Song of Everlasting Regret

The Song of Everlasting Regret by Bai Juyi, translated by Wikisource

Composed by Bai Juyi in the year 806, The Song of Everlasting Regret (or Sorrow) details the events surrounding the death of the lady Yang Guifei during the Anshi Rebellion in 755. Yang Guifei was the beloved concubine of the Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.

Lines 1 - 50

Original	Pinyin	Yüt6ping3	Translation
長 恨 歌	cháng hèn gē	chöng4 hun6 gor	The Song of Everlasting Regret
漢皇重色思傾國，	Hàn huáng zhòng sè sī qīngguó,	Hon3 wong4 joong6 sik si king gwok3,	A certain emperor of the Han dynasty placed a premium on his dalliances, and longed for a woman so beautiful, that he might be tempted to ignore his duties at court, and thus bring about the downfall of his empire.	Yang Guifei
御宇多年求不得。	yùyǔ duōnián qiú bùdé.	yü6 yü5 dor nin4 kuu4 but duk.	He ruled his empire for many years without finding such a beauty.
楊家有女初長成，	Yáng jiā yǒu nǚ chū zhǎng chéng,	Yöng4 ga yuu5 nöi2 chor jöng2 sing4,	There was a girl of the house of Yang who had just come of age.
養在深閨人未識。	yǎng zài shēnguī rén wèi shì.	yöng5 joi6 sum gwui yun4 mei6 sik.	She had been brought up in the women's chambers, and was not yet known to the outside world.
天生麗質難自棄，	tiānshēng lìzhì nán zìqì,	Tin saang lui6 jut naan4 ji6 hei3,	Her natural beauty and lovely comportment were difficult to ignore,
一朝選在君王側。	yī zhāo xuǎn zài jūnwáng cè.	yut jiu sün2 joi6 gwun wong4 juk.	One day, she was selected to stand at the side of His Majesty.
回眸一笑百媚生，	huímóuyīxiào bǎi mèi shēng,	Wooi4 tuu4 yut siu3 baak3 mei4 sung,	She could melt one's heart with her coquettish smile,
六宮粉黛無顏色。	liùgōng fěndài wú yánsè.	look6 goong fun2 doi6 mou4 ngaan4 sik.	All of the powdered faces of the ladies in waiting from the six palaces paled in comparison.
春寒賜浴華清池，	chūn hán cì yù Huáqīngchí,	Chön hon4 chi3 yook6 wa4 ching chi4,	On a cold spring day, he bestowed upon her the honor of bathing with him at the Huaqing pools,	According to legend, this is the pool that was used by Yang Guifei and the emperor.
溫泉水滑洗凝脂。	wēnquán shuǐ huá xǐ níngzhī.	wun chün4 söi2 waat6 sui2 ying4 ji,	The waters of the hot springs were smooth, and washed over her pale white skin.
侍兒扶起嬌無力，	shìér fú qǐ jiāo wúlì,	si6 yi4 foo4 hei2 giu mou4 lik6,	The palace maids helped her to leave the pool, because she was too delicate and lacked strength.
始是新承恩澤時。	shǐ shì xīn chéng ēnzé shí.	chi2 si6 sun sing4 yun jaak6 si4.	This was when she began to receive the emperor's advances.
雲鬢花顏金步搖，	yúnbìn huāyán jīnbùyáo,	Wun4 bun3 fa ngaan4 gum bou6 yiu4,	She had dark black hair, and the face of a flower, with golden jewelry dangling from her hair.
芙蓉帳暖度春宵。	fúróng zhàng nuǎn dù chūn xiāo.	foo4 yoong4 jöng3 nün5 dou6 chön siu,	They spent the spring nights in the warmth of a hibiscus tent.
春宵苦短日高起，	chūn xiāo kǔ duǎn rì gāo qǐ,	Chön siu foo2 dün2 yut6 gou hei2,	They lamented that the spring nights were all too short, and did not rise until long after the sun had come out.
從此君王不早朝。	cóngcǐ jūnwáng bù zǎozhāo.	choong4 chi2 gwun wong4 but jou2 chiu4.	From this point on, His Majesty did not attend the morning court.
承歡侍宴無閒暇，	chéng huān shì yàn wú xiánxiá,	Sing4 foon si6 yin3 mou4 haan4 ha4,	She spent her days pleasing the emperor and accompanying him to banquets. She had no free time.
春從春遊夜專夜。	chūn cóng chūn yóu yè zhuān yè.	chön choong4 chön yuu4 ye6 jün ye6.	In the springtime, she accompanied him on his outings, and would share his bed night after night.
後宮佳麗三千人，	hòu gōng jiālì sān qiān rén,	Huu6 goong gaai lui saam chin yun4,	Although there were 3,000 beauties in the inner palace,
三千寵愛在一身。	sān qiān chōngài zài yīshēn.	saam chin choong2 ngoi3 joi6 yut sun.	He placed the love of 3,000 all on her alone.
金屋妝成嬌侍夜，	jīnwū zhuāng chéng jiāo shì yè,	Gum ook jong sing4 giu si6 ye6,	After she finished putting on her makeup in the golden house, she was a bundle of charm as she accompanied His Majesty in the evenings.
玉樓宴罷醉和春。	yùlóu yàn bà zuì hé chūn.	yook6 lui4 yin3 ba6 jöi3 wor4 chön.	She was drunk with alcohol and springtime after the banquets at the jade mansion.
姊妹弟兄皆列土，	jiěmèi dìxiōng jiē liètǔ,	Ji2 mooi6 dui6 hing gaai lit6 tou2,	All of her brothers and sisters were granted land,
可憐光彩生門戶。	kělián guāngcǎi shēng ménhù.	hor2 lin4 gwong choi2 sung moon4 woo6,	This enviable splendor breathed new life into their family status.
遂令天下父母心，	suì lìng tiānxià fùmǔ xīn,	söi6 ling6 tin ha6 foo6 mou5 sum	This, in turn, caused the thinking of parents everywhere to change.
不重生男重生女。	bú zhòng shēng nán zhòng shēng nǚ.	but joong6 saang naam4 joong6 saang nöi5.	They no longer held boy babies in high esteem, but began to prize girl babies.
驪宮高處入青雲，	Lígōng gāochù rù qīngyún,	Lei4 Goong gou chü3 yup6 ching wun,	The high spots of Mount Li Palace entered into the azure clouds.
仙樂風飄處處聞。	xiānyuè fēng piāo chùchù wén.	sin ngok6 foong piu chü3 chü3 mun4.	Heavenly music floated on the winds; it could be heard everywhere.
緩歌謾舞凝絲竹，	huǎn gē màn wǔ níng sīzhú,	Woon6 gor maan6 mou5 ying4 si jook,	The slow songs and rhythmic dancing blended seamlessly with the orchestra.
盡日君王看不足。	jìn rì jūnwáng kàn bùzú.	jön6 yut6 gwun wong4 hon3 but jook.	His Majesty could watch all day long, and still not get enough of it.
漁陽鼙鼓動地來，	Yúyáng pí gǔ dòng dì lái,	Yü4 Yöng4 pei4 gwoo2 doong6 dei6 loi4,	The sound of the war drums from Yuyang began to shake the earth,
驚破霓裳羽衣曲。	jīng pò Níshāngyǔyīqǔ.	ging por3 ngui4 söng4 yü5 yi cook.	And broke the spell of the Song of rainbow skirts and feather robes.
九重城闕煙塵生，	jiǔchóngchéngquè yānchén shēng,	Guu2 choong4 sing4 küt3 yin chun4 sung,	Smoke and dust descended upon the nine layered watchtowers of the imperial palace,
千乘萬騎西南行。	qiānshèngwànjì xī'nán xíng.	chin sing3 maan6 kei3 sui naam4 hung4.	As tens of thousands of imperial guards fled to the southwest.
翠華搖搖行復止，	cuìhuá yáo yáo xíng fù zhǐ,	Chöi3 wa4 yiu4 yiu4 hung4 fook6 ji2.	The jade ornaments adorning the imperial banners rocked back and forth as the emperor's chariot moved forward then stopped again,
西出都門百餘里。	xī chū dūmén bǎi yú lǐ.	Sui chöt dou moon4 baak3 yü4 lei5,	Traveling more than one hundred li from the western gate of the capital.
六軍不發無奈何，	liù jūn bù fā wú nàihé,	look6 gwun but faat3 mou4 noi6 hor4,	The six armies of the emperor refused to advance any further, so the emperor was left without a choice,
宛轉蛾眉馬前死。	wǎnzhuǎn éméi mǎ qián sǐ.	yün2 jün2 Ngor4 Mei4 ngaan5 chin4 sei2.	The writhing fair maiden, whose long and slender eyebrows resembled the feathery feelers of a moth, died in front of the horses.	the pass at Mount Jian
花鈿委地無人收，	huādiàn wěi dì wú rén shōu,	Fa tin4 wui2 dei6 mou4 yun4 suu,	Her ornate headdress fell to the ground, and nobody picked it up;
翠翹金雀玉搔頭。	cuìqiào jīnquè yùsāotóu.	chöi3 kiu4 gum jök3 yook6 sou tuu4.	Then her kingfisher hair ornament, her gold sparrow hairpin and her jade hair clasp.
君王掩面救不得，	jūnwáng yǎn miàn jiù bùdé,	Gwun wong4 yim2 min6 guu3 but duk,	His Majesty covered his face, for he could not save her.
回看血淚相和流。	huí kàn xuè lèi xiāng huò liú.	wooi4 hon3 hüt3 löi6 söng wor4 lui4.	Looking back, he saw a stream of blood and tears mixing together.
黃埃散漫風蕭索，	huáng āi sǎnmàn fēng xiāosuǒ,	Wong4 oi saan3 maan6 foong siu sok3,	The yellow dust rising in the air amid a bleak and chilly breeze,
雲棧縈紆登劍閣。	yún zhàn yíngyū dēng Jiàn'gé.	wun4 jaan2 ying4 yü dung gim3 gok,	The winding wooden walkways high up in the clouds ascend through the pavilions of the pass at Mount Jian.
峨嵋山下少人行，	Éméishān xià shǎo rén xíng,	Ngor4 Mei4 saan ha6 siu2 yun4 hung4,	Few people were traveling on the road beneath Mount Emei,	Mount Emei
旌旗無光日色薄。	jīngqí wú guāng rì sè bó.	jing kei4 mou4 gwong yut6 sik bok6.	The banners had no luster and the sky was bleak.
蜀江水碧蜀山青，	Shǔ jiāng shuǐ bì Shǔ shān qīng,	Sook6 Gong söi2 bik Sook6 Saan ching,	The rivers of Shu were blue, and the mountains of Shu were green,
聖主朝朝暮暮情。	shèngzhǔ zhāo zhāo mù mù qíng.	sing3 jü2 jiu jiu mou6 mou6 ching4.	Our liege lord thought about her night and day.
行宮見月傷心色，	xínggōng jiàn yuè shāngxīn sè,	Haang4 goong gin3 yüt6 söng sum sik,	In his temporary palace, he would gaze at the moon, and his facial expression would reveal his broken heart,
夜雨聞鈴腸斷聲。	yè yǔ wén líng chángduàn shēng.	ye6 yü5 mun4 ling4 chöng4 dün6 sing.	He would hear the wind chimes during an evening rain storm, a sound filled with sorrow.

Lines 51 - 100

天旋地轉回龍馭，	tiānxuándìzhuǎn huí lóngyù,	Tin sün4 dei6 jün3 wooi4 loong4 yü6,	After the uprising was over, the emperor's dragon chariot returned for him,	capital Mawei Mount Jian Mount Emei The emperor's flight from the capital
到此躊躇不能去。	dào cǐ chóuchú bùnéng qù.	dou3 chi2 chuu4 chü4 but nung4 höi3.	Arriving back at this place, he lingered and was unable to leave.
馬嵬坡下泥土中，	Mǎwéipō xià nítǔ zhōng,	Ma5 Nguu4 Bor ha6 nui4 tou2 joong,	In the dirt at the slopes of Mawei,
不見玉顏空死處。	bù jiàn yù yán kōng sǐ chù.	but gin3 yook6 ngaan4 hoong sei2 chü3.	He did not see her face of Jade, he only saw the abandoned place where she had died.
君臣相顧盡霑衣，	jūnchén xiāng gù jìn zhān yī,	Gwun sun4 söng gwoo3 jön6 jim yi,	The emperor and his ministers looked at each other and soaked their clothes with tears,
東望都門信馬歸。	dōng wàng dūmén xìn mǎ guī.	doong mong6 dou moon4 sön3 ma5 gwui.	Looking to the east at the gates to the capital, they allowed the horses to dictate the pace of their return.
歸來池苑皆依舊，	guī lái chí yuàn jiē yījiù,	Gwui loi4 chi4 yün2 gaai yi guu6,	They returned to find the ponds and gardens the same as before,
太液芙蓉未央柳。	Tàiyè fúróng Wèiyāng liǔ.	Taai3 Yik6 foo4 yoong4 Mei6 Yöng lui5.	The lotus plants of Taiye ponds and the willow trees of Weiyang Palace.
芙蓉如面柳如眉，	fúróng rú miàn liǔ rú méi,	Foo4 yoong4 yü4 min6 lui5 yü4 mei4,	The lotus plants were like her face and the willow trees were like her eyebrows,
對此如何不淚垂。	duì cǐ rúhé bù lèi chuí	döi3 chi2 yü4 hor4 but löi6 söi4.	Upon seeing this, how could he hold back the tears?
春風桃李花開日，	chūn fēng táo lǐ huā kāi rì,	Chön foong tou4 lei5 fa hoi yut6,	Gone were the breezy spring days when the peach and plum trees were in bloom,
秋雨梧桐葉落時。	qiū yǔ wútóng yè luò shí.	chuu yü5 ng4 toong4 yip6 lok6 si4,	Replaced by the autumn rains when the leaves of the Wutong trees had fallen.
西宮南內多秋草，	Xīgōng Nánnèi duō qiū cǎo,	sui goong naam4 noi6 dor chuu chou2,	The Western and Southern Palaces were overgrown with autumn grass,
落葉滿階紅不掃。	luòyè mǎn jiē hóng bù sǎo.	lok6 yip6 moon5 gaai hoong4 but sou3.	And nobody swept away the fallen red leaves that piled up on the steps.
梨園子弟白髮新，	líyuánzǐdì bái fǎ xīn,	Lei4 yün4 ji2 dui6 baak6 faat3 sun,	The performers of the Pear Garden royal opera troop had newly white hair,
椒房阿監青娥老。	jiāofáng ājiān qīng'é lǎo.	jiu fong4 aa3 gaam3 ching ngor4 lou5.	At Pepper residence, the eunuchs and palace maids had become old.
夕殿螢飛思悄然，	xī diàn yíng fēi sī qiǎorán,	Jik6 din6 ying4 fei si chiu3 yin4,	In the evening palace, the fireflies filled the air as he sat in silence, alone with his thoughts,
孤燈挑盡未成眠。	gū dēng tiāo jìn wèi chéng mián.	gwoo dung tiu jön6 mei6 sing4 min4,	The lonely lamp had used up its wicker, yet he still could not sleep.
遲遲鐘鼓初長夜，	chí chí zhōng gǔ chū chángyè,	chi4 chi4 joong gwoo2 chor chöng4 ye6,	The bells and drums slowly rang out at the start of each watch, marking the beginning of another long night,
耿耿星河欲曙天。	gěng gěng xīng hé yù shǔ tiān.	gung2 gung2 sing hor4 yook6 chü5 tin.	The Milky Way shined brightly, how he longed for day break.
鴛鴦瓦冷霜華重，	yuānyang wǎ lěng shuāng huá zhòng,	Yün yöng ngaa5 laang5 söng wa4 choong5,	The mandarin duck tiles were icy, and the frost on them was heavy,
翡翠衾寒誰與共。	fěicuì qīn hán shéi yǔ gòng?	fei2 chöi3 kum hon4 söi4 yü5 goong6,	The jadeite quilt was cold. After all, who would share it with him?
悠悠生死別經年，	yōuyōu shēng sǐ bié jīng nián,	yuu4 yuu4 sung sei2 bit6 ging nin4,	The living and the dead became separated one drawn-out year ago,
魂魄不曾來入夢。	húnpò bùcéng lái rùmèng.	wun4 paak3 but chung4 loi4 yup6 moong6.	Her soul had not appeared to him in his dreams.
臨邛道士鴻都客，	Línqióng dàoshì Hóngdūkè,	Lum4 Koong4 dou6 si6 hoong4 dou haak3,	A Daoist priest from Linqiong came to the capital as a guest,
能以精誠致魂魄。	néng yǐ jīngchéng zhì húnpò.	nung4 yi5 jing sing4 ji3 wun4 paak3.	He had the ability to use his piety to summon the spirits.
為感君王輾轉思，	wèi gǎn jūnwáng zhǎnzhuǎn sī,	Wui6 gum2 gwun wong4 jin2 jün2 si,	He was moved by His Majesty's anguish,
遂教方士殷勤覓。	suì jiāo fāngshì yīnqín mì.	söi6 gaau3 fong si6 yun kun4 mik6.	And because of this, His Majesty eventually prevailed upon the priest to search for her spirit in earnest.
排空馭氣奔如電，	pái kōng yù qì bēn rú diàn,	Paai4 hoong yü6 hei3 bun yü4 din6,	The priest ran like lightning as he parted the skies and rode high through the air,
升天入地求之遍。	shēng tiān rù dì qiú zhī biàn.	sing tin yup6 dei6 kuu4 ji pin3,	He ascended the heavens and down into the earth, looking for her everywhere.
上窮碧落下黃泉，	shàng qióng bìluò xià huángquán,	söng6 koong4 bik lok6 ha6 wong4 chün4,	He searched thoroughly up in the blue beyond, as well as down in the Yellow Springs below the earth,
兩處茫茫皆不見。	liǎng chù mángmáng jiē bújiàn.	löng5 chü3 mong4 mong4 gaai but gin3.	But did not spot her in the vastness of either place.
忽聞海上有仙山，	hū wén hǎishàng yǒu xiān shān,	Fut mun5 hoi2 söng6 yuu5 sin saan,	Then suddenly, he heard about a mountain of celestial beings that was on the sea,
山在虛無縹緲間。	shān zài xūwúpiǎomiǎo jiān.	saan joi6 höi mou4 piu miu5 gaan.	The mountain was in the midst of a vast expanse of haze.
樓閣玲瓏五雲起，	lóugé línglóng wǔyún qǐ,	Lou4 gok3 ling4 loong4 ng5 wun4 hei2,	A tower rose exquisitely through the vibrant clouds,
其中綽約多仙子。	qízhōng chuòyuē duō xiānzǐ.	kei4 joong chök3 yök3 dor sin ji2.	In the tower, there lived a great many celestials who were possessed of a feminine grace.
中有一人字太真，	zhōng yǒu yī rén zì Tàizhēn,	Joong yuu5 yut yun4 ji6 taai3 jun,	Among these was someone with the style name of Tàizhēn,
雪膚花貌參差是。	xuěfū huā mào cēncī shì.	süt3 foo fa maau6 chum chi si6.	Who had snow-white skin, and a lovely countenance which more or less matched that of his lost love?
金闕西廂叩玉扃，	jīn què xī xiāng kòu yù jiōng,	Gum küt3 sui söng kuu3 yook6 gwing2,	The priest knocked on the jade door to the western wing of the golden watchtower,
轉教小玉報雙成。	zhuǎn jiāo Xiǎoyù bào Shuāngchéng.	jün2 gaau3 siu2 yook6 bou3 söng sing4,	He implored Xiǎoyù to relay a message to Shuāngchéng.
聞道漢家天子使，	wén dào Hàn jiā tiānzǐ shǐ,	mun4 dou6 hon3 ga tin ji2 si2,	Hearing that it was an emissary of the Han family's Son of Heaven,
九華帳裡夢魂驚。	jiǔhuázhàng lǐ mèng hún jīng.	guu2 wa4 jöng3 löi5 moong6 wun ging.	From inside the resplendent tent, she was startled awake from her dream.
攬衣推枕起徘徊，	lǎn yī tuī zhěn qǐ páihuái,	Laam2 yi töi jum2 hei2 pooi4 wooi4,	Reaching for her robes, and pushing aside her pillow, she began to pace around the room, dazed and confused,
珠箔銀屏迤邐開。	zhūbó yínpíng yǐlǐ kāi.	Jü bok6 ngun4 ping4 yi5 lei5 hoi.	She then made her way through the pearl lace curtains and the screens of silver.
雲鬢半偏新睡覺，	yúnbìn bàn piān xīn shuìjiào,	Wun4 bun3 boon3 pin sun söi6 gaau3,	Her hairdo was lopsided, because she had been sleeping just now,
花冠不整下堂來。	huāguān bù zhěng xià táng lái.	fa gwoon3 but jing2 ha6 tong4 loi4.	Her headpiece was not straight as she descended into the main room.
風吹仙袂飄飄舉，	fēng chuī xiān mèi piāopiāo jǔ,	Foong chöi sin mui6 piu piu göi2,	A gust of wind caused her celestial sleeves to flutter,
猶似霓裳羽衣舞。	yóu sì Níshāngyǔyīwǔ.	yuu4 chi5 ngui4 söng4 yü5 yi mou5.	Just like when she used to perform the Dance of rainbow skirts and feather robes.
玉容寂寞淚闌干，	yùróng jímò lèi lán'gān,	Yook6 yoong4 jik6 mok6 löi6 laan4 gon,	Her jade countenance was sad, and crisscrossed with tears,
梨花一枝春帶雨。	lí huā yī zhī chūn dài yǔ.	lei4 fa yut ji chön daai3 yü5.	Like a pear blossom bathed in springtime rain.

Lines 101 - end

含情凝睇謝君王，	hánqíng níngdì xiè jūnwáng,	Hum4 ching4 ying4 tui2 je6 gwun wong4:	Full of emotion, she fixed her gaze on the priest and relayed her thanks to His Majesty,
一別音容兩渺茫。	yī bié yīn róng liǎng miǎománg.	Yut bit6 yum yoong4 löng5 miu5 mong4.	But since they last parted, they looked and sounded only vaguely familiar to each other.
昭陽殿裡恩愛絕，	Zhāoyángdiàn lǐ ēn'ài jué,	Chiu Yöng4 Din6 löi5 yun ngoi3 jüt6,	The passion that they shared in the Hall of the Bright Sun was now no more,
蓬萊宮中日月長。	Pénglái Gōng zhōng rìyuè cháng.	Foong4 Loi4 Goong joong yut 6 yüt6 chöng4.	The days and months are now long in Penglai Palace.
回頭下望人寰處，	huítóu xià wàng rénhuán chù,	Wooi4 tuu4 ha6 mong6 yun4 waang4 chü3,	Turning back to look down at the places where mortals dwell,
不見長安見塵霧。	bújiàn Cháng'ān jiàn chénwù.	but gin3 Chöng4 On gin3 chun4 mou6.	She does not see Chang'an, she only sees dust and mist.
唯將舊物表深情，	wéi jiāng jiù wù biǎo shēnqíng,	Wui4 jöng guu6 mut6 biu2 sum ching4,	All she could do was to send along some old keepsakes as an expression of her deep affection,
鈿合金釵寄將去。	diànhé jīnchāi jì jiāng qù.	Tin4 hup6 gum chaai gei3 jöng höi3.	So she sent away the emissary with her inlaid box and golden hairpin.
釵留一股合一扇，	chāi liú yī gǔ hé yī shàn,	Chaai luu4 yut gwoo2 hup6 yut sin3,	But she kept one part of the hairpin and one leaf of the box,
釵擘黃金合分鈿。	chāi bò huángjīn hé fēn diàn.	chaai maak3 wong4 gum hup6 fun tin4,	From then on, the pieces of the hairpin and the box would be separated.
但教心似金鈿堅，	dàn jiāo xīn sì jīn diàn jiān,	daan6 gaau3 sum chi5 gum tin4 gin,	But, she left word for His Majesty to remain firm in his devotion to her, just like the firmness of the gold and inlay work,
天上人間會相見。	tiānshàng rénjiān huì xiāngjiàn.	tin söng6 yun4 gaan wooi5 söng gin3.	Sooner or later, they will see each other again, whether it be in the heavens beyond or among the mortals on earth.
臨別殷勤重寄詞，	línbié yīnqín chóng jì cí,	Lum4 bit6 yun kun4 choong4 gei3 chi4,	As they were about to part company, she once again implored the priest to pass along a message for her,
詞中有誓兩心知。	cí zhōng yǒu shì liǎng xīn zhī.	chi4 joong yuu5 suu6 löng5 sum ji:	The message contained a promise that only the two of them would know about.
七月七日長生殿，	qīyuè qīrì Chángshēng Diàn,	Chut yüt6 chut yut6 Chöng4 Sung Din6,	On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, in the Hall of Longevity,
夜半無人私語時。	yèbàn wú rén sī yǔ shí.	Ye6 boon3 mou4 yun4 si yü5 si4.	At midnight, when nobody is around, this is when we will make our secret pact.
在天願作比翼鳥，	zài tiān yuàn zuò bǐ yì niǎo,	Joi6 tin yün6 jok3 bei2 yik6 niu5,	"In the heavens, we vow to be as two birds flying wingtip to wingtip,
在地願為連理枝。	zài dì yuàn wéi lián lǐ zhī.	joi6 dei6 yün6 wui4 lin4 lei5 ji.	On earth, we vow to be as two intertwined branches of a tree."
天長地久有時盡，	tiānchángdìjiǔ yǒu shí jìn,	Tin chöng4 dei6 guu2 yuu5 si4 jön6,	Even the heaven and earth have their ending times,
此恨綿綿無絕期。	cǐ hèn mián mián wú jué qí.	chi2 hun6 min4 min4 mou4 jüt6 kei4.	The regret of our parting will last forever and never end.

Licensing

This is a translation and has a separate copyright status from the original text. The license for the translation applies to this edition only.
Original:	This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Translation:	This work is licensed under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.