"The prize 'scapes," cried the townsmen. Forth rushed both great and small, In the lust of conquest thinking of nothing else at all. They left the gates unguarded, none watched them any more. And then his face upon them turned the great Campeador, He saw how twixt them and their hold there lay a mighty space; He made them turn the standard. They spurred the steeds apace. "Ho! cavaliers! Now swiftly let every man strike in, By the Creator's favor this battle we shall win." And there they gave them battle in the midmost of the mead. Ah God! is the rejoicing on this morning great indeed. The Cid and Alvar Fañez went spurring on ahead; Know ye they had good horses that to their liking sped. 'Twixt the townsmen and the castle swiftly the way they broke. And the Cid's henchmen merciless, came striking stroke on stroke, In little space three hundred of the Moors they there have slain. Loud was the shouting of the Moors in the ambush that were ta'en. But the twain left them; on they rushed. Right for the hold they made And at the gate they halted, each with a naked blade. Then up came the Cid's henchmen for the foe were all in flight. Know ye the Cid has taken Alcocér by such a sleight. XXX. Per Vermudóz came thither who the Cid's flag did bear. On the high place of the city he lifted it in air. Outspoke the Cid Roy Diaz. Born in good hour was he: "To God in Heaven and all his saints great thanks and praises be. We shall better now our lodging for cavalier and steed." XXXI. Alvar Fañez and all ye my knights, now hearken and give heed We have taken with the castle a booty manifold. Dead are the Moors. Not many of the living I behold. Surely we cannot sell them the women and the men; And as for striking off their heads, we shall gain nothing then. In the hold let us receive them, for we have the upper hand. When we lodge within their dwellings, they shall do as we command." XXXII. The Cid with all his booty lieth in Alcocér. He let the tent be sent for, that he left behind him there. It irked the men of Teca, wroth in Terrér were they; Know ye on all Calatayúd sorely the thing did weigh. To the Sovereign of Valencia they sent the news apace: How that the King Alfonso hath banished in disgrace One whom men call my lord the Cid, Roy Diaz of Bivár, He came to lodge by Alcocér, and strong his lodgings are. He drew them out to ambush; he has won the castle there. "If thou aidest not needs must thou lose both Teca and Terrér, Thou wilt have lost Calatayúd that cannot stand alone. All things will go to ruin on the banks of the Jalón, And round about Jilóca on the far bank furthermore." When the King Tamín had heard it, his heart was troubled sore: "Here do I see three Moorish kings. Let two without delay With three thousand Moors and weapons for the fight ride there away; Likewise they shall be aided by the men of the frontier. See that ye take him living and bring him to me here. He must pay for the realm's trespass till I be satisfied."