وَنَديمٍ لَم يَزَل ساقِيَنا

وَعَلى الصُبحِ مِنَ اللَيلِ إِزارُ

A constant drinking companion through the night

And a boon companion who remained our cupbearer,

As the dawn covered the darkness with its gown

While Dawn still wore the dark cloak of Night;

فَاِحتَسى حَتّى تَوَلّى لَيلُهُ

فَكَساهُ الصُبحُ ثَوباً ما يُعارُ

He drank until his night came to an end

He quaffed the wine until his night turned away,

And the dawn clothed him in a robe beyond reproach

And Morning clad him in a garment that is never lent.

فَتَغَشّاهُ كَراهُ فَهَذى

ساعَةً ثُمَّ تَغَشّاهُ الخُمارُ

In his drunkenness he raved for a while

Then slumber engulfed him and he raved deliriously

Then sleepiness overcame him like a veil

For an hour, until the heavy stupor overcame him;

فَاِستَوى كَالصَقرِ مِن رِقدَتِهِ

يَنفُضُ الرَأسَ وَما فيهِ غُبارُ

He straightened up from his slumber

Then he straightened up from his rest like a falcon,

Like a falcon shaking off dust from its head

Shaking his head, though it bore no dust.