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WINE IS NOW SERVED

LI PAI

Gentlemen, have you not observed

The downpour from heaven

Into the Yellow River

It’s torrent

Gushes into the oceans

And can never be retraced?

 

Gentlemen, have you not observed

The weariness in your aging parents’ look

Reflected in the polished mirror: their white lock

At the dawn of life: black as silk

At dusk: as white as snow?

Thus, contented living is the fulfillment of happiness.

 

Under this intoxicating moon-lit night

Do not let our golden cups emptied of wine.

Endowed with natural talents

Skills will facilitate opportunities

To recover

The million gold and silver taels squandered.

 

Gormandize yourself

With dishes of beef and lamb.

Let’s binge to night

Exceeding three hundred cups.

 

To Cen, the old master,

And Dangiu, my scholarly friend:

Wine is served again.

Gentlemen do not pause.

 

Gentlemen, let me sing to you.

Gentlemen, please listen attentively.

 

Palatial music, exquisite cuisine

Are not grand enough.

Pray, we are forever drunk

Reluctant to be awakened.

 

In ancient time, sober sages

Are often lonely and their names soon forgotten.

Only fine wine masters

Are well remembered.

 

In bygone days

Prince Chen held a grand banquet in his palace

In full pursuit of hedonistic indulgence

Even at a cost of ten thousand coins

For a cask of wine.

 

Likewise, as your host, do not say:

There’s insufficient money.

I shall make haste

To procure more wine

For our drinking bout.

 

Instructed my son

To trade my spotted-colored horse and great fur

For finer wines.

Together we shall drown away

The million miseries of bygone ways.