English
Section 24: Qaydafa's Counsel to Alexander
Qaydafa laughed at what he had done, at his boldness and his sharp words.
She said to him: Lion-hearted king, do not let courage make you reckless and proud.
It was not your glory that killed Porus of India, nor Darius, son of Darab, nor the heroes of Sind.
The day of the world's great ones turned away; fate simply gave you a larger share.
Your courage made you this bold, so that you became lord over time and earth.
Know that all good things come from God, and thank Him as long as you live.
You say with your wisdom, 'The world is mine,' yet I do not find your words to be true.
What is your wisdom worth when you walk straight into the dragon's mouth like this?
You sew your own shroud in the days of your youth by sending yourself as a mere envoy.
It is not my custom to shed blood, nor to clash foolishly with a great man.
When a king is powerful in a matter, he shows mercy through justice and wisdom.
Know this: whoever spills a king's blood will see nothing but fire in the end.
So rest safe and go in joy; once you leave, set out on a fresh course.
After this you will not pass as a messenger; even the dust will know you are Alexander.
I know no rebel lord whose likeness I do not hold.
Your very image is painted here on silk, kept in the care of a record-keeper.
The astrologer's judgment ran the same for you: in fear there lies your safety.
When the counseling king becomes forgiving, the age itself tells it to man and woman.
While you are here I will call you Bitqun, and by that name I will seat you apart,
so that no one learns your secret, nor hears your name and your voice.
I will send you safely back to your place; you must be a lord of sound judgment.
On the promise that never toward my son, my city, my kin, and those bound to me,
will you be ill-intentioned or plot harm, and that you will call me nothing but an equal in this land.
Alexander heard these words and rejoiced; he was freed from dread and from being killed.
He swore by the sustaining Creator, by the Messiah, and by the dust of the battlefield,
that toward your realm and household and your children, and the nobles who are your kin,
I will act only with goodness and honesty, and think nothing of crookedness or wrong.
When the oath was sworn, Qaydafa said: This advice I must not hide from you.
Know that my son Taynush pays little heed to my wisdom and my counsel.
Porus's son-in-law is a hollow, boastful man; he must not learn of this from anyone, near or far,
that you and Alexander share one skin, that in your heart you are a friend to him,
for he seeks vengeance for Porus, and in his fury would bring heaven down upon the earth.
Now, happy and safe, walk into your palace, and speak no word of the world's sorrows.