A tranquil night

静夜思

李白

床 前 明 月 光，疑 是 地 上 霜。

举 头 望 明 月，低 头 思 故 乡。

Version1:

A tranquil night

Li Po

Translator: Xu Yuanchong

Abed, I see a silver light
I wonder if it`s frost around
Looking up, I find the moon bright
Bowing, in homesickness I`m drowned

Version2:

On a Quiet Night
Li Po

Translator:  Shigeyoshi Obata

I saw the moonlight before my couch，
And wondered if it were not the frost on the ground.
I raised my head and looked out on the mountain moon，
I bowed my head and thought of my far-off home.

  December is coming!

  This time I bring a poem that it must be the most famous one in the Chinese circle across the whole world. Meanwhile, the author Li Po is the most famous poet as well. I promise all the Chinese people will say of course if you ask them do you know who is Li Po? But the premise is that they know, Li Po, this name is their Li Bai, actually it also can be called Li Pai or Li Bo. This china-beating poet has several names on account of different type of translations, while his surname never be changed by translators, it could be consider as a bit respect?

  Let`s back the poem itself.

  I would say it`s the most well-known poet in history of Chinese classic literature, the first reason I have to point is simpleness. I have been mentioned that people only higher than the literati-official class can receive the education and afford the tuition in the former blog, so simpleness is the premise for popularity.

  The first two sentences describe the light. The author lied down or leaned the bed, he found the moonlight shine on the ground, but he guessed that it`s the frost at the first sight.

  Then the author starts to voice his own feelings throughout the moon. His next sentences is quite interesting that he use two actions- “raise the head and lower the head” to express himself. He wrote: I raised my head to appreciate the moon, while lower my head to miss my home.

  The most straightforward approach to speak homesick out, it`s not common for Chinese people but Li Po did it. I have written that in China, moon is often be considered as something related to the home in the poet or even daily life, the full moon always be treated as the symbol of all relatives should be reunite at home together.

  Only 20 characters, only narrative one-night-thoughts, only two actions however Li Po described his homesick so plain but rhythm

  About two versions of translation, I like the first more. Abed and two word in the form of –ing is really fresh compared with other translation and it`s more simple in according to the original poem.