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CHRONICLE OF THE CID
CHRONICLE OF THE CID VARIOUS Translated from the Spanish
BY ROBERT SOUTHEY
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY HENRY MORLEY LL.D.
PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LITERATURE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
INTRODUCTION.
Robert Southey's "Chronicle of the Cid" is all translation from the
Spanish but is not translation from a single book. Its groundwork is
that part of the _Cronica General de Espana_ the most ancient of the
Prose Chronicles of Spain in which adventures of the Cid are fully
told. This old Chronicle was compiled in the reign of Alfonso the Wise
who was learned in the exact science of his time and also a
troubadour. Alfonso reigned between the years 1252 and 1284 and the
Chronicle was written by the King himself or under his immediate
direction. It is in four parts. The first part extends from the
Creation of the World to the occupation of Spain by the Visigoths and
is dull; the second part tells of the Goths in Spain and of the
conquest of Spain by the Moors and is less dull; the third part brings
down the story of the nation to the reign of Ferdinand the Great early
in the eleventh century; and the fourth part continues it to the date
of the accession of Alfonso himself in the year 1252. These latter
parts are full of interest. Though in prose they are based by a poet
on heroic songs and national traditions of the struggle with the Moors
and the fourth part opens with an elaborate setting forth of the
history of the great hero of mediaeval Spain the Cid Campeador. The
Cid is the King Arthur or the Roland of the Spaniards less mythical
but not less interesting with incidents of a real life seen through
the warm haze of Southern imagination. King Alfonso in his Chronicle
transformed ballads and fables of the Cid into a prose digest that was
looked upon as history. Robert Southey translated this very distinct
section of the Chronicle not from the _Cronica General_ itself but
from the _Chronica del Cid_ which with small variation was extracted
from it being one in substance with the history of the Cid in the
fourth part of the General Chronicle and he has enriched it. This he
has done by going himself also to the Poem of the Cid and to the
Ballads of the Cid for incidents descriptions and turns of thought
to weave into the texture of the old prose Chronicle brightening its
tints and adding new life to its scenes of Spanish chivalry.
"The Poem of the Cid" the earliest and best of the heroic songs of
Spain is a romance of history in more than three thousand lines
celebrating the achievements of the hero little more than fifty years
after his death. Ruy Diaz or Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar was born at Burgos
about the year 1040 and died in the year 1099. He was called the
_Cid_ because five Moorish Kings acknowledged him in one battle as
their _Seid_ or Lord and Conqueror and he was _Campeador_ or Champion
of his countrymen against the Moors. Thus he was styled The Lord
Champion--_El Cid Campeador_. The Cid died at the end of the eleventh
century and "The Poem of the Cid" was composed before the end of the
twelfth. It was written after the year 1135 but before the year 1200.
The Cid is also the foremost hero of the ancient Spanish Ballads. The
ballads invent or record more incidents of his life than are to be
found in the Poem and the Chronicle; and of these Southey in the
translation here reprinted has made frequent and skilful use. Thus it
is from the Chronicle the Poem and the whole group of Ballads as
collated by an English poet with a fine relish for Spanish literature
and a keen sense of the charm of old historical romance that we get
the translation from the Spanish which Southey published at the age of
thirty-four in the year 1808 as "The Chronicle of the Cid."
Robert Southey was born at Bristol on the 12th of August 1774. He was
the son of an unprosperous linen-draper and was cared for in his
childhood and youth by two of his mother's relations a maiden aunt
with whom he lived as a child and an uncle the Rev. Herbert Hill who
assisted in providing for his education. Mr. Hill was Chaplain to the
British Factory at Lisbon and had a well-grounded faith in Southey's
genius and character. He secured for his nephew some years of education
at Westminster School and when Southey was expelled by an unwise
headmaster for a boyish jest his uncle's faith in him held firm and
he was sent on to Balliol College Oxford. Those were days of wild hope
among the young. They felt all that was generous in the aspiration of
idealists who saw the golden cities of the future in storm-clouds of
revolution. Robert Southey at Oxford dreamed good dreams as a poetical
Republican. He joined himself with other young students--Coleridge
among them--who planned an experiment of their own in ideal life by the
Susquehanna. He became engaged therefore at Bristol in mysterious
confabulation with strange youths. This alarmed his maiden aunt. Uncle
Hill then in England and about to return to his work at Lisbon
shrewdly proposed to set his nephew right and draw him out of any
confederacy that he might be in by tempting him with an offer that
would take strong hold of his imagination. He offered to take him for a
run through Spain and Portugal. That was a chance not to be lost.
Southey went to Lisbon with his uncle but secured before he went the
accomplishment of what he considered the best part of his design by
secretly marrying Miss Edith Fricker. During that first run over ground
with which he became afterwards familiar the young husband wrote
letters to his wife thriftily planned for future publication in aid of
housekeeping. They were published in 1797 as "Letters from Spain and
Portugal." It was thus that Southey was first drawn to Spanish studies.
When he came back and had to tell his aunt that he was married he and
his wife were thrown upon their own resources. He worked manfully; his
uncle still abiding by him. In 1800 Southey went with his wife to visit
Mr. Hill in Lisbon.
While winning his place among the English poets Robert Southey more
than once turned to account his Spanish studies. He produced versions
of the old Spanish romances of chivalry. "Amadis of Gaul" he published
in 1803 and in 1807 "Palmerin of England." In 1807 he also published
"Espriella's Letters" an original book of his own professing to
translate the letters of a Spaniard who gave as a traveller his view
of life in England. This was a pleasant book designed like
Goldsmith's "Citizen of the World" to help us to see ourselves as
others see us. In the following year 1808 Southey--already known as
the author of "Thalaba" published in 1802 and of "Madoc" published
in 1805--produced this "Chronicle of the Cid." It was a time for him of
energetic production and of active struggle with a manly patience to
sustain it through years rich in gentle thoughts and kindly deeds that
kept his heart at rest. Sara Coleridge to whom Southey was giving a
father's care and shelter in the days when the Chronicle was being
prepared saw in him "upon the whole the best man she had ever known."
All qualities that should make a good translator of such a Chronicle as
this were joined in Robert Southey. As for the true Cid let us not ask
whether he was ever--as M. Dozy in his excellent _Recherches sur
l'Histoire Politique et Litteraire de l'Espagne pendant le Moyen Age_
says that he could be--treacherous and cruel. What lives of him is all
that can take form as part of the life of an old and haughty nation
proud in arms. Let the rest die.
HENRY MORLEY.
August 1883.
THE CHRONICLE OF THE CID
BOOK I.
I. King Don Ferrando succeeded to the states of Castille after the
death of his father King Don Sancho el Mayor in the era 1072 which
was the year of the Incarnation 1034 and from the coming of the
Patriarch Tubal to settle in Spain 3197 and from the general deluge
3339 and from the creation of the world 4995 according to the
computation of the Hebrews and from the beginning of the false sect of
the Moors 413. And in the year 1037 Ferrando slew Bermudo the King of
Leon in battle who was his wife's brother and conquered his kingdom
and succeeded to it in right of his wife Dona Sancha. So he was the
first person who united the states of Castille and Leon and the first
who was called King of Castille; for till this time the lords of that
country had been called Counts. He was a good king and one who judged
justly and feared God and was bold in all his doings. Before he
reigned he had by Dona Sancha his wife the Infanta Dona Urraca his
eldest daughter who was a right excellent lady of good customs and
bounty and beauty; and after her he had the Infante Don Sancho his
eldest son and heir; and then the Infanta Dona Elvira whom after the
death of the King her father her brother King Don Alfonso married to
the Count Don Garci de Cabra. And after he became King he had the
Infante Don Alfonso and the Infante Don Garcia who was the youngest
of all. And he put his sons to read that they might be of the better
understanding and he made them take arms and be shown how to demean
themselves in battle and to be huntsmen. And he ordered that his
daughters should be brought up in the studies beseeming dames so that
they might be of good customs and instructed in devotion and in all
things which it behoved them to know.
II. In those days arose Rodrigo of Bivar. who was a youth strong in
arms and of good customs; and the people rejoiced in him for he
bestirred himself to protect the land from the Moors. Now it behoves
that ye should know whence he came and from what men he was descended
because we have to proceed with his history. Ye are to know therefore
that after the treason which King Don Ordono the Second committed upon
the Counts of Castille that country remained without a chief: the
people therefore chose two judges of whom the one was called Nuno
Rasuera and the other Layn Calvo who married Nuno's daughter Elvira
Nunez. From Nuno Rasuera King Don Ferrando descended and from Layn
Calvo Diego Laynez who took to wife Dona Teresa Rodriguez the
daughter of Don Rodrigo Alvarez Count and Governor of Asturias and
had by her this Rodrigo. In the year of the Incarnation 1026 was
Rodrigo born of this noble lineage in the city of Burgos and in the
street of St. Martin hard by the palace of the Counts of Castille
where Diego Laynez had his dwelling. In the church of St. Martin was he
baptized a good priest of Burgos whose name was Don Pedro de
Pernegas being his godfather: and to this church Rodrigo was always
greatly affectionate and he built the belfry tower thereof.
III. At this time it came to pass that there was strife between Count
Don Gomez the Lord of Gormaz and Diego Laynez the father of Rodrigo;
and the Count insulted Diego and gave him a blow. Now Diego was a man
in years and his strength had passed from him so that he could not
take vengeance and he retired to his home to dwell there in solitude
and lament over his dishonour. And he took no pleasure in his food
neither could he sleep by night nor would he lift up his eyes from the
ground nor stir out of his house nor commune with his friends but
turned from them in silence as if the breath of his shame would taint
them. Rodrigo was yet but a youth and the Count was a mighty man in
arms one who gave his voice first in the Cortes and was held to be
the best in the war and so powerful that he had a thousand friends
among the mountains. Howbeit all these things appeared as nothing to
Rodrigo when he thought of the wrong done to his father the first
which had ever been offered to the blood of Layn Calvo. He asked
nothing but justice of Heaven and of man he asked only a fair field;
and his father seeing of how good heart he was gave him his sword and
his blessing. The sword had been the sword of Mudarra in former times
and when Rodrigo held its cross in his hand he thought within himself
that his arm was not weaker than Mudarra's. And he went out and defied
the Count and slew him and smote off his head and carried it home to
his father. The old man was sitting at table the food lying before him
untasted when Rodrigo returned and pointing to the head which hung
from the horse's collar dropping blood he bade him look up for there
was the herb which should restore to him his appetite. The tongue
quoth he which insulted you is no longer a tongue and the hand which
wronged you is no longer a hand. And the old man arose and embraced his
son and placed him above him at the table saying that he who had
brought home that head should be the head of the house of Layn Calvo.
IV. After this Diego being full of years fell asleep and was gathered
to his fathers. And the Moors entered Castille in great power for
there came with them five Kings and they past above Burgos and crost
the mountains of Oca and plundered Carrion and Vilforado and Saint
Domingo de la Calzada and Logrono and Najara and all that land; and
they carried away many captives both male and female and brood mares
and flocks of all kinds. But as they were returning with all speed
Rodrigo of Bivar raised the country and came up with them in the
mountains of Oca and fell upon them and discomfited them and won back
all their booty and took all the five Kings prisoners. Then he went
back to his mother taking the Kings with him and there he divided the
whole spoil with the hidalgos and his other companions both the
Moorish captives and all the spoil of whatever kind so that they
departed right joyfully being well pleased with what he had done. And
he gave thanks to God for the grace which had been vouchsafed to him
and said to his mother that he did not think it good to keep the Kings
in captivity but to let them go freely; and he set them at liberty and
bade them depart. So they returned each to his own country blessing
him for their deliverance and magnifying his great bounty; and
forthwith they sent him tribute and acknowledged themselves to be his
vassals.
V. King Don Ferrando was going through Leon putting the Kingdom in
order when tidings reached him of the good speed which Rodrigo had had
against the Moors. And at the same time there came before him Ximena
Gomez the daughter of the Count who fell on her knees before him and
said Sir I am the daughter of Count Don Gomez of Gormaz and Rodrigo
of Bivar has slain the Count my father and of three daughters whom he
has left I am the youngest. And Sir I come to crave of you a boon
that you will give me Rodrigo of Bivar to be my husband with whom I
shall hold myself well married and greatly honoured; for certain I am
that his possessions will one day be greater than those of any man in
your dominions. Certes Sir it behoves you to do this because it is
for God's service and because I may pardon Rodrigo with a good will.
The King held it good to accomplish her desire; and forthwith ordered
letters to be drawn up to Rodrigo of Bivar wherein he enjoined and
commanded him that he should come incontinently to Palencia for he had
much to communicate to him upon an affair which was greatly to God's
service and his own welfare and great honour.
VI. When Rodrigo saw the letters of his Lord the King he greatly
rejoiced in them and said to the messengers that he would fulfil the
King's pleasure and go incontinently at his command. And he dight
himself full gallantly and well and took with him many knights both
his own and of his kindred and of his friends and he took also many
new arms and came to Palencia to the King with two hundred of his
peers in arms in festival guise; and the King went out to meet him
and received him right well and did him honour; and at this were all
the Counts displeased. And when the King thought it a fit season he
spake to him and said that Dona Ximena Gomez the daughter of the
Count whom he had slain had come to ask him for her husband and would
forgive him her father's death; wherefore he besought him to think it
good to take her to be his wife in which case he would show him great
favour. When Rodrigo heard this it pleased him well and he said to the
King that he would do his bidding in this and in all other things
which he might command; and the King thanked him much. And he sent for
the Bishop of Palencia and took their vows and made them plight
themselves each to the other according as the law directs. And when
they were espoused the King did them great honour and gave them many
noble gifts and added to Rodrigo's lands more than he had till then
possessed: and he loved him greatly in his heart because he saw that
he was obedient to his commands and for all that he had heard him say.
VII. So Rodrigo departed from the King and took his spouse with him to
the house of his mother and gave her to his mother's keeping. And
forthwith he made a vow in her hands that he would never accompany with
her neither in the desert nor in the inhabited place till he had won
five battles in the field. And he besought his mother that she would
love her even as she loved him himself and that she would do good to
her and show her great honour for which he should ever serve her with
the better good will his mother promised him so to do: and then he
departed from them and went out against the frontier of the Moors.
VIII. Now the history relates that King Don Ferrando contended with
King Don Ramiro of Aragon for the city of Calahorra which each claimed
as his own; in such guise that the King of Aragon placed it upon the
trial by combat confiding in the prowess of Don Martin Gonzalez who
was at that time held to be the best knight in all Spain King Don
Ferrando accepted the challenge and said that Rodrigo of Bivar should
do battle on his part but that he was not then present. And they
plighted homage on both parts to meet and bring each his knight and
the knight who conquered should win Calahorra for his Lord. Having
ratified this engagement they returned into their own lands. And
immediately Ferrando sent for Rodrigo of Bivar and told him all the
matter as it then stood and that he was to do battle. Well pleased was
Rodrigo when he heard this and he accorded to all that the King had
said that he should do battle for him upon that cause; but till the
day arrived he must needs he said go to Compostella because he had
vowed a pilgrimage; and the King was content therewith and gave him
great gifts.
IX. Rodrigo forthwith set out upon the road and took with him twenty
knights. And as he went he did great good and gave alms feeding the
poor and needy. And upon the way they found a leper struggling in a
quagmire who cried out to them with a loud voice to help him for the
love of God; and when Rodrigo heard this he alighted from his beast
and helped him and placed him upon the beast before him and carried
him with him in this manner to the inn where he took up his lodging
that night. At this were his knights little pleased. And when supper
was ready he bade his knights take their seats and he took the leper
by the hand and seated him next himself and ate with him out of the
same dish. The knights were greatly offended at this foul sight
insomuch that they rose up and left the chamber. But Rodrigo ordered a
bed to be made ready for himself and for the leper and they twain
slept together. When it was midnight and Rodrigo was fast asleep the
leper breathed against him between his shoulders and that breath was
so strong that it passed through him even through his breast; and he
awoke being astounded and felt for the leper by him and found him
not; and he began to call him but there was no reply. Then he arose in
fear and called for light and it was brought him; and he looked for
the leper and could see nothing; so he returned into the bed leaving
the light burning. And he began to think within himself what had
happened and of that breath which had passed through him and how the
leper was not there. After a while as he was thus musing there
appeared before him one in white garments who said unto him Sleepest
thou or wakest thou Rodrigo? and he answered and said I do not sleep;
but who art thou that bringest with thee such brightness and so sweet
an odour? Then said he I am Saint Lazarus and know that I was the
leper to whom thou didst so much good and so great honour for the love
of God; and because thou didst this for his sake hath God now granted
thee a great gift; for whensoever that breath which thou hast felt
shall come upon thee whatever thing thou desirest to do and shalt
then begin that shalt thou accomplish to thy heart's desire whether
it be in battle or aught else so that thy honour shall go on
increasing from day to day; and thou shalt be feared both by Moors and
Christians and thy enemies shall never prevail against thee and thou
shalt die an honourable death in thine own house and in thy renown
for God hath blessed thee;--therefore go thou on and evermore
persevere in doing good; and with that he disappeared. And Rodrigo
arose and prayed to our lady and intercessor St. Mary that she would
pray to her blessed son for him to watch over both his body and soul in
all his undertakings; and he continued in prayer till the day broke.
Then he proceeded on his way and performed his pilgrimage doing much
good for the love of God and of St. Mary.
X. Now the day came which had been appointed for the combat concerning
Calahorra between Rodrigo and Don Martin Gonzalez and Rodrigo was not
arrived; therefore his cousin Alvar Fanez Minaya undertook the battle
in his stead and ordered his horse to be harnessed right well. While
he was arming himself Rodrigo came up and took the horse of Alvar
Fanez and entered the lists; Don Martin Gonzalez did the same and the
judges placed them fairly each in his place so that neither should
have the sun in his eyes. They ran their career one against the other
and met so fiercely that their lances brake and both were sorely
wounded; but Don Martin began to address Rodrigo thinking to dismay
him: Greatly dost thou now repent Don Rodrigo said he that thou hast
entered into these lists with me: for I shall so handle thee that never
shalt thou marry Dona Ximena thy spouse whom thou lovest so well nor
ever return alive to Castille. Rodrigo waxed angry at these words and
he replied You are a good knight Don Martin Gonzalez but these words
are not suitable to this place for in this business we have to contend
with hands and not with empty speeches; and the power is in God who
will give the honour as he thinketh best. And in his anger he made at
him and smote him upon his helmet and the sword cut through and
wounded as much of the head as it could reach so that he was sorely
hurt and lost much blood. And Don Martin Gonzalez struck at Rodrigo
and the sword cut into the shield and he plucked it towards him that
with main force he made Rodrigo lose the shield; but Rodrigo did not
forget himself and wounded him again in the face. And they both became
greatly enraged and cruel against each other striking without mercy
for both of them were men who knew how to demean themselves. But while
they thus struggled Don Martin Gonzalez lost much blood and for very
weakness he could not hold himself upon his horse but fell from his
horse upon the ground; and Rodrigo alighted and went to him and slew
him; and when he had slain him he asked the judges if there was any
thing more to be done for the right of Calahorra: and they made answer
that there was not. Then came the King Don Ferrando to him and
alighted by him and helped to disarm him and embraced him much; and
when he was disarmed he went with him from the field he and all the
Castillians greatly rejoicing; but as great as was the pleasure of King
Don Ferrando and his people so great was the sorrow of King Don Ramiro
of Aragon and of his. And he ordered them to take up Don Martin
Gonzalez and they carried the body into his own lands and he went
with it and Calahorra remained in the power of King Don Ferrando.
XI. But when the Counts of Castille saw how Rodrigo increased day by
day in honour they took counsel together that they should plot with
the Moors and fix a day of battle with them on the day of the Holy
Cross in May and that they should invite Rodrigo to this battle and
contrive with the Moors that they should slay him; by which means they
should be revenged upon him and remain masters of Castille which now
because of him they could not be. This counsel they sent to communicate
to the Moors and to the Moorish Kings who were Rodrigo's vassals being
those whom he had made prisoners and set at liberty. But they when
they saw this counsel and the falsehood which was devised took the
letters of the Counts and sent them to Rodrigo their Lord and sent to
tell him all the secret of the treason. And Rodrigo thanked them
greatly for their good faith and took the letters and carried to the
King and showed him all the enmity of the Counts and especially of
the Count Don Garcia who was afterwards called of Cabra. When the King
saw this as it was he was astonished at their great falsehood and he
issued his letters in which he ordered them to leave his dominions;
then he went to Santiago on a pilgrimage and ordered Rodrigo to cast
these Counts out of the land; and Rodrigo did as the King commanded
him. Then Dona Elvira his kinswoman the wife of the Count Don Garcia
came and fell on her knees before him; but Rodrigo took her by the hand
and raised her up and would not hear her till she was arisen. And when
he had raised her up she said. I beseech you cousin since you have
banished me and my husband that you would give us a letter to some
King who is one of your vassals enjoining him to befriend us and give
us something for your sake whereon we may live. So he gave her a letter
to the King of Cordova who received her and her husband well for the
love of Rodrigo and gave Cabra to him that he and his people might
dwell therein. This Count was afterwards so ungrateful to the King of
Cordova that he made war upon him from Cabra which the King had given
him till Rodrigo came and took it.
XII. The history relateth that at this time while the King was in
Galicia the Moors entered Estremadura and the people called upon
Rodrigo of Bivar to help them. And when he heard the summons he made no
delay but gathered together his kinsmen and his friends and went
against the misbelievers. And he came up with them between Atienza and
San Estevan de Gormaz as they were carrying away a great booty in
captives and in flocks and there he had a brave battle with them in
the field; and in fine Rodrigo conquered smiting and slaying and the
pursuit lasted for seven leagues and he recovered all the spoil which
was so great that two hundred horses were the fifth for the whole
spoil was worth a hundred times a thousand maravedis. Rodrigo divided
the whole among his people without covetousness and returned with
great honour.
XIII. Now the greater part of these Moors had been they of Merida
Badajoz Beja and Evora and the King was minded to requite them in
their own land according to their deeds; and he entered into the heart
of their country carrying with him fire and sword and pressed them
sorely so that they yielded vassalage. Then turning through Portugal
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