jacks51: on 望月怀远

Monday, April 16, 2007

hahaha, my friend just asked me whether my mandarin is good, and can decipher the following for him:

望月怀远

张九龄

海上生明月，天涯共此时。
情人怨遥夜，竟夕起相思。
灭烛怜光满，披衣觉露滋。
不堪盈手赠，还寝梦佳期。

So here comes my serious effort:

Gazing upon the Moon in longing for someone afar

As the Moon rises over the sea, where-ever one's whereabouts is in the world, we are sharing the moment

The lover bemoans the longness of the night; and pines for his love

As the candles goes out, the light of the night fills the place; one puts on the overcoat and feels the heaviness of the dew

Cannot wait for the actual meeting face to face, back to sleep to anticipate the meeting in one's dream...

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Not so serious translation:

Sea-up-birth-bright-moon, sky-cliff-enjoy-together-now;

Lover-moans-long-night, actually-burglar-up-thought;

Put-out-candle-compassion-light-full, wear-clothes-feel-dew-drop;

cannot-fleeting-hand-give, go-back-to-bed-to-dream-of-best-date.

jacks51