‘My men, stand here in order, ranged upon a line: Let not a man stir from his rank before I give the sign!’ Pero Bermuez heard the word, but he could not refrain, He held the banner in his hand, he gave his horse the rein; ‘You see yon foremost squadron there, the thickest of the foes, Noble Cid, God be your aid, for there your banner goes! Let him that serves and honours it, show the duty that he owes.’ Earnestly the Cid called out, ‘For heaven’s sake be still!’ Bermuez cried, ‘I cannot hold;’ so eager was his will. He spurred his horse and drove him on amid the Moorish rout, They strove to win the banner, and compassed him about: Had not his armour been so true, he had lost either life or limb. The Cid cried out again, ‘For heaven’s sake succour him!’ “Their shields before their breasts, forth at once they go, Their lances in the rest, levelled fair and low; Their banners and their crests waving in a row, Their heads all stooping down toward the saddle bow. The Cid was in the midst, his shout was heard afar, ‘I am Ruy Diaz, the champion of Bivar; Strike among them, gentlemen, for sweet mercies’ sake!’ There where Bermuez fought, amidst the foe they break; Three hundred bannered knights, it was a gallant show: Three hundred Moors they killed, a man with every blow. When they wheeled and turned, as many more lay slain, You might see them raise their lances, and level them again, There you might see the breast–plates, how they were cleft in twain, And many a Moorish shield lie shattered on the plain, The pennons that were white marked with a crimson stain, The horses running wild whose riders had been slain. The Christians call upon St. James, the Moors upon Mahound. There were thirteen hundred of them slain on a little spot of ground. Minaya Alvar Fanez smote with all his might, He went as he was wont, and was foremost in the fight. There was Galin Garcia, of courage firm and clear, Felez Munioz, the Cid’s own cousin dear; Antolinez of Burgos, a hardy knight and keen, Munio Gustioz, his pupil that had been. The Cid on his gilded saddle above them all was seen. There was Martin Munioz, that ruled in Montmayor, There were Alvar Ferez and Alvar Salvador: These were the followers of the Cid, with many others more, In rescue of Bermuez, and the standard that he bore. Minaya is dismounted, his courser has been slain. He fights upon his feet, and smites with might and main. The Cid came in all haste to help him to horse again; He saw a Moor well mounted, thereof he was full fain, Through the girdle at a stroke he cast him to the plain: He called to Minaya Fanez, and reached him out the rein, ‘Mount and ride, Minaya, you are my right hand, We shall have need of you to–day, these Moors will not disband.’ Minaya leapt upon the horse, his sword was in his hand, Nothing that came near him could resist him or withstand;