Farewell to the Old Year

别岁

苏轼（许渊冲译）

When an old friend is to go far away,

Long, long will he linger before he parts.

Though gone away, he may come back some day.

Where can we find the old year once it departs?

May I ask whither the old year has passed?

At the end of the earth it leaves no track.

It is gone with the water flowing fast

To the East Sea and will never come back.

Wine is warmed by our neighbors on the east

And the pork of those on the west is fat.

I’d like to have one happy day at least

So that the lean year may not be grieved at.

Do not sigh for the departing old year,

Soon we shall say goodbye to New Year’s Day.

Do not look back but let them disappear.

Man will grow old and his powers decay.

故人适千里，

临别尚迟迟；

人行犹可复，

岁行那可追。

问岁安所之？

远在天一涯。

已逐东流水，

赴海归无时。

东邻酒初熟，

西舍彘亦肥。

且为一日欢，

慰此穷年悲。

勿嗟旧岁别，

行与新岁辞。

去去勿回顾，

还君老与衰。

[词汇] whither

adv. 到哪里；去哪

conj. 无论到何种程度；无论到哪里

例句：

They did not know whither theyshould go.

他们不知道他们应往何处去。