شوى أثوابه قشب — Al Sari Al Raffa — Saqi

Shawā—its garments are fresh and new;
and a flood whose nature is wondrous.
You see the waves settling in
its crests, and heaving restlessly,
like a herd of wild beasts drawing apart
as they clash horns, then drawing near.
And a day when pleasures are favored
by whoever has refinement.
And a sun that, from behind dark clouds,
unveils herself, then veils herself again.
And our gathering-place, upon a height,
is veiled by the veils of clouds.
It rises high; lightning smiles beneath
it, and thunder sobs.
So from its eastern side comes flame,
and from its western side a din.
And before it stands a radiant blossom,
tracing its lineage to the rain-bearing stars.
For it, each rumbling cloud
that passes by is a tender father.
The bān twig bends with it
at times, then stands upright.
And black cauldrons have been raised for us;
the stars of their sky are bubbles.
They seethe with spoils brought by the noble steed
and the frenzied, well-bred beasts.
And they babble, as when
the women of the Zanj begin to clamor.
And we gathered around a radiant one,
with streamers fluttering above it.
In its name it continues the act
of the one brought near, then is shunned.
So it is never without jet
that turns as though it were gold.
And your brothers in true friendship
long for you, and are sorrowful.
And mention of you among them is more fragrant
than basil when they drink.
And their procession has now reached you;
so be noble-hearted, as you ought.