LOOKING AT THE MOON AND LONGING FOR ONE FAR AWAY

Zhang Jiuling

(678-740, Tang Dynasty)

Over the sea grows the moon bright;

We gaze on it far, far apart.

Lovers complain of long, long night;

They rise and long for the clear heart.

Candles blown out, fuller is light;

My coat put on, I'm moist with dew.

As I can't hand you moonbeams white,

I go to bed to dream of you.

望月怀远

[唐]张九龄

海上生明月,天涯共此时。

情人怨遥夜,竟夕起相思。

灭烛怜光满,披衣觉露滋。

不堪盈手赠,还寝梦佳期。

About the poet 

Zhang Jiuling, a Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) who was also a famous politician of that time. Zhang first showed his advanced talent for literature when he was 9 years old.

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 

300 Tang Poems / Translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) Published by China Intercontinental Press