CHIVALRY IN THE CANTAR DE MIO CID

CLAMS READING GROUP
Thursday 5th December
Liliana Worth
CHIVALRY IN THE CANTAR DE MIO CID
Article for discussion
Jeremy Lawrance, 'Chivalry in the Cantar de Mio Cid', in Mio Cid Studies: some problems of
diplomatic fifty years on, ed. by A. D. Deyermond, D. G. Pattison and Eric Southworth (London:
Department of Hispanic Studies, Queen Mary, University of London, 2002), pp. 37-60.
Quotations for discussion
1.
A la puerta de Valencia, dó fuesse en so salvo,
delante su mugier e sus fijas querié tener las armas.
[…]
ensiéllanle a Bavieca, cuberturas le echavan,
Mio Cid salió sobr'él e armas de fuste tomava.
Por nombre el caballo Bavieca cavalga,
fizo un corrida, ésta fue tan estraña,
quando ovo corrido, todos se maravillavan,
d'és día se preció Bavieca en quant grant fue Espanna. (ll. 1576-91)
['In front of the main gate of Valencia, where he would be safe from attack, he was determined to perform a display of
arms for his wife and daughters […] When they had saddled and caparisoned Babieca, My Cid rode out, taking wooden
jousting weapons with him. Mounted on the horse called Babieca, the Cid galloped over a stretch of ground, with such
marvellous speed that from that day on Babieca's worth was known throughout the length and breadth of Spain.']
2.
Adeliñó Mio Cid con ellas al alcáçar,
allá las subié en el más alto logar.
Ojos vellidos catan a todas partes,
miran Valencia cómo yaze la cibdad
e del otra parte a ojo han el mar,
miran la huerta, espessa es e grand;
alçan las manos por a Dios rrogar
d'esta ganancia cómo es buena e grand. (ll. 1610-17).
['My Cid took them with him into the citadel. There he took them up to the very top of the highest tower. From that
vantage point, shining eyes looked all around. They saw how Valencia lay around them on one side, and beheld on the
other the blue expanse of the sea. They saw the broad, luxuriant croplands of the Huerta, and lifted up their hands in
prayer, thanking God for a prize so rich and great.']
3.
'Venido m' es delicio de tierras d'allent mar,
entraré en las armas, non lo podré dexar;
mis fijas e mi mugier verme an lidiar,
en estas tierras agenas verán las moradas cómmo se fazen,
afarto verán por los ojos cómmo se gana el pan.'
Su mugier e sus fijas subiólas al alcácer,
alçavan los ojos, tiendas vieron fincar.
'¿Qué's esto, Cid, sí el Criador vos salve?'
'¡Ya mugier ondrada, non ayades pesar!
Riqueza es que nos acrece maravillosa e grand'
á poco que viniestes, presend vos quieren dar,
por casar son vuestras fijas, adúzenvos axuvar.'
[…]
'Mugier, sed en este palaçio, e, si quisiéredes, en el alcácer,
non ayades pavor porque me veades lidiar:
con la merçed de Dios e de Santa María madre,
crécem' el coraçón porque estades delant;
¡Con Dios aquesta lid yo la he de arrancar!' (ll. 1639-1656)
[''A piece of good luck now comes my way, from the lands beyond the sea. I must now take up arms, I have no choice.
Now my wife and daughters will see me fight, and see how we win a place for ourselves here in these foreign lands, and
see for themselves, with their own eyes, how our bread is won.' He took his wife and daughters up into the citadel.
Lifting up their eyes, they saw all the tents set up. 'What is all this, Cid, the Creater be with you?' 'There, there, my
beloved wife! Don't worry! All this means more wealth for us, a marvellous fortune – no sooner do you arrive, then
these infidels show up to give you a present! Your daughters are now of marrying age – now, here come these fellows,
providing us the dowry! […] Now then, my wife, stay in this palace, or even up here in the citadel If you like. Don't be
afraid at seeing me in combat. By God's favour, and that of Holy Mary, our mother, my heart now soars because you are
here with me. With God's help I am bound to win this fight.']