1. As though the sand-colored gazelles that crossed
Our path on the day we departed were

2. Maidens with tearful eyes, warding off
A boy left behind by his departing friends.

3. The clan of Matar on the day we met were
Lion cubs in their lair, defending their home.

4. They forbid even a neighbor, as though
Between the two meadows they had built their house.

5. The Bahila in Islam were leaders though
Not as they were in the Ignorance foremost.

6. When they speak they hit the mark; when called they
Respond; when they give they bring joy and give plenty.

7. The doers cannot match their deeds
Though they did their best in times of trial.

8. Three men with the glory of mountains
Whose dreams surpassed all on the scales.

9. He avoided even untruth in speech, as though
Any words but the truth were forbidden to him when asked.

10. So alike were his days to us that we
Could not say which of the two was better.

11. The day of his glory or the day of his might—
Both were days that drove scholars to despair.