Sweet Smell Around Us

By Su Dongpo (Tang Dynasty)

The fame and fortune are small,
not worth it at all.
All things are fated,
who is weak and who is strong?
While still young,
we should do something wild and crazy.
In one hundred years,
even if we get drunk every day,
there are only
thirty-six thousand times all the way.
How many happy hours can we have?
Sorrowful wind and rain take up the other half.
So why do  we insist on wrong or right,
and yes or no,
when facing the outspread blue sky
soft breezes and bright moon while clouds flow?
Alas!  The life in Jiang Nan is beautiful,
let's drink good wine for thousands of cups,
and sing the Sweet Smell Around Us.

Translator: Xiaoman, June 1， 2014
满庭芳

苏轼

蜗角虚名，蝇头微利，算来着甚干忙。

事皆前定，谁弱又谁强。

且趁闲身未老，须放我、些子疏狂。

百年里，浑教是醉，三万六千场。

思量，能几许？

忧愁风雨，一半相妨。

又何须抵死，说短论长。

幸对清风皓月，苔茵展、云幕高张。

江南好，千钟美酒，一曲《满庭芳》。


Su DongPo introduction:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_Shi