賞月名詩英譯：海上生明月，天涯共此時

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。

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?
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。

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.

（許淵衝 譯）明月出天山，
蒼茫雲海間。
長風幾萬裏，
吹度玉門關。
漢下白登道，
胡窺青海灣。 From Heaven's Peak the moon rises bright,
Over a boundless sea of cloud.
Winds blow for miles with main and might
Past the Jade Gate which stands so proud,
Our warriors march down the frontier
While Tartars peer across Blue Bays.
由來征戰地，
不見有人還。
戍客望邊色，
思歸多苦顏。
高樓當此夜，
嘆息未應閒。

From the battlefield outstretched here,
None have come back since olden days.
Guards watch the scene of borderland,
Thinking of home, with wistful eyes.
Tonight upstairs their wives would stand,
Looking afar with longing sighs.

（許淵衝 譯）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。

From a wine pot amidst the flowers,
I drink alone without partners.
To invite the moon I raise my cup.
We're three, as my shadow shows up.
Alas, the moon doesn't drink.
My shadow follows but doesn't think.
Still for now I have these friends,
To cheer me up until the spring ends.
I sing; the moon wanders.
I dance; the shadow scatters.
Awake, together we have fun.
Drunk, separately we're gone.
Let's be boon companions forever,
Pledging, in heaven, we'll be together.

（Ying Sun 譯）戍鼓斷人行，
秋邊一雁聲。
露從今夜白，
月是故鄉明。
有弟皆分散，
無家問死生。
寄書長不達，
況乃未休兵。

War drums break people’s journey drear;
A swan honks on autumn frontier.
Dew turns into frost since tonight;
The moon viewed at home is more bright.
I’ve brothers scattered here and there;
For our life or death none would care.
Letters can’t reach where I intend;
Alas! The war’s not come to an end.

（許淵衝 譯）海上生明月，
天涯共此時。
情人怨遙夜，
竟夕起相思。
滅燭憐光滿，
披衣覺露滋。
不堪盈手贈，
還寢夢佳期。

As the bright moon shines over the sea,
From far away you share this moment with me.
For parted lovers lonely nights are the worst to be.
All night long I think of no one but thee.
To enjoy the moon I blow out the candle stick.
Please put on your nightgown for the dew is thick.
I try to offer you the moonlight so hard to pick,
Hoping a reunion in my dream will come quick.

（Ying Sun 譯）