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Translated by J. G. Lockhart
WITHIN his hall of Burgos the king prepares the feast; | |
| He makes his preparation for many a noble guest. | |
| It is a joyful city, it is a gallant day, | |
| ’T is the Campeador’s wedding, and who will bide away? | |
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| Layn Calvo, the Lord Bishop, he first comes forth the gate; | 5 |
| Behind him comes Ruy Diaz, in all his bridal state; | |
| The crowd makes way before them as up the street they go;— | |
| For the multitude of people their steps must needs be slow. | |
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| The King had taken order that they should rear an arch, | |
| From house to house all over, in the way where they must march; | 10 |
| They have hung it all with lances, and shields, and glittering helms, | |
| Brought by the Campeador from out the Moorish realms. | |
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| They have scattered olive branches and rushes on the street, | |
| And the ladies fling down garlands at the Campeador’s feet; | |
| With tapestry and broidery their balconies between, | 15 |
| To do his bridal honor, their walls the burghers screen. | |
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| They lead the bulls before them all covered o’er with trappings; | |
| The little boys pursue them with hootings and with clappings; | |
| The fool, with cap and bladder, upon his ass goes prancing, | |
| Amidst troops of captive maidens with bells and cymbals dancing. | 20 |
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| With antics and with fooleries, with shouting and with laughter, | |
| They fill the streets of Burgos,—and the Devil he comes after; | |
| For the King has hired the horned fiend for sixteen maravedis, | |
| And there he goes, with hoofs for toes, to terrify the ladies. | |
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| Then comes the bride Ximena,—the King he holds her hand; | 25 |
| And the Queen, and, all in fur and pall, the nobles of the land. | |
| All down the street the ears of wheat are round Ximena flying, | |
| But the King lifts off her bosom sweet whatever there is lying. | |
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| Quoth Suero, when he saw it, (his thought you understand,) | |
| “’T is a fine thing to be a king; but Heaven make me a hand!” | 30 |
| The King was very merry, when he was told of this, | |
| And swore the bride, ere eventide, must give the boy a kiss. | |
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| The King went always talking, but she held down her head, | |
| And seldom gave an answer to anything he said; | |
| It was better to be silent, among such a crowd of folk, | 35 |
| Than utter words so meaningless as she did when she spoke. | |
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