Tasty grape wine in elegant magic cups.
About to drink it, when warnings are delivered by lute on horse to fight the enemies.
Don’t stop, my dear friends. Being drunk, enjoying oneself and lying on the battle field is not to be laughed at,
for who can guarantee to survive the fierce war!
That is translated from a well known Chinese traditional poem. Could you write the orignal version?
Here is a copy of this translation.
<a href="http://www.italki.com/notebook/entry/197184.htm">http://www.italki.com/notebook/entry/197184.htm</a>;
You are encouraged to correct it even if you are not a native speaker of English.
Jeff, excellent! You are pretty familiar with Chinese antient peoms.
My pathetic attempt. The English translation already had changed the tone of the original.
Tasty grape wine in elegant magic cups.
神雅杯中有美酒 (All wine in old days are made from grapes!)
About to drink it, when warning is delivered by lute on horse to fight the enemies.
欲飲琴聲戰音馬
Don’t stop, my dear friends. Being drunk, enjoying oneself and lying on the battle field are not to be laughed at,
醉在沙塲笑不得
for who can guarantee to survive the fierce war!
雖知誰人能歸回.
葡萄美酒夜光杯, (Grape) wine sparkling in the moonlight cups
欲饮琵琶马上催。To the lute I listen, readying for a sip when urgent news came by horseback.
醉卧沙场君莫笑, My friends, laugh not at me as I lay drunken on the battlefield.
古来征战几人回。For how many has returned from any war.
Tasty grape wine in elegant magic cups.
About to drink it, when warning is delivered by lute on horse to fight the enemies.
Don’t stop, my dear friends. Being drunk, enjoying oneself and lying on the battle field are not to be laughed at,
for who can guarantee to survive the fierce war!
No one laughs at those who are drunk and lying on the battle field
Since no one can guarantee to survive the relentless fight
Thank you for giving me the inspiration
