خلالك ما اختل الصديق سحائب — Al Sari Al Raffa

Your virtues are rain clouds whenever a friend falls into need;

And your cheerful countenance is bounty whenever winds blow.

And you are the soul's brother, cherishing closeness with it,

When a close friend and companion frighten it with abandonment.

And amid music and revelry we gather

The fruits of pastimes, all of them choice delights.

Longing for you, we salute one another in your name,

Whenever a drinker kisses the brimming cup.

And I have basil for you, its carpet adorned

With blossoms, as stars adorn the sky.

And coarse linen, like the trailing hems of gauzy gowns,

Sandalwood-scented, in which full-breasted maidens strut.

A pourer drenched it with roses' tears, making it flow;

And a blender mingled camphor with musk for it.

For the north winds are let loose within it, while others turn back—

The south winds, fettered away from its two sides.

And a vessel holding the water of life for young men,

Whose very life is savoring drinks.

The coarsest garb has clothed it, although only

Fine striped fabrics and delicate cloths befit it,

Upon a body like peridot, which has always

Resembled it in color and matched it,

When entrusted with pure silver in ingots

That pour down into its depths in molten form.

And above the drinkers' heads hangs a cloud

Of incense, neither drifting nor pouring rain.

Its lightning is the wine in the cups, and its thunder

Is white fingertips playing upon drums.

And no hindrance turns your reins away from pleasure,

One side of which roars, while another flashes.

And hasten, for today is clear of impurities—

And ah, how many a day misfortunes have clouded!