The Lay of the Cid. Folio 23v

And we have drunk their liquor, of their bread our meal we make.
If they come forth to surround us, justly they undertake.
Without a fight this matter will in no way be a-paid.
Let messengers go seek them who now should bear us aid;
Let them go to them in Jerica and Alueat that are
And thence to Onda. Likewise let them go to Almenar.

Let the men of Borianna hither at once come in.
In this place a pitched battle we shall certainly begin.
I trust much will be added to our gain in this essay."
They all were come together in his host on the third day.
And he who in good hour was born 'gan speak his meaning clear:
"So may the Creator aid us, my gallants hark and hear.
Since we have left fair Christendom — We did not as we would;
We could no other — God be praised our fortune has been good.
The Valencians besiege us. If here we would remain,
They must learn of us a lesson excelling in its pain.

LXVII

"Let the night pass and morning come. Look that ye ready be
With arms and horses. We will forth that host of theirs to see.
Like men gone out in exile into a strange empire,
There shall it be determined who is worthy of his hire."

LXVIII

Minaya Alvar Fanez, hark what he said thereto:
"Ho! Campeador, thy pleasure in all things may we do.
Give me of knights an hundred, I ask not one other man.
And do thou with the others smite on them in the van