Sol 5.6

  1. Renew delight, that we ourselves may be renewed;

    Pour it for me—gold from a silver cup.

  2. Today, take our pleasure through it,

    And bring it back for me tomorrow, my boon companion,

  3. Among drinking companions like upland flowers,

    Each one uniquely distinguished by excellence.

  4. The wine-cup strung their company together,

    Like a necklace, like close-set pearls.

  5. The garden came forth in its fairest majesty;

    So prepare for joy today, and make ready.

  6. From the sheath of darkness there was drawn

    The dawn’s keen sword, plainly seen—so be renewed!

  7. And I beheld the remnants of twilight gloom,

    What remained of the smoke of aloeswood and the morrow.

  8. Rouse the ringdove, until she awakens

    For the wine, eyes sleeping through the drinking-hour.

  9. The gray doves enchanted us with their melodies—

    Would Umm Maʿbad, among all beauties, ransom her!

  10. Amid fresh, radiant gardens that grew

    Ruby leaves upon emerald boughs.

  11. How often we returned to gardens like them

    After a time, and found returning more praiseworthy.

  12. There we witnessed the spectacle of fellowship,

    And sat wherever love offered a seat.

  13. We gathered tribute from a garden;

    The bough drank, and then the bird caroused.

  14. The cupbearer roaming through its reaches

    Is a rising moon, a swaying bough.

  15. The sweetest wine is that which you take

    From the hands of a beardless cupbearer with a pure cheek.

  16. I fancied what was in his hand was in his cheek:

    What lies in hand and cheek are just alike.

  17. His glance is Babylonian, his dark lips sweet;

    Gentle in manner, but hard-hearted as rock.

  18. Dark-lipped—once his saliva had grown cool,

    He bequeathed us a blazing fire of longing.

  19. From his hand we drank his cheek,

    And from him plucked myrtle and rose boughs.

  20. We made him an idol, though piety refuses;

    Yet for his beauty he is worshipped.

  21. He sends passion into every breast,

    Even one free of love for him, where passion had not been.

  22. Had a sinner, repentant of his sin, beheld him

    Appearing like the full moon, he would have relapsed.

  23. His eyes denied having shed my blood,

    Though their blade upon his face bears witness.

  24. I do not know which has driven the sharper blade

    Into my heart: that glance, or that figure.

  25. Surely Hārūt and Mārūt

    Received from him an authenticated account of magic.

  26. So supple of limb that he

    Almost knots himself from the very excess of that suppleness.

  27. What an enchanting theme, delighting me—

    My love poetry about him, and my praise of Muhammad,

  28. Possessor of far-reaching bounty—so thanks to the hand

    Of one deep-rooted in bright eminence, a man of generosity.

  29. His two robes enfold a pious, glorious man;

    He found piety a provision-store and took his sustenance.

  30. We have considered his earnest endeavor—or his grandfather—

    And through high honors seen what earnestness can do.

  31. He follows the traces of his forefathers,

    Following and emulating their legacy of glory.

  32. What his fathers were accustomed to

    Has long accustomed him, until it became his habit.

  33. Scholars who acted according to their knowledge,

    They established religion from cradle to grave.

  34. How many a difficulty was resolved through them,

    For they were the men empowered to loose and bind.

  35. His deeds raised their banners high,

    And through me he built and exalted their lofty honors.

  36. A glorious man who rises above his peers,

    Having gained the summits of honor and glory.

  37. Neither his understanding nor his learning lies hidden;

    He shone before the world like a peerless banner.

  38. His delegations sought his beneficence—

    Few are those whose kindness is hoped for and sought.

  39. No wonder, when we trace in him

    Noble deeds from a generous father and grandfather.

  40. Whenever time corrupted some condition,

    His generosity repaired what the age had impaired and ruined.

  41. His two hands supplied me with bounty—

    So too the sea, at ebb tide and at flood.

  42. When we entered an assembly where he dwelt,

    We lodged nowhere but in the lair of tawny lions.

  43. To his gathering, on the day of generosity,

    Culture is brought in, while wealth is scattered abroad.

  44. A rain cloud of his bounty showers upon us,

    Unlike a cloud that merely flashes or thunders.

  45. Yours are hands that, throughout all time,

    Remain ever white amid calamity’s black wings.

  46. Accept, then, from my praise this eulogy,

    My lord—for your servant has sought refuge in you.

  47. The month has passed in fasting and devotion;

    So remain safe, everlasting in enduring honor.

  48. Rejoice in the feast, for it has returned bearing

    The honor and lordship that you desire.

  49. I do not know whether to congratulate you upon it,

    Or congratulate the feast upon you, as you honor the delegation.

  50. May God reward you on my behalf with the finest reward

    Ever given a benefactor through gratitude and praise.

Sol 5.6