Bermudez

On the morrow the Cid mounted his horse and rode into Alcudia, and brought the Infantes his sons-in-law from thence with him into the city to the Alcazar, that they might see their brides Dona Elvira and Dona Sol.

Dona Ximena had her daughters ready to receive them in full noble garments, for since midnight they had done nothing but prink and prank themselves.

Full richly was the Alcazar set out that day, with hangings both above and below, purple and samite, and rich cloth.

The Cid entered between the Infantes, and all that noble company went in after them; and they went into the chief hall of the Alcazar, where Dona Ximena was with her daughters; and when they saw the Cid and the Infantes, they rose up and welcomed them right well.

And the Cid took his seat upon his bench with one of the Infantes on one side of him, and one on the other, and the other honourable men seated themselves on the estrados, each in the place where he ought to be, and which belonged to him; and they remained awhile silent.

Then the Cid rose and called for Alvar Fanez and said, Thou knowest what my Lord the King commanded; fulfil now his bidding,...take thy cousins, and deliver them to the Infantes, for it is the King who gives them in marriage, and not I.

And Alvar Fanez arose and took the damsels one in each hand, and delivered them to the Infantes, saying, Diego Gonzalez, and Ferrando Gonzalez, I deliver unto you these damsels, the daughters of the Cid Campeador, by command of King Don Alfonso my Lord, even as he commanded.

Receive you them as your equal helpmates, as the law of Christ enjoineth.

And the Infantes took each his bride by the hand, and went to the Cid and kissed his hand, and the same did they to their mother Dona Ximena Gomez: and the Bishop Don Hieronymo espoused them, and they exchanged rings.

When this was done, the Cid went and seated himself on the estrado with the ladies, he and Dona Ximena in the middle, and beside him he placed Dona Elvira his eldest daughter, and by her, her spouse the Infante Diego Gonzalez; and Dona Sol was seated on the other side, by her mother, and the Infante Ferrando by her.

And when they had solaced themselves awhile, the Cid said that now they would go eat, and that the marriage should be performed on the morrow, and he besought and commanded the Bishop Don Hieronymo to perform it in such a manner that no cost should be spared, but that every thing should be done so compleatly, that they who came from Castille to this wedding might always have something to tell of.