received, and if there was great joy in St. Pedro de Cardena over them,
it is not a thing to ask, for Dona Ximena and her daughters were like
people beside themselves with the great joy which they had, and they
came running out on foot to meet them, weeping plenteously for great
joy. And Alvar Fanez and Martin Antolinez, when they saw them coming,
leapt off their horses and went to them, and Minaya embraced Dona
Ximena and both his cousins, Dona Elvira and Dona Sol, and so great was
the rejoicing which they made together that no man can tell it you. And
when this great joy was somewhat abated, Dona Ximena asked how the Cid
fared, for since he had parted from her she had heard no news of him.
And Alvar Fanez said he had left him safe and sound in Valencia; and he
bade her and her daughters thank God for the great favour that he had
shown him, for he had won sundry castles from the Moors, and the noble
city of Valencia, whither he was now come to carry her and her
daughters, for the Cid had sent for them, and when he should see them
his heart's desire would be accomplished. When Dona Ximena and her
daughters heard this, they set their knees to the ground, and lifted up
their hands and thanked God for the favour he had shown to the Cid, and
to them with him, in giving him the Lordship of Valencia. While they
were preparing for the journey, Alvar Fanez sent three knights to the
Cid to tell him how they had sped with the King, and of the great
favour which they had found at his hands, and how he only tarried now
to equip Dona Ximena, that she might come full honourably. That good
one Minaya then began to deck them out for the journey with the best
trappings which could be found in Burgos: right noble garments did he
provide for them, and a great company of damsels, and good palfreys,
and great mules, which were not bad ones. And he gave the Abbot the
thousand marks of silver which the Cid had sent for the Monastery, with
which to discharge all the debt that Dona Ximena and his daughters had
contracted. Great was the stir throughout all that land of the honour