The Young Cid

Now rides Diego Laynez, to kiss the good King's hand,
Three hundred men of gentry go with him from his land,
Among them, young Rodrigo, the proud Knight of Bivar;
The rest on mules are mounted, he on his horse of war.

They ride in glittering gowns of soye—He harness'd like a lord;
There is no gold about the boy, but the crosslet of his sword;
The rest have gloves of sweet perfume,—He gauntlets strong of mail;
They broider'd cap and flaunting plume,—He crest untaught to quail.

All talking with each other thus along their way they pass'd,
But now they've come to Burgos, and met the King at last;
When they came near his nobles, a whisper through them ran,—
"He rides amidst the gentry that slew the Count Lozan."—

With very haughty gesture Rodrigo rein'd his horse;
Right scornfully he shouted, when he heard them so discourse,—
"If any of his kinsmen or vassals dare appear,
The man to give them answer, on horse or foot, is here."—

"The devil ask the question!" thus mutter'd all the band;—
With that they all alighted, to kiss the good King's hand,—
All but the proud Rodrigo, he in his saddle staid,—
Then turn'd to him his father (you may hear the words he said.)

"Now light, my son, I pray thee, and kiss the good King's hand,
He is our lord, Rodrigo; we hold of him our land."—
But when Rodrigo heard him, he look'd in sulky sort,—
I wot the words he answer'd they were both cold and short.

"Had any other said it, his pains had well been paid,
But thou, sir, art my father, thy word must be obey'd."—
With that he sprung down lightly, before the King to kneel,
But as the knee was bending, out leapt his blade of steel.

The King drew back in terror, when he saw the sword was bare;
"Stand back, stand back, Rodrigo, in the devil's name, beware;
Your looks bespeak a creature of father Adam's mould,
But in your wild behaviour you're like some lion bold."

When Rodrigo heard him say so, he leapt into his seat,
And thence he made his answer, with visage nothing sweet,—
"I'd think it little honour to kiss a kingly palm,
And if my fathers kiss'd it, thereof ashamed I am."—

When he these words had utter'd, he turn'd him from the gate,
His true three hundred gentles behind him follow'd straight;
If with good gowns they came that day, with better arms they went;
And if their mules behind did stay, with horses they're content.