Lorca

King Don Alfonso arrived first by one day at the place of meeting, and when he heard that the Cid was at hand, he went out with all his honourable men, more than a long league to meet him.

When he who was born in a good hour had his eye upon the King, he bade his company halt, and with fifteen of the knights whom he loved best he alighted, and put his hands and his knees to the ground, and took the herbs of the field between his teeth, as if he would have eaten them, weeping for great joy;...thus did he know how to humble himself before Alfonso his Lord; and in this manner he approached his feet and would have kissed them.

And the King drew back and said, The hand, Cid Campeador, not the foot! And the Cid drew nigh upon his knees and besought grace, saying, In this guise grant me your love, so that all present may hear.

And the King said that he forgave him, and granted him his love with his heart and soul.

And the Cid kissed both his hands, being still upon his knees; and the King embraced him, and gave him the kiss of peace.

Well pleased were all they who beheld this, save only Alvar Diez and Garcia Ordonez, for they did not love the Cid.

Then went they all towards the town, the King and the Cid talking together by the way.

And the Cid asked the King to eat with him, and the King answered, Not so, for ye are not prepared; we arrived yesterday, and ye but now.

Eat you and your company therefore with me, for we have made ready.

Today, Cid Campeador, you are my guest, and to-morrow we will do as pleases you.

Now came the Infantes of Carrion up and humbled themselves before the Cid, and he received them well, and they promised to do him service.

And the company of the Cid came up, and kissed the King's hand.

So they alighted and went to meat; and the King said unto the Cid that he should eat with him at his table; howbeit he would not.

And when the King saw that he would not take his seat with him, he ordered a high table to be placed for the Cid and for Count Don Gonzalo, the father of the Infantes of Carrion.

All the while that they ate the King could never look enough at the Cid, and he marvelled greatly at his beard, that it had grown to such length.

And when they had eaten they were merry, and took their pleasure.

And on the morrow the King and all they who went with him to this meeting, ate with the Cid, and so well did he prepare for them that all were full joyful, and agreed in one thing, that they had not eaten better for three years.

There was not a man there who did not eat upon silver, and the King and the chief persons ate upon dishes and trenchers of gold.

And when the Infantes saw this, they had the marriage more at heart than before.