JIANG JIN JIU (WINE WILL BE SERVED)
BY LI BAI (TANG DYNASTY –701-762 AD)
TRANSLATED BY WONKY WIZARD
Have you not seen
The downpour into the Yellow River, a heavenly scene
Its torrent gushes into the ocean
And the return stream not reckon
(Have you not seen)
The weariness in your parents’ white lock
A clear reflection of aging in shock.
At the dawn of life, as black as silk, shines
At dusk, shows snowy lines.
When happy opportunities appear
Fulfill them here and dear
Do not let our golden cups emptied of wine
Under such bright moonshine.
The talent I am blissfully endowed
My skill will facilitate what I have avowed
A thousand teals of gold may be squandered
Its value, in kinds and ways, will be recovered
Gastronomical delight of beef and lamb is served
A binge of three hundred cups will be observed.
To Master Cen,
To Scholar Dangiu
Wine is now served
Do not be reserved
I shall sing to both soon
Attentively, your ears, attune
Bells, drums and rare jade are not worthy or grand,
Wish we are forever drunk and in dreamland
In ancient times, lonely sages are not remembered.
Only wine drinkers have their names sculptured.
In the past, Prince Chen held a grand banquet in his palace
In pursuit of hedonistic indulgence par excellence
At a cost of ten thousand silver pieces
For a mere dipperful of wine dashes
As your host, money is never in doubt
To procure more wine for our bout.
My spotted horse and fur worth a thousand
My son to trade and buy wine on errand
Together we shall drown away
The million miseries of bygone days.
李白:将进酒
君不见,黄河之水天上来,奔流到海不复回。
君不见,高堂明镜悲白发,朝如青丝暮成雪。
人生得意须尽欢,莫使金樽空对月!
天生我材必有用,千金散尽还复来。
烹羊宰牛且为乐,会须一饮三百杯!
岑夫子,丹丘生,将进酒,君莫停!
与君歌一曲,请君为我侧耳听!
钟鼓馔玉不足贵,但愿长醉不愿醒!
古来圣贤皆寂寞,惟有饮者留其名!
陈王昔时宴平乐,斗酒十千恣欢谑。
主人何为言少钱?径须沽取对君酌。
五花马,千金裘,呼儿将出换美酒,与尔同消万古愁!
NB Apology for any mistranslation, for I am not chinese educated.
wonkywizard 