Soria © Mark Wade

Then the Cid and his people returned to the field and began to plunder the tents.

And the spoil was so great that there was no end to the riches, in gold and in silver, and in horses and arms, so that men knew not what to leave and what to take.

And they found one tent which had been King Yucef's; never man saw so noble a thing as that tent was; and there were great riches therein, and there also did they find Alvar Salvadores, who had been made prisoner the yesterday, as ye have heard.

Greatly did the Cid rejoice when he saw him alive and sound, and he ordered his chains to be taken off; and then he left Alvar Fanez to look to the spoil, and went into Valencia with a hundred knights.

His wrinkled brow was seen, for he had taken off his helmet, and in this manner he entered, upon Bavieca, sword in hand.

Great joy had Dona Ximena and her daughters, who were awaiting him, when they saw him come riding in; and he stopt when he came to them, and said, Great honour have I won for you, while you kept Valencia this day! God and the Saints have sent us goodly gain, upon your coming.

Look, with a bloody sword, and a horse all sweat, this is the way that we conquer the Moors! Pray God that I may live yet awhile for your sakes, and you shall enter into great honour, and they shall kiss your hands.

Then my Cid alighted when he had said this, and the ladies knelt down before him, and kissed his hand, and wished him long life.

Then they entered the Palace with him, and took their seats upon the precious benches.

Wife Dona Ximena, said he, these damsels who have served you so well, I will give in marriage to these my vassals, and to every one of them two hundred marks of silver, that it may be known in Castille what they have got by their services.

Your daughters' marriage will come in time.

And they all rose and kissed his hand; and great was the joy in the Palace, and it was done according as the Cid had said.