Li Bai: To a Faraway One (No.6 of 11)
Darkening clouds screen off the Chu Water,
Swivelling weeds scatter on the Wei River.
Missing you day and night witout end,
Swaying and expanding like a heaving tide.
The current flows eastward to the sea,
There is no return for anyone to revisit.
Only a dewdrop of tear can be sent
To the faraway one who is a flower.
李白： 《寄远 (之六)》
阴云隔楚水，转蓬落渭河。
相思无日夜，浩荡若流波。
流波向海去，欲见终无因。
遥将一点泪，远寄如花人。
In fact, Li Bai’s love poems were not particularly good, not as good as his friendship poems. But he surprisingly wrote some lines which were considered very “blunt” according to the classical decorum. His writing of women was usually very sensual and specific, sometimes like The Song of Solomon in the Bible. It can be said that women in Li Bai’s poems were of flesh rather than of soul, which was perhaps the result of his Daoist ideal about women. For him, the relation with a woman had to be physical. In another poem (No.7 of the 11 poems in this suite), he wrote “How to steal a meeting/ And off with the candle and clothing”(何由一相见，灭烛解罗衣) while in yet another poem “Song About A Meeting”(相逢行) he wrote that “A meeting with no chances for intimacies/ Is no better than no meeting at all” (相见不得亲，不如不相见).
Showing posts with label Li Po. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Li Po. Show all posts
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Picking Lotus Seed-Pods
Picking Lotus Seed-Pods
Chinese has a long tradition of picking the lotus seeds, apparently for a healthy recipe. This tradition has involved into a culture, which has hatched many symbolic chicks. Lotus is grown mostly in the southern part of China, or the “watery region,” where the girls are said to be "watery" ("水灵" literally, watery [or juicy] and spirit-like or spirit-ful ["quick-witted"]). Remember to praise a girl who has a fine skin with this phrase which pronounces as "shuiling"(/swei/falling-rising tone and /liŋ/rising tone). For the image-loving ancient scholars, the girls in bright colors amid the green leaves and pinkish white flowers provide a palateful sight, and it is not surprising to for them to write songs. However, the most famous song is definitely a folk song in Han Dynasty’s Music Bureau Poems.
江南可采莲，莲叶何田田，鱼戏莲叶间。
鱼戏莲叶东，鱼戏莲叶西，鱼戏莲叶南，鱼戏莲叶北。
Lovely is the Southern River where lotus flowers grow,
How densely the leaves huddle one to another,
And there are fishes playing in the water under.
Fishes playing to the east of the leaves,
Fishes playing to the west;
Fishes playing to the south of the leaves,
Fishes playing to the north too.
Chinese has a long tradition of picking the lotus seeds, apparently for a healthy recipe. This tradition has involved into a culture, which has hatched many symbolic chicks. Lotus is grown mostly in the southern part of China, or the “watery region,” where the girls are said to be "watery" ("水灵" literally, watery [or juicy] and spirit-like or spirit-ful ["quick-witted"]). Remember to praise a girl who has a fine skin with this phrase which pronounces as "shuiling"(/swei/falling-rising tone and /liŋ/rising tone). For the image-loving ancient scholars, the girls in bright colors amid the green leaves and pinkish white flowers provide a palateful sight, and it is not surprising to for them to write songs. However, the most famous song is definitely a folk song in Han Dynasty’s Music Bureau Poems.
江南可采莲，莲叶何田田，鱼戏莲叶间。
鱼戏莲叶东，鱼戏莲叶西，鱼戏莲叶南，鱼戏莲叶北。
Lovely is the Southern River where lotus flowers grow,
How densely the leaves huddle one to another,
And there are fishes playing in the water under.
Fishes playing to the east of the leaves,
Fishes playing to the west;
Fishes playing to the south of the leaves,
Fishes playing to the north too.
莲花坞
[唐] 王维（701-761）
日日采莲去，洲长多暮归。弄篙莫溅水，畏湿红莲衣。
Lotus Flower Basin
WANG Wei (701-761 Tang Dynasty)
They go with the sun to harvest lotus seeds
On the long shoal and come home at nightfall.
Punting your pole gentle,
Or the splash will wet the pink lotus skirt.
This is of course not at all an erotic poem, but we can safely call it a genre poem. Well, in that case, some erotic innuendo is inevitable. In fact, picking up lotus seeds has always been the play among girls. In Chinese pronunciation, there are many words referring to "lotus," but only "lian" (莲) is always played on the pun with another word 怜 (compassion) or even 恋 (attachment, lingering affection). When a lotus root is cut, there will be "threads" 丝 connecting, which in turn gives to an idiom 藕断丝连 (lotus root cut thread connected), and in the idiom, "threads" is a pun on "thoughts" 思 (missing or thinking of someone). There is never too much love association with lotus in traditional Chinese culture. The lotus seed is written as 莲子, which can be a pun to imply “compassion for you,” or 莲心 (lotus heart) which can be a pun to imply “pity for my heart.” Lotus seed contains a bitter “core,” which provides a ready metaphor for bittersweet love, especially for unrequited love or unfulfilled love (as a concubine’s). In this sense, picking lotus seed-pods can always be understood as a metaphor for love-making, or an act to show the readiness to be in love. To get wet is therefore something like the broken pitcher in western arts. Refer to Jean-Baptiste Greuze’s painting.
法国画家格鲁兹(1725-1805)暗示失贞的《破壶》The Broken Pitcher (1763)
For a more folk song style poem, let us read another Tang poet Wang Changling.
采莲曲
王昌龄（698-756）
一
吴姬越艳楚王妃，争弄莲舟水湿衣。
来时浦口花迎入，采罢江头月送归。
二
荷叶罗裙一色裁，芙蓉向脸两边开。
乱入池中看不见，闻歌始觉有人来。
Song of Picking Lotus Seeds
[Tang Dynasty] Wang Changling (698-756)
I
Wu girls, Yue beauties, and concubines from Chu kings,
All eager to play the boats and wet their clothes.
They come through the opening to the welcoming flowers,
And return by the river-dock upon the moon’s goodbyes.
Note: Wu is the area around Suzhou, and Yue is the area around Hangzhou, two places traditionally reputed for beauties in the Southern Yangtze area (江南 River south), while Chu refers to the area around Dongting Lake in Hubei Province, a fertile land in the mid-stream of The Yangtze (The Long River).
II
Silk skirt with lotus-leave patterns of a pure color and good cut,
Lotus flowers bloom on both sides of the picker’s face.
Randomly, they enter the pond and disappear from sight,
Only their singing tells that there are souls coming out.
The (perhaps imposed) self-awareness of the lotus-seed-picking girl is explicitly rendered in Li Bai’s (Li Po) poem “Song of a Yue Girl.”
越女词
李白(701-762)
耶溪采莲女，见客棹舟回。
笑入荷花去，佯羞不出来。
Girls picking lotus-seed on Yeruo Lake,
They oar back into the flowers, laughing,
When seeing strangers on the bank.
They do not come out, faking abashment.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Witter Bynner
《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
Drinking Alone with the Moon
tr Witter Bynner 1929(?)
From a pot of wine among the flowers
I drank alone. There was no one with me–
Till, raising my cup, I asked the bright moon
To bring me my shadow and make us three.
Alas, the moon was unable to drink
And my shadow tagged me vacantly;
But still for a while I had these friends.
To cheer me through the end of spring . . .
I sang. The moon encouraged me.
I danced. My shadow tumbled after.
As long as I knew, we were boon companions.
And then I was drunk, and we lost one another.
. . . Shall goodwill ever be secure?
I watch the long road of the River of Stars.
tr Witter Bynner 1929(?)
From a pot of wine among the flowers
I drank alone. There was no one with me–
Till, raising my cup, I asked the bright moon
To bring me my shadow and make us three.
Alas, the moon was unable to drink
And my shadow tagged me vacantly;
But still for a while I had these friends.
To cheer me through the end of spring . . .
I sang. The moon encouraged me.
I danced. My shadow tumbled after.
As long as I knew, we were boon companions.
And then I was drunk, and we lost one another.
. . . Shall goodwill ever be secure?
I watch the long road of the River of Stars.
back-translation:
与月亮独饮
惠特·拜纳 英译(1929?)
从花丛中的壶中
我独自饮酒。没有人与我同坐——
接着，我举杯，请求明月
为我带来影子，于是我们成了三个。
唉，月亮不会喝酒，
而我的影子紧跟着我，茫然地；
但我起码暂时有了这些朋友。
令我振作，直到春尽……
我唱歌。月亮予以鼓励。
我跳舞。影子紧紧相随。
只要我还有知，我们就是好朋友。
然后我醉了，我们就失去了彼此。
……善意能否永远可期？
我遥看星河之路绵延悠长。
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Shigeyoshi Obata
Chinese Painting After the poem by a contemporary artist《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
Three with the Moon and his Shadow
tr. Shigeyoshi Obata (1922)
With a jar of wine I sit by the flowering trees.
I drink alone, and where are my friends?
Ah, the moon above looks down on me;
I call and lift my cup to his brightness.
And see, there goes my shadow before me.
Ho! We’re a party of three, I say,–
Though the poor moon can’t drink,
And my shadow but dances around me,
We’re all friends to-night,
The drinker, the moon and the shadow.
Let our revelry be suited to the spring!
I sing, the wild moon wanders the sky.
I dance, my shadow goes tumbling about.
While we’re awake, let us join in carousal;
Only sweet drunkenness shall ever part us.
Let us pledge a friendship no mortals know,
And often hail each other at evening
Far across the vast and vaporous space!
tr. Shigeyoshi Obata (1922)
With a jar of wine I sit by the flowering trees.
I drink alone, and where are my friends?
Ah, the moon above looks down on me;
I call and lift my cup to his brightness.
And see, there goes my shadow before me.
Ho! We’re a party of three, I say,–
Though the poor moon can’t drink,
And my shadow but dances around me,
We’re all friends to-night,
The drinker, the moon and the shadow.
Let our revelry be suited to the spring!
I sing, the wild moon wanders the sky.
I dance, my shadow goes tumbling about.
While we’re awake, let us join in carousal;
Only sweet drunkenness shall ever part us.
Let us pledge a friendship no mortals know,
And often hail each other at evening
Far across the vast and vaporous space!
back-translation
与月亮和自己的影子成为三个
小畑薰良 英译(1922)
带着一壶酒，我坐在开花的树丛下。
独自饮着，我的朋友在何处？
啊，天上的月亮俯瞰着我；
我喊它，为它的明亮而举杯。
可是，看啊，我的影子在我眼前。
呵！我们这就三人成众了，我说——
虽然可怜的月亮并不会饮酒，
而我的影子也就是围着我舞动，
今夜，我们都是好友，
饮者、月亮与这影子。
让我们的欢宴不辱春光！
我唱，狂乱的月亮便在天上游走。
我舞，我的影子在周围晃荡。
趁着清醒，我们一起加入狂欢；
只有甜美的沉醉才可将我们分离。
让我们誓言永葆人间不识的友谊，
常在黄昏彼此呼唤，
隔着烟霭缥缈的杳阔苍天！
带着一壶酒，我坐在开花的树丛下。
独自饮着，我的朋友在何处？
啊，天上的月亮俯瞰着我；
我喊它，为它的明亮而举杯。
可是，看啊，我的影子在我眼前。
呵！我们这就三人成众了，我说——
虽然可怜的月亮并不会饮酒，
而我的影子也就是围着我舞动，
今夜，我们都是好友，
饮者、月亮与这影子。
让我们的欢宴不辱春光！
我唱，狂乱的月亮便在天上游走。
我舞，我的影子在周围晃荡。
趁着清醒，我们一起加入狂欢；
只有甜美的沉醉才可将我们分离。
让我们誓言永葆人间不识的友谊，
常在黄昏彼此呼唤，
隔着烟霭缥缈的杳阔苍天！
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Florence Ayscough & Amy Lowell
The original poem in a seal 《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
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
Drinking Alone in the Moonlight
tr. Florence Ayscough & Amy Lowell (1921)
A pot of wine among flowers.
I alone, drinking, without a companion.
I lift the cup and invite the bright moon.
My shadow opposite certainly makes us three.
But the moon cannot drink,
And my shadow follows the motions of my body in vain.
For the briefest time are the moon and my shadow my companions.
Oh, be joyful! One must make the most of Spring.
I sing–the moon walks forward rhythmically;
I dance, and my shadow shatters and becomes confused.
In my waking moments we are happily blended.
When I am drunk, we are divided from one another and scattered.
For a long time I shall be obligated to wander without intention.
But we will keep our appointment by the far-off Cloudy River.
tr. Florence Ayscough & Amy Lowell (1921)
A pot of wine among flowers.
I alone, drinking, without a companion.
I lift the cup and invite the bright moon.
My shadow opposite certainly makes us three.
But the moon cannot drink,
And my shadow follows the motions of my body in vain.
For the briefest time are the moon and my shadow my companions.
Oh, be joyful! One must make the most of Spring.
I sing–the moon walks forward rhythmically;
I dance, and my shadow shatters and becomes confused.
In my waking moments we are happily blended.
When I am drunk, we are divided from one another and scattered.
For a long time I shall be obligated to wander without intention.
But we will keep our appointment by the far-off Cloudy River.
back-translation
月下独饮
弗洛仑丝·艾斯考、艾米·洛厄尔 英译(1921)
一罐酒，在花丛。
我独自，饮着，无伴。
我举杯，邀请明月。
我的影子对面，自然就成了我们三个。
但月亮不能饮。
而我影子尾随我身体的运动，徒然地。
只在最段的时光中，月亮和我的影子是我的伴儿。
哦，尽欢吧！不能虚度春光。
我歌——月亮也走上前来，很有节律；
我舞，我的影子散落了，混乱了。
在我清醒的时刻，我们在一起其乐融融。
当我醉了，我们彼此分开，各自散去。
会有很久，我将不得不好无目地的游走。
但是我们可以相约在遥远的云河。
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Arthur Waley
《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
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
Drinking Alone by Moonlight
tr Arthur Waley (1919)
A cup of wine, under the flowering trees;
I drink alone, for no friend is near.
Raising my cup I beckon the bright moon,
For he, with my shadow, will make three men.
The moon, alas, is no drinker of wine;
Listless, my shadow creeps about at my side.
Yet with the moon as friend and the shadow as slave
I must make merry before the Spring is spent.
To the songs I sing the moon flickers her beams;
In the dance I weave my shadow tangles and breaks.
While we were sober, three shared the fun;
Now we are drunk, each goes his way.
May we long share our odd, inanimate feast,
And meet at last on the Cloudy River of the sky.
tr Arthur Waley (1919)
A cup of wine, under the flowering trees;
I drink alone, for no friend is near.
Raising my cup I beckon the bright moon,
For he, with my shadow, will make three men.
The moon, alas, is no drinker of wine;
Listless, my shadow creeps about at my side.
Yet with the moon as friend and the shadow as slave
I must make merry before the Spring is spent.
To the songs I sing the moon flickers her beams;
In the dance I weave my shadow tangles and breaks.
While we were sober, three shared the fun;
Now we are drunk, each goes his way.
May we long share our odd, inanimate feast,
And meet at last on the Cloudy River of the sky.
back-translation
就着月光独饮
阿瑟·魏理 英译(1919)
一杯酒，在开花的树丛下：
我独自饮着，没有朋友在侧。
举起杯子，我招邀明月，
有他，和我的影子，就成了三人。
可叹啊，月亮绝非饮者：
愁闷，我的影子在我身侧爬动。
而有这月亮之朋和影子之奴，
我必须在春天消逝前开心寻欢。
月亮为我唱的歌而熠熠生辉；
我的影子为我跳的舞而若即若离。
我们清醒之时，三人同欢共乐；
当我们醉了，各自走自己的路。
愿我们久享这没有人气的偶然宴饮，
最终到天上的云河中再聚。
阿瑟·魏理 英译(1919)
一杯酒，在开花的树丛下：
我独自饮着，没有朋友在侧。
举起杯子，我招邀明月，
有他，和我的影子，就成了三人。
可叹啊，月亮绝非饮者：
愁闷，我的影子在我身侧爬动。
而有这月亮之朋和影子之奴，
我必须在春天消逝前开心寻欢。
月亮为我唱的歌而熠熠生辉；
我的影子为我跳的舞而若即若离。
我们清醒之时，三人同欢共乐；
当我们醉了，各自走自己的路。
愿我们久享这没有人气的偶然宴饮，
最终到天上的云河中再聚。
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by W. J. B. Fletcher
《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
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
We Three
W. J. B. Fletcher 1919(?)
One pot of wine amid the flowers
Alone I pour, and none with me.
The cup I lift; the Moon invite;
Who with my shadow makes us three.
The moon then drinks without a pause.
The shadow does what I begin.
The shadow, Moon and I in fere
Rejoice until the spring come in.
I sing: and wavers time the moon.
I dance: the shadow antics too.
Our joys we share while sober still.
When drunk, we part and bid adieu.
Of loveless outing this the pact,
Which we all swear to keep for aye.
The next time that we meet shall be
Beside yon distant milky way.
W. J. B. Fletcher 1919(?)
One pot of wine amid the flowers
Alone I pour, and none with me.
The cup I lift; the Moon invite;
Who with my shadow makes us three.
The moon then drinks without a pause.
The shadow does what I begin.
The shadow, Moon and I in fere
Rejoice until the spring come in.
I sing: and wavers time the moon.
I dance: the shadow antics too.
Our joys we share while sober still.
When drunk, we part and bid adieu.
Of loveless outing this the pact,
Which we all swear to keep for aye.
The next time that we meet shall be
Beside yon distant milky way.
back-translation
我们仨
佛来遮 英译（约1919年）
一壶酒在花朵从中，
我独自斟酒，没人陪我。
杯子，我举着；月亮，我相邀；
有了她与我的影子，就是三人。
月亮接着饮个不停。
影子所为便是随我而动。
影子、月亮与我三人成伴，
开心地直到春天来临。
我唱：于是月亮踌躇着时光，
我舞：于是影子也动作滑稽。
我们的欢乐，我们在情形时分享，
醉了，我们分手，道别。
这是一帮人没有缠绵的出游，
我们都发誓保持这一状态。
我们的下一次相遇将是
在遥远的银河彼岸。
佛来遮 英译（约1919年）
一壶酒在花朵从中，
我独自斟酒，没人陪我。
杯子，我举着；月亮，我相邀；
有了她与我的影子，就是三人。
月亮接着饮个不停。
影子所为便是随我而动。
影子、月亮与我三人成伴，
开心地直到春天来临。
我唱：于是月亮踌躇着时光，
我舞：于是影子也动作滑稽。
我们的欢乐，我们在情形时分享，
醉了，我们分手，道别。
这是一帮人没有缠绵的出游，
我们都发誓保持这一状态。
我们的下一次相遇将是
在遥远的银河彼岸。
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Ezra Pound
Calligraphy of the original poemEight 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
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
Friday, May 2, 2008
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by W. A. P. Martin
Eight Versions of Li Po's Drinking Alone in the Moonlight 2
《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
《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
On Drinking Alone by Moonlight
tr. W. A. P. Martin (1900? )
Here are flowers and here is wine,
But where’s a friend with me to join
Hand in hand and heart to heart
In one full cup before we part?
Rather than to drink alone,
I’ll make bold to ask the moon
To condescend to lend her face
The hour and the scene to grace.
Lo, she answers, and she brings
My shadow on her silver wings;
That makes three, and we shall be.
I ween, a merry company
The modest moon declines the cup,
But shadow promptly takes it up,
And when I dance my shadow fleet
Keeps measure with my flying feet.
But though the moon declines to tipple
She dances in yon shining ripple,
And when I sing, my festive song,
The echoes of the moon prolong.
Say, when shall we next meet together?
Surely not in cloudy weather,
For you my boon companions dear
Come only when the sky is clear.
back-translation
借着月光独饮
丁韪良 英译（约1900年）
这些是花，这儿有酒，
但是哪儿才是我的朋友
手携手、心映心地加入
饮一满杯，在我们分别之前？
与其独饮，
不如我斗胆邀请月亮
赏脸屈尊于
这个时辰，令这场景生辉。
看哦，她答应了，还以她的
银色翅膀带来我的影子：
这就成了三位，我们将有三人。
我猜想，月亮这位欢欣的伴
谦让有礼，推卸了酒杯，
倒是影子立即端起，
而当我起舞，我敏捷的影子
配合着我飘动的双脚。
虽说月亮辞谢不饮，
她却在远处闪亮的波动中舞蹈，
而当我唱着，我喜庆的歌，
月亮的回声袅袅不去。
嗨，我们何时再次相会？
肯定不会是阴霾的天气，
因为你啊，我亲爱的欢娱之伴，
只在天空清朗的时候到来。
丁韪良 英译（约1900年）
这些是花，这儿有酒，
但是哪儿才是我的朋友
手携手、心映心地加入
饮一满杯，在我们分别之前？
与其独饮，
不如我斗胆邀请月亮
赏脸屈尊于
这个时辰，令这场景生辉。
看哦，她答应了，还以她的
银色翅膀带来我的影子：
这就成了三位，我们将有三人。
我猜想，月亮这位欢欣的伴
谦让有礼，推卸了酒杯，
倒是影子立即端起，
而当我起舞，我敏捷的影子
配合着我飘动的双脚。
虽说月亮辞谢不饮，
她却在远处闪亮的波动中舞蹈，
而当我唱着，我喜庆的歌，
月亮的回声袅袅不去。
嗨，我们何时再次相会？
肯定不会是阴霾的天气，
因为你啊，我亲爱的欢娱之伴，
只在天空清朗的时候到来。
Li Po: Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Herbert A. Giles
Chinese Greatest Poet Li Po (Li Bai) 701-762Eight Versions of Li Po's Drinking Alone in the Moonlight 1
《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
《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
Last Words
tr Herbert A. Giles ~1900?
An arbor of flowers and a kettle of wine:
Alas! In the bowers no companion is mine.
Then the moon sheds her rays on my goblet and me,
And my shadow betrays we’re a party of three!
Thou’ the moon cannot swallow her share of the grog,
And my shadow must follow wherever I jog,
Yet their friendship I’ll borrow and gaily carouse,
And laugh away sorrow while spring-time allows.
See the moon–how she dances response to my song;
See my shadow–it dances so lightly along!
While sober I feel, you are both my good friends;
While drunken I reel, our companionship ends,
But we’ll soon have a greeting without a goodbye,
At our next merry meeting away in the sky.
back-translation
临终之言
翟理斯 英译（约1900年）
花朵之荫，以及一壶酒：
唉，在这些凉亭中，我没有同伴。
月亮洒下清光，在高脚杯和我身上，
我的影子说漏了我们这是三人聚会！
虽说月亮不能倾杯喝下她的那份烈酒，
而我的影子却必须紧随我随意的漫步，
我且暂借它们的友情，纵情作乐，
趁着这春光未逝，在大笑中排解愁忧。
看那月亮，她竟以舞步回应我的歌声，
看我的影子，它也随之妙曼轻舞！
我觉得清醒的时候，你俩都是我的好友，
我感到酣醉之时，我们的相伴也就结束，
但是我们很快便会不告而别，
下一次寻欢相聚将在远天之外。
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