had given such grace to my Cid that never Moor beheld his face without
having great fear of him; and this Ximen began to gaze upon his
countenance, and said nothing, for he could not speak. And so great was
the fear which came upon him that the Cid perceived it, and bade him
take courage and deliver the bidding of his Lord, without fear or
shame, for he was a messenger. And when the Moor heard this he laid
aside his fear, and recovered heart, and delivered his bidding fully,
after this wise. Sir Cid Campeador, King Bucar my Lord hath sent me to
thee saying, great wrong hast thou done him in holding Valencia against
him, which belonged to his forefathers; and moreover thou hast
discomfited his brother King Yucef. And now he is come against thee
with twenty and nine Kings, to take vengeance for his brother, and to
win Valencia from thee in spite of thee and of all who are with thee.
Nevertheless, King Bucar saith, that inasmuch as he hath heard that
thou art a wise man and of good understanding, he will show favour unto
thee, and let thee leave Valencia with all the lands thereof, and go
into Castille, and take with thee all that is thine. And if thou wilt
not do this he sends to say that he will fight against Valencia, and
take thee and thy wife and thy daughters, and torment thee grievously,
in such manner that all Christians who shall hear tell of it shall talk
thereof for evermore. This is the bidding of my Lord King Bucar.

VI. When the Cid heard this, notwithstanding he was wroth at heart, he
would not manifest it, but made answer in few words and said, Go tell
thy Lord King Bucar I will not give him up Valencia: great labour did I
endure in winning it, and to no man am I beholding for it in the world,
save only to my Lord Jesus Christ, and to my kinsmen and friends and
vassals who aided me to win it. Tell him that I am not a man to be
besieged, and when he does not expect it I will give him battle in the
field; and would that even as he has brought with him twenty and nine