1. The beloved polished his goblet,
So it became silver or gold,

2. Or a circlet of pearls,
With wine frothing in it,

3. Or the mouth of the darling unveiled,
With the mustache above it curled,

4. Or a hand whose palm
Is idle and reddened with henna,

5. Or a chamomile whose garden,
When I used to play in it as a child,

6. The solace of souls, though indeed
Solace itself feels weary,

7. O boon companion walk gently with it,
Don’t let it confuse you,

8. Don’t speak of its consequences,
For manners are the consequence.

9. It flows clear and my nature
Flows clearly and overflows.

10. The friends watch out for him
Whenever he went on a binge.

11. The poet of the dear one, but what
Titles has he with this little rhyme,

12. A night for our master
Awaited in time,

13. Immortalized by the scribe
In the books he compiled,

14. The elite and the commons rushed to it,
So the palace became a pearl

15. That captured men’s minds,
Or a bouquet of flowers,

16. Tempting to the eyes.
Majesty was its dome,

17. And its pinnacle a mast.
Firm it stood, though its peak

18. Swayed in the air aloft.
Its oriels shone, and were

19. A wondrous spectacle.
Its curtains and ceilings lit up,

20. Amazing old and young.
Eyes marveled at it,

21. Wondering how gray hairs felt young.
Morning suns without veils came to it,

22. Having no scheduled rising time.
Darkness was their banner,

23. And their vast army the night,
In howdahs hastily,

24. The steeds pulled them tight,
Enticement stood before it,

25. And desire enticed it.
It would loiter then race off,

26. Capricious in every way.
It stormed them with a zeal

27. Passion could not gainsay.
Its interior was a paradise,

28. The most blissful place.
The elite gathered there,

29. And the finest company,
The ladies vied for it,

30. Foreigners and Arabs,
Chaste, beautiful and pedigreed.

31. Their stars Capella and Aldebaran.
My lord, it has its own orbit,

32. Revolving around it.
Near the corner of his chamber,

33. His full moon rose for us.
The throne was beautified by him,

34. And the carpets and cushions.
Around his throne were foreigners,

35. Around his throne were Arabs.
The rank of ancestors was his,

36. Ranks were equalized through it.
It was ennobled and lofty,

37. Ancient and newly attained.
There lions lounged,

38. And gazelles gently grazed.
Silk was their dress,

39. And satin and gold their taste.
Palaces were their dancing stage,

40. Not shifting sands and grass.
Music enraptured them,

41. Not echo or beating of drums,
The dancer was recalled at times,

42. At others left aside,
So the creamy cheeks showed,

43. Though they still shied.
The necklace flirted with them,

44. Caring and humpbacked.
One moment they were aloof,

45. The next affectionate and attached,
Accompanying each other as a match.

46. As branches come together,
Or rods in a thatch.

47. Heads tilting in bosoms,
Hiding in close touch.

48. Necks erect and proud,
With beauty spots adorned.

49. Breasts plump and apple-like,
Cheeks glowing and warmed.

50. Waists bending and weak,
Drawn by their heavy form.

51. Hands smooth as branches
Of a looted sycamore.

52. The wine circle with none
Holding the center or hub.

53. For guests a table
On which to lean and snub.

54. And the dishes presenting
Whatever they might desire.

55. A path to it always
Open and branching spider-like.

56. The food before them
Abundant and on tap.

57. Cool and wondrous
Craved and sought.

58. Sweet for the glutton
Sweet even for the sated.

59. Ready for one who asks,
Ready even uninvited.

60. And the wine cups which
Never emptied or failed.

61. Amongst us contraband,
Yet decrees against it failed.

62. Its pomade anointed
As the grape on the vine ripened.

63. Around it creatures barely
Quenched their thirst no matter how they tried.

64. Happy in a sanctuary
Safe from doubt or deception.

65. Nothing there except discourse
Was wanted or attractive.

66. Thus the generous were generous
Even if they grew merry and high.

67. A night that rose and towered,
Would that dawn called it a lie!

68. The prince guarantees us
That eras will repeat it.

69. Long live a king for pleasure -
Our master and father alike!

70. The peer of monarchs when
Generosity feels confined or slight.

71. Joy his comfort,
Grace his gift,

72. Conviviality his nature,
And affection his appetite.

73. My dear, long may
The garden of your glory thrive.

74. This bride of refined entertainment
Seeks acceptance and desires to arrive.

75. Your poet of zeal and devotion
Has marched her to you, alive.

76. The gathering has honored her,
And the absentee recognized her worth.

77. You are our protecting shades,
And fertile oases.

78. If my life praised you
It could not fully pay what it owes.