Though the King thereby was gladdened, was Ordoñez not content;
"Meseems that in the Moorish land is no man any more, Since so his will upon them works the Cid Campeador."
To the Count the King gave answer: "So speak not of him now! In faith he doth me service of a better sort than thou."
And then outspoke Minaya, like a nobleman spoke he: "The Cid, if it shall please thee, desires a boon of thee, For his wife Dame Xiména and his daughters two beside, That they may leave the convent where he left them to abide, And may hasten to Valencia to the noble Campeador." Then said the King in answer: "My heart is glad therefor. That they be given escort I will issue the command, So that they may be protected as they travel through my land From insult and dishonor and whatever harm may be. And when these ladies shall have reached my kingdom's boundary, Have a care how thou shalt serve them, thou and the Campeador. Now hark to me, my vassals, and my courtiers furthermore: I like not that to Roy Diaz any losses shall befall, And therefore to his vassals, the Cid their lord that call, I restore that which I seized on, their possession and their fee. Let them keep their lands, no matter where the Campeador may be From harm and hurt the safety of their persons I accord. This I do that they may lightly render service to their lord."
Minaya Alvar Fañez kissed the King's hand straightway. And the King smiled upon him and a fair word did he say: ''Who'er to serve the Campeador desireh now to ride, As for me, he has permission, and God's grace with him abide. More than by further hatred by this measure shall we gain."
Counsel straightway together held the Heirs of Carrión twain. "The fame of the Cid Campeador grows great on every side, An we might wed his daughters, would our needs be satisfied. Scarce we dare frame this project e'en to ourselves alone; The Cid is of Bivár, and we are Counts of Carrión."
They hatched that plot between them, to none they told the thing. Minaya Alvar Fañez took leave of the good King:. "Ha! goest thou, Minaya? The Creator give thee grace. Take an herald. As I deem it he may help thee in this case. If thou take the ladies, serve them even as they desire. Even unto Medína grant them all that they require. The Campeador shall take them in his charge thenceforward on." After leave ta'en Minaya from the court he got him gone.