They hatched that plot between them, to none they told the thing.

Minaya Alvar Fanez took leave of the good King:.

"Ha! goest thou, Minaya? The Creator give thee grace.

Take an herald. As I deem it he may help thee in this case.

If thou take the ladies, serve them even as they desire.

Even unto Medina grant them all that they require.

The Campeador shall take them in his charge thenceforward on."

After leave ta'en Minaya from the court he got him gone.

Lx.x.xIII.

And so the Heirs of Carrion did each with each consent.

With Minaya Alvar Fanez in company they went: "In all things thou excellest; likewise in this excel: Greet now my lord Cid of Bivar for us exceeding well, To the utmost of our effort his partisans are we.

The Cid, an he will love us, shall get no injury."

Said Minaya: "In that proffer naught displeasing I discern."

Gone is Minaya. Home again did the two counts return.

He hastens to San Pedro where the three ladies are.

Very great was the rejoicing when they saw him from afar.

To offer prayer Minaya to San Pedro did descend.

He turned back unto the ladies when the prayer was at an end.

"I greet thee, Dame Ximena. G.o.d thee prosper and maintain, And so likewise thy daughters, the n.o.ble children twain.

In the city where he dwelleth the lord Cid greets thee fair.

Good health has he and riches that are beyond compare.

The King for a gift to him your freedom gave to me, To take you to Valencia our land of lawful fee.

If the Cid might behold you well and unharmed again, He would be all rejoicing, but scant would be his pain."

"May the Creator so decide," the Dame Ximena said.

Minaya Alvar Fanez sent three hors.e.m.e.n on ahead, To the Cid within Valencia the men did he commend: "Announce unto the Campeador, whom the Lord G.o.d defend, That the King his wife and daughters has released unto my hands, And has ordered escort for us as we travel through his lands.

Fifteen days from this time forwar, if G.o.d keep us in his care, With his wife and with his daughters I will come unto him there, With the n.o.ble ladies also their servitors that be."

The riders are gone forward, to the matter they will see.

Minaya Alvar Fanez in San Pedro did abide.

There might you see the household swarming in from every side; Unto my lord Cid of Bivar in Valencia would they go.

They besought Alvar Fanez that he would them favor so.

To them replied Minaya. "That will I gladly do."

And five and sixty hors.e.m.e.n have swelled his retinue, And he had brought an hundred thither in his command.

To accompany the ladies, they arrayed a n.o.ble band.

Minaya marks five hundred to the Abbot then gave o'er.

I will tell how he expended other five and twenty score.

Ximena the good lady and likewise her daughters twain, And they that served before her, the women of her train, To deck out all those ladies good Minaya did prepare With the best array in Burgos, that he might discover there, And the mules and palfreys likewise that they might be fair to see.

When he had decked the ladies in this manner beautifully, Got ready good Minaya to ride upon his way.

Lo now! Raquel and Vidas. Down at his feet fell they: "A boon! true knight, Minaya! If the Cid stand not our aid, He has ruined us. If only the amount to us were paid We would forego the usury!" "So will I tell the Cid, If G.o.d bring me there. High favor shall there be for what ye did.

Answered Raquel and Vidas: "The Creator send it so.

If not, we will leave Burgos in search of him to go."

Minaya Alvar Fanez to San Pedro got him gone.

Many people came around him as he started to ride on.

At parting from the Abbot great grief of heart was there: "Minaya Alvar Fanez, G.o.d keep thee in his care.

The hands of the good Campeador, I prithee kiss for me That he may keep the convent still in his memory, And always may endeavor to make it prosper more, So shall increase the honor of the Cid Campeador."

"Right gladly will I do it," Minaya straight replied.

Their leave then have they taken and fettled them to ride, And with them went the herald on their need that was to wait.

Through the King's realm an escort they gave them very great.

From San Pedro to Medina in five days time they pa.s.sed.

Lo, the dames and Alvar Fanez to Medina came at last!

I will tell you of the hors.e.m.e.n that brought those tidings through.

When my lord the good Cid of Bivar thereof the import knew, He was glad at heart and merry. His voice he lifted straight: "Who sends a n.o.ble messenger, should like return await.

Munio Gustioz, Per Vermudoz, the first of all are you, And Martin Antolinez from Burgos, tried and true, And Jerome the bishop also, a worthy clerk is he, With a hundred ride you ready to fight if need shall be.

Through Saint Mary's to Molina further onward shall ye wend; Avelgalvon there holds sway my va.s.sal and my friend.

With another hundred hors.e.m.e.n he will watch you on your way.

Ride forth unto Medina with all the speed ye may, With Minaya Alvar Fanez my wife and daughters there Haply ye shall discover as the messengers declare.

Bring them hither to me n.o.bly. In Valencia I will bide, That cost me dear. Unguarded 'twere madness undenied To leave it. 'Tis my portion. There will I stay therefore."

They fettled them for riding, when all his words were o'er; With utmost speed they hastened, their march they would not stay.

They have pa.s.sed by Saint Mary 's. At Fronchales rested they.

Next day into Molina, their halting-place, they spurred.

When those tidings the Morisco Avengalvon had heard, To welcome them with joyance unto them did he descend: "Are you then come the va.s.sals of my heart's dearest friend?

Be it known it grieves me little. Therein my joy is great."

And Muno Gustioz answered, for no man would he wait: "My lord Cid sends thee greeting, as also his command That with an hundred hors.e.m.e.n thou shalt serve him out of hand.

In the city of Medina lie his wife and danghters twain.

Thou wilt go for them straightway and bring them here again, Even unto Valencia thou shalt not from them part."

Avengalvon gave answer: "I will do it with glad heart."

That night he chose them escort, a mighty band were they.

In the morning they got ready anew to take the way.

They asked for but an hundred; ten score had he forby.

They pa.s.sed across the mountains that we re so steep and high, And through the thicket of Toranz, so strong they had no dread.

And along through Arbujuelo adown the vale they sped.

Now round about Medina they watched on every side, Minaya Alvar Fanez that armed train descried.

He was afraid and sent two knights the meaning to make plain.

They delayed not, to discover his desire their hearts were fain.

One stayed, to Alvar Fanez the other came once more: "A company to seek us comes from the Campeador.

Per Vermudoz, lo, foremost among those ranks is he, And likewise Muno Gustioz that frankly loveth thee, And Martin Antolinez that was born in Burgos town, And don Jerome the Bishop of honorable renown.

Avellgalvon the Castellan bringeth his host with these, In eagerness the honor of my lord Cid to increase.

They march along together. They will be here anon."

Said Minaya: "Forth now let us ride." And swiftly was it done, They would not stay. An hundred most splendidly arrayed Sallied forth on n.o.ble horses with trappings of brocade.

Bells hung upon the martingales, the knights their bucklers bore At the neck, and carried lances whence flew the flags of war That Alvar Fanez' wisdom to all they might reveal, And in what guise with those ladies he had issued from Castile.

All they that reconnoitering before the army ran Now lifted up their weapons, and to make good cheer began.

Great mirth was there when all the rest to the Jalon drew nigh.

When they came unto Minaya they did him homage high.

And when Avengalvon was come, and might Minaya see, Then forward to embrace him with smiling lips came he.

On the shoulder he saluted him, for such was still his way: "O Minaya Alvar Fanez! For thee what glorious day!

Thou bringest here these ladies, whence we shall have great good, The fighting Cid his consort, and the daughters of his blood.

We all shall do thee honor for his fortune groweth great.

Though we wished him ill, we cannot diminish his estate; He will have alway our succor either in peace or war.

The man who will not know the truth, he is a dolt therefor."

Lx.x.xIV.

Minaya Alvar Fanez, on his lips a smile broke out: "Ha now! Ha now! Avengalvon. Thou art his friend no doubt.