The Lay of the Cid. Folio 45r

CIX

Forthwith a-kissing of his hands his wife and daughters fell,
And likewise all the ladies their pleasure still that did.
"Thanks be to the Creator and to thee, fair-bearded Cid,
What thing thou cost soever, it is well done indeed.
In all thy days thy daughters shall never be in need."
"When thou givest us in marriage, great wealth to us shall fall."

CX

"Wife o'mine, Dame Ximena. praise God who made us all.
Dame Sol and Dame Elvira, my girls to you I say,
From your marriage in all honor shall we increase alway.
But that I did not begin it, the truth now understand;
My lord Alfonso sought you and stately made demand
With such firm will, I wist not how to deny the thing.
And I put you both, my daughters, in the keeping of the King.
Know that he giveth you to wed, and that I am not the man."

CXI

To make beautiful the palace, then one and all began.
There was displayed much arras on wall and pavement both,
Much purple and much samite and store of precious cloth.
'Twould have pleased you in that palace to have sat you down to eat.
And speedily together did his knights assembled meet.
And for the Heirs of Carrion as at that time they sent,
To horse they got and onward to the palace forth they went.
And fine is all their raiment, and stuff of proof likewise.
They came afoot and properly, God! in what lowly guise!