苏轼《水调歌头》两个版本英译

DogMyCats

昔胡仔曾说：“中秋词，自东坡《水调歌头》一出，余词尽废。”认为这是写中秋最好的一首词，此说是一点也不过分的。这首词仿佛是与明月的对话，在对话中探讨着人生的意义。既有理性，又有情趣，很是耐人寻味。

或许，早在我们从课本上学到《水调歌头》之前，就已经在王菲的歌声中，在各类影视剧中接触到这首词了吧。

今天，跟着小编一起，来看看这首词的两个英译版吧。分别是许渊冲先生以及林语堂先生的译作，大家更喜欢哪一个版本呢？

许渊冲先生译作
How long will the full moon appear?

明月几时有？
Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.

把酒问青天。
I do not know what time of the year ’Twould be tonight in the palace on high.

不知天上宫阙、今夕是何年？
Riding the wind, there I would fly,

我欲乘风归去，
Yet I’m afraid the crystalline palace would be too high and cold for me.

惟恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。
I rise and dance, with my shadow I play. On high as on earth, would it be as gay?

起舞弄清影，何似在人间？
The moon goes round the mansions red

转朱阁，
Through gauze-draped window soft to shed

低绮户，
Her light upon the sleepless bed.

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

不应有恨、何事长向别时圆？
Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again;

人有悲欢离合，
The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane.

月有阴晴圆缺，
There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.

此事古难全。
So let us wish that man will live long as he can!

但愿人长久，
Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays.

千里共蝉娟。

DogMyCats

林语堂先生译作：
How rare the moon, so round and clear!

明月几时有？
With cup in hand, I ask of the blue sky,

把酒问青天。
"I do not know in the celestial sphere what name this festive night goes by?"

不知天上宫阙、今夕是何年？
I want to fly home, riding the air,

我欲乘风归去，
But fear the ethereal cold up there, the jade and crystal mansions are so high!

惟恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。
Dancing to my shadow, I feel no longer the mortal tie。

起舞弄清影，何似在人间？
She rounds the vermilion tower,

转朱阁，
Stoops to silk-pad doors,

低绮户，
Shines on those who sleepless lie.

照无眠。
Why does she, bearing us no grudge, shine upon our parting, reunion deny?

不应有恨、何事长向别时圆？
But rare is perfect happiness--the moon does wax, the moon does wane, and so men meet and say goodbye.

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。
I only pray our life be long,

但愿人长久，
And our souls together heavenward fly!

千里共蝉娟。