رُبَّ كَأسٍ تَنَقَّلَت لِحَكيمِ

رُبَّ كَأسٍ تَنَقَّلَت لِحَكيمِ

بَعدَ إِشراقِها بِكَفِّ النَّديمِ

بَعدَ إِشراقِها بِكَفِّ النَّديمِ

Many a cup has made its way to Ḥakīm,

Many a cup has passed to a physician

after gleaming in the boon companion’s palm;

After gleaming in the drinking companion's palm;

فَغَدا اليَومَ حُلوُها لِشَقاءٍ

فَغَدا اليَومَ حُلوُها لِشَقاءٍ

بَعدَما كانَ مُرُّها لِنَعيمِ

بَعدَما كانَ مُرُّها لِنَعيمِ

but today its sweetness has become my misery,

So today its sweetness brings suffering,

after its bitterness had once been my bliss.

After its bitterness once brought bliss.