Alvarez, and Alvar Salvadores, and Muno Gustios that knight of prowess,
and Galind Garcia of Aragon; all these and all the others made ready to
go with the Cid. But he bade Alvar Salvadores and Galind Garcia and all
those who were under them, remain and look with heart and soul to the
safety of Valencia, and not open the gates of the Alcazar neither by
day nor by night, for his wife and daughters were there, in whom he had
his heart and soul, and the other ladies with them; he like a good
husband gave order that not one of them should stir out of the Alcazar
till he returned. Then they left Valencia and pricked on more than
apace; more than a thousand knights, all ready for war, were in this
company. All those great horses that paced so well and were so soft of
foot, my Cid won; they were not given to him.

XXVIII. King Don Alfonso arrived first by one day at the place of
meeting, and when he heard that the Cid was at hand, he went out with
all his honourable men, more than a long league to meet him. When he
who was born in a good hour had his eye upon the King, he bade his
company halt, and with fifteen of the knights whom he loved best he
alighted, and put his hands and his knees to the ground, and took the
herbs of the field between his teeth, as if he would have eaten them,
weeping for great joy; ... thus did he know how to humble himself
before Alfonso his Lord; and in this manner he approached his feet and
would have kissed them. And the King drew back and said, The hand, Cid
Campeador, not the foot! And the Cid drew nigh upon his knees and
besought grace, saying, In this guise grant me your love, so that all
present may hear. And the King said that he forgave him, and granted
him his love with his heart and soul. And the Cid kissed both his
hands, being still upon his knees; and the King embraced him, and gave
him the kiss of peace. Well pleased were all they who beheld this, save
only Alvar Diez and Garcia Ordonez, for they did not love the Cid. Then