the others were well pleased, Count Don Garcia was not so; and he and
ten of his lineage talked apart, and said that this which the Cid had
done was to their shame, for they hated the Cid in their hearts. And
King Don Alfonso said, Thanks be to God and to Sir Saint Isidro of
Leon, these horses may do me good service; and he gave three of them to
Minaya, and Pero Bermudez, and bade them chuse, and he ordered food and
cloathing to be given them while they remained, and said that he would
give them compleat armour when they returned, such as was fit for them
to appear in before my Cid. And they were lodged, and all things that
were needful provided for them and their people.

XXV. When the Infantes of Carrion, Diego Gonzalez and Ferrando
Gonzalez, saw the noble present which the Cid had sent unto the King,
and heard how his riches and power daily increased, and thought what
his wealth must needs be when he had given those horses out of the
fifth of one battle, and moreover that he was Lord of Valencia: they
spake one with the other, and agreed, that if the Cid would give them
his daughters to wife, they should be well married, and become rich and
honourable. And they agreed together that they would talk with the King
in private upon this matter. And they went presently to him, and said,
Sir, we beseech you of your bounty to help us in a thing which will be
to your honour; for we are your vassals, and the richer we are the
better able shall we be to serve you. And the King asked of them what
it was they would have, and they then told him their desire. And the
King thought upon it awhile, and then came to them, and said, Infantes,
this thing which you ask lies not in me, but in the Cid; for it is in
his power to marry his daughters, and peradventure he will not do it as
yet. Nevertheless that he ye may not fail for want of my help, I will
send to tell him what ye wish. Then they kissed his hand for this
favour. And the King sent for Alvar Fanez and Pero Bermudez, and went