وَذُقتُ مَهوى النَجمِ ريقاً خَصِراً

وَذُقتُ مَهوى النَجمِ ريقاً خَصِراً

لَو كانَ مِن ناجودِ خَمرٍ ما غَذا

لَو كانَ مِن ناجودِ خَمرٍ ما غَذا

And I tasted the star’s setting-place—cool saliva.

And I tasted, at the star’s descent, cool saliva.

Had it been wine from a jar, it could not have sustained me.

Had it come from a flask of wine, it would not have nourished.

وَقَد تَنَعَّمتُ بِنَشرٍ عَطِرٍ

وَقَد تَنَعَّمتُ بِنَشرٍ عَطِرٍ

لَو كانَ مِن فارِهِ مِسكٍ كانَ ذا

لَو كانَ مِن فارِهِ مِسكٍ كانَ ذا

And I reveled in a waft of fragrant scent.

And I delighted in a fragrant scent.

Were it of choice musk, it would be this.

Had it come from choice musk, it would have been this.