Said the Cid: "Now by this saying I am well pleased indeed."
"Where thou wilt hold this parley" said Minaya, "ponder well. "In that the king desired it, no wondrous thing befell," That wherever we might find him we might seek him in his way, As to our King and Master, our high devoir to pay. Haply we may desire what good to him shall seem. Nigh to the river Tagus that is a noble stream, If so my lord desire it, we will hold the parley there."
He wrote the letters straightway and sealed them well and fair. And then unto two horsemen he gave the letters o 'er. Whatso the King desireth, that will the Campeador.
CIII. Unto the King much honored, the letters they present. When he had looked upon them, then was his heart content. "To the Cid who in good time girt brand my greeting do I send, And let us hold the parley when three weeks are at an end. If I yet live, then doubtless I shall wait him in that place." They tarried not, but hastened home to the Cid apace.
On both sides for the parley they got ready point device. In Castile was ne'er such foison of mules without a price, Nor so many fair-paced palfreys, nor strong steeds swift to guide, Nor so many noble pennons on the stout lances tied, And shields whereof the bosses did with gold and silver shine, Robes, furs and Alexandrian cloth of satin woven fine. And the King gave his order, to send much victual there, To the waters of the Tagus where the parley they prepare. The King leads many a good troop, and Carrión's Heirs are gay. And here they run in debt apace, and there again they pay, For they thought to have great profit and increase manifold, And whatso they should desire, goods of silver and of gold. And now hath King Alfonso got swiftly to his horse, With counts and little nobles and vassals in great force. As for the Heirs of Carrión great companies they bring. From León and from Galicia came much people with the King; Know well, the levies of Castile, they are a countless train. And straight unto the parley they rode with slackened rein.
CIV. In the city of Valencia, my lord Cid Campeador Did not tarry, but the parley, he prepared himself therefor. There were stout mules a-many and palfreys swift to course, Great store of goodly armour, and many a fleet war-horse, Many fair cloaks and mantles, and many skins withal; In raiment of all colors are clad both great and small. Minaya Alvar Fañez and Per Vermudóz that wight, Martin Muñoz in Montemayór that held the rule of right, And Martin Antolínez that in Burgos had his home, And that most worthy cleric, the Bishop don Jerome, And with Alvar Salvadórez Alvar Alvarez beside, And likewise Muño Gustióz a gallant knight and tried, Also Galínd Garcíaz, that in Aragon abode, These to ride with the good Campeador got ready for the road. And the people in the palace prepared them all and one.