As proof of his loyalty, however, he offered to give to Alfonso his favorite steed Babieca, an offer which the king wisely refused, telling him that the best of warriors alone deserved that peerless war horse.

“’’Tis the noble Babieca that is fam’d for speed and force,
Among the Christians nor the Moors there is not such another one,
My Sovereign, Lord, and Sire, he is fit for you alone;
Give orders to your people, and take him for your own.’ 
The King replied, ’It cannot be; Cid, you shall keep your horse;
He must not leave his master, nor change him for a worse;
Our kingdom has been honor’d by you and by your steed—­
The man that would take him from you, evil may he speed. 
A courser such as he is fit for such a knight,
To beat down Moors in battle, and follow them in flight.’”

                                              Chronicles of the Cid (Southey’s tr.).

Shortly after, in the presence of the king, the Cid, and the assembled Cortes, the appointed battle took place.  The Infantes of Carrion and their uncle were defeated and banished, and the Cid returned in triumph to Valencia.  Here his daughters’ second marriage took place, and here he received an embassy bringing him rich gifts from the Sultan of Persia, who had heard of his fame.

Five years later the Moors returned, under the leadership of Bucar, King of Morocco, to besiege Valencia.  The Cid was about to prepare to do battle against this overwhelming force when he was favored by a vision of St. Peter.  The saint predicted his death within thirty days, but assured him that, even though he were dead, he would still triumph over the enemy whom he had fought against for so many years.

“’Dear art thou to God, Rodrigo,
And this grace he granteth thee: 
When thy soul hath fled, thy body
Still shall cause the Moors to flee;
And, by aid of Santiago,
Gain a glorious victory.’”
Ancient Spanish Ballads (Lockhart’s tr.).

The pious and simple-hearted warrior immediately began to prepare for the other world.  He appointed a successor, gave instructions that none should bewail his death lest the news should encourage the Moors, and directed that his embalmed body should be set upon Babieca, and that, with Tizona in his hand, he should be led against the enemy on a certain day, when he promised a signal victory.

[Illustration:  THE CID’S LAST VICTORY.—­Rochegrosse.]

“’Saddle next my Babieca,
Arm him well as for the fight;
On his back then tie my body,
In my well-known armor dight.

“’In my right hand place Tizona;
Lead me forth unto the war;
Bear my standard fast behind me,
As it was my wont of yore.’”
Ancient Spanish Ballads (Lockhart’s tr.).

[Sidenote:  The Cid’s last battle.] When these instructions had all been given, the hero died at the appointed time, and his successor and the brave Ximena strove to carry out his every wish.  A sortie was planned, and the Cid, fastened upon his war horse, rode in the van.  Such was the terror which his mere presence inspired that the Moors fled before him.  Most of them were slain, and Bucar beat a hasty retreat, thinking that seventy thousand Christians were about to fall upon him, led by the patron saint of Spain.