Abu 'Abd Allah Ja'far ibn Muhammad Roudaki says

Abu 'Abd Allah Ja'far ibn Muhammad Roudaki

If one doesn't have his wisdom,

Arriving at his age,

It can be taught by no teacher

In the world.

Prepared by Professor Iraj Bashiri

Mother of Wine

The mother of wine must be sacrificed,

And her children seized and cast into prison.

But you won't be able to take her children from her

Unless you first trample her underfoot and drag her soul from her

Nor is it lawful to separate babe

From its mother's breast,

Until it has nursed a full seven months,

From April until the end of October...

Abu Abullah Rudaki (d. AD 940)

Ju-yi Muliyan

The Ju-yi Mulian we call to mind,

We long for those dear friends long left behind.

The sands of Oxus, toilsome though they be,

Beneath my feet were soft as silk to me.

Glad at the friend's return, the Oxus deep

Up to our girths in laughing waves shall leap.

Long live Bukhara! Be thou of good cheer!

Joyous towards thee hasteth our Amir!

The moon's the prince, Bukhara is the sky;

O Sky, the Moon shall light thee by and by!

Bukhara is the Mead, the Cypress he;

Receive at last, O Mead, thy Cypress tree!

Abu Abullah Rudaki (d. AD 940)

Translated by A. J. Arberry, 1958

The Muliyan Brook I Recall

The sweet fragrance of the Muliyan brook,

Recalls memories, so long ago forsook.

Rough sands of the Oxus beneath my feet,

Caress them as silk would, soft and sweet.

Enjoy life everlasting, always full of cheer,

Your guest's the Amir, ever joyous and dear.

Tumultuous Oxus, full of joy and mirth,

Greeting us, leaps warmly to our girth.

O Bukhara!

Thou art the Sky, brilliant Moon is He,

O mighty Sky, embrace Thy Moon with glee.

Thou art the Mead, stately Cypress He,

Receive Thee anon, Thy beloved Cypress tree.

Abu Abullah Rudaki (d. AD 940)