1. Raise the cup as a star in splendor,

    and circulate it within the halo of drinking companions.

  2. Give it to me to drink until you see me no longer understanding

    advice that my listening grows weary of.

  3. Pass it to me unmixed, and do not extinguish

    with water the light that graced its beauty.

  4. Pass it round as a cheek, and greet the drinking companions

    with the cheek-down of basil, and earn my praise.

  5. A gathering with what has scoured the rust from hearing

    and given delight to the beholder's eyes:

  6. a singer who assails cares with strings

    and so holds the reins of passions;

  7. and a gazelle, sweeter than safety, moves about

    with cups of love and tawny wine.

  8. Since the wine saw his cheek, it was covered

    with the sweat of its bubbles. By the tawny wine,

  9. have you seen the fresh rose upon the bough

    adorned with pearls of dew?

  10. He among beauties is like Ismail

    among kings and the great.

  11. What joy has come to Egypt, now that

    her pride has come to her—and what serenity!

  12. He returned, with good fortune following him, so the two were

    in an embrace, like the sun and the chameleon.

  13. And Egypt adorned herself with light, so we did not

    know whether we were destined for earth or for heaven.

  14. He came after overwhelming longing had held sway

    over us, and reunited joy's scattered company.

  15. And even had the news not brought word of his return,

    we would have known his coming by the radiance.

  16. The garden of joy grew sweet, until we heard

    within it the gray dove's song in his praise.

  17. And through the firman he gained what the firman

    gained from him in honor and splendor.

  18. And the black nights gained from his radiance

    what they had wished for—a radiant brow.

  19. Circumstance proclaimed his exaltation; what, then,

    can the tongues of poets compose now?

  20. Did the Nile, then, make a vow

    and then fulfill it when he came in splendor,

  21. and, aware of his own shortcomings, become

    red-cheeked with shame?

  22. Your subjects receive from you what they desire,

    and yours is gratitude joined to praise.

  23. Endure as long as time, in a horizon of good fortune,

    bestowing blessings without end.

Sol 6.1