Monzon © Mark Wade

When this was done the King bade the Cid make his demand; and the Cid rose and said, Sir, there is no reason for making long speeches here, which would detain the Cortes.

I demand of the Infantes of Carrion, before you, two swords which I gave into their keeping; the one is Colada and the other Tizona.

I won them like a man, and gave them to the keeping of the Infantes that they might honour my daughters with them, and serve you.

When they left my daughters in the Oak-forest of Corpes they chose to have nothing to do with me, and renounced my love; let them therefore give me back the swords, seeing that they are no longer my sons-in-law.

Then the King commanded the Alcaldes to judge upon this demand according as they should find the right; and they took counsel and judged, that the swords should be restored unto the Cid.

And Count Don Garcia said they would talk concerning it; and the Infantes of Carrion talked apart with those who were on their side, and they thought that they were well off; for that the Cid would demand nothing more of them, but would leave the Cortes when he had recovered the swords.

So they brought the swords Colada and Tizona, and delivered them to the King.

The King drew the swords, and the whole Court shone with their brightness: their hilts were of solid gold; all the good men of the Cortes marvelled at them.

And the Cid rose and received them, and kissed the King's hand, and went back to his ivory seat; and he took the swords in his hand and looked at them; they could not change them, for the Cid knew them well, and his whole frame rejoiced, and he smiled from his heart.

And he laid them upon his lap and said, Ah, my swords, Colada and Tizona, truly may I say of you, that you are the best swords in Spain; and I won you, for I did not get you either by buying or by barter.

I gave ye in keeping to the Infantes of Carrion that they might do honour to my daughters with ye.

But ye were not for them! they kept ye hungry, and did not feed ye with flesh as ye were wont to be fed.

Well is it for you that ye have escaped that thraldom and are come again to my hands, and happy man am I to recover you.

Then Alvar Fanez rose and kissed the hand of the Cid, and said, I beseech you give Colada into my keeping while this Cortes shall last, that I may defend you therewith: and the Cid gave it him and said, Take it, it hath changed its master for the better.

And Pero Bermudez rose and made the same demand for the sword Tizona, and the Cid gave it him in like manner.

Then the Cid laid hand upon his beard as he was wont to do, and the Infantes of Carrion and they who were of their side thought that he meant to disturb the Cortes, and they were greatly afraid; but he sate still like a man of good understanding, for he was not one who did things lightly.