San Baudelio © Mark Wade

Now was it bruited abroad throughout all lands, how the Cid Ruydiez had won the noble city of Valencia.

And when Ali Abenaxa the Adelantado of the Almoravides knew it, he sent his son-in-law the King of Seville to besiege him in Valencia, and gave him thirty thousand men at arms.

And this King came in great haste to Valencia, and besieged the Cid therein.

And the Cid made ready with all his people, and went out to fight him.

And the battle was nigh unto Valencia, beside the garden which is called the Garden of Villa Nueva; and it was a good battle, and at length he of the good fortune conquered; and the pursuit continued as far as Xativa; even so far did the Christians pursue them, smiting and slaying.

And at the passage of the Xucar there might you have seen confusion, and there the Moors without liking it drank plenty of water.

They say that fifteen thousand Moors died in the river; and the King of Seville fled with three great blows.

This day did Martin Pelaez the Asturian approve himself a right good one: there was no knight so good that day in arms as he, nor who bore away such honour.

And when the pursuit was ended the Cid returned to the field of battle, and ordered the spoils of the field and of the tents to be collected.

Be it known that this was a profitable day's work.

Every foot soldier shared a hundred marks of silver that day.

And the Cid returned full honourably to Valencia.

Great was the joy of the Christians in the Cid Ruydiez, he who was born in a good hour.

His beard was grown, and continued to grow at great length.

My Cid said of his chin, For the love of King Don Alfonso, who hath banished me from his land, no scissors shall come upon it, nor shall a hair be cut away, and Moors and Christians shall talk of it.