（古詩詞英譯）《水调歌头》－ 苏轼

 《水调歌头》－ 苏轼

（丙辰中秋 欢饮达旦 大醉 作此篇 兼怀子由）

 

明月几时有？把酒问青天。

不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年？

我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。

起舞弄清影，何似在人间？

转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。

不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

 

A Lyric by Su Shi

(On the mid-autumn night of Bing Chen year (1076), I quaffed my wine with gusto till dawn, intoxicated, thereby I wrote this lyric when thinking on my brother, Zi You.)

 

When was the moon creat’d by Holy Power?

I raise my winecup and ask the blue sky,

What night tonight be yonder, by the by...?

I’d fain ride winds to thy Great Jade Tower,

But fear its heights too lofty and too cold.

O, I’d reel with my shadow, to and fro,

Wonder if 'tis still mortal world I know...

O’er my red roof the moon moves, I behold,

Alighting on the gauzed window of mine,

Thou shedd’st thy tender light on sleepless me.

Oh, free of grudge, I do wist, thou shouldst be,

Yet, when kin part, why dost thou fully shine?

Man will joy or suffer, or part or reunite,

Alike, the moon will wane or wax, or rise or sink,

Such phenomena sith yore, I bethink,

Have never ever betided perfectly right.

Tho’ parted, I wish folks a life hearty and hale,

The beauteous moon all enjoy will ne'er avale.

 

V2.

When will the full moon peer at the blest hour?

I raise my winecup and ask the blue sky,

What night tonight be yonder, ponder I...?

I’d fain ride winds to thy Great Jade Tower,

But fear its heights too lofty and too cold.

O, I’d reel with my shadow, to and fro,

Wonder if ‘tis still the flesh-realm I know...

O’er my red roof the moon moves, I behold,

Alighting on the gauzed window of mine,

Thou shedd’st thy tender light on sleepless me.

Oh, free of grudge, I do wist, thou shouldst be,

Yet, when kin part, why dost thou fully shine?

Man will joy or suffer, or part or reunite,

Alike, the moon will wane or wax, or rise or sink,

Such phenomena sith yore, I bethink,

Have never ever betided perfectly right.

Tho’ parted, I wish folks a life hearty and hale,

The beauteous moon all enjoy will ne'er avale.

 

Tr. Ziyuzile

05/10/2025

(To be revised)

*Once again inspired by so many a superb version, I give it a try for fun as well...^_^

 

（附）

 

许渊冲先生译作:

 

How long will the full moon appear?

Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.

I do not know what time of the year

’Twould be tonight in the palace on high.

Riding the wind, there I would fly,

Yet I’m afraid the crystalline palace would be

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 mansions red

Through gauze-draped window soft to shed

Her light upon the sleepless bed.

Why then when people part, is the oft full and bright?

Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again;

The moon is bright or dim and 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.

 

林语堂先生译作：

 

How rare the moon, so round and clear!

With cup in hand, I ask of the blue sky,

"I do not know in the celestial sphere

What name this festive night goes by?"

I want to fly home, riding the air,

But fear the ethereal cold up there,

The jade and crystal mansions are so high!

Dancing to my shadow,

I feel no longer the mortal tie.

She rounds the vermilion tower,

Stoops to silk-pad doors,

Shines on those who sleepless lie.

Why does she, bearing us no grudge,

Shine upon our parting, reunion deny?

But rare is perfect happiness--

The moon does wax, the moon does wane,

And so men meet and say goodbye.

I only pray our life be long,

And our souls together heavenward fly!

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）