1. I yearned for the basil of the soul and heart,
And its deeds amidst musicians and drink.

2. There is no life but between coffee cups
Inherited from the Persians, generation after generation.

3. Before brewing, the beans are gray, and after
A progeny of exquisite coffee, not chaff or gray.

4. A progeny of generous, lofty palm trees, yet it is
A potion of village palm trunks, thick and viscous.

5. The hands of the pickers came and harvested it,
So it flowed without pressing, and dripped without straining.

6. The days turned it until it became
Like the soul of one nearing the end of life.

7. Its look charms the eye, its beauty bearing
Witness to the heart, spreading joy within.

8. It restores the clarity of life, like its own clarity,
And unveils the shroud of gloom from the gloomy soul.

9. Its long storage removed its coarseness,
As it passed through epochs, from epoch unto epoch.

10. If lifted atop a tall minaret, it would guide
Travelers in East and West with its bright star.

11. A gathering with its drink needs no basil,
With fragrance like musk in a perfumed wrap.

12. Never did I see anything so delightful to the soul,
Inhaled with a frown or a sullen face.

13. When it boils, water contends with it,
Shunning it as gazelles shun a hungry wolf.

14. It has a smooth and easy flowing juice, indicating
That it is gentle, though it originated from the wild palm.

15. In a garden blooming with flowers like a cloak,
I will disobey the blamers and drink it,

16. And many a daughter of generous palms have I reveled with,
Above any companion of glorious ancestry from my people.

17. My brother of charming morals, you will never see
Moods in cups of wine like a charming mood.

18. Your friendship delights in prosperity, sweetly regretted;
And most helpful in adversity, unlike a stern foe.

19. With a wink for regulars, alluring and softly alluring,
Safely drawing addicts in, unafraid of the spy.

20. We lined up jugs of clay near it,
Forming a cluster of jars inclined toward a jar.

21. The doe still mistakes it for a doe, draws near
Thinking it a doe, though we are nearer.

22. When we desire, quails on the thickets serenade us
With melodies of love and passion.

23. Such is my share of peace, though I never forget
My share of war and its turmoils in times of war.

24. My brother, foremost among brothers when war dons
Its raiment, outstanding among the striking horsemen.

25. When the battle grows fierce he charges likes lightning,
Striking awe between the brave knight and the fearless hero.

26. When the light of death flashes in him, or a page turns
In him like carnelian on a necklace,

27. Or he is pierced by spears shaken
By hooves that strike his side like the knots of twigs,

28. On him is a blade that makes death tremble, destructive
Though light, sparing the chest and side.

29. His coat of mail is like an impenetrable pool
Repelling the blades of the angry, lethal sword.

30. This is my horse over a smooth desert,
Letting the panting of the gallop flow from its wide nostrils,

31. With a tail touching the ground when relaxed,
Concealing its rear with abundant hair.

32. When the hunt enters the fray, it has
A guaranteed withdrawal, achieving the goal.

33. It points to the battle's blindness with hooves
Of mares given safety from the raid.

34. So when the mill of war spins one day,
I stand firm like the central pole star.

35. If the coward's saddle is delayed, you will find me
Plunging into the fray of stabbing and striking.

36. When my spears meet me, their points
On a blow or a jab are like scissors snipping.

37. I am forebearing and reckless behind it,
So forbearance for the forbearing, recklessness for the reckless one.

38. I sniff and track down the trail like a hound,
My poems descending on the encampments like rain.

39. When the pastures of Ishaar rebel, I milk them
With blood and feet - such are my milkings.

40. I return the branded camels, their eyes
Sunk like a flask in the well.

41. I folded their guts like a cloak after
Folding the plains with them unto plain after plain.

42. I am the son of Sha'hab, warrior lion, exalted,
No boast, for boasting is a branch of vanity.

43. I have many a glorious father and glorious son
Whose nobility nurtures nobility.

44. If his palms rain generosity, he lights up
The land, and its expanse shakes with fertility.

45. If enemies attempt their scheming one day,
I ruin them with a sweeping flood.

46. I have many a free, unsaddled colt
Who says when performing a deed of honor, “Enough!”

47. My trusted brother - if all the people
Became one party against me, he would be my party.

48. I confide in him whether pleased or angry,
Counting him a tongue and sword in talk and in speech.

49. I made his heart privy to my protected bond,
Admitting none but him to my plains and wide lands,

50. When comrades share drink, my soul's love for him
Remains sincere, not shared with drinking friends.

51. Those who envied tried to make mischief between us
But failed, whether in deceit or enmity.

52. Except that they signaled their disaffection,
Which pleased us despite the reproach.

53. They were hostile so we recognized bitterness in estrangement
And pardoned them all their misdeeds.

54. Then we reconciled, pleased by
Reunion, while they barked like dogs in the distance.