“Sleep was banish’d from his eyelids;
Not a mouthful could he taste;
There he sat with downcast visage,—­
Direly had he been disgrac’d.

“Never stirr’d he from his chamber;
With no friends would he converse,
Lest the breath of his dishonor
Should pollute them with its curse.”
Ancient Spanish Ballads (Lockhart’s tr.).

[Sidenote:  Don Gomez slain by Rodrigo.] At last, however, Diego confessed his shame to his son Rodrigo, who impetuously vowed to avenge him.  Armed with his father’s cross-hilted sword, and encouraged by his solemn blessing, Rodrigo marched into the hall of Don Gomez, and challenged him to fight.  In spite of his youth, Rodrigo conducted himself so bravely in this his first encounter that he slew his opponent, and by shedding his blood washed out the stain upon his father’s honor, according to the chivalric creed of the time.  Then, to convince Diego that he had been duly avenged, the young hero cut off the head of Don Gomez, and triumphantly laid it before him.

“’Ne’er again thy foe can harm thee;
All his pride is now laid low;
Vain his hand is now to smite thee,
And this tongue is silent now.’”
Ancient Spanish Ballads (Lockhart’s tr.).

[Sidenote:  Defeat of the Moors.] Happy once more, old Diego again left home, and went to King Ferdinand’s court, where he bade Rodrigo do homage to the king.  The proud youth obeyed this command with indifferent grace, and his bearing was so defiant that the frightened monarch banished him from his presence.  Rodrigo therefore departed with three hundred kindred spirits.  He soon encountered the Moors, who were invading Castile, defeated them in battle, took five of their kings prisoners, and released them only after they had promised to pay tribute and to refrain from further warfare.  They were so grateful for their liberty that they pledged themselves to do his will, and departed, calling him “Cid,” the name by which he was thenceforth known.

As Rodrigo had delivered the land from a great danger, King Ferdinand now restored him to favor and gave him an honorable place among his courtiers, who, however, were all somewhat inclined to be jealous of the fame the young man had won.  Shortly after his triumphant return, Dona Ximena, daughter of Don Gomez, also appeared in Burgos, and, falling at the king’s feet, demanded justice.  Then, seeing the Cid among the courtiers, she vehemently denounced him for having slain her father, and bade him take her life also, as she had no wish to survive a parent whom she adored.

    “’Thou hast slain the best and bravest
      That e’er set a lance in rest;
    Of our holy faith the bulwark,—­
      Terror of each Paynim breast.

    “’Traitorous murderer, slay me also! 
      Though a woman, slaughter me! 
    Spare not—­I’m Ximena Gomez,
      Thine eternal enemy!

    “’Here’s my throat—­smite, I beseech thee! 
      Smite, and fatal be thy blow! 
    Death is all I ask, thou caitiff,—­
      Grant this boon unto thy foe.’”
                         Ancient Spanish Ballads (Lockhart’s tr.).