1. Their sons fly like falling stars in glory's night,
When darkness drops its veil and fortune's lamp grows bright.

2. Honor them, lords of the black steed and moonlit tent,
Valiant, generous leaders, prized where'er they went.

3. Guides who light the way, the age they grace their deed,
With pearls and rubies in munificence they lead.

4. Doves they shelter, when hardship's winds blew wild,
With open arms they welcomed exiles like a child.

5. Stalwart warriors for truth, refuge and shield,
For those tossed on sorrow's sea they firm ground did yield.

6. Foremost nobles in valor and charity's role,
Succor in famine, and blooms in the desert's sterile bowl.

7. Far though they range, their goodness encompasses all,
Their benevolence to mankind is nearest of all.

8. By them the days draw in their trailing skirts,
And peer in wonder at their deeds, like flowers in fertile dirt.

9. To them I brought the first fruits of my verses' yield,
They drained the sweet draught of its virgin flow undefiled.

10. From them I learn nobility and life's meaning deep,
Lessons of merit, honor's sword that will not sleep.

11. They built high virtue's dome, and from its graces dressed
Themselves in pearls and silk with an unworldly zest.

12. To raise truth's standard they their swords did wield,
Keener than Indian blades their virtue's cutting field.

13. With it they raised ambition's peak in scale sublime,
Beyond all heights, O let us climb and climb!

14. Yet Abu Bakr, pole star of this noble line,
Pierced our hearts with sorrow till they seemed to bleed like wine.

15. Without offense he struck a blow that cut so deep,
No doctor's art could cure of that most hurtful wound my heart to keep.

16. A father he had been, loving and beloved friend,
True of heart, sincere in love that knows no end.

17. But when estranged, though we reproach we do not chide,
Gentle regret is the balm when a loved one turns aside.

18. Our way when stung by blame's attack,
Is pardon's breath to drive resentment back.

19. But God who knows my inmost heart,
In mercy spared and healed the painful smart.

20. One charge he laid was that I ridiculed them all,
But satire and abuse from my nature ever fall.

21. If readers find my poems a persuasive spell,
The magic of my verse not blades inflicts the parallel.

22. Another count, I dwarfed their learning's scope,
But there my judge is God, who sees my hope.

23. Never has my tongue attacked a Muslim's name,
Never shall I slander, until laid beneath death's claim.

24. For slander is a sin, and I've no tribe or clan,
To brave the wrath of God, the Mighty Judge of man.

25. We shun all vice, discord and strife, to God adhesion,
Counsel sincerely, with affection and discretion.

26. Deaf we turn from slander, from all backbiting, hate, and blame,
Revealing but the best in brethren, who profess the Faith's fair name.

27. Our song's prefixed with praise for the Prophet and his elect,
As related in scripture, teachings we respect.

28. Hopeful that God may pardon faults none can escape,
And grant us bliss and peace when we our earthly mantle drape.

29. A joyous end for us, and rescue from hell's fire,
Forgiveness of transgressions, the goal of our desire.