SHELOMO IBN GABIROL (Spain, 1021 - 1058)

WHEN MY WINE IS FINISHED

When my wine is finished, my eyes drip
Pools of water.

Seventy heroes they were,
Wiped out by ninety officers
I have left off singing, for the mouths of
Officers were filled with water.

Bread to eat — how pleasant it is!
But how can a meal taste good to the palate
When the wineglass
Is filled with water.

The Son of Amram (Moses) dried the Red Sea
And made the Egyptian Nile stink.
Who was this man Moses who
Drew water (from the rock).

I'm a friend to the frogs
He likes water,
No-one knows the song of water
Better than he.

He'll be a holy hermit before his death
Like Yithro's descendents
He and his household will become
Drawers of water.