#1
چو بنشست می خواست از بامداد
✦
بزرگان لشکر برفتند شاد
“When dawn arrived, he sat and called for wine; the army's chieftains gathered in high delight.”
#2
بیامد هم‌انگه یکی مرد مه
✦
ورا میوه آورد چندی ز ده
“Just then there arrived a notable man, bringing fruits for the King from his village.”
#3
شتربارها نار و سیب و بهی
✦
ز گل دسته‌ها کرده شاهنشهی
“Camel-loads of pomegranates, apples, and quinces, with nosegays of flowers fit for a king.”
#4
جهاندار چون دید بنواختش
✦
میان یلان پایگه ساختش
“When the ruler of the world saw him, he welcomed him and granted him a seat among the heroes.”
#5
همین مه که با میوه و بوی بود
✦
ورا پهلوی نام کبروی بود
“This chief who brought the fruits and fragrance was named Kobravi in the Pahlavi tongue.”
#6
به روی جهاندار جام نبید
✦
دو من را به یکبار اندر کشید
“In honor of the world-king, he lifted a goblet of wine holding two mans, and downed it in a single draught.”
#7
چو شد مرد خرم ز دیدار شاه
✦
ازان نامداران و آن جشنگاه
“When the man grew merry from seeing the King, the illustrious lords, and that festive hall,”
#8
یکی جام دیگر پر از می بلور
✦
به دلش اندر افتاد زان جام شور
“He set his heart upon another goblet filled with crystal wine, a fire igniting within him.”
#9
ز پیش بزرگان بیازید دست
✦
بدان جام می تاخت و بر پای جست
“He reached out his hand before the nobles, seized the goblet of wine, and leaped to his feet.”
#10
به یاد شهنشاه بگرفت جام
✦
منم گفت میخواره کبروی نام
“He took the cup to toast the King of kings, shouting: 'I am Kobravi, the famous wine-bibber!'”
#11
به روی شهنشاه جام نبید
✦
چو من درکشم یار خواهم گزید
“'When I drain this cup to the King's face, I challenge any companion to match me!'”
#12
به جام اندرون بود می پنج من
✦
خورم هفت ازین بر سر انجمن
“'Within this cup are five mans of wine; I shall drink seven like this before the assembly!'”
#13
پس انگه سوی ده روم من به هوش
✦
ز من نشنود کس به مستی خروش
“'And then I shall return to my village in full consciousness, without anyone hearing a drunken clamor from me.'”
#14
چنان هفت جام پر از می بخورد
✦
ازان می پرستان برآورد گرد
“He drank seven such cups brimful of wine, out-drinking all the wine-worshippers in the hall.”
#15
به دستوری شاه بیرون گذشت
✦
که داند که می در تنش چون گذشت
“With the King's permission he departed outside; who could tell how that wine surged through his veins?”
#16
وزان جای خرم بیامد به دشت
✦
چو در سینهٔ مرد، می گرم گشت
“He rode away from that joyful place into the open plain as the heat of the wine warmed within his chest.”
#17
برانگیخت اسپ از میان گروه
✦
ز هامون همی تاخت تا پیش کوه
“He spurred his steed away from the company, galloping from the level plain to the mountain's edge.”
#18
فرود آمد از باره جایی نهفت
✦
یله کرد و در سایهٔ کوه خفت
“He dismounted from his horse in a sheltered nook, loosed his steed, and fell asleep in the mountain's shade.”
#19
ز کوه اندرآمد کلاغ سیاه
✦
دو چشمش بکند اندران خوابگاه
“A black raven swooped down from the mountain and pecked out both his eyes as he lay sleeping.”
#20
همی تاختند از پس‌اندر گروه
✦
ورا مرده دیدند بر پیش کوه
“His companions galloped after him, only to find him lying helpless and destroyed before the mountain.”
#21
دو چشمش ز سر کنده زاغ سیاه
✦
برش اسپ او ایستاده به راه
“His two eyes gouged from his head by the black raven, while his horse stood waiting upon the path.”
#22
برو کهترانش خروشان شدند
✦
وزان مجلس و جام جوشان شدند
“His servants raised a bitter wail over him, weeping over that banquet and those boiling cups.”
#23
چو بهرام برخاست از خوابگاه
✦
بیامد بر او یکی نیک‌خواه
“When Bahram awoke from his sleeping quarters, a well-wisher came before him with the news.”
#24
که کبروی را چشم روشن کلاغ
✦
ز مستی بکندست در پیش راغ
“'A crow has pecked out the bright eyes of Kobravi in the meadow because of his drunkenness!'”
#25
رخ شهریار جهان زرد شد
✦
ز تیمار کبروی پر درد شد
“The countenance of the lord of the world turned pale, filled with grief and pain for Kobravi's sorrow.”
#26
هم‌انگه برآمد ز درگه خروش
✦
که ای نامداران با فر و هوش
“Instantly a cry went out from the royal court: 'O glorious and wise chieftains...'”
#27
حرامست می در جهان سربسر
✦
اگر زیردستست گر نامور
“'Wine is forbidden throughout the world entirely, whether for the common subject or the renowned lord!'”