his very hand (1); wherever he wishes to out-maneuver an enemy he gains the upper hand, and no weapon can shield that foe from him, such are the bow’s power, force, and speed. The adversary never knows where to defend himself, nor from which quarter the shaft will come.

And what virtue is more splendid, what rank (2) loftier, and what honor more august than that of a Muslim who has mastered the craft of shooting with me? He mounts his steed, sets his arrows, steps before the ranks in full view, and overwhelms them with wounds and death: whoever confronts him (3) he kills, and whoever turns his back he brings down. Flight offers the fugitive no escape, and the daring warrior gains nothing, whether advancing or retreating (4).

Those masters of the foot-bow who abandoned me did so only because they found it nearer to hand, easier to provision, and lighter upon them. Hence they turned to it, leaning on it because they lacked the strength to manage me. What eased the matter for them was that they had no experience with horses that would have driven them, of necessity, to hand-held bows; their fighting was conducted inside fortified villages or from behind a wall (5).

Now listen to a brief catalogue of your countless defects, then step forward if you wish to engage in contest and boast:

– First among them: your very shape is that of a solitary cross, and your weight is like half a boulder.