The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
Children's literature
When the Cid entered the palace Donya Urraca advanced to meet
him, and greeted him full well, and they seated themselves both upon
the Estrado. And Donya Urraca said unto him, Cid, you well know that
you were brought up with me here in Zamora, and when my father was at
the point of death he charged you that you should always counsel his
sons the best you could. Now tell me I beseech you what is it which my
brother goes about to do, now that he has called up all Spain in arms,
and to what lands he thinks to go, whether against Moors or
Christians. Then the Cid answered and said, Lady, give me safe
assurance and I will tell unto you that which the king your brother
hath sent me to say. And she said she would do as Don Arias Gonzalo
should advise her. And Don Arias answered that it was well to hear
what the king her brother had sent to say. Donya Urraca then said to
the Cid, that he might speak his bidding safely. Then said my Cid, The
king your brother sends to greet you, and beseeches you to give him
this town of Zamora, either for a price or in exchange; and he will
give to you Medina de Rio-seco, with the whole Infantazgo, from
Villalpando to Valladolid, and the good castle of Tiedra, and he will
swear unto you, with twelve knights his vassals, never to do you hurt
or harm; but if you will not give him the town, he will take it
against your will.
When Donya Urraca heard this she lamented aloud, saying, Wretch that I
am, many are the evil messages which I have heard since my father's
death! He hath disherited my brother King Don Garcia of his kingdom,
and taken him, and now holds him in irons as if he were a thief or a
Moor: and he hath taken his lands from my brother King Don Alfonso,
and forced him to go among the Moors, and live there exiled as if he
had been a traitor; and he hath taken her lands from my sister Donya
Elvira against her will, and now would he take Zamora from me also!
Now then let the earth open and swallow me, that I may not see so many
troubles! I am a woman, and well know that I cannot strive with him in
battle; but I will have him slain either secretly or openly. Then Don
Arias Gonzalo stood up and said, Lady, give order that all the men of
Zamora assemble in St. Salvador's and know of them whether they will
hold with you, seeing that your father gave them to you to be your
vassals. If they will hold with you, then give not up the town,
neither for a price, nor in exchange; but if they will not, let us
then go to Toledo among the Moors, where your brother King Don Alfonso
abideth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account