وَنَدمانٍ تَرادَفَهُ خُمارٌ

فَأَورَثَ في أَنامِلِهِ اِرتِعادا

And remorse followed by intoxication

And a boon companion whom the hangover overwhelmed,

Made his fingers tremble

Bequeathing a constant trembling to his fingertips;

فَلَيسَ بِمُستَقِلِّ الكَأسِ ما لَم

تَكُن يُسراهُ لِليُمنى عِمادا

He cannot handle the wine cup unless

He could not bear the weight of the cup, unless

His right hand props him up

His left hand served as a pillar for his right.

رَفَعتُ لَهُ يَدي وَهناً بِكَأسٍ

بِها مِنها تَزَيَّدَ فَاِستَعادا

I raised to him a cup in my soft hand

I raised my hand to him in the deep of night with a glass,

He took a sip and regained composure

With which he exceeded his bounds and sought to repeat,

وَقالَ أَلَستَ مُتبِعَها بِأُخرى

تُوَقِّرُني فَإِنَّ بِيَ اِزدِيادا

And said, “Won’t you follow it with another

Saying, "Will you not follow it with another

To honor me, for I have capacity”

To steady me? For the shaking within me has grown."

فَقُلتُ بَلى وَبِأُخرَياتٍ

عَلى أَنّي سَأَجعَلُها جِيادا

I said “Yes, and with more

I replied, "Yes, and with others to follow,

Though I will make them fillies”

Which I shall ensure are excellent and pure."

فَذَلِكَ دَأبُهُ لَيلي وَدَأبي

إِذا ما زِدتُهُ مِنها اِستَزادا

Such is his habit at night and mine

Such was his custom and mine throughout the night:

When I refill it he asks for more

Whenever I added to his share, he demanded yet more,

إِلى أَن خَرَّ ما يَدري أَأَرضاً

تَوَسَّدَ عِندَ ذَلِكَ أَم وِسادا

Until he falls, not knowing if it’s ground

Until he collapsed, knowing not whether it was the earth

Or a pillow beneath him at that point

He pillowed his head upon then, or a cushion.