Segovia © Mark Wade

On the morrow the messengers of the Cid departed from Valladolid, and took their way towards Valencia; and when the Cid knew that they were nigh at hand he went out to meet them, and when he saw them he waxed joyful; and he embraced them, and asked what tidings of his Lord Alfonso.

And they told him how they had sped, and how greatly the King loved him; and when we departed, said they, he bade us beseech you to come and meet him anywhere where you will appoint, for he desireth to speak with you, concerning the marriage of your daughters with the Infantes of Carrion, if it should please you so to bestow them: now by what the King said it seemeth unto us that this marriage pleaseth him.

And when the Cid heard this he became thoughtful, and he said to them after awhile, What think ye of this marriage? And they answered him, Even as it shall please you.

And he said to them, I was banished from my own country, and was dishonoured, and with hard labour I gained what I have got; and now I stand in the King's favour, and he asketh of me my daughters for the Infantes of Carrion.

They are of high blood and full orgulous, and I have no liking to this match; but if our Lord the King adviseth it we can do no otherwise: we will talk of this, and God send it for the best.

So they entered Valencia, and the Cid spake with Dona Ximena touching this matter, and when she heard it it did not please her; nevertheless she said, if the King thought it good they could do no otherwise.

Then the Cid gave order to write letters to the King, saying, that he would meet the King as he commanded, and whatever the King wished that he would do.

And he sealed the letters well, and sent two knights with them.

And when the King saw the letters he was well pleased, and sent others to say that the time of their meeting should be three weeks after he received these letters, and the place appointed was upon the Tagus, which is a great river.