Drinking Alone under the Moon

Amid the flowers, from a pot of wine
I drink alone beneath the bright moonshine.
I rise my cup to invite the Moon who blends
Her light with my Shadow and we’re three friends.

The Moon does not know how to drink her share;
In vain my Shadow follows me here and there.
Together with them for the time I stay
And make merry before spring’s spent away.

I sing and the Moon lingers to hear my song;
My Shadow’s a mess While I dance along.
Sober, we three remain cheerful and gay;
Drunken, we part and each may go his way.

Our friendship will outshine all earthly love,
Next time we’ll meet beyond the stars above.

—

Xu Yuanchong 許淵沖, in: 唐诗三百首新译 英汉对照 香港 1997 年第5次 – 300 Tang Poems . A New Translation. English-Chinese , Hongkong, 1997; p. 108