The Vision To Be Just and the Courage To Be Merciful

[Rodrigo of Vivar spares the lives of two Moorish emirs he captured earlier that day. One is profoundly impressed by this.]

Yusuf al-Mu’taman:

Among our people, we have a word for a warrior with the vision to be just and the courage to be merciful. We call such a man, “El Cid.”

I, al-Mu’taman, Emir of Zaragossa, pledge eternal friendship to the Cid of Vivar and allegiance to his sovereign lord, King Ferdinand of Castile. May Allah strike the eyes from my head and the flesh from my bones if I break this pledge. In the name of Allah!

— “El Cid” (1961)