And you must promise safe escort (we know what the Afghans are!)
And prove yourself friend to the English, and foe to the Russian Czar.
So choose thou of all my civilians, or choose thou of all my host,
One man to lead the commission, whom ever thou trustest most.
Whom thy tribes have known and trusted, to pass through in safety and peace,
And so shall thy borders be measured, and our feud with the Russians shall cease.”
The Afghan Chief wrote answer: “You English are cunning and deep!
But I’d ask if you’ve ever succeeded in catching a weasel asleep?
I know what will come of commissions—just what became of your Embassy,
You harried us well four years ago, and I keep good memory.