cousin Alvar Fañez Minaya undertook the battle in his stead, and ordered his horse to be harnessed right well. While he was arming himself Rodrigo came up and took the horse of Alvar Fañez, and entered the lists; Don Martin Gonzalez did the same, and the judges placed them fairly, each in his place, so that neither should have the sun in his eyes 10. They ran their career, one against the other, and met so fiercely that their lances brake, and both were sorely wounded; but Don Martin began to address Rodrigo, thinking to dismay him : Greatly dost thou now repent, Don Rodrigo, said he, that thou hast entered into these lists with me; for I shall so handle thee that never shalt thou marry Doña Ximena thy spouse, whom thou lovest so well, nor ever return alive to Castille. Rodrigo waxed angry at these words, and he replied, You are a good

• Mando armar su cavallo muy bien. Harness, it may be remembered, is a word used in our Bible for armour.

10 Partieronles el sol. The phrase is remarkable, and may best be rendered by explaining it. Many battles, in what the Spaniards call the days of the shield and lance, have been lost because the conquered army had their faces

towards the sun.

"Equally without any favour distributed to them the sun-" is the way in which Anthony Munday expresses this. Primaleon, P. 1. page 201.

BOOK knight, Don Martin Gonzalez, but these words are not suitable I. to this place, for in this business we have to contend with hands

Chr.del Cid. cap. 8.

Chr. Gen. 196.

How the

and not with empty speeches; and the power is in God who will give the honour as he thinketh best. And in his anger he made at him, and smote him upon his helmet, and the sword cut through and wounded as much of the head as it could reach, so that he was sorely hurt and lost much blood. And Don Martin Gonzalez struck at Rodrigo, and the sword cut into the shield, and he plucked it towards him that with main force he made Rodrigo lose the shield; but Rodrigo did not forget himself, and wounded him again in the face. And they both became greatly enraged, and cruel against each other, striking without mercy, for both of them were men who knew how to demean themselves. But while they thus struggled Don Martin Gonzalez lost much blood, and for very weakness he could not hold himself upon his horse, but fell from his horse upon the ground; and Rodrigo alighted and went to him. and slew him and when he had slain him he asked the judges if there was any thing more to be done for the right of Calahorra: and they made answer that there was not. Then came the King Don Ferrando to him, and alighted by him, and helped to disarm him, and embraced him much; and when he was disarmed he went with him from the field, he and all the Castillians greatly rejoicing; but as great as was the pleasure of King Don Ferrando and his people, so great was the sorrow of King Don Ramiro of Aragon and of his. And he ordered them to take up Don Martin Gonzalez, and they carried the body into his own lands, and he went with it, and Calahorra remained in the power of King Don Ferrando.

XI. But when the Counts of Castille saw how Rodrigo ted against increased day by day in honour, they took counsel together

Counts plot

Rodrigo.