in exchange; but if they will not, let us then go to Toledo among the
Moors, where your brother King Don Alfonso abideth. And she did as her
foster-father had advised, and it was proclaimed through the streets
that the men of Zamora should meet in council at St. Salvador's. And
when they were all assembled, Dona Urraca arose and said, Friends and
vassals, ye have seen how my brother King Don Sancho hath disherited
all his brethren, against the oath which he made to the King my father,
and now he would disherit me also. He hath sent to bid me give him
Zamora, either for a price or in exchange. Now concerning this I would
know whereunto ye advise me, and if you will hold with me as good
vassals and true, for he saith that he will take it from me whether I
will or no; but if ye will keep my career I think to defend it by God's
mercy and with your help. Then by command of the council there rose up
a knight who was called Don Nuno, a man of worth, aged, and of fair
speech; and he said, God reward you, Lady, this favour which you have
shown us in thinking good to come to our council, for we are your
vassals, and should do what you command. And we beseech you give not up
Zamora, neither for price nor for exchange, for he who besieges you
upon the rock would soon drive you from the plain. The council of
Zamora will do your bidding, and will not desert you neither for
trouble nor for danger which may befall them, even unto death. Sooner,
Lady, will we expend all our possessions, and eat our mules and horses,
yea sooner feed upon our children and our wives, than give up Zamora,
unless by your command. And they all with one accord confirmed what Don
Nuno had said. When the Infanta Dona Urraca heard this she was well
pleased, and praised them greatly; and she turned to the Cid and said
unto him, You were bred up with me in this town of Zamora, where Don
Arias Gonzalo fostered you by command of the King my father, and
through your help it was that the King my father gave it unto me to be
my inheritance. I beseech you help me now against my brother, and