أتنشط للصبوح أبا علي

على حكم المنى ورضى الصديقِ

Are you eager for the morning draught, Abu Ali,

At desire's bidding and with a friend's approval,

بنهر للرياح عليه درع

تذهب بالغروب وبالشروق

By a river upon which the winds have a coat of mail,

Gilded by sunset and by sunrise?

إذا اصفرت عليه الشمس صبت

على أمواجه ماء الخلوق

When the sun turns yellow over it, it pours

Saffron-perfumed water upon its waves.

وقفت به فكم خد رفيق

يغازلني على قد رشيق

I stood beside it; how many a companion's cheek

Flirts with me above a slender figure!

وجمر شب في الاغصان حتى

أضاع الماء في وهج الحريق

And embers blazed among the branches until

They made the water vanish in the fire's glare.

فدهم الخيل في ميدان تبر

يصاغ لها كرات من عقيق

So black horses, in an arena of raw gold,

Have balls of agate fashioned for them.

فهل لك في ختام المسك فضت

نوافجه ومختوم الرحيق

Then would you care for musk's seal, with its opened

Pouches, and for sealed, pure wine?