Samuel ha-Nagid: Red in aspect, sweet in taste

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Red in aspect, sweet in taste

by Samuel ha-Nagid
(993 - 1056) Timeline

English version by
Bernard Lewis

Original Language
Hebrew

Jewish

11th Century

Red in aspect, sweet in taste
poured in Spain, famed in India
faint in the cup, but raised to the head
wine holds sway over heads that bow.
The mourner mingling blood and tears
finds his sorrows melted by the blood of the grape,
friends passing the cup from hand to hand
seem like gamblers dicing for a precious stone.

-- from Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems, Translated by Bernard Lewis

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Themes

Honey

Smile

Wine

Recommended Books

	Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems, Translated by Bernard Lewis

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World