Unto his quarters under guard the captive count he sent, While his men haste to gather in their spoils in high content. Then for my Cid Don Roderick a banquet they prepare; But little doth Count Raymond now for feast or banquet care. They bring him meat and drink, but he repels them with disdain. "No morsel will I touch," said he, "for all the wealth of Spain. Let soul and body perish now; life why should I prolong, Conquered and captive at the hands of such an ill-breeched throng?" "Nay," said my Cid; "take bread and wine; eat, and thou goest free; If not, thy realms in Christendom thou never more shalt see." "Go thou, Don Roderick," said the Count, "eat if thou wilt, but I Have no more lust for meat and drink: I only crave to die." Three days, while they the booty share, for all that they entreat, The Count his purpose holds unchanged, refusing still to eat. Then said my Cid, "I pray thee, Count, take food and trust to me; Thyself and two knights of thy train I promise to set free." Glad was Count Raymond in his heart when he the promise heard-- "A marvel that will be, my Cid, if thou dost keep thy word." "Then, Count, take food, and when I see thy hunger satisfied, My word is pledged to let thee go, thyself and two beside. But understand, one farthing's worth I render not again Of what has been in battle lost and won on yonder plain. I give not back the lawful spoils I fairly win in fight; But for mine own and vassals' wants I hold them as my right. My followers are needy men; I cannot if I would; For spoil from thee and others won is all our livelihood. And such, while God's good will it is, must be our daily life, As outcasts forced to wander, with an angry king at strife." With lighter heart Count Raymond called for water for his hands, And then with his two gentlemen, sent by the Cid's commands, He blithely sat him down to meat: God! with what gust ate he! And glad was the Campeador such heartiness to see. Quoth he, "Until thou eat thy fill we part not, Count, to-day." "Nor loth am I," Count Raymond said, "such bidding to obey." So he and his two cavaliers a hearty meal they made: It pleased my Cid to watch his hands, how lustily they played. "Now if thou wilt," Count Raymond said, "that we are satisfied, Bid them to lead the horses forth, that we may mount and ride. Never since I have been a Count have I yet broken fast With such a relish; long shall I remember this repast." Three palfreys with caparisons of costly sort they bring, And on the saddles robes of fur and mantles rich they fling. Thus, with a knight on either hand, away Count Raymond rides; While to the outposts of the camp his guests the Champion guides. "Now speed thee, Count; ride on," quoth he, "a free Frank as thou art. For the brave spoil thou leavest me I thank thee from my heart; And if to win it back again perchance thou hast a mind, Come thou and seek me when thou wilt; I am not far to find. But if it be not to thy taste to try another day, Still, somewhat, be it mine or thine, thou carriest away." "Nay! go in peace for me, my Cid: no more I seek of thee; And thou, I think, for one year's space hast won enough of me." He spurred his steed, but, as he rode, a backward glance he bent, Still fearing to the last my Cid his promise would repent: A thing, the world itself to win, my Cid would not have done: No perfidy was ever found in him, the Perfect One. _Ormsby's Translation._