1. The talk of drinkers saddens my heart,
And their plight pains me, by my life!

2. Are they not just lovers struck down
By the loss of sweethearts, suffering separation?

3. O lovers of wine, if you grieve
For being parted from it, resignation is not the way!

4. Your seekers strove until they spilled
Blood over the face of the earth flowing.

5. Its fragrance spread east and west
And perfumed every corner of Cordoba.

6. So say to those who kiss it to excess -
It did not quell their thirst however much they drank!

7. And burning down doors until
You left its people in empty ruins.

8. You claimed to champion justice there -
But if that were true,

9. Abu Hanifa, the just one,
Fled from judging for a month!

10. A jurist whom no jurist can match
When analogy comes, he is the full moon.

11. He spent long nights in prayer
Severing them without rest or sleep.

12. And he had a drinking companion
Who joined him from dusk till dawn.

13. When he woke he sang with the voice
Of one imprisoned by the clan of Amr.

14. "They destroyed me, and what man they destroyed,
For an evil day and to thwart danger!"

15. But prison silenced that companion's voice
And the jurist knew nothing of it.

16. He said, when a second night had passed
And he did not hear his singing, "I wonder -

17. did my companion's singing bring good
or evil, that it has ceased?"

18. They said, "He is in Isa's prison,
Seized by the guards as he walked at night."

19. So he called out this long poem, which suits
One whose matter is momentous.

20. And he turned to Isa ibn Musa
And met him with honour and righteousness,

21. Saying, "A need has arisen, so I
Will judge it and pursue it thankfully."

22. He said, "You imprisoned a neighbour named
Amr." He said, "Every Amr shall be released,

23. For imprisoning my jurist neighbour's
Namesake, even if you chained them hand and foot!"

24. So Isa released them all, for that neighbour
Who does not sleep without drunkenness.

25. Say, if you wish, neighbours have rights,
Or say, if you wish, seekers have reward.

26. For Abu Hanifa did not cease
Seeking deliverance from his burden.

27. How many forbidden things occur in secret
Whose occurrence openly is also banned!