水調歌頭 (Prelude to the Melody of Water)

水調歌頭　　　蘇軾
丙辰中秋，歡飲達旦，大醉，作此篇兼懷子由

明月幾時有，把酒問青天。
不知天上宮闕，今夕是何年?
我欲乘風歸去，又恐瓊樓玉宇，高處不勝寒。
起舞弄清影，何似在人間?　　

轉朱閣，低綺戶，照無眠。
不應有恨，何事長向別時圓?
人有悲歡離合，月有陰晴圓缺，此事古難全。
但願人長久，千里共嬋娟。

Poem written during the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1076
Tune: "Prelude to the Melody of Water" Su Shi (Su Tung Po)
(Translation by Prof. Xu Yuan-zhong, Peiking U)

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1076, I drank happily
till dawn and wrote this in my cups while thinking of Zi-you.

How long will the bright moon appear?
Wine-cup in hand, I ask the sky.
I do not know what time of year
It would be tonight in the palace on high.
Riding the wind, there I would fly,
Yet I fear the crystal palace would be
Far too high and cold for me.
I rise and dance, with my shadow I play.
On high as on earth, would it be as gay?

The moon goes round the mansion red
Through gauze-draped windows soft to shed
Her light upon the sleepless bed.
Against man she should have no spite.
Why then when people part is she oft full and bright?
Men have sorrow and joy, they part or meet again;
The moon may be bright or dim, she may wax or wane.
There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.
So let us wish that man
Will live long as he can!
Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays.