Li Po (李白), also Romanized as Li Bai, Li Bo, and Li Pai, was a Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty likely born in 701.

 

月下独酌

(四首其一)

花间一壶酒,

独酌无相亲[1]。

举杯邀明月,

对影成三人。

月既不解饮,

影徒随我身。

暂伴月将[2]影,

行乐须及春。

我歌月徘徊,

我舞影零乱。

醒时同交欢[3],

醉后各分散。

永结无情游,

相期邈云汉[4]。

公元744年,李白对“珠玉买歌笑,糟糠养贤才”的长安生活不满,感到寂寞,就去花间饮酒,写下了这首名作。开始两句写他孤独,“举杯”两句显得旷达,“月既”两句又写孤独,“暂伴”两句又似旷达。前八句是起伏相间,一抑一扬。接着四句不但旷达,而且俊逸。最后两句把想象引向高远,真是“飘然思不群”了。但孤独是现实,旷达是幻想。诗写得越旷达,越显得诗人孤独。不过幻想是对现实的否定和批判,所以旷达显示了积极的精神力量,造就了诗的美感。

注释:

[1]无相亲:没有亲近的人。

[2]将:共,伴同。

[3]同交欢:一起欢乐。

[4]相期邈云汉:约定在天上相见;期:约会;邈:遥远;云汉:银河,这里指仙境。

Drinking Alone under the Moon

(I)

Amid the flowers,from a pot of wine

I drink alone beneath the bright moonshine.

I raise my cup to invite the Moon who blends

Her light with my Shadow and we’re three friends.

The Moon does not know how to drink her share;

In vain my Shadow follows me here and there.

Together with them for the time I stay

And make merry before spring’s spent away.

I sing and the Moon lingers to hear my song;

My Shadow’s a mess while I dance along.

Sober,we three remain cheerful and gay;

Drunken,we part and each may go his way.

Our friendship will outshine all earthly love,

Next time we’ll meet beyond the stars above.