* * * *

I take a bottle of wine and I go to drink it among the flowers.


We are always Three
counting my shadow
and my friend
the shimmering moon.

Happily the Moon knows nothing of drinking,
and my Shadow
is never thirsty.

When I sing
the moon listens to me in silence.

When I dance
my shadow dances too.

After all festivities
the guests must depart;

This sadness I do not know.
When I go home
the moon goes with me
and my shadow follows me.



Li Bai (701-762)


花間一壺酒
獨酌無相親
舉杯邀明月
對影成三人
月既不解飲
影徒隨我身
暫伴月將影
行樂須及春
我歌月徘徊
我舞影零亂
醒時同交歡
醉後各分散
永結無情遊
相期邈雲漢