قُلتُ لِلنَدَمانِ لَمّا غادَرَت

قُلتُ لِلنَدَمانِ لَمّا غادَرَت

سُنَّةُ الصَهباءِ مِنهَ العَينَ وَسَنى

سُنَّةُ الصَهباءِ مِنهَ العَينَ وَسَنى

I said to the boon companion, when

I said to the drinking companion, when

the wine’s drowsiness had left his eye heavy with sleep:

the tawny wine’s customary effect had left his eye drowsy:

عُذ بِصَرفِ الراحِ مِن صَرفِ الكُبرى

عُذ بِصَرفِ الراحِ مِن صَرفِ الكُبرى

وَجهُكَ الوَضّاحُ بِالغَفاءِ عَنّا

وَجهُكَ الوَضّاحُ بِالغَفاءِ عَنّا

“In flowing wine seek refuge from the vicissitudes of great calamities;

“Seek refuge in pure wine from the greater [sleep]’s turning

your radiant face is away from us in slumber.

your radiant face away from us in slumber;

وَاِغتَنِمها يَقظَةً فانِيَةً

وَاِغتَنِمها يَقظَةً فانِيَةً

فَلِعَينَيكَ رُقادٌ لَيسَ يَفنى

فَلِعَينَيكَ رُقادٌ لَيسَ يَفنى

Seize this fleeting spell of wakefulness,

and seize it—a fleeting wakefulness—

for your eyes shall have a sleep that never ends.”

for your eyes have a sleep that never ends.”