(71) Song Of A Year
一年歌
Tang Yin (1470-1523)
唐寅
There are three hundred and sixty days in a year;
一年三百六十日，
Spring, summer, autumn, winter, each has ninty days.
春夏秋冬各九十。
It's hard to bear in winter biting cold severe;
冬寒夏热最难当，
In summer it is boiling hot as in a blaze.
寒则如刀热如炙。
The third and ninth moons in spring and autunmn are mild;
春三秋九号温和，
But in mild days there's cutting wind or driving rain.
天气温和风雨多。
On counting up, few days are fine but many wild;
一年细算良辰少，
Without fine scenery, fine days are passed in vain.
况又难逢美景何？
If we should meet fine scenery when days are fine.
美景良辰倘相遇，
Together we'd make merry and delight our heart.
又有赏心并乐事。
If we did not light candles bright and drink sweet wine,
不少高烛对芳尊，
We might misspend our life and play not well our part.
也是虚生在人世。
How wise is the motto said by the sage of old:
古人有言亦达哉，
We should enjoy by candlelight sweet vernal flowers!
劝人秉烛夜游来。
One vernal hour is worth a thousand coins of gold;
春宵一刻千金价，
I say a thousand coins can't buy back vernal hours.
我道千金买不回。