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HE CID is the most prominent hero of the ballad poetry of Spain, which far surpasses in amount that of any other country. He presents most strikingly the best qualities of the national character as displayed through subsequent centuries. The Cid of history is in many respects a different character; yet is still the foremost personage of the heroic period of Spain. His proper name is Don Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar. He was born at the paternal castle of Bivar, in Castile, about the year 1030. He was of the purest Gothic blood; but his family possessions were very small, and he was indebted to his own valor and martial genius for the renown and importance which he acquired.

The Ommiad dynasty, under whom the Moors in Spain had been united and invincible, had come to an end. Their kingdom was divided among many petty princes who were continually at war with each other and with the Christians. Rodrigo Diaz was brought up in the court of King Fernando of Castile, and was early created a knight. His military career against the Moors of Spain was commenced under the banners of his valiant king. By his exploits he soon became celebrated throughout Spain as the model of Christian chivalry. Five Moorish kings, whom he defeated and took captive, and to whom he generously granted life and liberty, bestowed on him the title of Es Sayd, or "My lord;" whence