Thereat were many of good cheer and kissed his hands straightway. Grieved was Count don García. Wroth was his heart within. Apart he wells a little with ten men of his kin: "A marvel is this matter of the Cid, so grows his fame. Now by the honor that he hath we shall be put to shame. Kings he o'erthroweth lightly, and lightly bringeth steeds As though he dead had found them; we are minished by his deeds."
C. Hear now of King Alfonso what he said upon this score: "Thanks be to the Creator and the lord Saint Isidore For the two hundred horses that the Cid to me hath sent. Yet shall he serve me better in this my government. To Minaya Alvar Fañez and Per Vermudóz I say That you forthwith clothe your bodies in honorable array, And as you shall require it of me take battle-gear Such as before Roy Diaz in good manner shall appear. Take then the gift I give you even these horses three. As it seems to my avisement, as my heart telleth me, Out of all these adventures some good will come to light."
CI. They kissed his hands and entered to take their rest that night. In all things that they needed he bade men serve them well.
Of the two Heirs of Carrión now am I fain to tell, How secretly they counselled what thing should be their cast: "Of my lord Cid the high affairs go forward wondrous fast. Let us demand his daughters that with them we may wed. Our fortune and our honor thereby may be well sped." Unto the King Alfonso with their secret forth went they.
CII. "As from our King and master a boon of thee we pray By favor of thy counsel we desire to obtain That thou ask for us in marriage of the Cid his daughters twain. With honor and with profit shall the match for then, be fraught."
Thereon for a full hour's space pondered the King and thought "I cast out the good Campeador, and wrong I do him still For his good to me. I know not if the match be to his will, But we in hand will take it, since so your pleasures tend."
Alvar Fañez and Per Vermudóz, for them the King let send. He took them to a hall apart: "Now harken to me both Minaya and Per Vermudóz. The Cid my service doth; The Campeador, his pardon well hath he earned of me. And shall have it. I will meet him, if so his will shall be. In parley other tidings of my court I will make known; Dídago and Ferrándo, the Heirs of Carrión, Are fain to wed his daughters. Bear ye the message well, And I pray you that these tidings to the Campeador ye tell. It will be unto his honor, great will his fame have grown, When he becomes the father of the Heirs of Carrión."