Soria © Mark Wade

Now the three knights whom Alvar Fanez had sent, came to the Cid and delivered their message.

When my Cid heard it his heart rejoiced and he was glad, and he spake with his mouth and said, He who sends good messengers looks for good tidings.

Blessed be the name of God, since King Don Alfonso rejoices in my good fortune.

And he called for Muno Gustios, and Pero Bermudez, and the Bishop Don Hieronymo, and bade them take a hundred knights lest there should be need to fight, and go to Molina, to Abencano, who was his friend and vassal, and bid him take another hundred knights, and go with them to Medina Celi as fast as they could go.

There, said he, ye will find Alvar Fanez and my wife and daughters; bring them to me with great honour: I will remain here in Valencia which has cost me so much; great folly would it be if I were to leave it: I will remain in it, for I hold it for my heritage.

And they did as he commanded them.

And when they came to Molina, Abencano received them right well, and did them great honour; and though the Cid had bidden him take only one hundred horse, he took two.

On the morrow they went to horse: they crossed the mountains which are great and wild, and they passed Mata de Toranz without fear, and they thought to come through the valley of Arbuxedo.

There was good look out kept in Medina, and Alvar Fanez sent two knights to know who they were.

They made no tarriance in doing this, for they had it at heart; one tarried with them, and the other returned, and said it was the host of the Campeador with Pero Bermudez, and Muno Gustios, and the Bishop Hieronymo, and the Alcayaz Abencano.

This instant, said Minaya, let us to horse; incontinently this was done, for they would make no delay.

And they rode upon goodly horses with bells at their poitrals and trappings of sandall silk, and they had their shields round their necks, and lances with streamers in their hands.

Oh, how Alvar Fanez went out from Castille with these ladies! They who pricked forward, couched their spears and then raised them, and great joy was there by Salon where they met.

The others humbled themselves to Minaya: when Abencano came up he kissed him on the shoulder, for such was his custom.

In a good day, Minaya, said he, do you bring these ladies, the wife and daughters of the Cid, whom we all honour.

Whatever ill we may wish him we can do him none;... in peace or in war he will have our wealth, and he must be a fool who does not acknowledge this truth.

Alvar Fanez smiled and told him he should lose nothing by this service which he had done the Cid; and now, said he, let us go rest, for the supper is ready.

Abencano said he was well pleased to partake it, and that within three days he would return him the entertainment two-fold.

Then they entered Medina, and Minaya served them; all were full glad of the service which they had undertaken, and the King's porter paid for all.

The night is gone, morning is come, mass is said, and they go to horse.

They left Medina and past the river Salon, and pricked up Arbuxuelo, and they crost the plain of Torancio.

That good Christian the Bishop Don Hieronymo, night and day he guarded the ladies; on a goodly horse he rode, and they went between him and Alvar Fanez.

They came to Molina and there were lodged in a good and rich house, and Abencano the Moor waited on them.

Nothing did they want which they could wish to have; he even had all their beasts new shod, and for Minaya and the ladies, Lord! how he honoured them! On the morrow they left Molina, and the Moor went with them.

When they were within three leagues of Valencia, news of their coming was brought to the Cid.

Glad was the Cid, never was he more joyful, never had he such joy, for tidings were come to him of what he loved best.

Two hundred knights did he order out to meet them, others he bade to keep the Alcazar, and the other high towers, and all the gates and entrances.

And he commanded that they should bring him Bavieca.

It was but a short time since he had won this horse; my Cid, he who girt on sword in a happy hour, did not yet know if he was a good goer, and if he stopt well.

The Bishop Don Hieronymo, he pricked forward and entered the city.

He left his horse and went to the Church, and collected all the clergy; they put on their surplices, and with crosses of silver went out to meet the ladies, and that good one Minaya.

He who was born in happy hour made no tarriance; they saddled him Bavieca and threw his trappings on.

My Cid wore light armour, and his surcoat over it: long was his beard.

He went out upon this horse, and ran a career with him; Bavieca was the name of the horse, and when he was running all marvelled at him: from that day Bavieca was famous all over Spain.

At the end of the course my Cid alighted and went toward his wife and his daughters.

Who can tell the joy that was made at their meeting? They fell at his feet, and their joy was such that they could not speak.

And he raised them up and embraced them, and kissed them many times, weeping for joy that he saw them alive.

Hear what he said who was born in happy hour! You dear and honoured wife, and ye my daughters, my heart and my soul; enter with me into Valencia;...this is the inheritance which I have won for you.

While they were thus rejoicing the Bishop Don Hieronymo came with the procession.

Dona Ximena brought good relicks and other sacred things, which she gave to ennoble the new Church of Valencia.

In this guise they entered the city.

Who can tell the rejoicings that were made that day, throwing at the board, and killing bulls! My Cid led them to the Alcazar, and took them up upon the highest tower thereof, and there they looked around and beheld Valencia, how it lay before them, and the Great Garden with its thick shade, and the sea on the other side; and they lifted up their hands to thank God.

Great honour did the Cid do to Abencano the Lord of Molina, for all the service which he had done to Dona Ximena.

Then said Abencano, This, Sir, I was bound to do, for since I have been your vassal I have always been respected, and defended from all my enemies, and maintained in good estate; how then should I do otherwise than serve you? If I did not, I should lack understanding.

And the Cid thanked him for what he had done, and what he had said, and promised also to show favour unto him.

And Abencano took his leave and returned to Molina.