The Poem of the Cid is the oldest Spanish epic poem preserved, written in the Romance language. The actions take place during the Spanish Reconquest, a historical and legendary period of the country. The poem demonstrates us a wide diversity of destinies and characters.
An outstanding image of Jimena Díaz deserves every reader’s attention. Doña Jimena was the wife of El Cid, whom she married in July 1075. Tradition states that when El Cid first laid eyes on her, he was enamored by her great beauty. El Cid and Jimena had two daughters – Doña Elvira and Doña Sol.
Jimena was a devoted, fond and loving woman, never underrating her husband’s dignity and greatness. She managed to save the warmness of their relationship for a long time, over parting and obstacles. Although she seems to hold El Cid in esteem, Jimena is never afraid of him, and neither flattery nor fawner’s tone is heard in her words. His exile becomes a hardship in Doña’s life. For the sake of her children and the husband, however, she promises to hold on and believe in God’s power that always supports El Campeador:
"Oh Campeador fair-bearded a favor at thy hand! Behold I kneel before thee, and thy daughters are here with me, Now well do I behold it, thou art about to go. Now from thee our lives a season must sunder and remove, But unto us give succor for sweet Saint Mary's love." The Cid, the nobly bearded, reached down unto the twain, And in his arms his daughters has lifted up again, And to his heart he pressed them, so great his love was grown, And his tears fell fast and bitter, and sorely did he moan: "Ximena as mine own spirit I loved thee, gentle wife; But o'er well dost thou behold it, we must sunder in our life. I must flee and thou behind me here in the land must stay. Please God and sweet Saint Mary that yet upon a day I shall give my girls in marriage with mine own hand rich and well, And thereafter in good fortune be suffered yet to dwell, May they grant me, wife, much honored, to serve thee then once more."
Sources:
http://www.russianplanet.ru/filolog/epos/cid/characters1.htm
https://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/cid.html
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