夜中不能寐，

I could not sleep the night,

起坐彈鳴琴。

so I got up to play my guzheng.

薄帷鑒明月，

Moonlight was shining on the drape and the curtain,

清風吹我襟。

while my shirt was gently swaying in the breeze.

孤鴻號外野，

The lone goose was calling loudly outside;

翔鳥鳴北林。

the hovering birds were sighing sadly in northern forest.

徘徊將何見？

What could I see around the house?

憂思獨傷心。

Nothing I could find but my unspoken griefs.