1. No detour on the road twisted in its ruggedness,
Except I invoked protection from darkness for it.

2. A gazelle bleating - my sword of patience is unsheathed for its love,
And the tip of my resolve aiming at the highest goal.

3. Unrefined in manners, vulgar in speech -
A Turk in origin whenever he lays claim.

4. He shot me an arrow of sickness, when
An eyebrow screening the vision obscured my sight.

5. Difficult to lead, yet if his nature is content,
The cup of wine turns gentle however hard.

6. And a night Fate was just to me through him,
After which his generosity ceased nor did gold flow.

7. I was given drink from his hand at times, and from his mouth
My goblet of the first drops that dispel anxiety and distress.

8. In a garden of the meadows of sorrow, secluded,
Where flowers smile at the clouds' glow.

9.
It spread carpets for us from the delicate meadow therein

10. And stretched its branches over us.
We spent a night wherein its features softened,

11. As if renewed in play and delight each day.
I serve my boon companion with it when our third is absent.

12. When I drink he serves me and when he drinks I serve.
Of coffee radiant as the rays of the rising sun,

13. When water flows into it stars appear.
I prepared it, and the East shone bright with it,

14. And for it warriors stood erect.
Until when our glasses were emptied of it,

15. And the pool of its coffee was depleted.
I alerted a monk of a monastery who entertained us

16. With his chanting voice whether in prayer or preaching.
I went ahead and knocked on the door just once,

17. A knock which in its gentleness implied courtesy.
So he got up dragging his gown at leisure,

18. Without bursting out at us in fear or alarm.
And he came to ask about what he does not deny us,

19. What we desire, and only confirms the request.
I said, "An honored guest without greed for provisions,

20. Yet satisfied with what was drunk."
So he opened the door permitting us entry,

21. And said, "This is part of what we owe."
And he brought goblets whose fragrance was diffused,

22. Aged, as if released from captivity in his coffee long ago.
Time had erased their crime, for if they stayed

23. In the coffee a year, they would almost fly like dust.
He drained the cup until its remainder overflowed

24. Into his palm, and served me after he drank.
Since we saw joy in his company

25. Shining, as if his palm had been dyed with light.
To him we were silver in hand, overflowing,

26. While without him we were but gold.
Of coffee they had hidden in their temples

27. And hung curtains and crosses about.
I stayed serving my friend from his goblets,

28. Comforts that would lead to his comfort.
I kept serving him until he leaned his side

29. Against the pillow and fell asleep overcome.
Until the night pulled its tail from behind,

30. And dawn beamed its radiance upon us.
And the seller of daybreak stretched its fingers

31. Shooting beams while another grasps meteors.
I woke him while the brow of dawn dripped,

32. And the term of darkness had drawn near and come.
So he got up wiping his eyes with his palm,

33. While slumber knotted his eyelids.
I presented him, while the veil of night was torn,

34. A maiden who knows water is her father
And is livid if angered by it.

35. If the turbulent water hits her chaste body
It leaves a pearl that adorns the pearl with purity.

36. And I spent a life of good living which softened his side,
Carefree, fearing no fatigue through it.

37. We spent it while the days chant to us
That not every day does one attain what is sought.

38. And time inadvertently spent its days
Halting its good hours with misfortune.

39. So do not miss an hour that was a gift to us
Before time takes back what it gave.