1. I serve you as a slave like me should serve,
A king among kings, one like you.

2. I ask of you to grant me my livelihood,
And cast off my service to show your bounty,

3. For long have I earnestly begged,
That you may be generous in giving and I believed in your bounty,

4. I did not ignore the injustice of your rule,
But I knew your nobility there.

5. If you do this, you are worthy of it,
And if you withhold, I do not blame your justice.

6. As long as you live, I will praise you,
Taking every path to glorify you.

7. I swear by Him who will return you to me kindly,
He is able in command.

8. If my person has hidden my caution from you
When I let go your rope from my hands,

9. It was not from confidence and knowledge
That if you threw I would evade your arrows.

10. But I fled in certainty
That your sword was sheathed in clemency.

11. I have no desire to flee a slave of your slave
Though you make my misery your occupation.

12. But I protect my worth to you
And much protected in you - nay, for you.

13. I do not underestimate my soul's worth
Which carried your saddle two days.

14. You awakened it and raised it up
And your honor shaped its worth and form.

15. It suffices me in high station and esteem
That once I kissed your foot.

16. So be not angry with me nor debase me,
And make your actions like your virtues.

17. Guard a free man you granted gifts
For your lavishing them on him debased him.