If life is but a dream,
Why then worry and care?
I drink until I no longer can,
The whole lovely day!

And when I can drink no more,
When belly and soul are full,
I tumble to my door
And sleep wonderfully!

What do I hear when I awake? Listen!
A bird sings in a tree.
I ask him if spring has arrived,
It is as if in dream.

The bird twitters: Yes!
Spring is here, it came overnight!
With deep gazes I listen,
The bird sings and laughs!

I fill my goblet again
And drain it to the ground
And sing until the moon shines
In the black night sky!

And when I can no longer sing,
I sleep in again.
What does the spring matter to me?
Let me be drunk!

(After Li T'ai-po)