time to escape from the
Cid, who had mounted hastily, without spurs, and thus could not urge
Babieca on to his utmost speed and overtake the murderer.

"'Cursed be the wretch! and cursed
He who mounteth without spur!
Had I arm'd my heels with rowels,
I had slain the treacherous cur.'"
_Ancient Spanish Ballads_ (Lockhart's tr.).

The grief in the camp at the violent death of the king was very great. Don
Diego Ordonez immediately sent a challenge to Don Arias Gonzalo, who, while
accepting the combat for his son, swore that none of the Zamorans knew of
the dastardly deed, which Dolfos alone had planned.

"'Fire consume us, Count Gonzalo,
If in this we guilty be!
None of us within Zamora
Of this deed had privity.

"'Dolfos only is the traitor;
None but he the king did slay.
Thou canst safely go to battle,
God will be thy shield and stay.'"
_Ancient Spanish Ballads_ (Lockhart's tr.).

This oath was confirmed by the outcome of the duel, and none of the
besiegers ever again ventured to doubt the honor of the Zamorans.

[Sidenote: Alfonso king.] As Don Sancho had left no children to inherit his
kingdom, it came by right of inheritance to Don Alfonso, who was still at
Toledo, a nominal guest, but in reality a prisoner. Dona Urraca, who was
deeply attached to her brother, now managed to convey to him secret
information of Don Sancho's death, and Don Alfonso cleverly effected his
escape, turning his pursuers off his track by reversing his horse's shoes.
When he arrived at Zamora, all were ready to do him homage except the Cid,
who proudly held aloof until Don Alfonso had publicly sworn that he had not
bribed Dolfos to commit the dastardly crime which had called him to the
throne.

"'Wherefore, if thou be but guiltless,
Straight I pray of thee to swear,--
Thou and twelve of these thy liegemen,
Who with thee in exile were,--
That in thy late brother's death
Thou hadst neither part nor share
That none of ye to his murder
Privy or consenting were.'"
_Ancient Spanish Ballads_ (Lockhart's tr.).

The king, angry at being thus called upon to answer for his conduct to a
mere subject, viewed the Cid with great dislike, and only awaited a
suitable occasion to take his revenge. During a war with the Moors he made
use of a trifling pretext to banish him, allow