The translation here given is placed, without the name of the author, in the Appendix to the Chronicle of the Cid. “I have never,” says the same high authority, “seen any other translation which so perfectly represented the manner, character, and spirit, of the original.” The subject of the passage is briefly this: the Cid being driven into banishment by the intrigues of his enemies, is accompanied by several of his friends and followers, for whom he undertakes to provide by carrying on a predatory warfare against the Moors. In the course of their adventures they surprise the castle of Alcoar, but are soon after surrounded and besieged by a superior army. After some difference of opinion, the Cid yields to the wishes of his followers, and determines on a sally, which is successful. “They fain would sally forth, but he, the noble Cid, Accounted it as rashness, and constantly forbid. The fourth week was beginning, the third already past, The Cid and his companions they are now agreed at last. ‘The water is cut off, the bread is well nigh spent; To allow us to depart by night the Moors will not consent. To combat with them in the field our numbers are but few, Gentlemen, tell me your minds, what do you think to do?’ Minaya Alvar Fanez answered him again: ‘We are come here from fair Castile to live like banished men; There are here six hundred of us, besides some nine or ten; It is by fighting with the Moors that we have earned our bread; In the name of God, that made us, let nothing more be said. Let us sally forth upon them by the dawn of day.’ The Cid replied, ‘Minaya, I approve of what you say; You have spoken for the best, and had done so without doubt.’ The Moors that were within the town they took and turned them out, That none should know their secret: they laboured all that night; They were ready for the combat with the morning light. The Cid was in his armour, mounted at their head— He spoke aloud among them—you shall hear the words he said: ‘We all must sally forth! There can not a man be spared. Two footmen only at the gates to close them and keep guard; If we are slain in battle, they will bury us here in peace— If we survive and conquer, our riches will increase. And you, Pero Bermuez, the standard you must bear— Advance it like a valiant man, comely and fair; But do not venture forward before I give command.’ Bermuez took the standard; he went and kissed his hand. The gates were then thrown open, and forth at once they rushed; The outposts of the Moorish host back to the camp were pushed; The camp was all in tumult, and there was such a thunder Of cymbals and of drums, as if earth would cleave in sunder. There you might see the Moors arming themselves in haste, And the two main battles how they were forming fast; Horsemen and footmen mixed, a countless troop and vast. The Moors are moving forward—the battle soon must join: