I came to this book by way of translator Merwin's many other marvelous translations. He also translated The Song of Roland, another tale of battle durI came to this book by way of translator Merwin's many other marvelous translations. He also translated The Song of Roland, another tale of battle during the Age of Chivalry. So far in my reading I have yet to hit the great wall of grief and lugubriousness. Right now The Cid is too successful. He is not necessarily a candidate for hubris because he is too well aware of his astonishing good luck, and too grateful for it. But there's trouble ahead....more