About Shede's Ancient Poems

Into the Wine

Li Bai in Tang Dynasty

I don't see you, how the Yellow River's waters move out of heaven, entering the ocean, never to return.

I don't see you, how lovely locks in bright mirrors in high chambers, though silken-black at morning, have changed by night to snow.

oh, let a man of spirit venture where he pleases, and never tip his golden cup empty toward the moon!.

since heaven gave the talent, let it be employed!, spin a thousand pieces of silver, all of them come back!.

cook a sheep, kill a cow, whet the appetite, and make me, of three hundred bowls, one long drink!.

master cen, Dan qiusheng, will drink, and don't stop drinking.

let me sing you a song!, please listen to me.

what are bell and drum, rare dishes and treasure?, I wish I'd stay drunk forever.

sober men of olden days and sages are forgotten, and only the great drinkers are famous for all time.

prince Chen paid at a banquet in the Palace of Perfection, ten thousand coins for a cask of wine, with many a laugh and quip.

why say, my host, that your money is gone?, go and buy wine and we'll drink it together!.

five-flowered horse, thousand-golden-golden-qiu, and hand them to the boy to exchange for good wine, share the same sorrow with you.