University of Virginia Library

Don Sanchez dead,
At once, from exile King Alphonso burst:
The Cortes met: with haughty brow he claimed
Allegiance due, like one who knows his rights,
Full sovereignty, God-given, and not from man,
Of Leon and Castile. They gave consent;
At Burgos in procession long and slow
The knights and nobles passed, and passing kissed
Each the King's hand. Alone the Cid stood still.
Astonished sat the King. He spake: ‘The Cid
Alone no homage pays.’ The Cid replied:
‘Sir, through your total realm a rumour flies,
And kings, all know, must live above suspicion—
That in your brother's death a part was yours:
Sir, in his day your brother did me wrong:
I, for that wrong am none the less his vassal:
Make oath, sir King, that rumour is a lie!
Till then from me no homage!’ Silent long
Alphonso sat: then ‘Be it so,’ he said.
Next day he rode to Burgos' chiefest church,
And there heard Mass. About him stood that hour
His nobles and hidalgos: Mass surceased,
Crowned, on a dais high, in sight of all
Alphonso sat: behind him stood twelve knights:
Slowly my Cid advanced, upon his breast
Clasping the Gospels open thrown. The King
Laid on them hands outspread. Then spake my Cid:
‘I swear that in my brother's death no part
Was mine.’ Low-bowed, Alphonso said, ‘I swear;’
Likewise his twelve hidalgos. Then the Cid:
‘If false my oath, mine be my brother's fate.’
Alphonso said ‘Amen’; but at that word
His colour changed. With eye firm-fixed my Cid
Slowly that oath repeated; and once more
The King and his hidalgos said ‘Amen!’
Three times he spake it; thrice the monarch swore:
Then waved the standards, and the bells rang out;
And sea-like swayed the masses t'ward the gates.
Parting, Alphonso whispered to my Cid—
None heard the words he spake.