Rello © Mark Wade

Fariz and Galve were the names of these two Moorish Kings, and they set out with the companies of King Alcamin from Valencia, and halted the first night in Segorve, and the second night at Celfa de Canal.

And they sent their messengers through the land to all the Councils thereof, ordering all men at arms, as well horsemen as footmen, to join them, and the third night they halted at Calatayud, and great numbers joined them; and they came up against Alcocer, and pitched their tents round about the Castle.

Every day their host increased, for their people were many in number, and their watchmen kept watch day and night; and my Cid had no succour to look for except the mercy of God, in which he put his trust.

And the Moors beset them so close that they cut off their water, and albeit the Castillians would have sallied against them, my Cid forbade this.

In this guise were my Cid and his people besieged for three weeks, and when the fourth week began, he called for Alvar Fanez, and for his company, and said unto them, Ye see that the Moors have cut off our water, and we have but little bread; they gather numbers day by day, and we become weak, and they are in their own country.

If we would depart they would not let us, and we cannot go out by night because they have beset us round about on all sides, and we cannot pass on high through the air, neither through the earth which is underneath.

Now then if it please you let us go out and fight with them, though they are many in number, and either defeat them or die an honourable death.