【Poem】水调歌头-苏轼

明月几时有？把酒问青天。
How long will the full moon appear?
Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.
不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年？
I do not know what time of the year
'Twould be tonight in the palace on high.
我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。
Riding the wind, there I would fly,
Yet I'm afraid the crystalline palace would be
Too high and cold for me.
起舞弄清影，何似在人间。
I rise and dance, with my shadow I play.
On high as on earth, would it be as gay?
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。
The moon goes round the mansions red
Through gauze-draped window soft to shed
Her light upon the sleepless bed.
不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？
Why then when people part, is the oft full and bright?
人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。
Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again;
The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane.There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
So let us wish that man Will live long as he can!
Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays.

许渊冲译

This poem was composed by the author in 1076 during the Mid-Autumn Festival while he was in Meizhou. Su Shi, due to his differing political views from the reformists such as Wang Anshi, requested to be transferred to a different position. He served in various places. He once requested to be assigned to a place closer to Su Zhao so that they could have more frequent gatherings. In the year 1074 (Sui Ning Year 7), Su Shi was appointed as the governor of Mizhou. After arriving in Mizhou, this wish still could not be fulfilled. On the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1076, with a bright moon in the sky and silver light all over the ground, the poet, separated from his younger brother Su Zhao for seven years, faced a full moon and his emotions swelled. At this moment, with the wine flowing freely, he wrote this famous piece of poetry.