inheritance which I have won for you. While they were thus rejoicing
the Bishop Don Hieronymo came with the procession. Dona Ximena brought
good relicks and other sacred things, which she gave to ennoble the new
Church of Valencia. In this guise they entered the city. Who can tell
the rejoicings that were made that day, throwing at the board, and
killing bulls! My Cid led them to the Alcazar, and took them up upon
the highest tower thereof, and there they looked around and beheld
Valencia, how it lay before them, and the great Garden with its thick
shade, and the sea on the other side; and they lifted up their hands to
thank God. Great honour did the Cid do to Abencano the Lord of Molina,
for all the service which he had done to Dona Ximena. Then said
Abencano, This, Sir, I was bound to do, for since I have been your
vassal I have alway been respected, and defended from all my enemies,
and maintained in good estate; how then should I do otherwise than
serve you? If I did not, I should lack understanding. And the Cid
thanked him for what he had done, and what he had said, and promised
also to show favour unto him. And Abencano took his leave and returned
to Molina.

XVII. The winter is past, and March is coming in. Three months Dona
Ximena had been in Valencia, when tidings came to the Cid from beyond
sea, that King Yucef, the son of the Miramamolin, who dwelt in Morocco,
was coming to lay siege unto Valencia with fifty thousand men. When the
Cid heard this he gave command to store all his Castles, and had them
well repaired. And he had the walls of the city prepared, and stored it
well with food and with all things needful for war, and gathered
together a great power of Christians and of the Moors of his seignory.
Hardly had he done this before he heard that Yucef was near at hand,
and coming as fast as he could come. Then the Cid assembled together
the Christians in the Alcazar, and when they were assembled, he rose