錦瑟無端五十弦，

Why has the string of brocade-like zither broken into 50 unknowingly? 

一弦一柱思華年。

and every string reminds me of those days of the past.

莊生曉夢迷蝴蝶

My memories are like those of Zhuang Zi, who dreamed of becoming a butterfly at dawn. 

望帝春心託杜鵑。
or like that of Wang Di becoming a cuckoo sobbed nostalgic thoughts of his homeland during springtime every year. 

滄海月明珠有淚，

Who could understand that the crystal pearls in azure blue sea beneath bright moonbeams are all containing my tears?

藍田日暖玉生煙。

Or to me, all the jades on sunny but misty Mt. Lan Tian are all like smoke wafting into the skies?

此情可待成追憶，

Now these memories could only stay in my heart to remember.

只是當時已惘然。

But why couldnt I grasp the opportunities and let them slip easily then?