كم فاز بالوصل من خودٍ وكاس طلا

كم فاز بالوصل من خودٍ وكاس طلا

فدمٌ وفاقَ على ذي همةٍ وعلى

فدمٌ وفاقَ على ذي همةٍ وعلى

How often have a maiden’s embrace and a cup of wine been won

How many gained union from self and cup overflowing,

By a dullard who surpassed a man of resolve and eminence!

With blood and concord on one of purpose and high resolve.

ناديت والوجد ما بين الحشا اشتعلا

ناديت والوجد ما بين الحشا اشتعلا

ليت الملاح وليت الراح قد جعلا

ليت الملاح وليت الراح قد جعلا

I cried out as longing blazed within my breast:

I called but passion midst the thickets was aflame,

Would that the beauties and the wine had both been placed

Would the voyager or the zephyr but have made them pass.

في جبهة الليث أو في قبة الفلكِ

في جبهة الليث أو في قبة الفلكِ

On the lion’s brow, or in the vault of heaven!

In the lion’s brow or beneath the heavenly dome,

Would that every lovely charmer were a sorcerer enchanter.

أوليت كل مليح ساحر المقلِ

أوليت كل مليح ساحر المقلِ

محجبٌ بين بيض الهند والأسلِ

محجبٌ بين بيض الهند والأسلِ

Or would that every beauty with bewitching eyes

Veiled amid the whiteness of India and night,

Were secluded amid gleaming Indian swords and spears,

Would the wine but round the mansion of the Ram had moved.

وليتما الخمر حلت دارة الحملِ

وليتما الخمر حلت دارة الحملِ

كي لا يقبل ذا حسنٍ سوى بطلِ

كي لا يقبل ذا حسنٍ سوى بطلِ

And would that wine had settled in the circle of Aries,

So no beauty should accept but the valiant,

So that none but a hero could kiss a beautiful one,

Nor circle with goblets but a king.

ولا يطوف بكاساتٍ سوى ملكِ

ولا يطوف بكاساتٍ سوى ملكِ

And none but an angel could go round with cups.