The Lay of the Cid | Page 9

hands. He raised them and put them to his face. Forthwith his eyes were opened and in every way might see.?He is ransomed from destruction for he straight believed on Thee. From the sepulchre Thou rosest, and into Hell didst go,?According to Thy purpose, and its gates didst overthrow,?To bring forth the Holy Fathers. And King of Kings Thou art, And of all the world the Father, and Thee with all my heart Do I worship and acknowledge, and further I implore?That Saint Peter speed my prayer for the Cid Campeador,?That God keep his head from evil; and when this day we twain Depart, then grant it to us that we meet in life again."
And now the prayer is over and the mass in its due course.?From church they came, and already were about to get to horse. And the Cid clasped Xiména, but she, his hand she kissed.?Sore wept the Dame, in no way the deed to do she wist.?He turned unto his daughters and he looked upon the two:?"To the Spiritual Father, have I commended you.?We must depart. God knoweth when we shall meet again."?Weeping most sore--for never hast thou beheld such pain?As the nail from the flesh parteth, from each other did they part.
And Cid with all his vassals disposed himself to start,?And as he waited for them anew he turned his head,?Minaya AIvar Fa?ez then in good season said:
"Cid! Where is now thy courage? Upon a happy day?Wast thou born. Let us bethink us of the road and haste away. A truce to this. Rejoicing out of these griefs shall grow.?The God who gave us spirits shall give us aid also."
Don Sancho the good Abbot, they charged him o'er again?To watch and ward Xiména and likewise her daughters twain,?And the ladies that were with them. That he shall have no lack Of guerdon let the Abbot know. By this was he come back,?Then out spake Alvar Fa?ez: "Abbot, if it betide?That men should come desirous in our company to ride,?Bid them follow but be ready on a long road to go?Through the sown and through the desert; they may overtake us so."
They got them upon horseback, they let the rein go slack.?The time drew near when on Castile they needs must turn the back. Spinaz de Can, it was the place where the Cid did alight.?And a great throng of people welcomed him there that night. On the next day at morning, he got to horse once more,?And forth unto his exile rode the true Campeador.?To the left of San Estévan the good town did he wheel.?He marched through Alcobiella the frontier of Castile.?O'er the highway to Quinéa his course then has he bent.?Hard by Navas de Palos o'er Duéro stream he went.?All night at Figueruéla did my lord the Cid abide.?And very many people welcomed him on every side..
XIX.?When it was night the Cid lay down. In a deep sleep he fell, And to him in a vision came the angel Gabriel:
"Ride, Cid, most noble Campeador, for never yet did knight?Ride forth upon an hour whose aspect was so bright.?While thou shalt live good fortune shall be with thee and shine." When he awoke, upon his face he made the holy sign.
XX.?He crossed himself, and unto God his soul commended then,?he was glad of the vision that had come into his ken?The next day at morning they began anew to wend.?Be it known their term of sufferance at the last has made an end. In the mountains of Miédes the Cid encamped that night,?With the towers of Atiénza where the Moors reign on the right.
XXI.?'Twas not yet come to sunset, and lingered still the day.?My lord the Cid gave orders his henchmen to array.?Apart from the footsoldiers, and valiant men of war,?There were three hundred lances that each a pennon bore.
XXII.?"Feed all the horses early, so may our God you speed.?Let him eat who will; who will not, let him get upon the steed.
We shall pass the mountain ranges rough and of dreadful height. The land of King Alfonso we can leave behind tonight.?And whosoe'er will seek us shall find us ready then."
By night the mountain ranges he traversed with his men.?Morn came. From the hills downward they were about to fare. In a marvelous great forest the Cid bade halt them there,?And to feed the horses early; and he told them all aright?In what way he was desirous that they should march by night. They all were faithful vassals and gave assent thereto;?The behests of their great captain it behooved them all to do. Ere night, was every man of them unto the riding fit.?So did the Cid that no man might perchance get wind of it.?They marched all through the night-tide and rested not at all. Near Henáres a town standeth that Castejón