He said, don't sleep - Dunash ben Labrat

He said, "Don't sleep. Drink old wine

with myrrh and lilies, henna and aloes,

in an orchard of pomegranates, palm, and vines

full of pleasant plants and tamarisks, to the hum of fountains

and the throb of lutes,

to the sound of singers, flutes, and lyres.

There every tree is tall, branches are fair with fruit,

and winged birds of every king sing among the leaves.

Doves moan melodiously,

and the doves reply cooing like reed pipes.

We will drink among flower beds fenced in by lilies

putting sorrow to flight with songs of praise.

We will eat sweets and drink by the bowlful

We will act like giants and drink out of huge goblets.

In the mornings I will arise to slaughter bulls

healthy and choice, with rams and calves.

We will anoint ourselves with fragrant oil and burn aloe incense.

Before the day of doom overtakes us, let's fill ourselves.

I reproached him: Silence, silence! This, how dare you

when the Holy House, the footstool of God, to Uncircumcised!

Foolishly you've spoken, sloth you've chosen;

Nonsense you've uttered like mockers and fools.

You have abandoned the study of the Supreme God's Torah

and you rejoice with jackals running wild in Zion.

How could we drink wine and how raise our eyes

when we are nothing, abhorred, and loathed?

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Dunash ben Labrat (920 - 990) Spain

Translator not stated

Source: Jewish Virtual Library