أَرى لِلكَأسِ حَقّاً لا أَراهُ

أَرى لِلكَأسِ حَقّاً لا أَراهُ

لِغَيرِ الكَأسِ إِلّا لِلنَديمِ

لِغَيرِ الكَأسِ إِلّا لِلنَديمِ

I recognize a right for the cup that I do not recognize

I see a right due to the cup that I do not see

For anything other than the cup, except the drinking companion.

For any other, save for the drinking companion.

هِيَ القُطبُ الَّذي دارَت عَلَيهِ

هِيَ القُطبُ الَّذي دارَت عَلَيهِ

رَحى اللَذّاتِ في الزَمَنِ القَديمِ

رَحى اللَذّاتِ في الزَمَنِ القَديمِ

It is the pivot upon which revolved

It is the axis upon which has turned

The millstone of pleasures in ancient times.

The millstone of pleasures since times of old.