<Header>
<Author: 李白>
<Title: 春日醉起言志>
<Format: 五言古詩>
<Year: 1898>
<BookName: Chinese Poetry in English Verse>
<Translator: Herbert A. Gile>
<TranslatedTitle: "THE BEST OF LIFE IS BUT...">
<BookPage: 64>
<UsedPage: 1>
<Feature: 1>
<End Header>
<Poem>
處世若大夢，
胡為勞其生。
所以終日醉，
頹然臥前楹。
覺來盼庭前，
一鳥花間鳴。
借問此何時，
春風語流鶯。
感之欲歎息，
對酒還自傾。
浩歌待明月，
曲盡已忘情。
<End Poem>
<Translation>
What is life after all but a dream?
     And why should such pother be made?
Better far to be tipsy, I deem,
     And doze all day long in the shade.

When I wake and look out on the lawn,
     I hear midst the flowers a bird sing;
I ask, "Is it evening or dawn?''
     The mango-bird whistles, "'Tis spring."

Overpower'd with the beautiful sight,
     Another full goblet I pour,
And would sing till the moon rises bright —
     But soon I'm as drunk as before.
<End Translation>
<Formatted Translation>
What is life after all but a dream?
And why should such pother be made?
Better far to be tipsy, I deem,
And doze all day long in the shade.
When I wake and look out on the lawn,
I hear midst the flowers a bird sing;
I ask, "Is it evening or dawn?''
The mango-bird whistles, "'Tis spring."
Overpower'd with the beautiful sight,
Another full goblet I pour,
And would sing till the moon rises bright —
But soon I'm as drunk as before.
<End Formatted Translation>