Thus far these two. Diego rose, and spoke as ye shall hear: "Counts by our birth are we, of stain our lineage is clear. In this alliance with my Cid there was no parity. If we his daughters cast aside, no cause for shame we see. And little need we care if they in mourning pass their lives, Enduring the reproach that clings to scorned rejected wives. In leaving them we but upheld our honor and our right, And ready to the death am I, maintaining this, to fight." Here Martin Antolinez sprang upon his feet: "False hound! Will you not silent keep that mouth where truth was never found? For you to boast! the lion scare have you forgotten too? How through the open door you rushed, across the court-yard flew; How sprawling in your terror on the wine-press beam you lay? Ay! never more, I trow, you wore the mantle of that day. There is no choice; the issue now the sword alone can try; The daughters of my Cid ye spurned; that must ye justify. On every count I here declare their cause the cause of right, And thou shalt own thy treachery the day we join in fight." He ceased, and striding up the hall Assur Gonzalez passed; His cheek was flushed with wine, for he had stayed to break his fast; Ungirt his robe, and trailing low his ermine mantle hung; Rude was his bearing to the court, and reckless was his tongue. "What a to-do is here, my lords! was the like ever seen? What talk is this about my Cid--him of Bivar I mean? To Riodouirna let him go to take his millers' rent, And keep his mills a-going there, as once he was content. He, forsooth, mate his daughters with the Counts of Carrion!" Upstarted Muno Gustioz: "False, foul-mouthed knave, have done! Thou glutton, wont to break thy fast without a thought or prayer; Whose heart is plotting mischief when thy lips are speaking fair; Whose plighted word to friend or lord hath ever proved a lie; False always to thy fellow-man, falser to God on high,-- No share in thy good-will I seek; one only boon I pray, The chance to make thee own thyself the villain that I say." Then spoke the king: "Enough of words: ye have my leave to fight, The challenged and the challengers; and God defend the right." CONCLUSION