The Lay of the Cid by Cid
page 22 of 159 (13%)
page 22 of 159 (13%)
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XVI. "Oh Campeador fair-bearded, a favor at thy hand! Behold I kneel before thee, and thy daughters are here with me, That have seen of days not many, for children yet they be, And these who are my ladies to serve my need that know. Now well do I behold it, thou art about to go. Now from thee our lives a season must sunder and remove, But unto us give succor for sweet Saint Mary's love." The Cid, the nobly bearded, reached down unto the twain, And in his arms his daughters has lifted up again, And to his heart he pressed them, so great his love was grown, And his tears fell fast and bitter, and sorely did he moan: "Ximena as mine own spirit I loved thee, gentle wife; But o'er well dost thou behold it, we must sunder in our life. I must flee and thou behind me here in the land must stay. Please God and sweet Saint Mary that yet upon a day I shall give my girls in marriage with mine own hand rich and well, And thereafter in good fortune be suffered yet to dwell, May they grant me, wife, much honored, to serve thee then once more." XVII. A mighty feast they had prepared for the Great Campeador The bells within San Pedro they clamor and they peal. That my lord the Cid is banished men cry throughout Castile. And some have left their houses, from their lands some fled away. Of knights an hundred and fifteen were seen upon that day, |
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