English中文
Immortal by the River: Returning to Lingao at Night
夜饮东坡醒复醉，
归来仿佛三更。
家童鼻息已雷鸣。
敲门都不应，
倚杖听江声。
Drinking at Dongpo by night: sober, then drunk again; coming home, it seemed about the third watch. The serving boy's breathing is like thunder; I knock, and no one answers — I lean upon my staff and listen to the river's sound.
长恨此身非我有，
何时忘却营营。
夜阑风静縠纹平。
小舟从此逝，
江海寄余生。
Long have I grieved that this body is not my own; when shall I forget the bustling chase? The night is late, the wind is still, the rippled water smooth. From now, a little boat shall bear me off, and I will lodge the rest of my life upon river and sea.
Reading notes
三更 is the third night watch, around midnight; 更 is read gēng. In 敲门都不应, 都 is dōu and 应 is yìng, “to answer.” 余 also appears as 馀 in 余生.