《水调歌头》名家英译版两首

Toyger

沪江英语
　　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？

Toyger

　　《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，惟恐琼楼玉宇，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，千里共蝉娟。

　　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 mansions red

　　Through gauze-draped window soft to shed

　　Her light upon the sleepless 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 wane。

　　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。

Toyger

　　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 celestial sphere

　　What name this festive night goes by?"

　　I want to fly home, riding the air,

　　But fear the ethereal cold up there,

　　The jade 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 grudge,

　　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!