Final answer:
The people of Burgos do not aid El Cid because they fear punishment from King Alfonso, who has ordered that no one should help El Cid on pain of severe consequences. They show their support in silent and secret ways but avoid open defiance of the king's command.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Canto 1 of The Song of the Cid, the people of Burgos do not aid El Cid as he rides into exile because they fear the wrath of King Alfonso. The king has ordered that no one is to help El Cid, under threat of losing their property and the rights of their descendants forever.
The citizens of Burgos are torn between their loyalty and love for El Cid, a great and honorable lord, and the fear of severe reprisal from the king. They express their sorrow and pity silently and through gestures, such as weeping and providing food in secret, to show their support without defying the king's edict.
It is a poignant moment that highlights the conflict between feudal loyalty and the personal esteem in which El Cid is held. The situation illustrates the cultural and social norms of the time and the heavy hand of monarchic decree that could lead to severe consequences if disobeyed.