ما أَعافُ النَبيذَ خيفَةَ إِثمٍ

إِنَّما عِفتُهُ لِفَقدِ النَديمِ

Wine does not conceal the guilt of sin,

Rather I shun it for lack of a boon companion.

لَيسَ في اللَهوِ وَالمُدامَةِ حَظٌّ

لِكَريمٍ دونَ النَديمِ الكَريمِ

Revelry and carousing bring no joy,

To the noble without a virtuous companion.

فَتَخَيَّر قَبلَ النَبيذِ نَديماً

ذا خِلالٍ مُعَطَّراتِ النَسيمِ

So choose, before the wine, a companion

Of beautiful traits, scents of springtime,

وَجَمالٍ إِذا نَظَرتَ بَديعٍ

وَضَميرٍ إِذا اِختَبَرتَ سَليمِ

And beauty, when you look, most wondrous,

And conscience, when tested, most sound.