1. He who is not disciplined by the discipline of the Book
Has no discipline but the flies of the sword.

2. The caliphate suffers no predicament.
God is its guardian, and Mansur its victor.

3. Girded for war against the feeble foe,
His coat of mail enwrapped in piety.

4. The keen swords glitter in their sheaths, held back
As the fiery steeds fret impatiently.

5. None gains their goal save those who dare to shed
The insolent blood of godless enemy.

6. War is his whole endeavor. Battles rage
Unceasing, and the dust of hoofs fills the sky.

7. When his bright swordplay seeks the unbelievers' ranks,
It brings them draughts of death for which they thirst.

8. Truth has decreed that victory follows him;
Thus the infidels' own tongues refute their lie.

9. Their wickedness has turned them from success;
The wretched are debarred from fortune's smile.

10. Qafsa was ruined for the sins she wrought;
No blame was laid on her by prudent men.

11. How came the will of God to visit her abode,
When none was there to greet him hospitably?

12. She thought her rebels would protect her walls,
But ravens' nests are not preserved by crows.

13. Rebellion brought her treason and disgrace;
Hers was the common lot of lechers' wives.

14. Their ranks broken, the crows caw greedily
Among her ruins, hungry for carrion.

15. He will not sheathe, unsullied, the keen sword
He reddened, for it craves another's blood.

16. My foemen now are destined for the grave,
Slain, captive, spoiled amid disaster's storm.

17. The hurling catapults pelt them with stones –
Poor substitutes for their fierce riders' darts!

18. From each ill-omened, inauspicious old
Crow, mishaps rain down on men's heads below.

19. "Alas!" cries he who watches them aloft,
"This is a God-sent plague on unbelievers!"

20. Order is spread throughout his empire's bounds,
As wolves and foxes share one den in peace.