1. Turn the cup safely, let no illusion change you,
Serve wine to boon-companions - bounty has not ceased.

2. Cure her sickness by listening, for sans melody
She's sorrow; sans sweetness, poison she's increased.

3. An antidote - if they'd washed a corpse with wine
His marrow had not melted; nor his bones decreased.

4. But for my fear of God, I would have said that wine
Can make the dead speak out or make the deaf hear, feast.

5. None who knew sorrow raised her cup one day,
None who felt grief has touched her with his palms, at least.

6. Take her, as sweet music, for she can ease
The face of life if care has caused it grief and bleakness.

7. Fear no sin if you drink her, by
What fault-finding people say - for "sin" her name is.

8. Not every description's essence is the named;
The named is not the same as the naming, in its realness.

9. If attributes themselves were the essence
Or naming was the named, where would be the difference?

10. Then no named "Immortal" would have died,
No king called "Star" would fall in earth, no prince's inheritance

11. Like Prince of Faith fell from his royal throne
His courage, might and wisdom could not help or assist.

12. King Mansur passed from his kingship's grasp.
His guarded, mighty rule could not protect or shield this.

13. A king who dealt out justice in all tribes
Owes shadows only to his riches' gloom and darkness.

14. Earth hid him for she could not stand
His feet, whose tread her surface could not clasp or kiss.

15. He left young lions who in bounty vied,
So, after him, men would not live in helplessness.

16. Kings who in giving followed in their father's stride.
In every virtue from his liberality they inherit.

17. Amongst them shone the brightest star
Though now their guiding moon is gone, their polestar witness.

18. The righteous king who wore the sable robe;
Yet people have, atop the sable dress, his favors still.

19. His martyr's marks shine clear in him;
In reason, counsel, wisdom - attributes not meaningless.

20. Most trivial to him are steeds and frivolous sport;
Most noble, lavish generosity and rhyming words.

21. The best, most generous days are when
Fine horses gladden days once thought to be unfruitful.

22. Full many a tale of lofty deeds I've heard from him,
That, for its charm, seemed honeyed by the lips of youth.

23. I've tasted of his bounty, from his hand,
And in men's hearts - because of me - he has both vein and muscle.

24. When fate plotted against me, I sought refuge;
I passed the night; my name was written in his scroll.

25. So he held off the blows of time and death;
No more can death, my foe, spy out my hiding place.