e his case, decided to abide by the decision of the Cortes. At the
end of the third month, therefore, the Cid's followers--who had
preceded him--erected in the royal hall at Toledo the ivory seat he
had won at Valencia, and Alfonso himself openly declared the Cid quite
worthy to occupy a throne by his side, seeing no one had ever served
him as well as the man whom the courtiers were always trying to
belittle. The day for the solemn session having dawned, the Cid
entered the hall, followed by a hundred knights, while the Infantes of
Carrion appeared there with equal numbers, being afraid of an attack.
When summoned to state his wrongs, the Cid quietly rose from his ivory
throne, declaring that, having bestowed upon the Infantes two swords
of great price, he demanded their return, since, as they refused to
have anything more to do with his daughters, he could no longer
consider them his sons. All present were amazed at the mildness of the
Cid's speech and at his demanding merely the return of his swords, and
the Infantes, glad to be let off so easily, promptly resigned both
weapons into the Cid's hand. With his precious swords lying across his
lap, the Cid now declared that having also given the Infantes large
sums of money he wished those returned also, and, although the young
men objected, the court sentenced them to pay the sum the Cid claimed.
Both of these demands having been granted, the Cid next required
satisfaction for the treatment the Infantes had inflicted upon his
daughters, eloquently describing to the Cortes the cruelty and
treachery used.

"So please your Grace! once more upon your clemency I call;
A grievance yet remains untold, the greatest grief of all.
And let the court give ear, and weigh the wrong that hath been done.
I hold myself dishonored by the lords of Carrion.
Redress my combat they must yield; none other will I take.
How now, Infantes! what excuse, what answer do ye make?
Why have ye laid my heartstrings bare? In jest or earnest say,
Have I offended you? and I will make amends to-day.

"My daughters in your hands I placed the day that forth ye went,
And rich in wealth and honors from Valencia were ye sent.
Why did ye carry with you brides ye loved not, treacherous curs?
Why tear their flesh in Corpes wood with saddle-girths and spurs,
And leave them to the beasts of prey? Villains throughout were ye!
What answer ye can make to this 'tis for the court