710 — Al-Hasan ibn al-Sabbāh narrated to me that he narrated from Abāya ibn Kulayb, who said: Mu’ammal the poet came to me and said, “I know that you do not transmit poetry, but listen to these three verses. If ever a base man behaves insolently toward you, put them into practice in dealing with him and do not answer him:

[Wāfir meter]

If a base man speaks, do not answer him—
for silence is better than replying to him.

A base man among his people reviles me and gains esteem—
yet if you were to spill his blood, I would gain none.

Never shall I trade insults with a base man—
shame on me if I trade insults with one who reviles me—shame!”