文／東漢．曹操（155～220）

對酒當歌，人生幾何？譬如朝露，去日苦多。

慨當以慷，憂思難忘。何以解憂？唯有杜康。

青青子衿，悠悠我心。但為君故，沉吟至今。

呦呦鹿鳴，食野之蘋。我有嘉賓，鼓瑟吹笙。

明明如月，何時可輟？憂從中來，不可斷絕。

越陌度阡，枉用相存。契闊談讌，心念舊恩。

月明星稀，烏鵲南飛。繞樹三匝，何枝可依？

山不厭高，海不厭深。周公吐哺，天下歸心。

──選自《宋書》

The Short Song

Cao Cao (155 - 220, Eastern Han Dynasty)

English translation: Ven. Miao Guang

I lift my wine and sing a song,

Who knows if life will be long;

Just like the morning dew,

Past joys were no more than few.

Upon overwhelming emotions I beget,

I worry over thoughts I cannot forget,

What can unravel these worries of mine?

There is nothing, but Du Kang’s wine.

Evergreen is that lapel of yours,

So full of yearning is this heart of mine.

But it is only for you,

That my murmurs continue.

Out there a deer bleats,

In the wild, those apples it eats.

To welcome my guests with all my heart,

Play those flutes and strike those harps.

So bright are the moon’s reflections,

When can I add it to my collections?

Suddenly from within sorrow arises,

There is no possibility for its demise.

Crossing footpaths of the countryfields,

Your kind greetings I can truly feel.

Celebrating the reunion after our long parting,

We reminisce over those precious bondings.

Surrounded by few stars, the moon hangs bright,

Flying towards the South were the magpies.

Over the trees and without rest,

Which one will they finally come to nest?

There are no mountains too steep,

Nor no oceans that are too deep.

Lord Zhou paused meals to meet with the elites,

For this, all hearts will come and bow to his feet.

── from Song Shu

(Book of Song)