Living
Drinking Alone by Moonlight (III)
Translated by Arthur Waley (1919) · From More Translations from the Chinese (1919)
If High Heaven had no love for wine,
There would not be a Wine Star in the sky.
If Earth herself had no love for wine,
There would not be a city called Wine Springs.
Since Heaven and Earth both love wine,
I can love wine, without shame before God.
Clear wine was once called a Saint;
Thick wine was once called “a Sage.”
Of Saint and Sage I have long quaffed deep,
What need for me to study spirits and hsien?
At the third cup I penetrate the Great Way;
A full gallon--Nature and I are one ...
But the things I feel when wine possesses my soul
I will never tell to those who are not drunk.
Cite this poem
MLA
Po, Li. “Drinking Alone by Moonlight (III).” Translated by Arthur Waley. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/2/.
Chicago
Po, Li. “Drinking Alone by Moonlight (III).” Translated by Arthur Waley. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/li-po/2/.
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