Covarubbias © Mark Wade

Meantime the Castillians went to seek their King, and they found him by the side of the Douro, where he lay sorely wounded, even unto death; but he had not yet lost his speech, and the hunting spear was in his body, through and through, and they did not dare to take it out lest he should die immediately.

And a master of Burgos came up who was well skilled in these things, and he sawed off the ends of the spear, that he might not lose his speech, and said that he should be confessed, for he had death within him.

Then Count Don Garcia de Cabra, the curly-haired one of Granon, said unto him, Sir, think of your soul, for you have a desperate wound.

And the King made answer, Blessed be you, Count, who thus counsel me, for I perceive that I am slain; the traitor Vellido has killed me, and I well know that this was for my sins, because I broke the oath which I made unto the King my father.

And as the King was saying this the Cid came up and knelt before him and said, I, Sir, remain more desolate than any other of your vassals, for for your sake have I made your brethren mine enemies, and all in the world who were against you, and against whom it pleased you to go.

The King your father commended me to them as well as to you, when he divided his kingdoms, and I have lost their love for your sake, having done them great evil.

And now neither can I go before King Don Alfonso, your brother, nor remain among the Christians before Dona Urraca your sister, because they hold that whatsoever you have done against them was by my counsel.

Now then, Sir, remember me before you depart.

The King then commanded that they should raise him up in the bed, and the Counts and Ricos-omes stood round about him, and the Bishops and Archbishops who had come thither to make accord between him and his sister Dona Urraca, and they heard what the Cid said, and knew that he said truly; for whatever good speed King Don Sancho had had in his doings was all by means of my Cid.

And the King said unto them, I beseech all ye who are here present, Counts and Ricos-omes, and all my other vassals, that if my brother King Don Alfonso should come from the land of the Moors, ye beseech him to show favour unto you, my Cid, and that he always be bountiful unto you, and receive you to be his vassal; and if he always doth this and listen unto you, he will not be badly advised.

Then the Cid arose and kissed his hand, and all the chief persons who were there present did the like.

And after this the King said unto them, I beseech ye intreat my brother King Don Alfonso to forgive me whatever wrong I have done him, and to pray to God to have mercy upon my soul.

And when he had said this he asked for the candle, and presently his soul departed.

And all who were there present made great lamentation for the King.