1. Oh messenger, may God reform your mind,
And grant you all that you hope to find,

2. Convey a message to the Commander of the Faithful,
That another scribe can unravel,

3. Informing him that between us remains,
Bonds that cannot be maintained or ascertained,

4. And that Yazid does not with us,
Seek scripture or rights - though rights he should seek,

5. And Yazid was in a garden taking leisure,
Far from the affairs of Taghlib's seizure,

6. Men healthy of skin against the enemy's blade,
And tongues like banners - where can they invade?

7. And that I sometimes quell wars if I'm able,
Yet sometimes charge forth when I'm cable,