The Banishment of the Cid IX

Raquél and Vidas sate to count their goods and profits through,When up came Antolínez, the prudent man and true.

"How now Raquél and Vidas, am I dear unto your heart,I would speak close." They tarried not. All three they went apart."Give me, Raquél and Vidas, your hands for promise sureThat you will not betray me to Christian or to Moor.I shall make you rich forever. You shall ne'er be needy more.When to gather in the taxes went forth the Campeador,Many rich goods he garnered, but he only kept the best.Therefore this accusation against him was addressed.And now two mighty coffers full of pure gold hath he.Why he lost the King's favor a man may lightly see.He has left his halls and houses, his meadow and his field,And the chests he cannot bring you lest he should stand revealed.The Campeador those coffers will deliver to your trust.And do you lend unto him whatsoever may be just.Do you take the chests and keep them, but swear a great oath hereThat you will not look within them for the space of all thisyear."

The two took counsel:"Something to our profit must inureIn all barter. He gained something in the country of the MoorWhen he marched there, for many goods he brought with him away.But he sleeps not unsuspected, who brings coined gold to pay.Let the two of us together take now the coffers twain.In some place let us put them where unseen they shall remain.

"What the lord Cid demandeth, we prithee let us hear,And what will be our usury for the space of all this year?"

Said Martin Antolínez like a prudent man and true:"Whatever you deem right and just the Cid desires of you.He will ask little since his goods are left in a safe place.But needy men on all sides beseech the Cid for grace.For six hundred marks of money, the Cid is sore bested."

"'Tis night. The Cid is sorely pressed. So give the marks to us.Answered Raquél and Vidas: "Men do not traffic thus.But first they take their surety and thereafter give the fee."Said Martin Antolínez:"So be it as for me.Come ye to the great Campeador for 'tis but just and fairThat we should help you with the chests, and put them in yourcare,So that neither Moor nor Christian thereof shall hear the tale."

"Therewith are we right well content," said Vidas and Raquél,"You shall have marks six hundred when we bring the chests again."

And Martin Antolínez rode forth swiftly with the twain.And they were glad exceeding. O'er the bridge he did not go,But through the stream, that never a Burgalese should knowThrough him thereof. And now behold the Campeador his tent.When they therein had entered to kiss his hands they bent.My lord the Cid smiled on them and unto them said he:

"Ha, don Raquél and Vidas, you have forgotten me!And now must I get hence away who am banished in disgrace,For the king from me in anger hath turned away his face.I deem that from my chattels you shall gain somewhat of worth.And you shall lack for nothing while you dwell upon the earth.'

A-kissing of his hands forthwith Raquél and Vidas fell.Good Martin Antolínez had made the bargain well,That to him on the coffers marks six hundred they should lend.And keep them safe, moreover, till the year had made an end.For so their word was given and sworn to him again,If they looked ere that within them, forsworn should be the twain,The Cid would never give them one groat of usury.

Said Martin, "Let the chests be ta'en as swiftly as may be,Take them, Raquél and Vidas, and keep them in your care.And we shall even go with you that the money we may bear,For ere the first cock croweth must my lord the Cid depart."

At the loading of the coffers you had seen great joy of heart.For they could not heave the great chests up though they werestark and hale.Dear was the minted metal to Vidas and Raquél;And they would be rich forever till their two lives it were o'er