Belmonte © Mark Wade

No sooner had Ximen, the messenger of King Bucar, left the city, than the Cid ordered the bell to be struck, at the sound of which all the men at arms in Valencia were to gather together.

Incontinently they all assembled before the Cid, and he told them all to be ready full early on the morrow to go out and give battle to the Moors.

And they made answer with one accord that they were well pleased to do this, for they trusted in God and in his good fortune that they should overcome them.

On the morrow therefore at the first cock-crow, they confessed and communicated, as was their custom, and before the morning brake they went forth from Valencia.

And when they had got through the narrow passes among the gardens, the Cid set his army in array.

The van he gave to Alvar Fanez Minaya, and to Pero Bermudez who bore his banner; and he gave them five hundred horsemen, and a thousand and five hundred men a-foot.

In the right wing was that honourable one with the shaven crown, Don Hieronymo the Bishop, with the like number both of horse and foot; and in the left Martin Antolinez of Burgos and Alvar Salvadores, with as many more.

The Cid came in the rear with a thousand horsemen all in coats of mail, and two thousand five hundred men a-foot.

And in this array they proceeded till they came in sight of the Moors.

As soon as the Cid saw their tents he ordered his men to slacken their pace, and got upon his horse Bavieca, and put himself in the front before all his army, and his sons-in-law the Infantes of Carrion advanced themselves with him.

Then the Bishop Don Hieronymo came to the Cid and said, This day have I said the mass of the Holy Trinity before you.

I left my own country and came to seek you, for the desire I had to kill some Moors, and to do honour to my order and to my own hands.

Now would I be the foremost in this business; I have my pennon and my armorial bearing, and will employ them by God's help, that my heart may rejoice.

And my Cid, if you do not for the love of me grant this I will my ways from you.

But the Cid bade him do his pleasure, saying that it would please him also.

And then the great multitude of the Moors began to come out of their tents, and they formed their battle in haste, and came against the Christians, with the sound of trumpets and tambours, and with a great uproar; and as they came out upon the alarm, not expecting that the Cid would come against them so soon, they did not advance in order, as King Bucar had commanded.

And when the Cid saw this, he ordered his banner to be advanced, and bade his people lay on manfully.

The Bishop Don Hieronymo he pricked forward; two Moors he slew with the two first thrusts of the lance; the haft broke, and he laid hand on his sword.

God,...how well the Bishop fought! two he slew with the lance and five with the sword; the Moors came round about him and laid on load of blows, but they could not pierce his arms.

He who was born in happy hour had his eyes upon him, and he took his shield and placed it before him, and lowered his lance, and gave Bavieca the spur, that good horse.

With heart and soul he went at them, and made his way into their first battle; seven the Campeador smote down, and four he slew.

In short time they joined battle in such sort that many were slain and many overthrown, on one side and on the other, and so great was the din of strokes and of tambours that none could hear what another said; and they smote away cruelly, without rest or respite.