Sol 5.6

  1. O friend, no blame attaches to the lover

    if a dawn of union gleams upon the horizon.

  2. Lovers bear no guilt if passion’s grape—

    though hidden—betrays their ardor, and they breathe its fragrance.

  3. They freely gave their very souls and did not withhold them,

    once they knew that generosity is gain.

  4. Nothing enraptured them but the mention of their beloved,

    and throughout their long ages, joy is theirs.

  5. Then the herald of love called them with a summons,

    and through it they went forth rejoicing, morning and evening.

  6. Rise, my boon companion, go to the wine and pour for us

    a wine whose drinking illumines the spirits.

  7. Do you not see the Eternal Cupbearer passing it around,

    as though within its cup it were a lamp?

  8. It was this that once intoxicated Adam in Paradise,

    then clothed him in a robe and sash of its own.

  9. Noah likewise—it intoxicated him aboard the ark,

    and thereby he had moaning and lamentation.

  10. By drinking it, Abraham the Friend became its table-companion,

    for its covenants before God are sound.

  11. When Moses drew near to listen to it,

    he cast down his staff, and the Tablets were broken.

  12. And so too the son of Mary wanders distraught in love with it,

    passionately devoted to its wine, roaming the earth.

  13. And Muhammad, pride of the heights and glory of guidance—

    the Opener chose him to drink its wine.

Sol 5.6