forth, and they took counsel together in secret, and said to each
other, Lo now, what great dishonour this Ruydiez our father-in-law hath
done us, for he let this lion loose for the nonce, to put us to shame.
But in an evil day were we born if we do not revenge this upon his
daughters. Badly were we matched with them, and now for the after-feast
he hath made this mockery of us! But we must keep secret this which we
bear in mind, and not let him wit that we are wroth against him, for
otherwise he would not let us depart from hence, neither give us our
wives to take with us, and he would take from us the swords Colada and
Tizona which he gave us.... We will therefore turn this thing into
merriment before him and his people, to the end that they may not
suspect what we have at heart. While they were thus devising their
uncle Suero Gonzalez came in, and they told him of their intent. And he
counselled them to keep their wrath secret, as they said, till this
stir of the Moors from beyond sea was over, and then they should demand
their wives of the Cid that they might take them to their own country;
This, said he, the Cid can have no reason to deny, neither for
detaining ye longer with him, and when ye are got away far out of his
land, then may ye do what ye will with his daughters, and ill will ye
do if ye know not how to revenge yourselves; so shall ye remove the
dishonour from yourselves, and cast it upon him and his children. This
wicked counsel did Suero Gonzalez give unto his nephews, which he might
have well excused giving, and then both he and they would not have come
off so badly as the history will in due season relate.

IV. After Suero Gonzalez and his nephews had taken this evil counsel
together, they went to their lodging, and on the morrow they went to
the Alcazar and came to the Cid where he was preparing for business.
And when they drew nigh, the Cid rose and welcomed them right well, and
they carried a good countenance towards him, and made sport of what had