لعمرُكَ ما يحصى على الكاسِ شرُّها

وإن كان فيها لَذَّةٌ ورخاءُ

The wine cup's evil cannot be reckoned,

Though within it lies pleasure and repose.

مراراً تريكَ الغيَّ رشداً وتارةً

تخيّلُ أنّ المحسنينَ أساءوا

At times it shows you guidance, at others, error;

Makes you think well-wishers did you wrong,

وأنّ الصديقَ الماحض الودّ مبغِضٌ

وأنّ مديحَ المادحين هجاء

That a true, devoted friend is full of hate,

That flatterers' praise was but invective.

وجرّبتُ إخوانَ النبيذ فقلّما

يدومُ لإخوانِ النبيذ إخاءُ

I've tested drinking friends and found

That drinkers' camaraderie is short-lived.