XXVII. He pitched a strong encampment upon the hillock there, Some men were toward the mountains, some by the stream arrayed. The gallant Cid, who in good hour had girded on the blade, Bade his men near the water dig a trench about the height, That no man might surprise them by day nor yet by night. So might men know that there the Cid had taken up his stand. XXVIII. And thereupon the tidings went out through all that land, How my lord Cid the Campeador had there got footing sure, He is gone forth from the Christians, he is come unto the Moor, In his presence no man dareth plough the farmlands as of yore. Very merry with his vassals was the great Campeador. And Alcocér the Castle wider tribute had he laid. XXIX. In Alcocér the burghers to the Cid their tribute paid And all the dwellers in Terrér and Teca furthermore. And the townsmen of Calatayúd, know well, it irked them sore. Full fifteen weeks he tarried there, but the town yielded not. And when he saw it forthwith the Cid devised a plot. Save one left pitched behind him, he struck his every tent. Then with his ensign lifted, down the Jalón he went, With mail-shirts on and girded swords, as a wise man should him bear. To draw forth to his ambush the men of Alcocér. And when they saw it, name of God! How glad was everyone! "The provender and fodder of my lord the Cid are gone. If he leaves one tent behind him, the burden is not light Of the others that he beareth. He 'scapes like one in flight. Let us now fall upon him, great profit shall we gain. We shall win a mighty booty before he shall be ta'en By them who have their dwelling in the city of Terrér; For if by chance they take him, in the spoil we shall not share. The tribute that he levied, double he shall restore." Forth from the town of Alcocér in wild haste did they pour. When the Cid saw them well without he made as if he fled; With his whole host in confusion down the Jalón he sped.