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Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Karkhiyya - Abu Nuwas

Praise the wine for its munificence
And give it the best of names
Do not allow water to subdue it
Nor let it rule the water
A Karkhiyya that had long been aged
Until most of it is reduced
Such that the drinker coming by it
Has but the tail-end of its life to enjoy
Yet it turns round and revives blameless
The spirits of ardent lovers
Oft the wine is drunk
By such as are not up to it.

Abu Nuwas (756 - 814) Iran
Translated by F Matthew Caswell
  • Karkhiyya was where fine wine was produced in Baghdad

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