The hard road – Li Bai

Pure wine costs, for the golden cup, ten thousand coppers a flagon,
And a jade plate of dainty food calls for a million coins.
I fling aside my food-sticks and cup, I cannot eat nor drink….
I pull out my dagger, I peer four ways in vain.
I would cross the Yellow River, but ice chokes the ferry;
I would climb the Taihang Mountains, but the sky is blind with snow….
I would sit and poise a fishing-pole, lazy by a brook —
But I suddenly dream of riding a boat, sailing for the sun….
Journeying is hard,
Journeying is hard.
There are many turnings —
Which am I to follow?
I will mount a long wind some day and break the heavy waves
And set my cloudy sail straight and bridge the deep, deep sea.

金樽清酒斗十千， 玉盘珍羞值万钱。
停杯投箸不能食， 拔剑四顾心茫然。
欲渡黄河冰塞川， 将登太行雪暗天。
闲来垂钓碧溪上， 忽复乘舟梦日边。
行路难！ 行路难！
多歧路， 今安在？
长风破浪会有时， 直挂云帆济沧海。