Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Translating Rumi

O, wine bearer!
Fill the cup of my soul
with the liquid of life.

Ye, the helper of secret lovers!
Hand me that glass
that enlivens my soul and
snatch the strange secrets
away from the lips of unknown.

O, the dearest of all souls!
We do not seek this night
for our daily bread.
So, wake up! cease to be
pitiful among the mortal kings.

Foremost, put a glass of wine
into the old man's hands.
After he gets drunk on life,
you become the drunkenness.

Persistence my dear!
Shed your shyness
quench it with this divine wine.

Stand up, O Wine bearer!
You! A stranger to shyness
pour into my glass cheerfully
for I deserve good fortune.

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