1. The full moon rises to banish night's gloom
With the dawn's radiant light.

2. Greetings to it as darkness retreats,
Folding its tent like a nomad moving on.

3. When it shone, the dawn seemed revealed,
As though the cup-bearer filled his cup

4. With glowing embers in the dark.
Only its afterglow lingered, appearing to us

5. Like a specter in broad daylight.
The big bellied boozer chases it

6. Talking tipsily whether joking or serious.
His face shines for us in the night's darkness

7. His bounty making him seem day-lit.
I blamed him as the wings of the eagle folded

8. And night drew in its wings.
He collapsed as the booze overpowered him,

9. Falling sideways onto the pillow.
If you pushed him over, he'd topple.

10. He stayed hunched over from the sin of the cup
As night folded its wings.

11. It held him as the booze loosened his fingers
So the tighter it gripped, the looser they became.

12.
I saw night's waters receding

13. As dawn's pool overflowed.
The rays shed blood on the tail of darkness

14. As though night's babe was slaughtered in its crib.
It stood and hailed us from atop the wall,

15. Crowned with darkness, robed in black,
As though it gloated over night's strangling.

16. Whenever dawn cracked the dark, it clamored.

17. I woke him as the booze doubled him over,
The morning breeze disheveling his hair.

18. He jumped up as drowsiness felled him
And bleary eyes closed whatever they opened.

19. I berated him as he bent his neck wearily,
When the cup smiled in his face, it dazzled.

20. It cast its spears upon his frowning brow,
Beams that showed us its rainbow.

21.
He went on peevishly as the morning wind blew,

22. Getting angry if you handed him a cup.
But when the cup brought ease,

23. I followed with three more to kindle joy.
From the dregs I got such pleasure

24. As it had hoarded in its depths, diffusing fragrance.
The sober would get drunk on a sip

25. And the drunk would sober with a taste.
With tears outpacing joy, he said to me,

26. "Though joyful, you used to moan life's woes,
But time's rotation had corrupted it

27. Until this righteous king made all things right."
When my thoughts dwell upon praising him,

28. His qualities teach me to eulogize.
His excellence can make the mute speak praise

29. And render the eloquent speechless.
His visage is like the radiant sun -

30. If it shone one day for a lovesick man, he'd recover.

31. His generosity reveals itself like the crescent moon of break fast
Or the rain clouds bursting with showers.

32. He hides his virtues but generosity reveals them,
For how can the fragrance of musk be concealed when it diffuses?

33. It nearly sterilizes my mind when I stop
Eulogizing him, though when I meet him, he inspires.

34.
The nights showed us no affliction without him

35. Except barrenness - but his palm showed bounty.
He of wise counsel and resolute mind,

36. prompt when fate falters or stumbles.
He consults only his able self,

37. Whoever errs in counsel seeks no reproof.
He follows only what his anger has girded,

38. When you advise him sincerely.
He wears no mantle but an ample one,

39. As though lightning flashed from its gleam.
Smooth as lizard skin - if stood up

40. It would stay upright, and water would not seep through.
The eyes of malice and evil are shut to a king

41. Whose fortunes aspire to his loftiness.
Whoever takes shelter in his mansion

42. Is unharmed if fate shuts or opens the door of provision.
The wine-lover wishes he could attain his wine-pouring grace,

43. Once settled in his hospitality, immersed in his care.
When he saw no hands extend over his wealth,

44. He favored me with affection as I favored him with praise.
O envied king, my hopeful desire

45. And object of aspiration - may bounty prolong his well-being!
If mouths claimed your generosity, they would be accused of lies,

46. If the sea's gullet tried to swallow it, it would burst.

47. You've attained the heights so people call you master,
Else the cup were not named for the wine.

48. In describing your benefaction, our praise falls short,
As rain they say is less than it has poured.

49. O you who expend treasures they hoarded
And seize gratitude they neglected!

50. Who clothe me in blessings that make me shyly withdraw
Ceaselessly embarrassed.

51. If I distinguished you alone for holiday greetings,
I could find no excuse to justify it.