1. يا سيِّداً في حُباهُ رَضوى

    أَستَغفِرُ اللَهَ بَل شَمامُ

    O lord, like Radwa as you sit with knees clasped—

    I seek God's forgiveness—rather, Shamam!

  2. في زَمَنِ الوردِ يا أَخاهُ

    تُجفى وَلَم تُذنبِ المُدامُ

    In the season of roses, O brother of the rose,

    Wine is spurned, though it has done no wrong.

  3. إِذا أَلَمَّت ذَوباً وَجمداً

    تَنفرُ عَنها وَلا النَعامُ

    When it comes in liquid and solid forms,

    You flee from it—even ostriches do not.

  4. وَدارُ دُنيا الوَرى عَروسٌ

    مَعشوقَةٌ ريقُها المدامُ

    And humankind's earthly abode is a bride,

    Beloved, with wine for her saliva.

  5. إِنّي لَأَدرى الوَرى بِقَومٍ

    أَنتَ لَهُم سَيِّدي إِمامُ

    Indeed, I know a people better than anyone,

    Whose leader you are, my lord.

  6. شامَت يَدُ النُسكِ مِنكَ سَيفاً

    لَكِنَّهُ مِثلها كَهامُ

    Asceticism's hand has sheathed the sword that is you,

    Yet it is blunt, like that hand.

  7. فَعُد إِلى الضَربِ يا حُساماً

    عَن مِثلِهِ يَعجزُ الحُسامُ

    So return to striking, O keen sword,

    Whose like no sword can match.