Don Rodriguez, the son of the Lord of Bevar, tells his father of his love for Climene, the daughter of his father’s enemy. His father is not happy at the news and his anger grows when Climene’s father insults and humiliates him. The Lord of Bevar calls upon his son to avenge him. Although Don Rodriguez is reluctant to do so because of his love for Climene, he nevertheless kills her father in a duel.

To escape the wrath of the King, Don Rodriguez goes to fight the Moors and becomes a hero to his men as he succeeds in leading them to victory. Don Rodriguez, now known as Cid, returns to Seville in triumph. He presents the Moorish prisoners to the grateful King and Queen. Climene protests to the king, but he succeeds in bringing them together.