ladies; on a goodly horse he rode, and they went between him and Alvar
Fanez. They came to Molina and there were lodged in a good and rich
house, and Abencano the Moor waited on them. Nothing did they want
which they could wish to have; he even had all their beasts new shod,
and for Minaya and the ladies, Lord! how he honoured them! On the
morrow they left Molina, and the Moor went with them. When they were
within three leagues of Valencia, news of their coming was brought to
the Cid. Glad was the Cid, never was he more joyful, never had he such
joy, for tidings were come to him of what he loved best. Two hundred
knights did he order out to meet them, others he bade to keep the
Alcazar, and the other high towers, and all the gates and entrances.
And he commanded that they should bring him Bavieca. It was but a short
time since he had won this horse; my Cid, he who girt on sword in a
happy hour, did not yet know if he was a good goer, and if he stopt
well. The Bishop Don Hieronymo, he pricked forward and entered the
city. He left his horse and went to the Church, and collected all the
clergy; they put on their surplices, and with crosses of silver went
out to meet the ladies, and that good one Minaya. He who was born in
happy hour made no tarriance; they saddled him Bavieca and threw his
trappings on. My Cid wore light armour, and his surcoat over it: long
was his beard. He went out upon this horse, and ran a career with him;
Bavieca was the name of the horse, and when he was running all
marvelled at him: from that day Bavieca was famous all over Spain. At
the end of the course my Cid alighted and went toward his wife and his
daughters. Who can tell the joy that was made at their meeting? They
fell at his feet, and their joy was such that they could not speak. And
he raised them up and embraced them, and kissed them many times,
weeping for joy that he saw them alive. Hear what he said who was born
in happy hour! You dear and honoured wife, and ye my daughters, my
heart and my soul; enter with me into Valencia;...this is the