THE SCENE: Exiled from his homeland by edict of the King, the famous general El Cid was pursued into Moorish Spain by his enemy, the Count of Barcelona. Through his ingenuity on the battlefield, El Cid managed take Count Ramon, but proved him self to be an honorable – and amiable – jailer.
THE TEXT: A great feast was prepared for Don Rodrigo, but Count Ramon showed no relish for it. They brought the dishes and placed them in front of him, but he refused to eat and scorned all they offered. “I shall not eat a mouthful,” he said, “for all the wealth of Spain. I had rather die outright since such badly shod fellows have defeated me in battle.” Then the Cid said: “Do eat something, Count, for if you do not, you will never return to the land of the Christians, but if you eat to my satisfaction I shall set you and two other gentlemen at liberty and let you go free.” When the Count heard this he began to recover his spirits. “If you do as you say, Cid, I shall never get over my amazement as long as I live.” “Well, eat, then, Count, and when you have finished your meal I shall let you and two others go. Of what you have lost, however, and I have gained in the field, I shall not return you a penny, as I need it for these vassals of mine who are sharing my hardships. By taking from you and other people we satisfy our wants. This is the life we shall lead while it pleases God, as one who suffers the King’s wrath in exile.”
The Count was delighted and asked for water to wash his hands, which was quickly brought and handed to him. Together with the knights whom the Cid had set free to go with him, the Count started eating with great zest. Beside him sat the Cid, who said: “If you do not eat to my satisfaction we shall stay here for ever and part no more.” “Agreed,” said the Count, and with the two knights he speedily set about his meal, making great play with his hands to the delight of the Cid, who sat watching him. “Now, if you please, Cid, we are ready to leave. Have our horses brought and we shall ride off at once. I have not eaten so heartily since I became a count, and I shall never forget how good it tasted.”
Their Castilian host escorted them to the limit of the camp. “You are off now,” said the Cid, “like the free Frank you are, and I am grateful to you for what you left me.” The Count set spurs to his horse and rode off, turning his head to look back for fear the Cid should change his mind – a thing that famous man would not do for anything in the world, for never in his life had he gone back on his word.
