The Song of the Cid Read online

  Por Rrachel e Vidas vayádesme privado:

  quando en Burgos me vedaron conpra e el rrey me á airado,

  non puedo traer el aver, ca mucho es pesado,

  enpeñar ge lo he por lo que fuere guisado,

  de noche lo lieven que non lo vean cristianos.

  Véalo el Criador con todos los sos sanctos,

  yo más non puedo e amidos lo fago.”

  8

  Martín Antolínez non lo detarda,

  por Rrachel e Vidas apriessa demandava;

  passó por Burgos, al castiello entrava,

  por Rrachel e Vidas apriessa demandava.

  6

  My Cid replied, he who raised his sword at a lucky hour:

  “Martín Antolínez, you’re a bold soldier!

  If I live, I’ll double your pay!

  I’ve used up all my gold, and my silver,

  You can see for yourself I’ve taken nothing away.

  I’ve got to find something for these men of mine—

  No one will help; I’ll do what I dislike.

  So lend me a hand, we’ll make two storage chests.

  We’ll stuff them with sand, I want them good and heavy,

  Covered with leather, embossed and studded just right!

  7

  “The leather will be crimson, the nails perfectly gilded.

  Now go, as fast as you can, tell Raguel and Vidas:

  Since I’m barred from Burgos, and the king is still angry,

  And I can’t carry what I’ve got—it’s much too heavy—

  I need to pawn it at some fair price.

  Tell them to come and take it at night, so Christians can’t spy.

  Let God almighty see, and all his saints:

  This isn’t business I like; what good would it do to complain?”

  8

  Martín Antolínez did not sit around waiting,

  But rode to Burgos, passed through its fortified gates

  And quickly riding through the castle

  Asked for Raguel and Vidas.

  9

  Rrachel e Vidas en uno estavan amos

  en cuenta de sus averes, de los que avién ganados.

  Llegó Martín Antolínez a guisa de menbrado:

  “¿Ó sodes, Rrachel e Vidas, los mios amigos caros?

  En poridad fablar querría con amos.”

  Non lo detardan, todos tres se apartaron:

  “Rrachel e Vidas, amos me dat las manos

  que non me descubrades a moros nin a cristianos;

  por siempre vos faré rricos que non seades menguados.

  El Campeador por las parias fue entrado,

  grandes averes priso e mucho sobejanos,

  rretovo d’ellos quanto que fue algo,

  por én vino a aquesto por que fue acusado.

  Tiene dos arcas llenas de oro esmerado,

  ya lo vedes que el rrey le á airado,

  dexado ha heredades e casas e palacios;

  aquéllas non las puede levar, si non, serién ventadas,

  el Campeador dexar las ha en vuestra mano

  e prestalde de aver lo que sea guisado.

  Prended las arcas e metedlas en vuestro salvo,

  con grand jura meted í las fes amos

  que non las catedes en todo aqueste año.”

  Rrachel e Vidas seyénse consejando:

  “Nós huebos avemos en todo de ganar algo;

  bien lo sabemos que él algo gañó,

  quando a tierra de moros entró, que grant aver sacó;

  non duerme sin sospecha qui aver trae monedado.

  Estas arcas prendámoslas amas,

  en logar las metamos que non sean ventadas.

  Mas dezidnos del Cid, ¿de qué será pagado,

  o qué ganancia nos dará por todo aqueste año?”

  Rrespuso Martín Antolínez a guisa de menbrado:

  “Mio Cid querrá lo que sea aguisado,

  pedir vos á poco por dexar so aver en salvo.

  Acógensele omnes de todas partes me[n]guados,

  9

  Raguel and Vidas were together, as he knew they would,

  Weighing and counting gold and silver; business was good.

  Martín Antolínez knew how to greet them:

  “So here you are, my dear friends? I need to speak to you, in

  private.”

  Without another word, the three of them stepped inside.

  “Raguel and Vidas, each of you give me your hands.

  Swear you won’t reveal this, to either Moors or Christians:

  I’m going to make you rich forever, you’ll never need more.

  My Cid collected King Alfonso’s tribute—a fortune,

  Fantastic huge amounts;

  He kept most of it for himself—

  Now he’s been accused, and he fled.

  He brought two hidden chests, heavy with finest gold.

  You know he’s running from the king:

  He’s had to leave his houses, land, and everything.

  He cannot travel with those chests—everyone would know.

  My Cid will leave them when he goes,

  For a loan that’s decent, gracious.

  Come take the chests, and keep them safe—

  Swear you’ll leave them untouched, right here,

  For one entire year.”

  Raguel and Vidas whispered to each other, then stopped:

  “Any business we do must earn us a profit.

  My Cid went to the Moors, made himself rich;

  But he who travels, burdened with gold, won’t sleep at night.

  Yes, we’ll take those chests,

  We’ll keep them hidden where no one will know.

  But how much does my Cid want of our gold?

  And how much interest will come from this entire year?”

  Martín Antolínez knew what to answer:

  “My Cid wants nothing that isn’t fair,

  He asks very little, putting his treasure in your hands.

  People on every hand are making demands:

  The sum he needs is six hundred gold marks.”

  á menester seiscientos marcos.”

  Dixo Rrachel e Vidas: “Dar ge los [emos] de grado.”

  “Ya vedes que entra la noch, el Cid es pressurado,

  huebos avemos que nos dedes los marcos.”

  Dixo Rrachel e Vidas: “Non se faze assí el mercado,

  sinon primero prendiendo e después dando.”

  Dixo Martín Antolínez: “Yo d’esso me pago;

  amos tred al Campeador contado

  e nós vos ayudaremos, que assí es aguisado,

  por aduzir las arcas e meterlas en vuestro salvo

  que non lo sepan moros nin cristianos.”

  Dixo Rrachel e Vidas: “Nós d’esto nos pagamos;

  las arcas aduchas, prendet seyescientos marcos.”

  Martín Antolínez cavalgó privado

  con Rrachel e Vidas de volu[n]tad e de grado.

  Non viene a la puent, ca por el agua á passado,

  que ge lo non ventassen de Burgos omne nado.

  Afévoslos a la tienda del Campeador contado,

  assí como entraron, al Cid besáronle las manos.

  Sonrrisós’ Mio Cid, estávalos fablando:

  “¡Ya don Rrachel e Vidas, avédesme olbidado!

  Ya me exco de tierra ca del rrey só airado.

  A lo quem’ semeja, de lo mío avredes algo,

  mientra que vivades non seredes menguados.”

  Don Rrachel e Vidas a Mio Cid besáronle las manos.

  Martín Antolínez el pleito á parado

  que sobre aquellas arcas dar le ien seiscientos marcos

  e bien ge las guardarién fasta cabo del año,

  ca assil’ dieran la fe e ge lo avién jurado

  que si antes las catassen que fuessen perjurados,

  non les diesse Mio Cid de la ganancia un dinero malo.

  Dixo Martín Antolínez: “Carguen las arcas privado,

  levaldas
, Rrachel e Vidas, ponedlas en vuestro salvo;

  yo iré convus[c]o que adugamos los marcos,

  ca a mover á Mio Cid ante que cante el gallo.”

  Al cargar de las arcas veriedes gozo tanto,

  non las podién poner en somo, maguer eran esforçados.

  Raguel and Vidas replied: “We’ll be glad to give him that much.”

  “But you’ll have to come tonight. My Cid needs to rush,

  We need to have that money in hand.”

  Raguel and Vidas replied: “We don’t do business that way.

  First we take, and then we pay.”

  Martín Antolínez said: “That’s fine with me.

  Both of you come to my world-famous Warrior,

  And we’ll help you (as we ought to do).

  Take the treasure and store it

  Somewhere hidden from both Christians and Moors.”

  Raguel and Vidas said: “We agree.

  When the chests are here, you’ll have your money.”

  Martín Antolínez wasted no time,

  Glad to gallop off with Raguel and Vidas,

  Avoiding the bridge, choosing to splash through water, instead,

  So no one in Burgos would see them.

  They reached the famous Warrior’s tent,

  Kissing my Cid’s hands as they entered.

  He smiled and spoke to them:

  “Don Raguel, Don Vidas, you surely forgot me!

  The king has turned against me, he’s thrown me out.

  I think you’ve come to collect some of my treasure:

  For the rest of your lives, it will give you pleasure.”

  Raguel and Vidas kissed his hands again.

  Martín Antolínez rehearsed the bargain:

  Two great chests to secure a loan of six hundred marks;

  The chests would stay for a year, carefully guarded.

  They swore in good faith to observe these terms,

  Agreeing to waive all interest if their word was broken:

  Bad faith and profit did not fit together.

  Martín Antolínez said: “Now take these chests—

  Lift them up, bring them wherever

  They’re safe. I’ll ride with you, for collection:

  My Cid must leave, tomorrow, before cocks crow.”

  Lifting such heavy chests clearly pleased them—

  Hard to lift even for two such hefty men!

  Having such bountiful treasure thrilled them both:

  Grádanse Rrachel e Vidas con averes monedados,

  ca mientra que visquiessen refechos eran amos.

  10

  Rrachel a Mio Cid la mánol’ ba besar:

  “¡Ya Canpeador, en buen ora cinxiestes espada!

  De Castiella vos ides pora las yentes estrañas,

  assí es vuestra ventura, grandes son vuestras ganancias,

  una piel vermeja, morisca e ondrada,

  Cid, beso vuestra mano en don que la yo aya.”

  “Plazme,” dixo el Cid, “d’aquí sea mandada;

  si vos la aduxier d’allá; si non, contalda sobre las arcas.”

  En medio del palacio tendieron un almofalla,

  sobr’ella una sávana de rrançal e muy blanca.

  A tod’ el primer colpe trezientos marcos de plata echaron,

  notólos don Martino, sin peso los tomava;

  los otros trezientos en oro ge los pagavan;

  cinco escuderos tiene don Martino, a todos los cargava.

  Quando esto ovo fecho, odredes lo que fablava:

  “Ya don Rrachel e Vidas, en vuestras manos son las arcas,

  yo que esto vos gané bien merecía calças.”

  11

  Entre Rrachel e Vidas aparte ixieron amos:

  “Démosle buen don, ca él no’ lo ha buscado.

  Martín Antolínez, un burgalés contado,

  vós lo merecedes, darvos queremos buen dado

  de que fagades calças e rrica piel e buen manto,

  dámosvos en don a vós treínta marcos,

  merecer no’ lo hedes, ca esto es aguisado;

  atorgar nos hedes esto que avemos parado.”

  These were riches enough for the rest of their lives,

  they thought.

  10

  Raguel kissed my Cid’s hand once more:

  “O Warrior, knighted at a lucky hour!

  You’re leaving Castile, you’ll be among strangers:

  This is how your life goes, filled with honors and favors.

  I kiss your hand, Cid, to ask you a favor—

  A Moorish coat, a good one, with red fur lining.”

  “Surely,” said my Cid. “Consider this a promise.

  Either I’ll send it, or you’ll deduct it from those treasure chests.”

  Raguel and Vidas, with Martín Antolínez,

  Rode back to Burgos, doing their best

  To proceed unseen. They succeeded.

  Then, in the middle of the floor, they spread a carpet,

  And placed a snow-white towel on it.

  First, they poured out three hundred marks, pure silver,

  Which Don Martíno counted, but did not weigh.

  The second three hundred marks were gold, and that was paid.

  Don Martíno had five men with him, and he loaded them all.

  Here’s what he said, once that was done:

  “All right, Raguel and Vidas! The treasure sits on your floor—

  And I, who arranged this, deserve a reward.”

  11

  Raguel and Vidas stepped aside, and whispered:

  “Because you found us this treasure, we’ll give you a good gift—

  You, Martín Antolínez, famous son of Burgos!

  We’re deeply grateful, and pleased to show it

  With enough to make you splendid clothes—

  Thirty golden marks you’ve surely earned,

  For your presence and words have truly served us,

  And we are grateful for all your help.”

  Gradeciólo don Martino e rrecibió los marcos,

  gradó exir de la posada e espidiós’ de amos.

  Exido es de Burgos e Arlançón á passado,

  vino pora la tienda del que en buen ora nasco.

  Rrecibiólo el Cid abiertos amos los braços:

  “¡Venides, Martín Antolínez, el mio fıel vassallo!

  ¡Aún vea el día que de mí ayades algo!”

  “Vengo, Campeador, con todo buen rrecabdo,

  vós seiscientos e yo treínta he ganados.

  Mandad coger la tienda e vayamos privado,

  en San Pero de Cardeña í nos cante el gallo,

  veremos vuestra mugier, menbrada fıja d’algo.

  Mesuraremos la posada e quitaremos el rreinado,

  mucho es huebos ca cerca viene el plazo.”

  12

  Estas palabras dichas, la tienda es cogida,

  Mio Cid e sus conpañas cavalgan tan aína,

  la cara del cavallo tornó a Sancta María,

  alçó su mano diestra, la cara se sanctigua:

  “A ti lo gradesco, Dios, que cielo e tierra guías,

  ¡válanme tus vertudes, gloriosa Sancta María!

  D’aquí quito Castiella, pues que el rrey he en ira,

  non sé si entraré í más en todos los mios días.

  ¡Vuestra vertud me vala, Gloriosa, en mi exida

  e me ayude | e me acorra de noch e de día!

  Si vós assí lo fıziéredes e la ventura me fuere conplida,

  mando al vuestro altar buenas donas e rricas,

  esto é yo en debdo que faga í cantar mill missas.”

  13

  Spidiós’ el caboso de cuer e de veluntad,

  sueltan las rriendas e piensan de aguijar;

  dixo Martín Antolínez: . . . . . . . . .

  Don Martíno thanked them, taking the money,

  And anxious to get away, said his goodbyes.

  He galloped out of Burgos, across the Arlanzón,

  And st
raight to the tent of the Warrior, born to good fortune.

  My Cid embraced him, hugging him hard:

  “You’ve come, Martín Antolínez, my loyal follower!

  O, I wait for the day when I can reward you!”

  “Yes, I’m here, Warrior—and I’ve finished it all.

  There’s six hundred marks for you, and thirty for me.

  Let’s pack up the tents and leave in a hurry:

  Let’s be in San Pedro de Cardeña when the cock starts crowing,

  And we’ll see your wife, wellborn and wise.

  We’ll stay a little while, then leave the country.

  We’ve got to hurry, the king gave you nine days to leave.”

  12

  The tents came down as soon as he spoke these words,

  My Cid and his people went galloping away;

  He turned his horse’s nose toward Saint Mary’s church,

  His right hand making a cross on his forehead:

  “I thank you, God, guardian of heaven and earth!

  O help me with your power, blessèd mother Mary!

  I’ve angered the king, and I’m leaving Castile—

  Perhaps forever, for the rest of my life.

  O holy Mother, protect me as I leave,

  Help me every day, lift me every night!

  Do this, and if my fortune continues bright

  Splendid gifts will come to your altar,

  A thousand masses will be sung in your honor!”

  13

  The Warrior left, his heart steady;

  They loosened the reins, gave the horses their head.

  Then Martín Antolínez said:

  “Veré a la mugier a todo mio solaz,

  castigar los he cómo abrán a far.

  Si el rrey me lo quisiere tomar, a mí non m’incal.

  Antes seré convusco que el sol quiera rrayar.”

  Tornavas’ Martín Antolínez a Burgos e Mio Cid a aguijar

  pora San Pero de Cardeña, quanto pudo, a espolear.

  14

  Apriessa cantan los gallos e quieren quebrar albores