DRINKING ALONE WITH THE MOON

    Li Bai

    From a pot of wine among the flowers

    I drank alone. There was no one with me ——

    Till, raising my cup, I asked the bright moon

    To bring me my shadow and make us three.

    Alas¹, the moon was unable to drink

    And my shadow tagged me vacantly；

    But still for a while I had these friends

    To cheer me through the end of spring…。

    I sang. The moon encouraged me.

    I danced. My shadow tumbled after.

    As long as I knew, we were boon² companions.

    And then I was drunk, and we lost one another.

    …Shall goodwill³ ever be secure？

    I watch the long road of the River of Stars.