1. Heed not the cupbearer’s tempting call,
Nor join the grape-laden bowers at all,

2. O cups of ease, no ease have I,
Within you shine the stars on high.

3. I’ve warned my soul to shun what’s banned
In flagons, and resolved steadfastly,

4. Is it not strange how easily
You steal dreams from the dreamer’s hand?

5. No care has lifted from my breast,
With you, except to usher in the rest.

6. Full many a comrade I would aid
Became through you misfortune’s slave,

7. God guard the youth who never sipped
Or tasted of your scent or lip,

8. How many have you tempted so,
From sacred duties bid them go,

9. And deem the flash within your gleam
To be a light, while it is flame.

10. How many a drinker you have dressed
In sin’s attire, in shame’s dark vest,

11. Noble turned base in garb of shame,
When you his reason overcame.

12. From you I turn, before the wind
Of dawn has veiled suns left behind.

13. If one speaks of you, I recoil,
Though he's to me the dearest friend.

14. I prune the branch which overpeers
The robe of bloom, when breeze appears,

15. Shun the leaf, however sweet
Its rhyming talk when breezes greet.

16. Let none see my hand guided by
An evil demon enemy.

17. Best repentance in youth’s bright morn,
Ere flee the days, unworn, unshorn.

18. No joy has touched my heart, whose trace
Would lure me to vile deed or place.

19. I have not walked but nobly stepped,
Spurning the vile, whom folly swept.

20. Whose cheek is lit by honor’s flame,
His lips are sipped from founts of fame,

21. Hands open, counsel true, befriends
All comers, on right path them leads.

22. With friends, gentle, wise, serene,
With foes, defiant, stern of mien.

23. Seek his like through passing days,
On only free and noble gaze.

24. Win glory resident or roamed,
In homeland or afar then homed.

25. O’errule the land which holds you not,
On steed or litter, be it hot.

26. When plenty fails, endure the dearth,
On ground or air, in ample worth.

27. No greater wealth than to be found
Content with crumbs instead of crowned.

28. If you own riches, sound and safe,
Pound not cracked wealth, don’t mourn or chafe.

29. Be glory’s form, topmost estate,
Though your possessions be but straight.

30. Let no rich man of low repute
Raise his state from the mud abute.

31. All things, ask, are bound to wane,
Save God’s glorious dominion’s reign!