One sat before Daoud Tayyi

And saw such and such a Sufi fallen drunk

With a turban and robe stained

A group of dogs surrounded him

When the elder heard this tale from the youth

He furrowed his brow in displeasure

He became upset and said, 'Oh friend'

Today, a compassionate friend is needed

Go and bring him from that vile position

That is forbidden by the law and disgraceful in the cloak

Bring him back, as men bring back the drunken

His reins of health are no longer in hand

The listener, with a heavy heart, became despondent

He sank into thought like a donkey in the mud

He had no courage to heed the command

Nor the strength to carry the drunken on his shoulder

He twisted for a time, but found no cure

He saw no way to break free from command

He tied it up and, involuntarily, put it on his shoulder

He carried him, and the city stirred with commotion

One mocked, 'Look at the dervish!'

Oh, the pious, the pure in faith!

One of the Sufis said, 'They drink wine'

They’ve tied their robe to a dog

Pointing with a finger, showing others

That one has a heavy head, this one is only half-drunk

Better to wear the sword of an enemy's oppression

Than to suffer the turmoil of the town and the public

He saw misfortune and passed a day in hardship

The unfortunate led him to a place he had

He did not sleep that night, lost in thought and failure

The next day, the elder gave him counsel

Do not waste your brother’s honor in the streets

Lest your own honor spill out in the town