1. They called for lots, drawing fateful tokens,
The arrows shifted, their eyes averting,

2. The lot of the Persian appeared first,
To be the first to pierce with his spear.

3. They sat, their weapons beside their army,
The horses halted at their sides,

4. Ibn Firam prepared his bow,
Fastening his shoes tightly to his feet.

5. With the straps of his stirrups he girded it
And donned his brother's coat to guard his sides,

6. He strapped on his ornate sword, studded
With its silver plates across its surface.

7. He added his coat of mail and his forgiving helmet
Whose rings flowed over its collar,

8. And in his right hand the greatest seasoned spear
With the strength of forearms whirled in his palms.

9. They came fully armed, each to his adversary,
The coat of each dueler rippling with rage.

10. They stood where they had lined up, both
With spears burning the hearts of their foes.

11. Ibn Firam, the cultured one, threw
With a forked arrow toward his breast.

12. Maniyla swiftly responded, launching
His casts accompanied by his prayers:

13. "O Zafis take me by the hand to bestow honor on a knight
Whose virtue he taints by defaming him."

14. "Crush him for me, to be an example
To the evil guest who denies his blessings."

15. He threw his seasoned spear and it pierced
The forked arrow, rupturing its loose bindings,

16. Until it penetrated through his coat
And he twisted his shoulders, saved by his armor.

17. The Persian drew his sharp sword
Above the saddle, expecting his death.

18. The blade snapped at its hilt amidst his right hand
And its shards flew above his forehead.

19. Turning aside, he gestured to the sky, addressing
Zafis, chiding him for his failings:

20. "None of the immortal kind were like you,
O Zafis, confident in his abilities!

21. I almost gained victory over my wretched brother,
When my wrath took flight in pieces.

22. And when I stabbed with my spear but did not
Reach him with my spear or my stabbing!"

23. And he lunged, seizing his helmet, and with
Violence, he hurriedly quickened his steps.

24. He dragged him while the halter held his jaw
Until his breath was stifled by exhaustion.

25. He almost pounced on him had not
Faris intervened, severing the straps of his bridle.

26. He was left with a severed helmet
Which he threw and it tumbled to the ground.

27. His companions deserted him and he recoiled
With the stump of his slim spear to his leaps.

28. But Afriditiya, capable and swift,
Reached from her abode the ropes of his life.

29. She veiled him in the fog’s haze, carrying
Him with perfumes into his chambers.

30. And she went to Helana, there atop
The tower sitting on its balcony.

31. She approached her while the girls were vigilant
In the dress of handmaidens over her.

32. She pretended an old woman brought near her people,
Pretending to knit wool in her hands.

33. In her fragrant clothes she pulled her, and
Faris called to her in his privacy:

34. "He calls you, though you see him in a room
That joins you, in the beauty of his qualities,

35. As if he had not been in war with
The fiercest of his enemies.

36. Rather he is in a dance hall, preparing
To dance, or has returned from his field."