Chapter I: On the Treatment of a Foe who has become Friendly

Should a foe, of himself, to you friendliness show,From his frauds you will never security know.From the hatred he bears you, heart-wounded, he sighsWhen thoughts of his "Love" and relations arise.To the sweet words of enemies never attend !They're the same as when poison with honey you blend.He saves not his life from the enemy's blow,Who looks on the man who informs as a foe.That robber, his pearl in a bag will conceal,When he sees all the people accustomed to steal.The soldier who will not his leader obey,You should never admit to your service and pay!His former commander he failed to revere !Of you, too, from malice, he will not show fear.To bind him by promise and oath do not try!But a watchman, in secret, despatch as a spy !You must give to a novice a good deal of rein ;If you snap it, you never will see him again.When a foe's land and fortress by war you obtain,Hand him over to those who in dungeons have lain !Since the prisoner's teeth in his heart's blood were stuck,From the throat of the tyrant, the blood he will suck.Seize the land for yourself, when you've cleared out the foe,And on all of the subjects, more freedom bestow!For should he attempt to knock War's door again,The people will tear ruin out of his brain.And if on the citizens, harm you impose,Do not shut the town gates in the face of your foes !Do not say that the sword-wielding foe's at your gate ;For the enemies' friends in the city await.In arranging for war with a foe, work with zeal!Consider affairs ; but your object conceal!Divulge not your secret to each passer by ;For I've oft seen a person hob-nob with a spy.Alexander, who war upon Easterns once pressed,Had the door of his tent, they say, facing the West.When to march into Zawilistan Bahman meant,He rumoured the left, by the right hand he went.If you cannot your purpose from any one keep,As a consequence, Wisdom and Knowledge will weep.Be gen'rous, and war and revenge from you fling !And under your signet, the world you will bring.When a work can be settled by kindness and peace,Why should you rebellion and outrage release?If you wish that your heart be not burdened with grief,From their bonds, give the hearts of the wretched relief!In the arm of a soldier, for strength do not seek !Go and pray for a blessing from those who are weak !The pray'rs of the weak who are hopeful and free,Are more efficacious than man's arm can be.Whoever seeks aid at a holy man's feet,If he fought. Faridun, would not suffer defeat.