Prelude to Water Melody Sent to Ziyou on Mid-autumn Festival
                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                          水调歌头

On the mid-autumn festival, I drank happily till dawn and wrote this in my cups while thinking of Ziyou.

丙辰中秋，欢饮达旦，大醉，作此篇，兼怀子由

When did the bright moon first appear? Wine-cup in hand，I ask the blue sky. I do not know what time of year It would be tonight in the palace on high. 

Riding the wind, there I would fly， But Vm afraid the crystalline palace would be Too high and too cold for me. I rise and dance, with my shadow I play.

 On high as on earth, would it be as gay?

明月几时有？ 把酒问青天。 不知天上宫阙， 今夕是何年？ 我欲乘风归去， 又恐琼楼玉宇， 髙处不胜寒。 起舞弄清影， 何似在人间？

The moon goes round the mansions red With gauze windows to shed Her light upon the sleepless bed. Against man she should not have any spite. Why

 then when people part is she oft full and bright? Men have sorrow and joy, they part and meet again; The moon may be bright or dim，she may wax or 

wane. There has been nothing perfect since olden days’ So let us wish that man live as long as he can! Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she 

displays’.

转朱阁， 低绮户， 照无眠。 不应有恨， 何事长向别时圆？ 人有悲欢离合， 月有阴晴圆缺， 此事古难全。 但愿人长久， 千里共婵娟。

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    -许渊冲译