1. O friend, arise and pour me a cup to set me free,
And heed not the blamer or the watcher scornfully.

2. Passion is sweet until it is profaned;
Then seek it discreetly and fence those you love tenderly.

3. Guard your tongue from the talebearers for slanderers have
Keen ears to hear, rancor to spread and rage to fan.

4. Betray no girl’s secret if her love you shared;
The noble soul keeps faith though the other may defame it angrily.

5. Rejoice in the maxim on tolerance from Zi Yazan’s wise son:
“The noble make merry but forget not their dignity.”

6. Shield your neighbor’s honor from each shameless tongue,
And you shall rise in esteem and gain prosperity.

7. Grief has overwhelmed me and anguish fills my heart,
Yet a visitor came in my dream to console me tenderly.

8. A bride she was when we lay down but ere morn rose
We saw the first light of day break clear brilliantly.

9. And if the slanderer slept denying Asma’s name,
No sleep weighed down his eyes if he lied outrageously.

10. Long have I remained in grief, ceaselessly turning it over,
As though no egress from it can I possibly see.

11. How can I recline on sweet basil when still I cling
To the train of Asma’s dress so desperately?

12. Passion returns with the cheeks’ soft sheen of Judham girls
Who walk beneath the clouds, their veils fluttering wantonly.

13. For one like the sun or moon in Djinn’s valley I’m lost
Though tomorrow he don armor or robe Arabianly.

14. I want not by passion a reluctant paradise
Though grapes and figs should hang above conveniently.

15. Praiseworthy is a Juasham girl with beautiful eyes
And cheeks and mouth perfect harmoniously.

16. Her talk shows you a pert coquette; if she but smiled
Her brilliant teeth appeared in order charmingly.

17. A scene she made me contemplate and learn from;
To look on musk the nostrils gladly yield effusively.

18. With kohl she adorned herself, a marvelous picture,
While manners enhanced her, no fault diminishing womanly.

19. When the women of the tribe saw her, they cried:
“Glory to Him who molded her extravagantly!”

20. As if she was made of a pearl’s fragile substance,
Her breath all perfume should she stir it daintily.

21. The scent of her gums is the scent of her saliva
And where her skin touches, the touch is fragrant heavenly.

22. She who enthralled me with love one year
When for the lovely brunette I was wont to wait patiently.

23. I'll ne’er forget when from beneath her mantle
She looked, enslaving Amir after he turned gray staidly.

24. O goodness of Judd, be kind and we'll live virtuously;
And be no enemy of ours, no hardship forcing wrathfully.

25. By God, Asma, I've not forgotten you since my eye espied you
And the full moon rose scintillating ecstatically.