"You in the court, I beg you to my word to lend an ear. 'Gainst Carrión's Heirs needs must I now a charge most mighty bring: I gave to them my cousins by Alfonso's hand, the King. With blessings and with honor they took them in their care. The Cid Campeador he gave them most rich possessions there. They cast away those ladies, for all that we were loth. For wicked men and traitors I make challenge of you both. From the great sons of Gomez does your lineage come down, Whence many counts have issued of valor and renown, But this day all to certainly their cunning do we learn. For this to the Creator, now thanks do I return, That of Navarre and Aragon the Heirs in marriage sue For Dame Sol and Elvíra that are my cousins two. Erst for true wives ye had them, who now their hands shall kiss And call them Dame, though sorely ye take the thing amiss. Praise to our God in Heaven and our lord the King therefor. So greatly grows the honor of the Cid my Campeador. In every way soever ye are even as I say. Is there any in the presence to reply or say me nay? Lo! I am Alvar Fañez, against the most of might!" And thereupon did Gomez Peláez stand upright: "Say of what worth, Minaya, is this ye speak so free? For here in the assizes are men enough for thee. Who otherwise would have it, it would ruin him indeed. If it be perchance God's pleasure that our quarrel well should speed, Then well shalt thou see whether or right or wrong ye were." Said the King: "The suit is over. No further charge prefer. Tomorrow is the combat; at the rising of the sun By the three who challenged with thee in the court it shall be done." Thereon the Heirs of Carrión have spoken presently: "Lord King, a season grant us for tomorn it cannot be. We have given to the Campeador our arms and many a steed, First to our land of Carrión to go we have sore need." And then the King had spoken to the Campeador again: "Where thou shalt bid, this combat, let it be underta'en. "My lord, I will not do it," my lord the Cid said he, "More than the lands of Carrión Valencia liketh me." To him the King gave answer: "Yea, Cid! Without a doubt. Give unto me your cavaliers all duly armed about. Let them go in my keeping. Their safety I assure As a lord to a good vassal; I make thee here secure That they take no harm from any count or lesser baronet. Here now in the assizes, a term for them I set, That in the fields of Carrión at the end of three weeks' space There duly in my presence the combat shall take place. Who at the set time comes not, his suit is lost thereby, From that time he is vanquished; for a traitor let him fly." The two heirs of Carrión, by that decree they stand. And thereupon my lord the Cid has kissed the King his hand;