King adviseth it we can do no otherwise; we will talk of this, and God
send it for the best. So they entered Valencia, and the Cid spake with
Dona Ximena touching this matter, and when she heard it it did not
please her; nevertheless she said, if the King thought it good they
could do no otherwise. Then the Cid gave order to write letters to the
King, saying, that he would meet the King as he commanded, and whatever
the King wished that he would do. And he sealed the letters well, and
sent two knights with them. And when the King saw the letters he was
well pleased, and sent others to say that the time of their meeting
should be three weeks after he received these letters, and the place
appointed was upon the Tagus, which is a great river.

XXVII. Now began they to prepare on both sides for this meeting. He who
should relate to you the great preparations, and the great nobleness
which were made for the nonce, would have much to recount. Who ever saw
in Castille so many a precious mule, and so many a good-going palfrey,
and so many great horses, and so many goodly streamers set upon goodly
spears, and shields adorned with gold and with silver, and mantles, and
skins, and rich sendals of Adria? The King sent great store of food to
the banks of the Tagus, where the place of meeting was appointed. Glad
were the Infantes of Carrion, and richly did they bedight themselves;
some things they paid for, and some they went in debt for: great was
their company, and with the King there were many Leonese and Galegos,
and Castillians out of number. My Cid the Campeador made no tarriance
in Valencia; he made ready for the meeting: there was many a great
mule, and many a palfrey, and many a good horse, and many a goodly suit
of arms, cloaks, and mantles both of cloth and of peltry; ... great and
little are all clad in colours. Alvar Fanez Minaya, and Pero Bermudez,
and Martin Munoz, and Martin Antolinez that worthy Burgalese, and the
Bishop Don Hieronymo that good one with the shaven crown, and Alvar