蘇軾 (Su Shi, 1037-1101) is one of my favorite Chinese Poet. He was also known with the art name 東坡 (Dongpo). He was a Chinese poet, writer, politician, calligrapher, painter, pharmacologist, and gastronome of the Song Dynasty The art and Chinese literature in Song Dynasty reached the peak of exquisite, in my view.
I enjoyed Chinese literature from hundred years ago much more than those in modern literature. Often times, we talk too much and we see too much with everything in high-definition which left no room for imaginations. Chinese poetry from old times not only leaves some void for imaginations but also lingers long in one’s mind. Su Shi’s “Water Melody” was made when he was missing one of his best friend. (But also implied his previous time in the Capital city/politics). For me, I like reading this poem when I am thinking of someone special. Recently, I started to read Korean literature/poems. In a way, I think Korean language kind of have some characteristic of ancient Chinese language/literature. Thus, I also include the Korean translation.
| 蘇軾 水調歌頭 Su Shi “Water Melody“ 明月幾時有,(명월기시유) 밝은 달은 어느 때나 떠오를지 When did the bright moon first appear? 把酒問青天。(파주문청천) 술잔을 잡고 하늘에 물어본다. I raise a cup and ask the blue sky. 不知天上宮闕，(부지천상궁궐) 달 속에 있는 궁궐은 One does not know, in the celestial palaces, 今夕是何年。(금석시하년) 오늘밤은 어느 해인지 모르겠구나. what year this is 我欲乘風歸去，(아욕승풍귀거) 나는 바람을 타고 돌아가고자 하니 I wish to ride the wind and return to there 又恐瓊樓玉宇，(우공경루옥우) 달 속의 궁궐이 yet fear the jade towers; 高處不勝寒。(고처불승한) 높은 곳이라 추위를 견디지 못할까 두려워라. in a high dwelling one cannot bear the cold. 起舞弄清影，(기무롱청영) 일어나 춤추니 그림자도 따라 도는데 Starting to dance like playing with one’s shadow 何似在人間。(하사재인간) 어찌 인간 세계와 비길 수가 있으랴 what else resembles the mortal world? 轉朱閣，(전주각) 달그림자가 붉은 누각 빙 돌며 like circling around the red pavilion, 低綺戶，(저기호) 곱게 조각한 창문에 드리우니 like looking down a silk-work door, 照無眠。(조무면) 달빛에 비추어져 잠을 이룰 수 없네. it shines upon the sleepless. 不應有恨，(불응유한) 더 이상 번뇌가 있을 수 없는데 It should not have resentment; 何事長向別時圓？ (하사장향별시원) 무슨 일로 오래도록 이별할 때에 이렇게 둥근가? why does the full moon always appear at times of separation? 人有悲歡離合，(인유비환이합) 인간에겐 슬픔과 기쁨, 이별과 만남이 있고 People have sorrows, joys, parting and reunions, 月有陰晴圓缺，(월유음청원결) 달은 흐리고 맑고, 둥글고 이지러짐이 있으니 the moon has shadow, bright, full and crescents; 此事古難全。(차사고난전) 이런 일은 예전부터 완전하기가 어려워라. this has have been this way since the ancient times. 但願人長久， (단원인장구) 다만 바라기는 멀리 떨어져 있는 이가 오래 살아서 I only pray our life be long 千里共嬋娟。(천리공선연) 천 리 밖에서도 이 밝은 달을 함께 구경했으면. Even with a thousand miles apart, we’ll share together the moon’s beauty she displays. |
| Reference: Other Translation versions EastAsiaStudent.net hujiang.com |
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