was named Don Hugo, and the other Guillen Bernalto. And my Cid sate at
the table with them, and said, If you do not eat well, Count, you and I
shall not part yet. Never since he was Count did he eat with better
will than that day! And when they had done he said, Now, Cid, if it be
your pleasure let us depart. And my Cid clothed him and his kinsmen
well with goodly skins and mantles, and gave them each a goodly
palfrey, with rich caparisons, and he rode out with them on their way.
And when he took leave of the Count he said to him, Now go freely, and
I thank you for what you have left behind; if you wish to play for it
again let me know, and you shall either have something back in its
stead, or leave what you bring to be added to it. The Count answered,
Cid, you jest safely now, for I have paid you and all your company for
this twelve months, and shall not be coming to see you again so soon.
Then Count Ramond pricked on more than apace, and many times looked
behind him, fearing that my Cid would repent what he had done, and send
to take him back to prison, which the perfect one would not have done
for the whole world, for never did he do disloyal thing.

XVII. Then he of Bivar returned to Zaragoza, and divided the spoil,
which was so great that none of his men knew how much they had. And the
Moors of the town rejoiced in his good speed, liking him well, because
he protected them so well that they were safe from all harm. And my Cid
went out again from Zaragoza, and rode over the lands of Monzon and
Huerta and Onda and Buenar. And King Pedro of Aragon came out against
him, but my Cid took the Castle of Monzon in his sight; and then he
went to Tamarit: and one day as he rode out hunting from thence with
twelve of his knights, he fell in with a hundred and fifty of the King
of Aragon's people, and he fought with them and put them to flight, and
took seven knights prisoners, whom he let go freely. Then he turned
towards the sea-coast, and won Xerica and Onda and Almenar, and all the