但願人長久

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

唯恐琼樓玉宇, 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, 何事偏向別時圓

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

但願人長久 is a very old Chinese poem. Written by 蘇轼 (Su1 Shi4, 1037-1101).

There's a liberal translation, trying to retain the flavor of the poem.



When do good times come? i raise my drink to the moon

what year is today? what's up with the gods?

i would hitch the wind to return

though high places are cold

i play with my shadow, a pleasure it is

the door, the window sill, reflected my sleeplessenss

the resentments, the separation, the bearings

for joy and for gloom, even the moon faces change

this is with us; may people prosper, as ducks in pairs

Here's a more literal translation.



when do the moon grow bright; raise a toast to heaven

which calender of gods is this; what year is tonight

i wish to hitch the wind and return

only fearing palaces, high places aren't warm

dancing to my shadow, what a life it is

passed the door, under the window, shined on my sleeplessness

resentment grows from no answer, what are better than not known (??)

there are joy and there are gloom, there are phases even for the moon

this no perfection any can reach, may people live long and prosper, as birds fly a thousand miles

++++++

Beautiful! Especially on this Thursday! ​