لعمرُكَ ما يحصى على الكاسِ شرُّها

لعمرُكَ ما يحصى على الكاسِ شرُّها

وإن كان فيها لَذَّةٌ ورخاءُ

وإن كان فيها لَذَّةٌ ورخاءُ

By your life, the cup's evils cannot be counted,

The wine cup's evil cannot be reckoned,

though it holds pleasure and ease.

Though within it lies pleasure and repose.

مراراً تريكَ الغيَّ رشداً وتارةً

مراراً تريكَ الغيَّ رشداً وتارةً

تخيّلُ أنّ المحسنينَ أساءوا

تخيّلُ أنّ المحسنينَ أساءوا

Often it shows you error as right guidance, and at times

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

makes you imagine that those who do good have done wrong,

Makes you think well-wishers did you wrong,

وأنّ الصديقَ الماحض الودّ مبغِضٌ

وأنّ الصديقَ الماحض الودّ مبغِضٌ

وأنّ مديحَ المادحين هجاء

وأنّ مديحَ المادحين هجاء

and that a friend sincere in his affection hates you,

That a true, devoted friend is full of hate,

and that the praise of those who praise is satire.

That flatterers' praise was but invective.

وجرّبتُ إخوانَ النبيذ فقلّما

وجرّبتُ إخوانَ النبيذ فقلّما

يدومُ لإخوانِ النبيذ إخاءُ

يدومُ لإخوانِ النبيذ إخاءُ

And I have tried the companions of wine: seldom

I've tested drinking friends and found

does brotherhood endure among the companions of wine.

That drinkers' camaraderie is short-lived.