1. Ill fortune caused my plans to go awry
For I had aims beyond my destiny.

2. Because I was a youth who liked to speak
Of wine that's pure and filled up to the brim-

3. In earthen jars from Khandaris it flowed,
Or stitched skin bags smeared with bitumen's glim.

4. It shone as if with jewelry in the cup
Engraved with finest pictures on the rim,

5. As when imagination's juggler makes
Play by music at nighttime clear and prim;

6. And the long-lashed eyes with kohl are daubed
Of smooth-cheeked boys, so clever and so slim.

7. We sat in a pavilion with a view
Of trees whose apples smiled up to the limb,

8. And birds lit on branches singing songs
To blend with chiming notes and voices slim.

9. Our day and night were happy, hour on hour,
Tapping the roof to time of tambourine,

10. Until the darkness we saw shrinking back,
The sun moved round the cupola's broad brim;

11. And when the dawn came and our prayer was called,
We rose and prayed, no need for chanting hymn.