1. You seek to harm while being harmless,
Asp of snakes, yet lacking all venom.

2. If I unleash my wrath you'll be disgraced,
If I show you mercy, you'll learn nothing.

3. When you come to Iraq, messengers will bring,
Scrolls that Di'bil will unroll and sing,

4. Full of lines that shame and sting,
Burdens you'll carry but never fling.

5. Men you appointed brought no renown,
A people you honored achieved no crown.

6. Who among them in their time was best?
Was it Atiyyah or Saalih the Blest?

7. Was it Al-Badzani or was it Aamir?
Or the keeper of doves whom we hear chirr?

8. Egypt's disgraces are laid at your feet,
Mosul spits right in your face when you meet.

9. The day you marched you were filled with conceit,
To such as you, retreat is sweet.

10. Our boys ran while you beat your retreat,
In their chests hearts that know no defeat.

11. When war comes you pretend to lead,
All they can hope from you is to bleed.

12. From you come heads when battle is done,
While from your foes come swords flashing in the sun.

13. Your war cry as the armies clash,
"Retreat, retreat!" and then you dash.

14. Your routs are known, defeat your brand,
You leave your friends strewn over the sand.

15. You're last to advance and first to yield ground,
Among your warriors death is found.

16. That is how you both tend to seek,
The quickest from your ranks death to reap.