1. The cup did no wrong, so why did you imprison it?
You made it lonely by keeping it from company so long.

2. No, you meant to drink it and when you saw it
It cast its radiance on you and you put it on.

3. How long will you stand there with it? You've really tired me out
With all your standing there with it, just as you've tired it out.

4. So restrain the hot temper of the fire and beware its wiles,
For you touched fire when you touched it.

5. And smell the joy of drinking it, not the smell of blame,
And taste life in its flavor, not the taste of death.

6. And stop the smoke of rebuke from fouling its fragrance,
For you've sullied it with the stench of musk.

7. Hurry and confide your secret and whisper it in my ear.
What harm to you, my brother, if you tell it?

8. Unite the old man and he becomes a boy again,
For you saw your youth when you looked on it.

9. Do not think the shining sun is its sister,
The sun in its life is only its daughter.

10. Its existence preceded time in existence,
Do not think, O Time, that you preceded it.

11. And of wonders is that it has no beginning
To its time, yet by your drinking it has an end.