THE SCENE: After the Spanish General El Cid defeated the army of King Bucar of Morocco, he pursued the fleeing monarch to the sea. After cornering Bucar, El Cid offered him one chance at surrender: a kiss of friendship.
THE TEXT: When they had driven them out, they fell to the pursuit. You might have seen many a mailed arm hacked off, many a head with its helmet fall to the ground, while riderless horses ran hirther and thither. The pursuit lasted a full seven miles. The Cid followed up King Bucar, calling out to him: “Come back, Bucar, you who have come from beyond the sea! You have to reckon with the Cid, the man with the flowing beard. We shall kiss and strike up a friendship.”
Bucar replied: “God confound such friendship! I see you spurring after me, sword in hand. It seems you are anxious to test it on me. But if my horse does not stumble or fall with me, I shall reach the sea before you overtake me.” To which the Cid replied: “I shall give you the lie,” Bucar had a good horse and he galloped well, but Babieca, the Cid’s horse, gradually gained on him. The Cid overtook Bucar six yards from the sea. He raised his sword, Colada, and deal him a mighty blow which struck the garnets off his helmet; he cut straight through the helmet and slashed through everything else until the sword reached his waist. Thus he killed King Bucar, the king from beyond the sea, and won his sword, Tizon, which was worth a thousand golden marks. This was a wonderful victory, in which the Cid acquitted himself with honour, as did all those who fought on his side.
– The Song of the Cid, 12th Century AD
