中秋节的诗句赏析：苏轼《水调歌头》英译版

 　　苏轼《水调歌头》

　　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，高处不胜寒。起舞弄清影，何似在人间。

　　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。

　　许渊冲先生译作

　　How long will the full moon appear?

　　Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.

　　I do not know what time of the year

　　’Twould be tonight in the palace on high.

　　Riding the wind, there I would fly,

　　Yet I’m afraid the crystalline palace would be

　　Too high and cold for me.

　　I rise and dance, with my shadow I play.

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

　　The moon goes round the mansions¹ red

　　Through gauze-draped window soft to shed

　　Her light upon the sleepless² bed.

　　Why then when people part, is the oft full and bright?

　　Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again;

　　The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane³.

　　There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.

　　So let us wish that man

　　Will live long as he can!

　　Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays.

　　林语堂先生译作：

　　How rare the moon, so round and clear!

　　With cup in hand, I ask of the blue sky,

　　"I do not know in the celestial⁴ sphere

　　What name this festive⁵ night goes by?"

　　I want to fly home, riding the air,

　　But fear the ethereal cold up there,

　　The jade⁶ and crystal mansions are so high!

　　Dancing to my shadow,

　　I feel no longer the mortal tie.

　　She rounds the vermilion tower,

　　Stoops to silk-pad doors,

　　Shines on those who sleepless lie.

　　Why does she, bearing us no grudge⁷,

　　Shine upon our parting, reunion deny?

　　But rare is perfect happiness--

　　The moon does wax, the moon does wane,

　　And so men meet and say goodbye.

　　I only pray our life be long,

　　And our souls together heavenward fly!

1 mansions   

n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Fifth Avenue was boarded up where the rich had deserted their mansions. 第五大道上的富翁们已经出去避暑，空出的宅第都已锁好了门窗，钉上了木板。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Oh, the mansions, the lights, the perfume, the loaded boudoirs and tables! 啊，那些高楼大厦、华灯、香水、藏金收银的闺房还有摆满山珍海味的餐桌！ 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

2 sleepless   

adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的

参考例句：

• The situation gave her many sleepless nights.这种情况害她一连好多天睡不好觉。
• One evening I heard a tale that rendered me sleepless for nights.一天晚上，我听说了一个传闻，把我搞得一连几夜都不能入睡。

3 wane   

n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦

参考例句：

• The moon is on the wane.月亮渐亏。
• Her enthusiasm for him was beginning to wane.她对他的热情在开始减退。

4 celestial   

adj.天体的；天上的

参考例句：

• The rosy light yet beamed like a celestial dawn.玫瑰色的红光依然象天上的朝霞一样绚丽。
• Gravity governs the motions of celestial bodies.万有引力控制着天体的运动。

5 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

6 jade   

n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠

参考例句：

• The statue was carved out of jade.这座塑像是玉雕的。
• He presented us with a couple of jade lions.他送给我们一对玉狮子。

7 grudge   

n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做

参考例句：

• I grudge paying so much for such inferior goods.我不愿花这么多钱买次品。
• I do not grudge him his success.我不嫉妒他的成功。