and a cord fashioned from ruby, a large ewer (1) cut from ḥajar māniʿ (a dense, impervious stone), and a drum for qawlanj (colic): whenever someone struck it (2), that person (3) would expel wind from his backside and the colic would leave him. It happened that one of the Kurdish amirs took the drum in his hand, unaware of its purpose; when he beat upon it he ḥabaqa—that is, he passed wind—so he hurled it to the ground, shattering it, and its efficacy came to an end.

As for the emerald staff (4), Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn (5) broke it into three pieces and distributed them among his wives. He also allotted to the amirs a great quantity of balakhsh spinels, rubies, gold, silver, furnishings, and the like. Whatever remained he offered for sale, summoning the leading merchants; the sale (6) of the remaining furniture and goods (7) continued for nearly ten years.

From these treasures he dispatched to the Caliph in Baghdad splendid, noble, and precious gifts, and to King Nūr al-Dīn he likewise sent a large and worthy share (8). He never kept for himself anything of the wealth or booty that came to him; rather, he gave it all to the amirs around him (9)—indeed, to the viziers, rulers, and companions as well (may Allah have mercy on him) (10).

Among the items he sent to Nūr al-Dīn were three balakhsh stones (11): one weighed thirty-one mithqāls (12), another eighteen mithqāls, and the third ten mithqāls—some said it was even heavier (13)—together with many pearls, sixty thousand dinars, and perfumes the like of which had never been heard.

There was also an ʿattābiyya she-mule (14) and an exceptionally large elephant. The mule was sent to the Caliph among an imposing array of gifts and presents (15).