与梦得沽酒[1]闲饮且约后期[2]
少时犹不忧生计，
老后谁能惜酒钱？
共把十千[3]沽一斗，
相看七十欠三年。
闲征雅令穷经史，
醉听清吟胜管弦。
更待菊黄[4]家酿熟，
共君一醉一陶然[5]。
此时，白居易和刘禹锡（梦得）同在洛阳，白居易任太子少傅，是个闲职。二人饮酒闲谈，回首平生，难免有“早岁那知世事艰”的感慨。两人争着付钱买酒，相看都已67岁，虽有高雅情怀，却只能引经据史，行行酒令，听听知己的“清吟”奏出心灵的乐章而已。二人相约等到重阳佳节，家酿的菊花酒熟了，再到家里会饮，更能消愁解闷。全诗言简意富，语淡情长，见出炉火纯青的艺术功力。
注释：
[1]沽酒：买酒。
[2]后期：后会之期，再次相聚的日期。
[3]十千：十千钱，极言酒价之高以表二人尽兴豪饮。
[4]菊黄：菊花盛开的时节，通常指代重阳节。
[5]陶然：闲适愉悦的样子。
Drinking Together with Liu Yuxi
While young, I was not worried about livelihood.
Now old, how could I grudge money for buying wine?
Let’s spend ten thousand coins for a jarful of drink good!
Looking in face, two years more we’ll be sixty-nine.
We read and play the drinkers’ wager game at leisure;
Drunk, we listen to verse better than music light.
When chrysanthemums yellow, may I have the pleasure
To invite you to drink my home-brew with delight?
