1. This morning, what is it that you await
With the dawn of your bright morning?

2. Awaken Abu Bakr and call
The brother of forgiveness, Abu Umar,

3. And summon the beautiful one to join us,
A moon whose face rivals the moon,

4. In her lap a lute
Whose strings give voice,

5. Like a child, but made
Not of flesh but of fragrant wood,

6. Among lads in the full flower of youth,
Eloquent, articulate, and bold,

7. Trading subtle witticisms
And smiles amid the blossoms,

8. Talking in verse or song,
Or conversing or reveling,

9. So that one who overheard them
Would think he read a fair book,

10. To me the pleasantest times
Are the times of night stillness,

11. The excuse for delights, and delights
Are sweetest when excused,

12. Drink the wine of your good fortune
And pour it out, lest sorrow refill your cup,

13. When the gathering disperses
And joy passes from those you gladdened,

14. Refill the cups and call them back:
“Is there one among you who remembers?”

15. And sing extemporaneously, your lute
Answering you with a trembling string.

16. Pluck from your days what is pure
And leave what is troubled and turbid.

17. For life is shorter than the reckoning
Of days against those who borrow them.