水调歌头·明月几时有 When Did the Bright Moon First Appear?
Su Shi 苏轼 · Northern Song, 1076
Su Shi drinks beneath the Mid-Autumn moon and sends a wish to his absent brother.
明月几时有？把酒问青天。 míng yuè jǐ shí yǒu? bǎ jiǔ wèn qīng tiān.
When did the bright moon first appear? Cup in hand, I ask the blue sky.
不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。 bù zhī tiān shàng gōng què, jīn xī shì hé nián.
In the palaces of heaven, what year would this evening be?
我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。 wǒ yù chéng fēng guī qù, yòu kǒng qióng lóu yù yǔ, gāo chù bù shèng hán.
I long to ride the wind back there, but fear that in those jade halls I could not bear the cold so high above.
起舞弄清影，何似在人间。 qǐ wǔ nòng qīng yǐng, hé sì zài rén jiān.
I rise and dance with my clear shadow; what could compare with being here among people?
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。 zhuǎn zhū gé, dī qǐ hù, zhào wú mián.
The moon moves round red pavilions, sinks by patterned windows, and shines on someone unable to sleep.
不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？ bù yīng yǒu hèn, hé shì cháng xiàng bié shí yuán?
You should bear no grudge; why are you always full when people are apart?
人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。 rén yǒu bēi huān lí hé, yuè yǒu yīn qíng yuán quē, cǐ shì gǔ nán quán.
People know sorrow and joy, parting and reunion; the moon is hidden or clear, full or incomplete. Such things have always been hard to make perfect.
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。 dàn yuàn rén cháng jiǔ, qiān lǐ gòng chán juān.
May we live long, and share this lovely moon though a thousand li apart.