ne,
My Sovereign, Lord, and Sire, he is fit for you alone;
Give orders to your people, and take him for your own.'
The King replied, 'It cannot be; Cid, you shall keep your horse;
He must not leave his master, nor change him for a worse;
Our kingdom has been honor'd by you and by your steed--
The man that would take him from you, evil may he speed.
A courser such as he is fit for such a knight,
To beat down Moors in battle, and follow them in flight.'"
_Chronicles of the Cid_ (Southey's tr.).

Shortly after, in the presence of the king, the Cid, and the assembled
Cortes, the appointed battle took place. The Infantes of Carrion and their
uncle were defeated and banished, and the Cid returned in triumph to
Valencia. Here his daughters' second marriage took place, and here he
received an embassy bringing him rich gifts from the Sultan of Persia, who
had heard of his fame.

Five years later the Moors returned, under the leadership of Bucar, King of
Morocco, to besiege Valencia. The Cid was about to prepare to do battle
against this overwhelming force when he was favored by a vision of St.
Peter. The saint predicted his death within thirty days, but assured him
that, even though he were dead, he would still triumph over the enemy whom
he had fought against for so many years.

"'Dear art thou to God, Rodrigo,
And this grace he granteth thee:
When thy soul hath fled, thy body
Still shall cause the Moors to flee;
And, by aid of Santiago,
Gain a glorious victory.'"
_Ancient Spanish Ballads_ (Lockhart's tr.).

The pious and simple-hearted warrior immediately began to prepare for the
other world. He appointed a successor, gave instructions that none should
bewail his death lest the news should encourage the Moors, and directed
that his embalmed body should be set upon Babieca, and that, with Tizona in
his hand, he should be led against the enemy on a certain day, when he
promised a signal victory.

[Illustration: THE CID'S LAST VICTORY.--Rochegrosse.]

"'Saddle next my Babieca,
Arm him well as for the fight;
On his back then tie my body,
In my well-known armor dight.

"'In my right hand place Tizona;
Lead me forth unto the war;
Bear my standard fast behind me,
As it was my wont of yore.'"
_Ancient Spanish Ballads_ (Lockhart's tr.).

[Sidenote: The Cid's l