Li Bai: Drinking alone with the moon

DRINKING ALONE WITH THE MOON

Li Bai

From a pot of wine among the flowers

I drank alone. There was no one with me —

Till, raising my cup, I asked the bright moon

To bring me my shadow and make us three.

Alas, the moon was unable to drink

And my shadow tagged me vacantly;

But still for a while I had these friends

To cheer me through the end of spring….

I sang. The moon encouraged me.

I danced. My shadow tumbled after.

As long as I knew, we were boon companions.

And then I was drunk, and we lost one another.

…Shall goodwill ever be secure?

I watch the long road of the River of Stars.

月下独酌

李白

花间一壶酒， 独酌无相亲。

举杯邀明月， 对影成三人。

月既不解饮， 影徒随我身。

暂伴月将影， 行乐须及春。

我歌月徘徊， 我舞影零乱。

醒时同交欢， 醉后各分散。

永结无情游， 相期邈云汉。