1. "Looking at the Moon and Huaiyuan"
Zhang Jiuling of the Tang Dynasty
The bright moon rises on the sea, and the end of the world is at this time.
Lover complains about the distant night, but falls in love at night.
When the candle is extinguished, it is filled with pity and light, and when I put on my clothes, I feel the dew.
I can’t bear to give it away, but I still have a good night’s sleep.
Translation:
A bright moon rises over the vast sea. At this time, you and I are looking at each other at the end of the world.
Sentimental people resent the long moonlit night and stay awake all night longing for their loved ones.
I extinguished the candles and loved the moonlight in this room full of moonlight. I wandered around in my clothes and felt the coldness of the night dew.
I cannot give you the beautiful moonlight, I only hope to meet you in my dreamland.
2. "Looking at the Moon on the Fifteenth Night"
Wang Jian of the Tang Dynasty
Crows roost on the white trees in the courtyard, and the cold dew wets the sweet-scented osmanthus silently.
Tonight, when the moon is bright and everyone looks around, I don’t know who is missing my autumn thoughts.
Translation:
Magpies and crows live on the snow-white trees in the courtyard, and the autumn dew silently wets the sweet-scented osmanthus in the courtyard.
Tonight the bright moon is in the sky and everyone in the world is looking up at me. I wonder whose house this autumn love will fall on?
3. "Moon Night"
Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty
Tonight in Yanzhou, I can only watch the moon in my boudoir.
I pity my children from afar, but I still remember Chang'an.
The fragrant mist and clouds make the servant girl wet, and the clear jade arms are cold.
Whenever I lean on the virtual guise, my tears will dry up under my eyes.
Translation:
Tonight, you are the only one watching the full moon over Yanzhou, alone in your boudoir.
You pity your young children in a foreign land, but I still don’t understand why you miss Chang’an.
The fragrant mist wets your hair, and the clear light of the bright moon makes your arms cold.
When can we sit side by side under the thin curtain, and the moonlight will wipe away our tears?
4. "Looking at the Moon in the Pavilion on the Night of August 15th"
Tang Dynasty·Bai Juyi
On the night of August 15th, I was at the apricot garden beside the Qujiang Pool.
On the night of August 15th this year, in front of the Shatou Water Museum in Penpu.
Looking to the northwest, where is my hometown? To the southeast, I can see how full the moon is.
No one could catch the wind yesterday, but tonight the light is as clear as in previous years.
Translation:
On the bright moon night of August 15th, I admired the moon at the apricot orchard beside Qujiang Pool.
This year is also the moonlit night of August 15th, and I am already at the waterside of Penpu in the remote Jiangzhou.
Looking to the northwest is my hometown. In the southeast, the moon has become full several times.
No one understood the wind that blew last night, and the moonlight tonight is as cool as last year.
5. "Mid-Autumn Moon"
Su Shi of the Song Dynasty
The dusk clouds have collected and overflowed with the clear cold, and the silver man turned the jade plate silently,
This night in this life will not last long. Where can I see the bright moon next year?
Translation:
The Mid-Autumn Festival has a full moon, the moonlight shines into the courtyard, and the shadows of the plane trees in the courtyard are dancing. I am traveling alone in a foreign land. Looking at the shadows of the trees under the moon during the festival, time slows down. In the past, the shadows moved imperceptibly.
Looking at the bright moon in the sky, thinking about Chanjuan in the moon palace, I feel sorry for her. After all, she is accompanied by the cold toad and the lonely laurel tree.