苏轼《水调歌头》英译

水调歌头

苏轼

　　明月几时有，把酒问青天。不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。起舞弄清影，何似在人间。

转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

Prelude to Water Melody

When has the moon turned so full and bright?

With a cup in hand, I ask the blue sky about that.

I wonder what year is it in the heavenly palace

That offers us such a special clear night.

I would love to fly there by the wind,

But I fear it’ll be too cold for me

To stay in this tall palace with jade mansions.

I dance with my clear shadow,

Feeling that earthly life is as worthwhile.

The moon slips through red pavilions,

Into the painted doors and carved windows,

To accompany those who fail to fall asleep.

For no reason the moon shall resent people,

But why it so turns full as people are far apart?

Men experience sorrows and delight – they meet or part.

The moon may wax or wane – it turns dim or bright.

May we all be blessed with longevity

And enjoy the full moon together even we’re far away.

--By Samuel

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每逢中秋佳节，苏轼的这首《水调歌头》都被人们一遍遍地诵读，尤其是那句“但愿人长久，千里共婵娟”道出了无数人心中最真诚的夙愿。

这首词曾被林语堂先生和许渊冲先生翻译成英文，两个版本各有千秋，原本想在文中一并提及，但因为放在文中无法申请原创，故而作罢，只放上了我的拙译。

才疏学浅，不足苏公万一，译苏公词，仅为表达一片真挚的心意。在此祝愿，月圆人亦圆，此生永相伴。