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If High Heaven had no love for wine

Li Po, Li Po poetry, Taoist, Taoist poetry,  poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry,  poetry by Li Po
(701 - 762) Timeline

English version by
Arthur Waley

Original Language
Chinese

Taoist
8th Century

If High Heaven had no love for wine,
There would not be a Wine Star in the sky.
If Earth herself had no love for wine,
There would not be a city called Wine Springs.
Since Heaven and Earth both love wine,
I can love wine, without shame before God.
Clear wine was once called a Saint;
Thick wine was once called "a Sage."

Of Saint and Sage I have long quaffed deep,
What need for me to study spirits and hsien?
At the third cup I penetrate the Great Way;
A full gallon -- Nature and I are one...
But the things I feel when wine possesses my soul
I will never tell to those who are not drunk.

 

 

-- from More Translations from the Chinese, Translated by Arthur Waley

Amazon.com

 

Themes

  Lover and Beloved
  Sky
  Trembling
  Wine
 


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Endless River: Li Po and Tu Fu: A Friendship in Poetry, Translated by Sam Hamill
The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell
A Feast of Lanterns, Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng
Li Pai: 200 Selected Poems, Translated by Rewi Alley
Li Po and Tu Fu: Poems, Translated by Arthur Cooper

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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.