1. I quaff the cups with the drafts so pure
And seize the chance of youth in its bloom

2. When the breezes of morn blow soft and light
Think thou back to the days of companionship

3. And take advantage sipping the wine's brim
For its lips are naught but rubies and pearls

4. A sun it is, though a moon came to eclipse
Its beauty from us until veiled by its garb

5. When the spinners of fate joined in marriage
The daughter of dawn with the son of the clouds

6. And we marveled when they blended together
The wolves of ruby with melted pure pearls

7. The bride then shone radiant, unveiled
The meanings of beauty from behind her veil

8. What rest it has brought, that rest so sweet
In the rest there found with the sipping elite

9. May we after this draft find a cure
And heal the boy's illness with reason so sure

10. With joy did he sing us joy's sweetest song
Amidst the softest and most pleasing tunes

11. And his singing made us forget the songs
Of flute, lute, Indian harp and rebeck

12. My bosom, how much agony it bears
And how much sweet torment and grief it shares

13. How many agonies have I weathered
Would that I had even a few less pains

14. I've wept enough, until my tears swelled over
And the flood reached even to hilltops higher

15. My friend, give me guidance and light
To be rid of my borrowed, assumed plights

16. For my kinship with you is my sole crime
That lured me to this long, long exile of mine

17. A breeze, O my loves, came to deliver
Sweet scent, rewarding me as I shiver

18. Convey my deep yearnings to all loved ones
And say that all yearnings are still my own

19. How wonderful the days of my youth were
When my heart as a boy was yet pure

20. How many a morning cup of pure wine
I sipped, seeking nothing but being next to thine

21. Those days have passed, but still they remain
As time that rewards without taking or gain

22. Speak! Why do some people insist
On decreasing my worth, and nothing less?

23. They know my merit, yet plot and pretend
Thus proving themselves the worst of all men

24. I care not for their words and babble
Whether I'm present or no longer able

25. The lion cares not for howling winds
Of wolves or the droning buzz of gnats

26. In love my lineage is the highest and best
Above any suspect or flawed bloodline test

27. For love is my only vice and perfection
And sorrow both my foe and protection

28. O fate, protect me from their kind
Whether you've doomed me or blessings assigned

29. Who sees me gone has been sent away
Yet whoever seeks me wishes my stay

30. I'm wise, so no need to beat me down
To correct my ways and keep me on ground

31. Among people who make their sole beauty
About robes, though most ragged and sooty

32. A lad's beauty is in virtuous actions
Not fine garments and fashions so vain

33. Scorn should stem from true moral standing
Not jewels and necklaces shiny outlandish

34. Shall I not hold my head high with pride?
When none can reproach me for faults inside

35. A noble soul refuses base life
Of begging and wearing tattered garb rife

36. They blamed me for my generosity, that trait
I'm used to - so why complain or berate?

37. I've no merit on my own, for no one
Has merit but He who brings forth the dawn

38. For thinking well of me, much credit He gave
So with good He rewards me, as that is His way

39. Why should my hands not give wealth away
When it raises my glory, day after day?

40. What lies above this earth that we've known
Is but dust, to dust it will be strewn

41. O people of this world, here is a lad
Who sees the world as no more than a mirage

42. Among people who make their sole beauty
About robes, though most ragged and sooty