4 Tang poems about the Mid-Autumn Festival

Drinking alone with the moon 月下独酌

Li Bai

李白

From a wine pot amidst the flowers,

I drink alone without partners.

花间一壶酒， 独酌无相亲；

To invite the moon I raise my cup.

We're three, as my shadow shows up.

举杯邀明月， 对影成三人。

Alas, the moon doesn't drink.

My shadow follows but doesn't think.

月既不解饮， 影徒随我身；

Still for now I have these friends,

To cheer me up until the spring ends.

暂伴月将影， 行乐须及春。

I sing; the moon wanders.

I dance; the shadow scatters.

我歌月徘徊， 我舞影零乱；

Awake, together we have fun.

Drunk, separately we're gone.

醒时同交欢， 醉后各分散。

Let's be boon companions forever,

Pledging, in heaven, we'll be together.

永结无情游， 相期邈云汉。

Viewing the moon, thinking of you 望月怀远

Zhang JiuLing

张九龄

As the bright moon shines over the sea,

From far away you share this moment with me.

海上生明月，天涯共此时。

For parted lovers lonely nights are the worst to be.

All night long I think of no one but thee.

情人怨遥夜，竟夕起相思，

To enjoy the moon I blow out the candle stick.

Please put on your nightgown for the dew is thick.

灭烛怜光满，披衣觉露滋。

I try to offer you the moonlight so hard to pick,

Hoping a reunion in my dream will come quick.

不堪盈手赠，还寝梦佳期。

Thinking of my brothers on a moonlit night 月夜忆舍弟

Du Fu

杜甫

War drums break people's journey drear;

A swan honks on autumn frontier.

戍鼓断人行，秋边一雁声。

Dew turns into frost since tonight;

The moon viewed at home is more bright.

露从今夜白，月是故乡明。

I've brothers scattered here and there;

For our life or death none would care.

有弟皆分散，无家问死生。

Letters can't reach where I intend;

Alas! The war's not come to an end.

寄书长不达，况乃未休兵。

The moon at the fortified pass 关山月

Li Bai

李白

From Heaven's Peak the moon rises bright,

Over a boundless sea of cloud.

明月出天山，苍茫云海间。

Winds blow for miles with main and might

Past the Jade Gate which stands so proud,

长风几万里，吹度玉门关。

Our warriors march down the frontier

While Tartars peer across Blue Bays.

汉下白登道，胡窥青海湾。

From the battlefield outstretched here,

None have come back since olden days.

由来征战地，不见有人还。

Guards watch the scene of borderland,

Thinking of home, with wistful eyes.

戍客望边色，思归多苦颜。

Tonight upstairs their wives would stand,

Looking afar with longing sighs.

高楼当此夜，叹息未应闲。

Source: hjengligh