1. In the palace of Baghdad, not in robes,
Is one graceful like a pliant branch,

2. Like the sun impressed on the sun-disk,
Ashamed of the doubts inside me,

3. My love for him leaves no wounds,
He distracted me, I did not take heed,

4. His glance and wine intoxicate me,
Quenching with streams of knowledge,

5. And a garden of joys with bent boughs,
Where every mellifluous bird trills,

6. By the doe of Kina, companion mine,
The days of time change and nothing lasts,

7. Grey hairs did not line my head,
Nor did time break my strong resolve,

8. Coffee made from the wine of the daughter of Raas,
Ruby-red, clearing away the gloom,

9. Of the priest and the deacon,
A coquette, shining on the sun-disk,

10. Telling the tales of Abu Nuwas,
Circulating in the court,

11. With gentlemen, generous souls,
In a garden of sweetest scents,

12. As if, by God, beyond all measure,
The character of Shams al-Din, Lord of Joy,

13. Son of the Full Moon, best of men,
Life-giver, killer of want,

14. Who shames the slander of critics,
Of untainted honor, free of faults,

15. Of blooming branches, thriving roots,
Easy charm, hard with a lance,

16. Bounty overflows his meadows, bags now empty,
His pleasure from praise, not wine,

17. Predators fear him in thickets,
If dreams grow dim, he's the pillar,

18. If the times grow sick, he's the healer,
More ardent than a pack of zealots,

19. With no boast or idle chatter,
They ruled so were best ministers,

20. Their faces in the dark night,
Glowing like the shining moon,

21. Every warrior, a keen scout,
Veteran of battles with swords flashing,

22. While the other is filthy and stained,
Used to the ways of drunkards,

23. Shame, as you heap on praise,
Pliant to kindness, and he is harsh,

24. Those who draw near gain nothing but despair,
You brought me close and added to my bliss,

25. And protected me from uncouth louts,
There’s no generosity or sympathy in them,

26. Death's better than begging from people,
You remained, as did charm and attire,

27. The lofty pillars did not sway,
Of lofty build, firm foundation.