THE SCENE: After a string of great victories, the exiled Spanish general El Cid was finally forgiven by his king. Perhaps wishing to forestall future misunderstandings, El Cid takes his acts of supplication to excessive – even ridiculous – degrees.
THE TEXT: As soon as the Cid caught sight of the King he ordered his men to halt, while he, with some fifteen of his chosen knights, dismounted, and then he carried out what he had planned to do. He knelt down on his hands and knees on the ground and with his teeth he pulled up a mouthful of grass. With tears of joy streaming from his eyes he showed in this way his complete submission to his liege lord. Alfonso, however, was distressed at this display of humility, and he said: “Stand up, Cid Campeador, and kiss my hands but not my feet. You will have no pardon from me unless you do so.”
But the Cid remained on his knees and said: “I beg a favor of you, my liege lord, that as I kneel here you grant me your pardon in the hearing of all this assembled company.” The King replied: “I shall do so with all my heart. Here and now I pardon you and restore you to my favour and welcome your return to my kingdom.” The Cid answered: “I receive your pardon with gratitude, my lord Alfonso. For it I thank God, then you and these my vassals who stand here with me.” Still on his knees, the Cid kissed the King’s hands, and then, rising to his feet, he kissed him on the mouth. The whole assembly rejoiced at this, except Alvar Diaz and Garcia Ordonez, who were annoyed.
– The Song of the Cid, 12th Century AD
