LXXll. On the dwellers in Valencia they wrought chastisement sore, From the town they dared not sally against him to make war. He harried all their gardens and a mighty ruin made; And all those years their harvest in utter waste he laid. Loud lamented the Valencians, for sore bested they were, Nor could find in any quarter any sort of provender; Nor could the father aid the son, nor the son aid the sire, Nor comrade comfort comrade. Gentles, 'tis hardship dire To lack for bread, and see our wives and children waste away. They saw their own affliction and no hope of help had they. To the King of Morocco had they sent the tidings on. 'Gainst the lord of Montes Claros on a great war was he gone. He counselled not. He came not to aid them in the war. My lord the Cid had heard it. His heart was glad therefor; And forth from Murviédro he marched away by night. He was in the fields of Monreál at the breaking of the light. Through Aragon the tidings he published, and Navarre, And through the Marches of Castile he spread the news afar: Who poverty would put away and riches would attain, Let him seek the Cid, whoever of a soldier's life is fain. Valencia to beleaguer he desireth to go down, That he may unto the Christians deliver up the town LXXIII. "Valencia to beleaguer, who fain would march with me Let none come hither to me, if his choice be not free. Is nought that may compel him along with me to fare-- Canál de Celfa for three days I will tarry for him there." LXXIV. So my lord Cid hath spoken, the loyal Campeador. He turned back to Murviedo that he had ta'en in war. Be it known into all quarters went the word forth. None were fain To delay who smelt the plunder. Crowds thronged to him amain, Good christened folk, and ringing went his tidings far and wide; And more men came unto him than departed from his side. He of Bivár, my lord the Cid, great growth of riches had. When he saw the bands assembled, he began to be right glad. My lord Cid, don Rodrigo, for nothing would delay. He marched against Valencia and smote on it straightway. Well did the Cid surround it; till the leaguer closed about. He thwarted their incomings, he checked their goings out. To seek for alien succor he gave them time of grace; And nine full months together he sat down before the place, And when the tenth was coming, to yield it were they fain. And great was the rejoicing in the city that did reign, When the lord Cid took Valencia and within the town had won. All of his men were cavaliers that erst afoot had gone. Who the worth of gold and silver for your pleasure could declare? They all were rich together as many as were there. For himself the Cid Rodrigo took the fifth part of all, And coined marks thirty thousand unto his share did fall. Who could tell the other treasure? Great joy the Cid befell And his men, when the flag-royal tossed o'er the citadel.