Iscar © Mark Wade

A great feast did they make that day in the Monastery for the good Campeador, and the bells of St. Pedro's rung merrily.

Meantime the tidings had gone through Castille how my Cid was banished from the land, and great was the sorrow of the people.

Some left their houses to follow him, others forsook their honourable offices which they held.

And that day a hundred and fifteen knights assembled at the bridge of Arlanzon, all in quest of my Cid; and there Martin Antolinez joined them, and they rode on together to St. Pedro's.

And when he of Bivar knew what a goodly company were coming to join him, he rejoiced in his own strength, and rode out to meet them and greeted them full courteously; and they kissed his hand, and he said to them, I pray to God that I may one day requite ye well, because ye have forsaken your houses and your heritages for my sake, and I trust that I shall pay ye two fold.

Six days of the term allotted were now gone, and three only remained: if after that time he should be found within the King's dominions, neither for gold nor for silver could he then escape.

That day they feasted together, and when it was evening the Cid distributed among them all that he had, giving to each man according to what he was; and he told them that they must meet at mass after matins, and depart at that early hour.

Before the cock crew they were ready, and the Abbot said the mass of the Holy Trinity, and when it was done they left the church and went to horse.

And my Cid embraced Dona Ximena and his daughters, and blest them; and the parting between them was like separating the nail from the quick flesh: and he wept and continued to look round after them.

Then Alvar Fanez came up to him and said, Where is your courage, my Cid? In a good hour were you born of woman.

Think of our road now; these sorrows will yet be turned into joy.

And the Cid spake again to the Abbot, commending his family to his care;-well did the Abbot know that he should one day receive good guerdon.

And as he took leave of the Cid, Alvar Fanez said to him, Abbot, if you see any who come to follow us, tell them what route we take, and bid them make speed, for they may reach us either in the waste or in the peopled country.

And then they loosed the reins and pricked forward.