The Cid is sleeping in his castle in Valencia when his lion escapes. His men circle him while he sleeps, but his sons-in-law flee: Fernando hides under a couch and Diego squeezes himself behind a wine press. The Cid awakes and confronts the lion, who is terrified at the sight of him. The Cid walks him back to his cage. The sons-in-law emerge, scorned and mocked by the court. Shortly after this, King Búcar of Morocco surrounds Valencia. The Cid and his men are excited at the prospect of financial gain from battle, but the Carrións are scared. An advisor overhears them and informs the Cid that “fighting is / not on their minds—only running for home” (161). The Cid assures the Carrións they can stay with his daughters rather than fight. The Carrións join the fight anyway, but when one is attacked, he flees. Pedro Bermúdez kills the attacker and offers one of the Carrións the horse. The Cid is pleased but asks Pedro to take care of his sons-in-law. Pedro resists, preferring to fight, and Bishop Don Jerónimo and Minaya arrive, eager to rejoin the battle.

First, Don Jerónimo kills many Moors before the Cid joins him, driving back the enemy troops.