for two years; she fell ill, hovered on the brink of death, and then recovered. (1)

Imad remarked: It was estimated that the number of enemy dead exceeded one hundred thousand.

Among the dispatches composed by al-Fāḍil for the Dīwān while the army was before Acre (2) are these words:

“The sea supplies them with ships more numerous than its waves, and from its brine it casts upon us something even more bitter. This foe has girded itself with trenches for armour, and has taken cover (3) behind ramparts (4) of fortresses, so that it now stands encamped on the open plain (5) yet is unassailable, exposed yet clad in mail. Our men, meanwhile, have been worn down by the long campaign in their capacity, not in their obedience; in their provisions, not in their courage. We therefore say: ‘O Allah, if this band should perish (6)…’ and we look for the answer to come through the hand of the Commander of the Faithful.

“Their Pope—may Allah curse him—has forbidden them every lawful pleasure, extracted from them every reserve, closed the churches before them, and they have donned mourning black. He has decreed that they remain thus until they wrest the Sepulchre back.

“O cohort of our Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—stand in his stead among his community with that which will set his resting-place at ease; render him his due through us, for here we are, the trusts he left with you. Were plain speech not liable to impugn impartiality, this servant would utter words that make eyes weep and hearts bleed. Yet he is patient, seeking the reward, and awaiting victory.

“My Lord, I own nothing but myself, and here it is, offered in Your path—together with my brother, who has emigrated.”