Chronicle Of The Cid by Various

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VIII. Now when the Cid Ruydiez had gotten possession of the suburbs, he
cut off from Valencia both the ingress and the egress, and they of the
town were greatly straightened, and knew not what they should do, and
they repented them that they had not listened to what the King of
Zaragoza sent to counsel them, for they had none to help them; and the
Almoravides were in the like straight, for they had none to look to,
and the pay which they were wont to receive failed, both to them and to
the other knights. All this time Abeniaf secretly continued his love
with the Cid, for he had not departed from the promise which he had
made him to send away the Almoravides, and put himself under his
protection. And they took counsel together in this distress, both the
Almoravides and the men of the town, how they might obtain the love of
the Cid, in whatever manner they could, so that they might remain in
peace in the city till they had sent to the Miramamolin beyond sea, and
received his commands; and they sent to the Cid to say this. But he
made answer that he would make no treaty with them till they had sent
away the Almoravides. And they of the town told the Almoravides what
the Cid had said, and these Africans were well pleased, being full
weary of that place, and said that they would go their way, and that it
would be the happiest day of their lives, that, wherein they should
depart. So they made their covenant that the Almoravides should be
placed in safety, and that they should pay the Cid for all the corn
which was in his granaries at the time when King Yahia was slain. And
moreover the thousand _maravedis_ per week, which they were wont to pay
him should be paid for the whole time which they had been in arms, and
also from that time forth. And that the suburb which he had won should
be his; and that his host should remain in Juballa so long as they
continued in that land. And upon this they made their writings, and
confirmed them. And the Almoravides departed from Valencia, and
horsemen were sent with them, who conducted them in safety, and the
Moors of Valencia were left in peace.

IX. Then the Cid went with all his host to Juballa, leaving none but
such as were to collect his rents with his Almoxarife. And Abeniaf cast
about how he might pay the Cid for the corn, and also what else was to
be given him. And he made terms with those who held the Castles round
about Valencia, that they should pay him the tenth of all their fruits
and of all their other rents. Now this was the season for gathering in
the fruit, and he appointed men in every place who should look to it,
and see it valued, and receive the tenth; a Moor and a Christian did he
appoint in every place, who were to receive this, and to gather the
corn also into the granaries: and this was done after such manner that
the Cid had his tribute well paid. At this time came tidings to
Valencia, that the Almoravides were coming again with a great power,
and the Cid devised how he might prevent their coming, or if they came
how he might fight against them. And he sent to tell Abeniaf to forbid
them from coming, for if they should enter the town he could not be
Lord thereof, which it was better he should be, and the Cid would
protect him against all his enemies. Well was Abeniaf pleased at this;
and he held a talk with the Alcayde of Xativa, and with him who held
the Castle of Carchayra; and they agreed to be of one voice. And they
came to Valencia, and the Cid came to his suburb; and they confirmed
love with him in great secrecy. But he who had the Castle of Algezira
would not be in this covenant with them and the Cid sent parties into
his lands, and did him much evil; and the Alcayde of Juballa went
against him, and cut down all his corn and brought it to Juballa, which
the Cid had made a great town with a church and with towers, and it was
a goodly place; and there he had his corn and his other things, and his
rents were all brought thither, and it abounded with all things; and
men held it for a great marvel that in so short time he had made so
great a town, which was so rich and so plentiful. And the Cid thought
to have Valencia if the Almoravides did not come, and for this reason
did all that he could to prevent their coming.

X. At this time Abenrazin the Lord of Albarrazin covenanted with the
King of Aragon that the King should help him to win Valencia, and he
would give him great treasures; and he gave him in pledge a Castle
which is called Toalba. And in this which he did he gained nothing, but
he lost the Castle. Now this Abenrazin had made covenant with the Cid,
so that they were friends, and the Cid had never done hurt in his
lands. And when he knew this that he had done with the King of Aragon,
he held himself to have been deceived and dealt falsely with; howbeit
he dissembled this, and let none of his company wit, till they had
gathered in all the corn from about Algezira de Xucar, and carried it
to Juballa. When this was done, he bade his men make ready, and he told
them not whither they were to go, and he set forward at night toward
Albarrazin, and came to the Fountain. Now that land was in peace, and
the dwellers thereof kept neither watch nor ward; and his foragers slew
many, and made many prisoners, and drove great flocks and herds, sheep
and kine, and brood mares, and prisoners all together, and they carried
away all the corn; and they sent all the spoil to Juballa, and it was
so great that Valencia and Juballa and all their dependencies were rich
with cattle and with other things. While the Cid lay before Albarrazin,
as he one day rode forth with five of his knights to disport himself,
there came twelve knights out of the town, thinking to slay him or take
him. And he pricked forward against them, and encountered them so
bravely that he slew twain, and other twain he overthrew, so that they
were taken, and the rest were put to flight: but he remained with a
wound in his throat from the push of a spear, and they thought he would
have died of that wound; and it was three weeks before it was healed.

XI. Now came true tidings to Valencia that the host of the Almoravides
were coming, and that they were now at Lorca, and the son in law of the
Miramamolin at their head, for he himself could not come, by reason
that he ailed. They of Valencia took courage at these tidings, and
waxed insolent, and began to devise how they should take vengeance upon
Abeniaf, and upon all those who had oppressed them. And Abeniaf was in
great trouble at this which was said openly concerning him, and he sent
privily to the Cid, telling him to come as soon as might be. The Cid
was then before Albarrazin, doing all the evil that he could, and he
brake up his camp and came with his host to Juballa; and Abeniaf and
the Alcaydes of Xativa and Carchayra came unto him, and they renewed
their covenant to stand by each other, and be of one voice. And they
took counsel and made a letter for the leader of the army of the
Almoravides, wherein they told him that the Cid had made a treaty with
the King of Aragon, whereby the King bound himself to help him against
them; and they bade him beware how he came towards Valencia, unless he
chose to do battle with eight thousand Christian horsemen, covered with
iron, and the best warriors in the world. This did they thinking that
he would be dismayed and turn back: but the Moor did not cease to
advance, notwithstanding this letter.

XII. There was a garden nigh unto Valencia which had belonged to
Abenalhazis, and the Cid asked Abeniaf to give it him, that he might
take his pleasure there when he was disposed to solace himself. This he
did cunningly, that when the Almoravides heard how this garden had been
given him which was so nigh unto the city, they should ween that the
men of Valencia had given it, and that they were better pleased with
his company than with theirs, Abeniaf granted it. And the Cid was wary,
and would not enter it till a gateway had been opened into the garden,
for the entrance was through narrow streets, and the Cid would not
trust himself in those strait places: so Abeniaf ordered the gate to be
made, and told the Cid that he would be his host on a day appointed.
And Abeniaf bedecked the gate of this garden full richly, and spread
costly carpets, and ordered the way to be strewn with rushes, and made
a great feast, and expected him all the day, but he did not come. And
when it was night he sent to say that he was sick and could not come:
and he prayed him to hold him excused. This he did to see whether they
of Valencia would murmur against him. And the sons of Aboegib and all
the people murmured greatly, and would fain in their hearts have risen
against Abeniaf, but they durst not because of the Cid, with whom they
would not fall out least he should lay waste all that was without the
walls. And they looked daily for the Almoravides, and one day they
said, Lo! now they are coming: and on the morrow they said, They are
coming not. And in this manner some days past on. And the murmur which
there had been concerning the garden died away; and then the Cid
entered it, and took possession of the whole suburb of Alcudia round
about it: and this he did peaceably, for the Moors and Christians dwelt
there together.

XIII. Now came true tidings that the host of the Almoravides, which was
at Lorca, was coming on through Murcia, and that the tarriance which
they had made had been by reason of their Captain, who had fallen sick,
but he was now healed, and they were advancing fast. And the sons of
Aboegib and great part of the people rejoiced in these tidings, and
took heart: and Abeniaf was in great fear, and he began to excuse
himself to the men of the town, and said unto them to pacify them, that
they did him wrong to complain of him for the garden which the Cid had
asked of him, inasmuch as he had only given it him to disport himself
therein for some days and take his pleasure, and that he would make him
leave it again whenever it should please them. Moreover he said, that
seeing they were displeased with what he had done, he would take no
farther trouble upon him; but would send to break off his covenant with the
Cid, and send to bid him look out for others to collect his payments,
for he would have the charge no longer. This he said in his cunning,
thinking that he should pacify them; but they understood his heart, and
they cried aloud against him that they would not stand to his covenant,
nor by his counsel, but that the sons of Aboegib should counsel them,
and whatsoever they should think good, that would they do. And they
gave order to fasten the gates of the town, and to keep watch upon the
towers and walls. When Abeniaf saw this he ceased to do as he had been
wont for fear of the people and of the sons of Aboegib, and took unto
himself a greater company to be his guard. And the war was renewed
between the Cid and the people of Valencia.

XIV. Now came true tidings that the host of the Almoravides was nigh
unto Xativa; and the people of Valencia were glad and rejoiced, for
they thought that they were now delivered from their great misery, and
from the oppression of the Cid. And when he heard these tidings he left
the garden and went to the place where his host was encamped, which was
called Xarosa, and remained there in his tents, and he was at a stand
what he should do, whether to abide the coming of the Almoravides, or
to depart; howbeit he resolved to abide and see what would befall. And
he gave order to break down the bridges and opea the sluices, that the
plain might be flooded, so that they could only come by one way, which
was a narrow pass. Tidings now came that the host of the Almoravides
was at Algezira de Xucar, and the joy of the people of Valencia
increased, and they went upon the walls and upon the towers to see them
come. And when night came they remained still upon the walls, for it
was dark, and they saw the great fires of the camp of the Almoravides,
which they had pitched near unto a place called Bacer; and they began
to pray unto God, beseeching him to give them good speed against the
Christians, and they resolved as soon as the Almoravides were engaged
in battle with the Cid, that they would issue forth and plunder his
tents. But our Lord Jesus Christ was not pleased that it should be so,
and he ordered it after another guise; for he sent such a rain that
night, with such a wind and flood as no man living remembered, and when
it was day the people of Valencia looked from the wall to see the
banners of the Almoravides and the place where they had encamped, and
behold they could see nothing: and they were full sorrowful, and knew
not what they should do, and they remained in such a state as a woman
in her time of childing, till the hour of tierce, and then came tidings
that the Almoravides had turned back, and would not come unto Valencia.
For the rains and floods had dismayed them, and they thought the waters
would have swept them away, and that the hand of God was against them,
and therefore they turned back. And when the people of Valencia heard
this they held themselves for dead men, and they wandered about the
streets like drunkards, so that a man knew not his neighbour, and they
smeared their faces with black like unto pitch, and they lost all
thought like one who falls into the waves of the sea. And then the
Christians drew nigh unto the walls, crying out unto the Moors with a
loud voice like thunder, calling them false traitors and renegados, and
saying, Give up the town to the Cid Ruydiez, for ye cannot escape from
him. And the Moors were silent, and made no reply because of their
great misery.

XV. Then Abenalfarax, a Moor of Valencia, he who wrote this history in
Arabic, took account of the food which was in the city, to see how long
it could hold out. And he says that the _cafiz_ of wheat was valued at
eleven _maravedís_, and the _cafiz_ of barley at seven _maravedís_, and
that of pulse or other grain at six; and the _arroba_ of honey at
fifteen _dineros_; and the _arroba_ of carobs the third of a
_maravedí_, and the _arroba_ of onions two thirds of a _maravedí_, and
the _arroba_ of cheese two _maravedís_ and a half, and the measure of
oil frhich the Moors call _maron_, a _maravedí_, and the _quintal_ of
figs five _maravedís_, and the pound of mutton six _dineros_ of silver,
and the pound of beef four. These _maravedis_ were silver ones, for no
other money was current among them. The Moors who dwelt in the suburbs
carried all the best of their goods into the city, and the rest they
buried. And when the Cid was certain that the Almoravides were not
coming, he returned again to lodge in the garden, and gave order to
spoil the suburbs, save that of Alcudia, because the inhabitants of
that had received him without resistance; and the Moors fled into the
city with their wives and children. And when the Christians began to
plunder the suburbs they of the town came out and plundered also those
houses which were nearest unto the walls, so that every thing was
carried away and nothing but the timbers left; and then the Christians
took that to build them lodgments in the camp; and when the Moors saw
this they came out, and carried away what timber they could into the
city. And the Christians pulled down all the houses, save only such as
could be defended with arrows, and these which they dared not pull down
they set fire to by night. And when all the houses had been levelled
they began to dig in the foundations, and they found great wealth
there, and store of garments, and hoards of wheat; and when the Cid saw
this he ordered them to dig every where, so that nothing might be lost.
And when all had been dug up the Cid drew nearer to the city, and girt
it round about, and there was fighting every day at the barriers, for
the Moors came out and fought hand to hand, and many a sword-stroke was
given and many a push with the spear. While the Moors were thus
beleagered came letters from the Captain of the Almoravides, saying
that he had not turned back to Algezira de Xucar for fear, nor for
cowardice, neither as one who fled, but for lack of food, and also by
reason of the waters; and that it was his set purpose at all events to
succour them and deliver them from the oppression which they endured,
and he was preparing to do this with all diligence. And he bade them
take courage, and maintain the city. And when the Moors of Valencia
heard, these letters they took heart, and joined with the sons of
Aboegib, and their resolve was that they would be firm and maintain the
city. And they said that Abeniaf had made the Almoravides retreat,
because he had told them that there was discord in the town. And
Abeniaf kept great watch, having a great guard to secure him, least the
people should attempt aught against him. And the price of all things in
Valencia was doubled.

XVI. Then the Cid drew nearer to the walls, so that no man could either
enter in or issue out, but whosoever attempted it was either slain or
taken. And he gave orders to till all the lands which lay round about
Alcudia, for this was now become a great place, even like a city, and
the Moors who dwelt there were safe; and tents and shops were made
there for all kinds of merchandize, and merchants came there safely
from all parts to buy and to sell, so that they who dwelt there were
greatly enriched. And justice was administered to all full righteously,
so that there was none who could complain of the Cid nor of his
Almoxarife, nor of any of his people; and the Moors were judged by
their own law, and were not vexed, and he took from them only a tenth.
Now came true tidings from Denia that the Almoravides had returned into
their own country, and that there was no hope of succour at their
hands. And when they of Valencia heard this they were greatly troubled.
And they who held the Castles round about came humbly to the Cid, to
place their love upon him, and besought him that he would accept
tribute from them, and have them under his protection; and he gave
orders that they might travel the roads in peace: and in this manner
his rents increased, so that he had plenty to give. And he sent to them
who held the Castles, bidding them provide him with cross-bow men, and
foot-soldiers, to fight against the city; and there was none who dared
disobey his bidding, and they sent him cross-bow men and foot-men in
great numbers, with their arms and provisions. Thus was Valencia left
desolate, and forsaken by all the Moorish people; and it was attacked
every day, and none could enter in, neither could any come out; and
they were sore distressed, and the waves of death compassed them round
about.

XVII. Then was there a Moor in the city who was a learned man and a
wise, and he went upon the highest tower, and made a lamentation, and
the words with which he lamented he put in writing, and it was rendered
afterwards from the Arabic into the Castillian tongue, and the
lamentation which he made was this:

Valencia! Valencia! trouble is come upon thee, and thou art in the hour
of death; and if peradventure thou shouldst escape, it will be a wonder
to all that shall behold thee.

But if ever God hath shown mercy to any place, let him be pleased to
show mercy unto thee; for thy name was joy, and all Moors delighted in
thee and took their pleasure in thee.

And if it should please God utterly to destroy thee now, it will be for
thy great sins, and for the great presumption which thou hadst in thy
pride.

The four corner stones whereon thou art founded would meet together and
lament for thee, if they could!

Thy strong wall which is founded upon these four stones trembles, and
is about to fall, and hath lost all its strength.

Thy lofty and fair towers which were seen from far, and rejoiced the
hearts of the people,...little by little they are falling.

Thy white battlements which glittered afar off, have lost their truth
with which they shone like the sunbeams.

Thy noble river Guadalaver, with all the other waters with which thou
hast been served so well, have left their channel, and now they run
where they should not.

Thy water courses, which were so clear and of such great profit to so
many, for lack of cleansing are choked with mud.

Thy pleasant gardens which were round about thee;...the ravenous wolf
hath gnawn at the roots, and the trees can yield thee no fruit.

Thy goodly fields, with so many and such fair flowers, wherein thy
people were wont to take their pastime, are all dried up.

Thy noble harbour, which was so great honour to thee, is deprived of
all the nobleness which was wont to come into it for thy sake.

The fire hath laid waste the lands of which thou wert called Mistress,
and the great smoke thereof reacheth thee.

There is no medicine for thy sore infirmity, and the physicians despair
of healing thee.

Valencia! Valencia! from a broken heart have I uttered all these things
which I have said of thee.

And this grief would I keep unto myself that none should know it, if it
were not needful that it should be known to all.

XVIII. Now all the trouble and distress which the men of Valencia
endured, pleased Abeniaf well, because they had forsaken him and
followed the sons of Aboegib; and he said that it did not behove a man
to give advice unto those who would not listen to it, and that if the
people had hearkened to him they would not have been brought to this
misery; and what evil they endured was because of the sons of Aboegib,
who lacked wit to be well with any one, or to do any thing. These
things Abeniaf said daily to all who came to visit him: so that the
people great as well as little began to talk thereof, saying that
Abeniaf spake truly. And the Christians fought against them every day,
and prest them close, and the price of food increased daily: and they
withdrew themselves from the love of the sons of Aboegib, and thought
that they had been ill advised to follow their counsel, and that
because of them all this evil was come upon them, and they held them
for fools. And the people cried out upon Abeniaf that he should forgive
them for having forsaken him, and that he should protect them, and
devise means for their deliverance from this great trouble. And Abeniaf
said that he would have nothing to do with them more than as one of
them; for if they were in trouble, so was he: and what they stood in
fear of, that did he fear also; and that he could not give counsel to
men who were divided among themselves; and he said unto them that they
must agree among themselves, and be all of one mind to do one of these
two things;...either to forsake the sons of Aboegib and their counsel;
or to stand by it. And when he should see that they no longer opposed
him with their evil counsels and the bad way in which they were going
on, that he would then take counsel for them in such guise that they
should be at peace; for they knew how they had sped so long as they let
him direct them, and he trusted in God so to speed as that they should
have no war with the Cid, neither with any other. And they made answer
with one accord that they would trust in him and obey him, and do all
which he should command, for it had alway been well with them when they
followed his advice.

XIX. Then the men of Valencia made Abeniaf their Adelantado, and
promised to abide by his counsel; howbeit this could not lightly be
done, for many of the people held with the others. And when Abeniaf saw
that they would have him for their chief, he said that they should make
a writing, and the chief persons of the town confirm it with their
names; and the people accorded that it should be so, and it was done
accordingly. Then he made offers to the Cid that they should pay him
tribute, and took counsel with him how to put the sons of Aboegib, and
those who held with them, out of the town; and their counsel was, that
the Cid should draw nigh to the walls, and speak unto the men of the
town, saying, that so long as they followed after the ways of the sons
of Aboegib, he would never grant them his love; and that all the evil
which he did unto them was because of them, and because they were
guided by them and by their evil counsel. And if they desired to speed
well they should send away the sons of Aboegib, and take Abeniaf to be
their chief, and give ear unto him. And the Cid came nigh unto the
walls and said these things, and moreover that he had great ruth for
them, for he loved them well; and if they would do according to his
words he would help them and protect them, as he had been wont to do in
the days of King Yahia; and he bade them look well to what they were
doing, and not suffer themselves to be brought to destruction. And
Abeniaf also said these things to those of his household and to all
those who talked with him, and asked of them why they would let
themselves be brought to destruction by the counsel of foolish men and
unwise. And this he said so often that they thought it was truth, and
they besought him that as he was their Adelantado now, he would devise
means for their deliverance, and how they might live in peace; and he
made answer that they were not to think he had forgotten this, for he
had laboured greatly with the Cid to obtain his love for them, but the
Cid had sworn that they should never have his love till they had put
the sons of Aboegib out of the town; when they had done that, he would
do whatsoever they should think good, but till they had done it there
should be no covenant between him and them. But when the men of the
town heard this they murmured greatly, and said that he demanded a hard
thing, and that it were better they should all die than do this; and
they talked concerning this matter three days, being in doubt what they
should do. And when Abeniaf saw that the people were thus at a stand,
he took counsel privily with the Cid, and with the knights, and the
good men who were on his side, how he might take them. And one of the
chief persons of Abeniaf's household went out with a great company of
horse and foot to seize the sons of Aboegib; and they when they knew
this, took shelter in the house of an Alfaqui, that is to say, one
learned in the law, who was held in much honour by the Moors; and in
this house, which was surrounded with an embattled wall, they thought
with the little company that they had with them, to defend themselves,
till the cry could go forth through the city, and their friends come to
their succour. And they who went to take them set fire to the outer
gates, and many of the baser sort gathered together to see what the
stir was. And they ascended the roof and threw down tiles upon the
assailants till they made them take shelter under the eaves, and then
the house was forced, and they plundered all that they could find, and
laid hands on the sons of Aboegib and carried them to prison. All this
was done before the cry could go forth through the town; and all the
kinsmen of the sons of Aboegib were taken also: they were kept that day
in prison, and when it was night they were taken to the Cid, to his
lodging in Alcudia, and delivered into his hands.

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