THE

YOUNG CID.

[The Ballads in the Collection of Escobar, entitled "Romancero e Historia del muy valeroso Cavallero El Cid Ruy Diaz de Bivar," are said by Mr Southey to be in general possessed of but little merit. Notwithstanding the opinion of that great scholar and poet, I have had much pleasure in reading them; and have translated a very few, which may serve, perhaps, as a sufficient specimen.

The following is a version of that which stands fifth in Escobar :"Cavalga Diego Laynez al buen Rey besar la mano," &c.]

I.

Now rides Diego Laynez, to kiss the good King's hand,
Three hundred men of gentry go with him from his land,
Among them, young Rodrigo, the proud Knight of Bivar;
The rest on mules are mounted, he on his horse of war.

II.

They ride in glittering gowns of soye-He harness'd like a lord ;
There is no gold about the boy, but the crosslet of his sword;
The rest have gloves of sweet perfume,-He gauntlets strong of mail;
They broider'd cap and flaunting plume,-He crest untaught to quail.

III.

All talking with each other thus along their way they pass'd, But now they've come to Burgos, and met the King at last ; When they came near his nobles, a whisper through them ran,— "He rides amidst the gentry that slew the Count Lozan."

IV.

With very haughty gesture Rodrigo rein'd his horse,

Right scornfully he shouted, when he heard them so discourse,—

If any of his kinsmen or vassals dare appear,

The man to give them answer, on horse or foot, is here."

V.

"The devil ask the question!" thus mutter'd all the band ;-
With that they all alighted, to kiss the good King's hand,-
All but the proud Rodrigo, he in his saddle staid,—
Then turn'd to him his father (you may hear the words he said.)

VI.

"Now light, my son, I pray thee, and kiss the good King's hand, He is our lord, Rodrigo; we hold of him our land.”—

But when Rodrigo heard him, he look'd in sulky sort,—

I wot the words he answer'd they were both cold and short.

VII.

"Had any other said it, his pains had well been paid,
But thou, sir, art my father, thy word must be obey'd.”—
With that he sprung down lightly, before the King to kneel,
But as the knee was bending, out leapt his blade of steel.

G

VIII.

The King drew back in terror, when he saw the sword was bare; "Stand back, stand back, Rodrigo, in the devil's name, beware;

Your looks bespeak a creature of father Adam's mould,

But in your wild behaviour you're like some lion bold.”

IX.

When Rodrigo heard him say so, he leapt into his seat,

And thence he made his answer, with visage nothing sweet,"I'd think it little honour to kiss a kingly palm,

And if my fathers kiss'd it, thereof ashamed I am."

X.

When he these words had utter'd, he turn'd him from the gate,
His true three hundred gentles behind him follow'd straight;

If with good gowns they came that day, with better arms they went;
And if their mules behind did stay, with horses they're content.

XIMENA DEMANDS VENGEANCE.

[This Ballad, the sixth in Escobar, represents Ximena Gomez as, in person, demanding of the King vengeance for the death of her father, whom the young Rodrigo de Bivar had fought and slain.]

I.

WITHIN the court at Burgos a clamour doth arise,

Of arms on armour clashing, of screams, and shouts, and cries;

The good men of the King, that sit his hall around,

All suddenly upspring, astonish'd at the sound.

II.

The King leans from his chamber, from the balcony on high-
"What means this furious clamour my palace-porch so nigh?”-
But when he look'd below him, there were horsemen at the gate,
And the fair Ximena Gomez, kneeling in woeful state.

III.

Upon her neck, disorder'd, hung down the lady's hair,
And floods of tears were streaming upon her bosom fair.
Sore wept she for her father, the Count that had been slain;
Loud cursed she Rodrigo, whose sword his blood did stain.

IV.

They turn'd to bold Rodrigo, I wot his cheek was red ;-
With haughty wrath he listened to the words Ximena said-
"Good King, I cry for justice. Now, as my voice thou hearest,
So God befriend the children, that in thy land thou rearest.

V.

"The King that doth not justice hath forfeited his claim,

Both to his kingly station, and to his kingly name ;

He should not sit at banquet, clad in the royal pall,

Nor should the nobles serve him on knee within the hall.

VI.

"Good King, I am descended from barons bright of old, That with Castillian pennons Pelayo did uphold ;

But if my strain were lowly, as it is high and clear,

Thou still shouldst prop the feeble, and the afflicted hear

VII.

"For thee, fierce homicide, draw, draw thy sword once more,
And pierce the breast which wide I spread thy stroke before ;
Because I am a woman, my life thou need'st not spare,-
I am Ximena Gomez, my slaughter'd father's heir.

VIII.

"Since thou hast slain the Knight that did our faith defend,

And still to shameful flight all the Almanzors send,

'Tis but a little matter that I confront thee so,

Come, champion, slay his daughter, she needs must be thy foe."