Nor would my craft have lured the travelers to the land of Irak, through my carrying of rosaries. Now be not angry, nor cry aloud, nor chide, for my excuse is plain: And wonder not at an old man who settles himself in a well-filled house by a wine-cask that is brimming. For truly wine strengthens the bones and heals sickness and drives away grief. And the purest of joy is when the grave man throws off the veils of shame and flings them aside: And the sweetest of passion is when the love-crazed ceases from the concealing of his love, and shows it openly. Then avow thy love and cool thy heart: or else the fire-staff of thy grief will rub a spark on it; And heal thy wounds, and draw out thy cares by the daughter of the vine, her the desired: And assign to thy evening draught a cup-bearer who will stir the torment of desire when she gazes; And a singer who will raise such a voice that the mountains of iron shall thrill at it when she chants. And rebel against the adviser who will not permit thee to approach a beauty when she consents. And range in thy cunning even to perverseness; and care not what is said of thee, and catch what suits thee: And leave thy father if he refuse thee, and spread thy nets and hunt who comes by thee. But be sincere with thy friend, and avoid the niggardly, and bestow kindness, and be constant in gifts; And take refuge in repentance before thy departure; for whoso knocks at the door of the Merciful causes it to open. Then I said to him, "O rare thy recitation, but fie on thy misconduct! Now, by Allah, tell me from what thicket is thy root, for thy puzzle vexes me." He said I love not to disclose myself; yet I will intimate it: I am the novelty of the time, the wonder of nations; I am the wily one, who plays his wiles among Arabs and foreigners; But not the less a brother of need, whom fortune vexes and wrongs, And the father of children who lie out like meat on the tray: Now the brother of want, who has a household, is not blamed if he be wily.