The Lay of the Cid | Page 6

space of all this year."
The two took counsel:?"Something to our profit must inure?In all barter. He gained something in the country of the Moor When he marched there, for many goods he brought with him away. But he sleeps not unsuspected, who brings coined gold to pay. Let the two of us together take now the coffers twain.?In some place let us put them where unseen they shall remain.
"What the lord Cid demandeth, we prithee let us hear,?And what will be our usury for the space of all this year?"
Said Martin Antolínez like a prudent man and true:?"Whatever you deem right and just the Cid desires of you.?He will ask little since his goods are left in a safe place. But needy men on all sides beseech the Cid for grace.?For six hundred marks of money, the Cid is sore bested."
"We shall give them to him gladly," Raquél and Vidas said.
"'Tis night. The Cid is sorely pressed. So give the marks to us. Answered Raquél and Vidas: "Men do not traffic thus.?But first they take their surety and thereafter give the fee." Said Martin Antolínez:?"So be it as for me.?Come ye to the great Campeador for 'tis but just and fair?That we should help you with the chests, and put them in your care,?So that neither Moor nor Christian thereof shall hear the tale."
"Therewith are we right well content," said Vidas and Raquél, "You shall have marks six hundred when we bring the chests again."
And Martin Antolínez rode forth swiftly with the twain.?And they were glad exceeding. O'er the bridge he did not go, But through the stream, that never a Burgalese should know?Through him thereof. And now behold the Campeador his tent. When they therein had entered to kiss his hands they bent.?My lord the Cid smiled on them and unto them said he:
"Ha, don Raquél and Vidas, you have forgotten me!?And now must I get hence away who am banished in disgrace,?For the king from me in anger hath turned away his face.?I deem that from my chattels you shall gain somewhat of worth. And you shall lack for nothing while you dwell upon the earth.'
A-kissing of his hands forthwith Raquél and Vidas fell.?Good Martin Antolínez had made the bargain well,?That to him on the coffers marks six hundred they should lend. And keep them safe, moreover, till the year had made an end. For so their word was given and sworn to him again,?If they looked ere that within them, forsworn should be the twain, The Cid would never give them one groat of usury.
Said Martin, "Let the chests be ta'en as swiftly as may be, Take them, Raquél and Vidas, and keep them in your care.?And we shall even go with you that the money we may bear,?For ere the first cock croweth must my lord the Cid depart."
At the loading of the coffers you had seen great joy of heart. For they could not heave the great chests up though they were stark and hale.?Dear was the minted metal to Vidas and Raquél;?And they would be rich forever till their two lives it were o'er
X.?The hand of my good lord the Cid, Raquél had kissed once more: "Ha! Campeador, in happy hour thou girdedst on the brand.?Forth from Castile thou goest to the men of a strange land. Such is become thy fortune and great thy gain shall be?Ah Cid, I kiss thine hands again--but make a gift to me?Bring me a Moorish mantle splendidly wrought and red."?"So be it. It is granted," the Cid in answer said,?"If from abroad I bring it, well doth the matter stand;?If not, take it from the coffers I leave here in your hand."
And then Raquél and Vidas bore the two chests away.?With Martin Antolínez into Burgos entered they.?And with fitting care, and caution unto their dwelling sped. And in the midmost of the hall a plaited quilt they spread. And a milk-white cloth of linen thereon did they unfold.?Three hundred marks of silver before them Martin told.?And forthwith Martin took them, no whit the coins he weighed. Then other marks three hundred in gold to him they paid.?Martin had five esquires. He loaded all and one.?You shall hear what said don Martin when all this gear was done:
"Ha! don Raquél and Vidas, ye have the coffers two.?Well I deserve a guerdon, who obtained this prize for you."
XI.?Together Vidas and Raquél stepped forth apart thereon:?"Let us give him a fair present for our profit he has won.?Good Martin Antolínez in Burgos that dost dwell,?We would give thee a fair present for thou deserves well.?Therewith get breeches and a cloak and mantle rich and fine. Thou hast earned it. For a present these thirty marks are thine. For it is but just and honest, and, moreover, thou wilt stand Our