1. I found the wine oppressive
It stirs up the heart's passions
١. وَجَدتُ المُدامَةَ غَلّابَةً
تُهَيِّجُ لِلقَلبِ أَشواقُهُ
2. It corrupts the man's upbringing
But improves his character
٢. تُسيءُ مِنَ المَرءِ تَأديبَهُ
وَلَكِن تُحَسِّنُ أَخلاقَهُ
3. The best thing a lad owns is his heart
And he who owns a heart hates to spend it
٣. وَأَنفَسُ ما لِلفَتى لُبُّهُ
وَذو اللُبِّ يَكرَهُ إِنفاقَهُ
4. Yet last night I died owing to it
And none who's tasted it craves death
٤. وَقَد مُتُّ أَمسِ بِها مَوتَةً
وَلا يَشتَهي المَوتَ مَن ذاقَهُ