Poem Appreciation
Drinking Alone under the Moon (月下独酎)
Author: Li Bai (李白, 701-762, Tang Dynasty)
English translation: Xu, Yuanchong (许渊冲)
- 花间一壶酒，
- Among the flowers, from a pot of wine
- 独酎无相亲。
- I drink without a companion of mine.
- 举杯邀明月，
- I raise my cup to invite the Moon
- 对影成三人。
- who blends her light with my shadow and we’re three friends.
- 月既不解饮，
- The Moon does not know how to drink her share;
- 影徒随我身。
- in vain my shadow follows me here and there.
- 暂伴月将影，
- Together with them for the time I stay,
- 行乐须及春。
- and make merry before spring’s spent away.
- 我歌月徘徊，
- I sing and the Moon lingers to hear my song;
- 我舞影零乱。
- my shadow’s a mess while I dance along.
- 醒时同交欢，
- Sober, we three remain cheerful and gay;
- 醉后各分散。
- drunken, we part and each may go his way.
- 永结无情游，
- Our friendship will outshine all earthly love;
- 相期邀云汉。
- Next time we’ll meet beyond the stars above.
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