CV.
"Of thee, my liege and sovran, a boon do I request
Since thou givest to wed my daughters in what way likes thee best,
Choose one my girls to give away, who in thy place shall stand,
Since thou hast them, I will never give them o'er with mine own
hand.
To the Heirs. Such satisfaction to them shall be denied."
"Behold here Alvar Fañez," the King to him replied,
"Take them by the hand and give them to the heirs, even as I
Here afar off have ta ten them, as though I were hard by;
And throughout all the vigil their sponsor shalt thou be.
When again to me thou comest tell all the truth to me."
Said Alvar Fañez: "Faith! My lord, I am content indeed."
CVI.
To all this with due caution, know well they have agreed.
"Ha! King, my lord Alfonso much honored, for a sign
Of the parley that we held here, thou shalt take a gift of mine.
I bring thee thirty palfreys that are trapped rich and well,
And thirty fleet war-horses, each with a noble selle.
Take them and I will kiss thy hand."
The King Alfonso spake:
"Deep in thy debt thou hast me. Thy present I will take
Which thou givest. The Creator and all his saints accord
For the kindness thou hast done me that thou have a fair reward.
Oh my lord Cid Roy Diaz, thou hast done me honor high.
Full well thou cost my service, and well content am I.
Mayst thou reap of me some harvest ere my life be at an end.
Into God's hands I give thee. From the parley will I wend.
Hail God in Heaven! grant us our treaty well to keep."
CVII.
The Cid mounted Baviéca his charger at a leap.
"Here before my King Alfonso I say it openly,
Who would fain go to the marriage or would have a gift of me,
Let him come with me. His profit shall be great, as I conceive."
Now of his lord Alfonso the lord Cid took his leave..
His company he wished not, he departed from him straight.
There might you see a many of knights of fair estate
Taking leave of King Alfonso, that the while his hands did kiss:
"Let it be now thy pleasure, and prithee grant us this--
'Neath the Cid to great Valencia now will we march away
To see the Heirs of Carrión upon their wedding day,
And Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra that the Cid's daughters be."
Therewith the King was satisfied and gave them liberty.
And the King's bands diminished and the Cid's increased the more.
Great company of people marched with the Campeador.
They rode straight to Valencia ta'en when his star was high.
On Diégo and Ferrándo he bade them keep an eye.
Muño Gustióz and Per Vermudóz they had commandment plain--
In all my lord Cid's household were not a better twain
The ways of them of Carrión to discover them and find.
Ansuór Gonzálvez joined the Heirs who was a noisy hind,
Loose-tongued, and for untrustful in other things well known.
They showered many honors on the Heirs of Carrión.
Behold them in Valencia that the Cid my lord had ta'en.
When they looked upon the city they were exceeding fain.
Muño Gustióz and don Pero, to them the lord Cid spake:
"Straightway the Heirs of Carrión unto a lodging take,
But do you tarry with them, so doth my order run.
When entereth in the morning, when breaketh forth the sun,
Of Dame Sol and Dame Elvíra, their brides, they shall have sight."
CVIII.
Then every man departed to his lodging-place that night.
The Cid Campeador has entered his castle once again.
Abode him Dame Xiména, she and her daughters twain.
"Campeador who in good season girt sword, thou hast come thy ways;
May the eyes of our faces behold thee many days."