At last has night passed over, and breaketh now the dawn, And many worthy nobles there to the place have drawn, For to behold that combat, wherefore their mirth was high. Moreover King Alfonso above all men is by, Since he desireth justice and that no wrong should be done. The men of the good Campeador, they get their armour on. All three are in agreement for one lord's men are they. The Heirs of Carrión elsewhere have armed them for the fray. The Count García Ordoñez sate with them in counsel there. What suit they planned unto the King Alfonso they declare, That neither should Coláda nor Tizón share in that war, That in fight they might not wield them, who served the Campeador That the brands were given over, they deemed a bitter ill; Unto the King they told it. He would not do their will: "When we held the court exception unto no sword did ye take; But if ye have good weapons, your fortune they will make. For them who serve the Campeador the swords e'en so will do. Up, Carrión's Heirs, to battle now get you forth, ye two! Like noblemen this combat, ye ought duly to achieve, For the Campeador his henchmen naught undone therein will leave. If forth, ye come victorious, then great shall be your fame; But if that ye are vanquished, impute to us no blame. All know ye sought it." Carrión's Heirs were filled with grief each one. And greatly they repented the thing that they had done. Were it undone fain were they to give all Carrión's fee. The henchmen of the Campeador are fully armed all three. Now was the King Alfonso come forth to view them o'er. Then spake to him the henchmen that served the Campeador: "We kiss thy hands as vassals to their lord and master may, 'Twixt our party and their party thou shalt be judge this day. For our succor unto justice but not to evil stand. Here Carrión's Heirs of henchmen have gathered them a band. What, or what not, we know not, that in secret they intend; But our lord in thine hand left us our safety to defend. For the love of the Creator justly maintain our part." Said then the King in answer: "With all my soul and heart." They brought for them the chargers of splendid strength and speed. They signed the cross upon the selles. They leaped upon the steed. The bucklers with fair bosses about their necks are cast. And the keen pointed lances, in the hand they grip them fast. Each lance for each man of the three doth its own pennon bear. And many worthy nobles have gathered round them there. To the field where were the boundaries, accordingly they went. The three men of the Campeador were all of one intent, That mightily his foeman to smite each one should ride. Lo! were the Heirs of Carrión upon the other side, With stores of men, for many of their kin were with the two. The King has given them judges, justice and naught else to do, That yea or nay they should not any disputation make. To them where in the field they sate the King Alfonso spake: "Hearken, ye Heirs of Carrión, what thing to you I say: