今天我们来看苏轼的那首家喻户晓的词《水调歌头》。可能题目有些陌生，但那两句“人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴阳缺，此事古难全。但愿人长久，千里共婵娟！”想是再熟悉不过了。

水调歌头 Prelude to Water Melody

明月几时有？ How long will the full moon appear?
把酒问青天。 Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.
不知天上宫阙， I do not know what time of year
今夕是何年？ It would be tonight in the palace on high.
我欲乘风归去， Riding the wind, there I would fly,
又恐琼楼玉宇， Yet I’m afraid the crystalline palace would be
高处不胜寒。 Too high and cold for me.
起舞弄清影， I rise and dance, with my shadow I play,
何似在人间！ On high as on earth, would it be as gay?
转朱阁， The moon goes round the mansions red
低绮户， Through gauze-draped windows to shed
照无眠。 Her light upon the sleepless bed.
不应有恨， Against man she should have no spite.
何事长向别时圆？ Why then when people part, is she oft full and bright?
人有悲欢离合， Men have sorrow and joy, they meet or part again;
月有阴晴圆缺， The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane.
此事古难全。 There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.
但愿人长久， So let us wish that man
千里共婵娟。 May live long as he can!
　　　　　　Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays.

　　许先生的诗并不是一句句对译，而是注意了诗句本身内容的忠实翻译，加上译文句尾的押韵。 所以读了英文诗就基本可以对诗歌理解个七八成。