The
ayatollah says, "Let's intercede
And tell the Christian soldiers how their greed
Will be the downfall of this settlement.
The opportunity to represent
The mayor will eventually occur.
If God is willing, we shall soon confer
With the marines so that we can discern
The reason why the mayor wants to spurn
The infantry for whom he holds such rage.
Through mediation we might then assuage
His fury, so that peace will overcome
This great dissension through our medium.
Now, is there any person who can speak
In English and has mastered the technique
Of rendering the words that we will use
Into that language so we don't confuse
The officers with whom we will converse?"
The local cleric says, "We could do worse
Than Ibrahim, whose skills in that respect
Are praised by all who speak that dialect."
