Saturday, May 3, 2008

Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Ezra Pound

             Calligraphy of the original poem
Eight Versions 3

       《月下獨酌》李白
      花間一壺酒 獨酌無相親
      舉杯邀明月 對影成三人
      月既不解飲 影徒隨我身
      暫伴月將影 行樂須及春
      我歌月徘徊 我舞影零亂
      醒時同交歡 醉後各分散
      永結無情遊 相期邈雲漢

  Amongst the flowers is a pot of wine
       tr Ezra Pound 1915
Amongst the flowers is a pot of wine
I pour alone but with no friend at hand
So I lift the cup to invite the shining moon,
Along with my shadow we become party of three
The moon although understands none of drinking, and
The shadow just follows my body vainly
Still I make the moon and the shadow my company
To enjoy the springtime before too late
The moon lingers while I am singing
The shadow scatters while I am dancing
We cheer in delight when being awake
We separate apart after getting drunk
Forever will we keep this unfettered friendship
Till we meet again far in the Milky Way

back-translation
  花丛中一壶酒
    庞德 英译(1915年)
花丛中有一壶酒
我独自倾注,而无朋友在侧,
于是我举起杯子邀请明媚的月亮,
连同我的影子,我们形成一组三人。
月亮虽然一点不懂饮酒,而
影子只是徒然尾随我的身体
我仍然把月亮和影子当作伴儿
一起玩赏春光,免得太迟
我唱歌时月亮徘徊不去
我跳舞时影子步履凌乱
醒着的时候,我们欢快地祝酒
在醉了之后,我们各自分开
我们永远保持这种毫无羁绊的友情
直到我们再次相遇在银河

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