The Works of John Hookham Frere In Verse and Prose Now First Collected with a Prefatory Memoir by his Nephews W. E. and Sir Bartle Frere |
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 | The Works of John Hookham Frere In Verse and Prose |  |
II.
ARGUMENT.
On the death of King Almudafar, his sons Zulema and Abenalfange divided his dominions; the former had the kingdom of Zaragosa, and put it under the protection of the Cid. The latter had the kingdom of Denia; and, as there began to be great enmity between the brothers, Abenalfange was helped by Don Pedro king of Aragon and Count Don Ramon Berenger of Barcelona, who thereby became enemies of the Cid. The Cid with 200 horsemen attacked the lands of Alcaniz, and after that infested Huesca and Montalban. Of this tidings were taken to the king of Denia, and to the Count of Barcelona, who attack the Cid in a valley near the Pine-wood of Thebar, are routed, the Count taken prisoner, and his sword Colada taken by the Cid. The Count refuses all food, and starves himself for three days, till the Cid promises him and two of his followers their freedom if he eats a hearty dinner, which he does, and obtains his freedom.
The news spread wide and far, it reached Count Ramon's ear,
The Count of Barcelona Don Ramon Berenger,
How the Cid Ruy Diaz was riding far and near,
Plundering all the country. The Count was bold and hot,
A proud and angry word was spoken on the spot:
“Ruy Diaz has offended us and evermore offends;
“He smote my kinsman in the court and never made amends;
“And here he comes to rob the Moors, my neighbours and my friends,
“That pay me for protection, and live within my league.
“I never join'd against him with faction or intrigue,
“Or was his secret enemy, or defied him as a foe,
“Or wrong'd him or attack'd him; but since he wills it so,
“Since he comes against us, against him we must go.”
The Count with all his vassals is mustering strong and fast—
They throng in troops together and follow forth in haste,
Christian Knights and Franks, and Moors of every caste,
Riding in hot pursuit of the Champion of Bivar,
And there at length they found him, at the Pine-wood of Thebar;
It was a three days' march before they reach'd so far.
The Count of Barcelona Don Ramon Berenger,
How the Cid Ruy Diaz was riding far and near,
Plundering all the country. The Count was bold and hot,
A proud and angry word was spoken on the spot:
“Ruy Diaz has offended us and evermore offends;
“He smote my kinsman in the court and never made amends;
“And here he comes to rob the Moors, my neighbours and my friends,
“That pay me for protection, and live within my league.
“I never join'd against him with faction or intrigue,
“Or was his secret enemy, or defied him as a foe,
“Or wrong'd him or attack'd him; but since he wills it so,
“Since he comes against us, against him we must go.”
415
They throng in troops together and follow forth in haste,
Christian Knights and Franks, and Moors of every caste,
Riding in hot pursuit of the Champion of Bivar,
And there at length they found him, at the Pine-wood of Thebar;
It was a three days' march before they reach'd so far.
The Cid came with his plunder, a convoy large and good,
Descending from the mountain to a vale beside the wood;
A summons there was sent him from the Count Berenger,
The Cid, when he received it, returned a messenger—
“Tell the Count Berenger we mean to part from hence;
“We wish to part in peace, we never meant offence;
“Whatever gain we made was not at his expense.”
Descending from the mountain to a vale beside the wood;
A summons there was sent him from the Count Berenger,
The Cid, when he received it, returned a messenger—
“Tell the Count Berenger we mean to part from hence;
“We wish to part in peace, we never meant offence;
“Whatever gain we made was not at his expense.”
The Count, in haste and anger, replied—“it is not true;
“He shall now pay me for the past, and for the present too;
“I shall teach this outlaw the respect that is my due.”
Wi' that the messenger returned; the Cid might fairly see
That he must risk a battle, it might no better be.
“Look to your baggage, gentlemen, set all the gear apart,
“And arm yourselves for battle, we fight before we part.
“Our enemies are here at hand with a mighty threat and boast,
“The Count of Barcelona forsooth with all his host!—
“Franks and Moors together I know not which are most:
“But since they come pursuing, and their intent is clear
“To attack us as they find us, we'll fight our battle here:
“They will be riding down the slope with a broken pace;
“Our saddles are all firm and deep, well girded in their place,
“And theirs are easy surcingles and saddles for a race.
“You will not find among them one well arm'd cavalier;
“A hundred of our number might fight them without fear:
“Before they reach the valley let us meet them with the spear;
“For one man that you strike three saddles will be clear.
“We shall teach the Count Don Ramon Berenger,
“With knighthood and with practice and proof of manhood shear,
“What kind of knights and what a chief he comes pursuing here,
“To take our booty from us, the spoil we bought so dear!”
And now the noble Cid had finish'd his discourse;
His knights are rang'd in order, each upon his horse.
The Franks come down the hill with a random course.
Just where the mountain ended, at the valley's source,
The Cid gave orders to his men to charge with all their force:
That order they perform'd with all their soul and heart,
With pennons and with lances so well they play'd their part,
Some are pierc'd and wounded, others beaten down,
The Count is taken captive, his host is overthrown,
His sword that was worth a thousand marks, the Cid has made his own,
The noble sword Colada that through the world was known.
He has adorn'd that mighty beard with honour and renown,
His beard, that as a banish'd man was left all overgrown—
The Count is taken with the Cid in close and steady ward
A surety for his creditors for them to watch and guard—
The Cid came from his tent, and at the door he stood,
His knights are crowding round him, all in a merry mood,
Right merry was the Cid, the spoil was rich and good.—
“He shall now pay me for the past, and for the present too;
“I shall teach this outlaw the respect that is my due.”
Wi' that the messenger returned; the Cid might fairly see
That he must risk a battle, it might no better be.
“Look to your baggage, gentlemen, set all the gear apart,
“And arm yourselves for battle, we fight before we part.
“Our enemies are here at hand with a mighty threat and boast,
“The Count of Barcelona forsooth with all his host!—
“Franks and Moors together I know not which are most:
“But since they come pursuing, and their intent is clear
“To attack us as they find us, we'll fight our battle here:
“They will be riding down the slope with a broken pace;
“Our saddles are all firm and deep, well girded in their place,
“And theirs are easy surcingles and saddles for a race.
“You will not find among them one well arm'd cavalier;
“A hundred of our number might fight them without fear:
“Before they reach the valley let us meet them with the spear;
“For one man that you strike three saddles will be clear.
“We shall teach the Count Don Ramon Berenger,
“With knighthood and with practice and proof of manhood shear,
“What kind of knights and what a chief he comes pursuing here,
“To take our booty from us, the spoil we bought so dear!”
And now the noble Cid had finish'd his discourse;
His knights are rang'd in order, each upon his horse.
The Franks come down the hill with a random course.
Just where the mountain ended, at the valley's source,
The Cid gave orders to his men to charge with all their force:
416
With pennons and with lances so well they play'd their part,
Some are pierc'd and wounded, others beaten down,
The Count is taken captive, his host is overthrown,
His sword that was worth a thousand marks, the Cid has made his own,
The noble sword Colada that through the world was known.
He has adorn'd that mighty beard with honour and renown,
His beard, that as a banish'd man was left all overgrown—
The Count is taken with the Cid in close and steady ward
A surety for his creditors for them to watch and guard—
The Cid came from his tent, and at the door he stood,
His knights are crowding round him, all in a merry mood,
Right merry was the Cid, the spoil was rich and good.—
For the service of the Cid a banquet was prepar'd,
Count Ramon would not eat of it, or pay the least regard;
They serv'd the meat before him. He laugh'd at them again—
“I would not eat a morsel for all the wealth of Spain;
“I would rather lose my life, and perish here outright,
“Since such a set of ragged knaves have conquer'd me in fight.”
The good Cid Ruy Diaz, these were the words he said:
“Eat and drink, Sir Count, of the wine and of the bread,
“If you do as I advise you shortly may be free,
“Else you can never hope a Christian land to see—
“Be merry, Don Rodrigo—feast and make good cheer.”
“I shall not eat a morsel; I mean to perish here.”—
They shar'd and pack'd the booty; till the third day was past,
The Count continued still to famish and to fast.
They could not make him eat a morsel nor a crumb:
At length the worthy Cid said, “Come, Sir Ramon, come!
“If ever you design to return to Christendom,
“You needs must break your fast; therefore if you'll agree
“To eat a goodly dinner fairly and lustily,
“With two companions of your choice, I promise all the three
“To quit you from your prison, and leave you ransom-free.”
The Count was joyful at the word, and answer'd cheerfully:
“Cid, if you mean it as you say, this way to ransom me,
“As long as I shall live a marvel it will be.”—
“Then come to dinner, Count, and when you've eat your fill,
“You with your two companions may go whene'er you will;
“But for the booty that I gain'd, I mean to keep it still:
“No not a farthing will I give of all the wealth you lost,
“Your plea was overthrown in fight, and you must pay the cost;
“Besides, I want the goods myself, for the service of my host,
“My ragged hearty followers, my safeguard and my boast;
“Thus we must live, till Heaven above has otherwise disposed,
“Standing in anger of the king, with all the best and most
“Of our inheritance and lands sequester'd and foreclosed;
“As is the wont of banish'd men, we needs must think it fair
“To keep our troop together, with plundering here and there.”
The Count was pleased, and call'd for water for his hands,
A bason with the banquet was brought at his commands;
Two knights were with him, that the Cid released him ransomless;
I warrant all the three were joyous at the mess.
Then spoke the noble Cid—“Sir Count, before we part,
“You must perform your promise, and eat with all your heart,
“Else I must keep you with me to whet your appetite.”
The Count replied—“The contract shall be fulfill'd aright;
“I promise you to do my part, and do it with delight.”
The noble-minded Cid stood smiling there beside
To see the Count at meat, so fast his hands he plied.
“An' if it be your pleasure, Cid, now that our dinner's done,
“Give order for our horses, and let us hence be gone;
“Of all the meals I ever made this is the heartiest one.”—
Three palfreys were brought up to them, with saddles rich and fair,
With mantles and with housings of cloth and peltry rare.
The Count was in the midst, his knights on either side,
The Cid for half a stage would escort him on his ride;—
“Farewell Sir Count! you leave me ransomless and frank;
“I quit you with all courtesies; and furthermore I thank
“Your bounty for the booty you left with me behind;
“And if you should repent of it, or chance to change your mind,
“And wish to mend your luck, whenever you're inclined,
“Myself and my companions are easy folks to find:—
“But if you leave me quiet, (as well, methinks, you may)
“Your lands will fare the better; and on a future day
“With your own goods or others perhaps I may repay.”—
“Cid, you may fairly boast, you're safe upon that head;
“For this year and the next my score is fully paid;
“And as for coming after you let nothing more be said.”
The Count went crowding on his pace, and looking fast behind
Pressing and urging onward, he doubted in his mind
The Cid might change his purpose. He little knew the Cid;
That would have been a treason,—a thing he never did;
He never would have done so base an act—not even
To purchase all the gold and treasure under heaven.
Count Ramon would not eat of it, or pay the least regard;
They serv'd the meat before him. He laugh'd at them again—
“I would not eat a morsel for all the wealth of Spain;
“I would rather lose my life, and perish here outright,
“Since such a set of ragged knaves have conquer'd me in fight.”
The good Cid Ruy Diaz, these were the words he said:
“Eat and drink, Sir Count, of the wine and of the bread,
“If you do as I advise you shortly may be free,
“Else you can never hope a Christian land to see—
“Be merry, Don Rodrigo—feast and make good cheer.”
“I shall not eat a morsel; I mean to perish here.”—
They shar'd and pack'd the booty; till the third day was past,
The Count continued still to famish and to fast.
They could not make him eat a morsel nor a crumb:
At length the worthy Cid said, “Come, Sir Ramon, come!
“If ever you design to return to Christendom,
“You needs must break your fast; therefore if you'll agree
“To eat a goodly dinner fairly and lustily,
“With two companions of your choice, I promise all the three
“To quit you from your prison, and leave you ransom-free.”
The Count was joyful at the word, and answer'd cheerfully:
“Cid, if you mean it as you say, this way to ransom me,
“As long as I shall live a marvel it will be.”—
“Then come to dinner, Count, and when you've eat your fill,
“You with your two companions may go whene'er you will;
“But for the booty that I gain'd, I mean to keep it still:
417
“Your plea was overthrown in fight, and you must pay the cost;
“Besides, I want the goods myself, for the service of my host,
“My ragged hearty followers, my safeguard and my boast;
“Thus we must live, till Heaven above has otherwise disposed,
“Standing in anger of the king, with all the best and most
“Of our inheritance and lands sequester'd and foreclosed;
“As is the wont of banish'd men, we needs must think it fair
“To keep our troop together, with plundering here and there.”
The Count was pleased, and call'd for water for his hands,
A bason with the banquet was brought at his commands;
Two knights were with him, that the Cid released him ransomless;
I warrant all the three were joyous at the mess.
Then spoke the noble Cid—“Sir Count, before we part,
“You must perform your promise, and eat with all your heart,
“Else I must keep you with me to whet your appetite.”
The Count replied—“The contract shall be fulfill'd aright;
“I promise you to do my part, and do it with delight.”
The noble-minded Cid stood smiling there beside
To see the Count at meat, so fast his hands he plied.
“An' if it be your pleasure, Cid, now that our dinner's done,
“Give order for our horses, and let us hence be gone;
“Of all the meals I ever made this is the heartiest one.”—
Three palfreys were brought up to them, with saddles rich and fair,
With mantles and with housings of cloth and peltry rare.
The Count was in the midst, his knights on either side,
The Cid for half a stage would escort him on his ride;—
“Farewell Sir Count! you leave me ransomless and frank;
“I quit you with all courtesies; and furthermore I thank
“Your bounty for the booty you left with me behind;
“And if you should repent of it, or chance to change your mind,
“And wish to mend your luck, whenever you're inclined,
“Myself and my companions are easy folks to find:—
“But if you leave me quiet, (as well, methinks, you may)
“Your lands will fare the better; and on a future day
“With your own goods or others perhaps I may repay.”—
“Cid, you may fairly boast, you're safe upon that head;
“For this year and the next my score is fully paid;
“And as for coming after you let nothing more be said.”
The Count went crowding on his pace, and looking fast behind
418
The Cid might change his purpose. He little knew the Cid;
That would have been a treason,—a thing he never did;
He never would have done so base an act—not even
To purchase all the gold and treasure under heaven.
| The Works of John Hookham Frere In Verse and Prose | |