"Now is the time, 'Dumb Peter'; speak. O man that sittest mute! My daughters' and thy cousins' name and fame are in dispute: To me they speak, to thee they look to answer every word. If I am left to answer now, thou canst not draw thy sword." Tongue-tied Bermuez stood; a while he strove for words in vain, But look you, when he once began he made his meaning plain. "Cid, first I have a word for you: you always are the same, In Cortes ever gibing me,--'Dumb Peter' is the name; It never was a gift of mine, and that long since you knew; But have you found me fail in aught that fell to me to do?-- You lie, Ferrando, lie in all you say upon that score. The honor was to you, not him, the Cid Campeador; For I know something of your worth, and somewhat I can tell. That day beneath Valencia wall--you recollect it well-- You prayed the Cid to place you in the forefront of the fray; You spied a Moor, and valiantly you went that Moor to slay; And then you turned and fled--for his approach you would not stay Right soon he would have taught you 'twas a sorry game to play, Had I not been in battle there to take your place that day. I slew him at the first onfall; I gave his steed to you; To no man have I told the tale from that hour hitherto. Before my Cid and all his men you got yourself a name, How you in single combat slew a Moor--a deed of fame; And all believed in your exploit; they wist not of your shame. You are a craven at the core,--tall, handsome, as you stand; How dare you talk as now you talk, you tongue without a hand?... Now take thou my defiance as a traitor, trothless knight; Upon this plea before our King Alfonso will I fight; The daughters of my lord are wronged, their wrong is mine to right. That ye those ladies did desert, the baser are ye then; For what are they?--weak women; and what are ye?--strong men. On every count I deem their cause to be the holier, And I will make thee own it when we meet in battle here. Traitor thou shalt confess thyself, so help me God on high, And all that I have said to-day my sword shall verify."