1. Should not he who aspires to glory expose himself to peril?
Should not he who guards a kingdom and faith take risks?

2. Else the Commander of the Faithful’s aims, however lofty,
Will not raise him up to the stars which he wishes to grasp.

3. The courageous one who confronts death's overwhelming flood,
Sword in hand, deserves indeed to climb the ladder of advancement.

4. But he who quails from the awesome and dreadful situations of war
When the steeds stampede, deserves to be utterly humiliated.

5. He whom love of wealth has so corrupted
That he only thinks of what his hands can seize, deserves to forfeit all.

6. But he who bare blades guarded the precious, noble blood
Deserves to choose the most impregnable high fortress for his protection.

7. He whom aspects of glory captivate, deserves to be seen
As a heart enamored and pouring itself out toward the highest glory.

8. O Commander of the Faithful, lofty are the principles
By which you have built steps reaching up to the stars!

9. And here is this formidable champion of unbelief now humbled,
Throwing himself down before you seeking arbitration.

10. Scion of the kings of unbelief in his prime
And inheritor of the empire of Byzantium hastening ever forward,

11. Amidst the pedigrees of the Caesars he traced his line
And drew himself nearer to the lords of the hunt and worldly possessions,

12. But when your flashing sword demanded his lifeblood
And the turns of fate cornered him and blocked his advance,

13. Unable to retreat to prolong his life
Or advance toward survival, the decree of destiny grasped him

14. And fortune addressed him gently and made him understand,
The reprieve brought him assurance of some favor from you,

15. He gasped again the breath of life and became emboldened.
Then he brandished the lances of humiliation in full submission

16. And bared the swords of surrender in utter determination.
And victory, whose choicest portion belongs to you,

17. Together with good fortune, met him and made him a profitable captive for you.
It led him perforce toward your rope of bondage

18. That he might meet you generously and generously greet you.
Your chamberlain, the commander, encompassed him about,

19. One whom fate granted all he decreed and executed.
The protection of fathers and the refuge of the Omnipotent

20. Wandering aimlessly through the permutations of time sacrosanct.
So he came lowly but then was made honorable,

21. And he spent the night abased but then greeted the morn venerated.
He found the means to safety abundant

22. Because he had left behind the glory of authority and become resourceless.
He met you seeking to humble himself before you

23. That he might gain even a little of your good pleasure.
If the guarantee of the Omnipotent has lowered him,

24. He has indeed left unbelief and become despicable!
If at home you called him wretched,

25. If in coming to meet you he mixed the boons of munificence and hospitality,
He has waded in the vestiges you left among them of death and blood!

26. Passing by the landmarks of his kingdom he wept
Over monuments which the swords had erased and obliterated,

27. By which mountains tremble at the shattering reverberations
And birds startle and flutter in fright.

28. You extended security to him while he exposed to danger
The land of his realm because of you, O Most Sublime!

29. You let him taste Islam's sweet draught, yet many a time
He made them drink from the cup of death, unmixed and bitter.

30. But here he is now, abased before you,
A hostage to the conditions you have decreed and executed.

31. He flung himself perforce toward the Sovereign
Who saw all time itself subjected to him, and he learned obedience.

32. Had it not been for the swords of victory you unsheathed,
This deed would have seemed too momentous to be imagined!

33. So he came with the awe of dread shortening his step
While submission stretched his stride forward in your bond.

34. He addressed you in fear though eloquent,
And was eloquent in dread though tongue-tied.

35. When the awe of the armies daunted him he drew back,
But the memory of your good pleasure emboldened him to advance.

36. Never did he glance backward but gloom overcame him,
Fear making him stammer in the terror of the encounter.

37. Arqam roams the sky, his agitation plain to see,
Muttering in the darkness of the death and carnage.

38. The eagles of standards passing by, he imagines them to be
Swooping down upon him in the heat of battle.

39. By God, it was a day whose worth was mighty,
And its equipment the like of which, as if

40. Armies whose gleaming made the earth seem
Flashes of lightning over the hills or a blaze flaring up!

41. A cloud of flying white wings rising high,
A sea of close-joined armor overflowing and swelling!

42. With every armed company fully prepared as if
The dawn had been clothed in a coat of mail and wrapped in a turban!

43. Its leader it was about to slay with death it greeted,
Though it foretold him of life, thus wisely informing him.

44. Many a time had he met it confronting him closely,
But their final meeting it was as a band submitting:

45. As if the stars of the heavens accompanied his approach
To present him guarded to the moon of the celestial sphere.

46. So he met a face crowned with beauty,
And kissed a hand sealed with generosity.

47. You were congratulated, O Commander of the Faithful, on renewed good fortune
And the perfect fulfillment of your remarkable feat!

48. You have appointed as chamberlain for your glory and pride
One who will always take the lead in valour and merit.

49. You cast him into the sea of error and he reached its depths.
You burdened him with the load of exaltation and he bore it!