Li Bai's "Jiang Toast" Original and Translated
Original text: I'm going to toast you, don't you see the Yellow River flowing from heaven to the sea and never returning? Can't you see the bright mirror in the high hall sad, white hair in the morning like black silk, turning into snow in the evening? Life is full of joy, do not let the golden cup empty face the moon. I'm born with talent, I'm sure it'll be useful. Cook sheep, slaughter cattle and make fun of each other. You must drink 300 cups at a time. Master Cen, Dan Qiusheng, will not stop drinking. I'll sing a song for you, please listen to it for me. Bells, drums and jade are not worth being expensive. I hope I'll be drunk for a long time and never wake up. Since ancient times, sages and sages have been lonely, only the drinker left his name. In the past, the king of Chen gave a banquet in Pingle to drink ten thousand taels of wine. Why should the host say that there is little money? I must buy it directly and pour it to you. I'll go out and exchange my five-streaked horse for fine wine to relieve my eternal sorrow with you. Translated: When I raise my cup, do you not see the water of the Yellow River rushing up from the source of the sky to the sea and never returning? Haven't you seen in the bright mirror of the high hall lamenting that the white hair in the morning is like black silk and has become snow in the evening? Life is short, but enjoy it when you're happy. Don't let your precious goblet be empty facing the moon. I'm born to be useful. Even if I spend all my money, I'll still pick myself up again. Let's drink together, let's not let the cup stop. Master Cen, Dan Qiusheng, let us sing together, let us drink three hundred cups to our heart's content. Bells, drums and jade are not worth being expensive. I hope I'll be drunk for a long time and never wake up. Since ancient times, sages have been lonely. Only those who drink too much can leave a good reputation. Once upon a time, the King of Chen had a party in Pingle to drink ten thousand dollars. Master, why did you say that Young Master Qian wanted to personally sell wine to deal with me? Let's drink together with the streaky horse and the gold fur coat until our breath becomes the sorrow of the ages.