Spanish Castle © Mark Wade

And the Cid having it at heart to take the town, let make an engine, and placed it at one of the gates, and it did great hurt both to the walls and within the town; and the Moors made other engines, with the which they brake that of the Cid.

And the Cid in his anger let make three engines, and placed them at the three gates of the town, and they did marvellous great hurt.

And food waxed dearer every day, till at last dear nor cheap it was not to be had, and there was a great mortality for famine; and they ate dogs and cats and mice.

And they opened the vaults and privies and sewers of the town, and took out the stones of the grapes which they had eaten, and washed them, and ate them.

And they who had horses fed on them.

And many men, and many women, and many children watched when the gates were open, and went out and gave themselves into the hands of the Christians, who slew some, and took others, and sold them to the Moors in Alcudia; and the price of a Moor was a loaf and a pitcher of wine: and when they gave them food and they took their fill, they died.

Them that were stronger they sold to merchants who came there by sea from all parts.

And the Moors of Alcudia, and of the town which the Cid had made there, had plenty of all things, and as great as was their abundance, even so great was the misery of those in the town: and they spake the verse which sayeth, If I go to the right the water will destroy me, and if I go to the left the lion will kill me, and if I turn back there is the fire.