LiSao (Lament on Encountering Sorrow) by Qu Yuan

Chu Ci, also known as Songs of Chu, is an anthology of Chinese poems by Qu Yuan (c. 339 - c. 278 BC) and Song Yu from the warring states period and subsequent imitators of their poetic style. Chu Ci is the second oldest collection of Chinese poems in record.
Although Chu Ci is an anthology of poems by many poets, Qu Yuan was doubtless its central figure. As a noble descendant of Chu, he was one of the most loyal counselors of the king. The king was very fond of him and put him in an extremely influential position in his court. A minister in the court of King Huai of Chu in charge of both instate and diplomatic affairs, Qu Yuan advocated forming an alliance with the other states against the dominace of Qin. However, his advice was not taken and he was ostracized by other officials in court. Once a trusted advisor to the King of Chu, Qu Yuan lost his patronage of the court due to the then political malpractices and was banished out of civil service twice. Seeing the corruption of his colleaques and the inability of his king, Qu Yuan then exiled himself and finally commited suicide in the Miluo River when Qin defeated Chu in 278 BC. It is in remembrance of the circumstances of his death that the annual Dragon boat races are held. Qu Yuan's life was tragic but, as a poet, he achieved great success. In fact, he is considered to be the first poet in Chinese literature.
Nowadays, there are talks about "the sexes of both the poet and the ideal king seem to be indeterminant". No matter what people say, this Fu (Lament) is beautiful. Lisao is 92 stanzas long, with four lines per stanza. It makes numerous references to flowers, herbs, and spices, but their interpretations are up in the air. The reason for this is partly due to the difficulty of translation. Qu Yuan allegorically represents his exile by comparing himself to a shaman who is in love with a goddess and ten wrongfully scorned and the affair is broken off. It is a poem about exile, integrity and the spirit's incorruptibility. On the surface, Qu Yuan's "Encountering Sorrow" is cluttered by images of a lover (the official) fruitlessly seeking the affections of his beloved (the king) and by flowers symbolizing the hopes of a pure-minded social servant. But underneath all the talk of despoiled orchids and iris, around the evocations of desiccated straw, is the sufferer's own diagnosis of grief: a lack of understanding in the community. This diagnosis resounds through the ages. When sorrow closes in like a vise upon the heart, the need to be heard is ever greater. Wars and revolutions bring about deafening noises of their own. It becomes more and more difficult to listen for the soft-spoken voice of grief, and all the more necessary as well.


帝高陽之苗裔兮 朕皇考曰伯庸 A prince am I of ancestry renowned, Illustrious name my royal sire hath found.
攝提貞於孟陬兮 惟庚寅吾以降 When Sirius did in spring its light display, A child was born, and Tiger marked the day.
皇覽揆余初度兮 肇錫余以嘉名 When first upon my face my lord's eye glanced, For me auspicious names he straight advanced,
名余曰正則兮 字余曰靈均 Denoting that in me Heaven's marks divine, Should with the virtues of the earth combine.
紛吾既有此內美兮 又重之以修能 With lavished innate qualities indued, By art and skill my talents I renewed;
扈江離與辟芷兮 紉秋蘭以為佩 Angelic herbs and sweet selineas too, And orchids late that by the water grew,
汨余若將不及兮 恐年歲之不吾與 I wove for ornament; till creeping Time, Like water flowing, stole away my prime.
朝搴阰之木蘭兮 夕攬洲之宿莽 Magnolias of the glade I plucked at dawn, At eve beside the stream took winter-thorn.
日月忽其不淹兮 春與秋其代序 Without delay the sun and moon sped fast, In swift succession spring and autumn passed;
惟草木之零落兮 恐美人之遲暮 The fallen flowers lay scattered on the ground, The dusk might fall before my dream was found.

不撫壯而棄穢兮 何不改乎此度 Had I not loved my prime and spuned the vile, Why should I not have changed my former style?
乘騏驥以馳騁兮 來吾道夫先路 My chariot drawn by steeds of race divine I urged; to guide the king my sole design.

昔三后之純粹兮 固眾芳之所在 Three ancient kings there were so pure and true. That round them every fragrant flower grew;
雜申椒與菌桂兮 豈維紉夫蕙芷 Cassia and pepper of the mountain-side with melilotus white in clusters vied.
彼堯舜之耿介兮 既遵道而得路 Two monarchs then, who high renown received, followed the kingly way, their goal achieved.
何桀紂之猖披兮 夫唯捷徑以窘步 Two princes proud by lust their reign abused, sought easier path, and their own steps confused.
惟夫黨人之偷樂兮 路幽昧以險隘 The faction for illict pleasure longed; Dreadful their way where hidden perils thronged.
豈余身之憚殃兮 恐皇輿之敗績 Danger against myself could not appal, but feared I lest my sovereign's sceptre fall.
忽奔走以先後兮 及前王之踵武 Forward and back I hastened in my quest, followed the former kings, and took no rest.
荃不察余之中情兮 反信饞而齌怒 The prince my true integrity defamed, gave ear to slander, high his anger flamed;
余固知謇謇之為患兮 忍而不能舍也 Integrity I knew could not avail, Yet still endured; my lord I would not fail.
指九天以為正兮 夫唯靈修之故也 Celestial spheres my witness be on high, I strove but for his sacred majesty.
初既與余成言兮 後悔遁而有他 Twan first to me he gave his plighted word, but soon repenting other counsel heard.
余既不難夫離別兮 傷靈修之數化 For me departure could arouse no pain; I grieved to see his royal purpose vain.


余既茲蘭之九畹兮 又樹蕙之百畝 Nine fields of orchids at one time I grew, for melilot a hundred acres too.
畦留夷與揭車兮 雜杜蘅與芳芷 And fifty acres for the azalea bright, the rumex fragrant and the lichen white.
冀枝葉之峻茂兮 願俟時乎吾將刈 I longed to see them yielding blossoms rare, and thought in season due the spoil to share.
雖萎絕其亦何傷兮 哀眾芳之蕪穢 I did not grieve to see them die away, but grieved because midst weeds they did decay.


眾皆競進以貪婪兮 憑不厭乎求索 Insatiable in lust and greediness, the faction strove, and tired not of excess;
羌內恕己以量人兮 各興心而嫉妒 Themselves condoning, others they'd decry, and steep their hearts in envious jealousy.
忽馳騖以追逐兮 非余心之所急 Insatiably they seized what they desired, it was not that to which my heart aspired.
老冉冉其將至兮 恐脩名之不立 As old age unrelenting hurried near, lest my fair name should fail was all my fear
朝飲木蘭之墜露兮 夕餐秋菊之落英 Dew from magnolia leaves I drank at dawn, at eve for food were aster petals borne;
苟余情其信姱以練要兮 長顑頷亦何傷 And loving thus the simple and the fair, How should I for my sallow features care?
攬木根以結芷兮 貫薜荔之落蕊 With gathered vines I strung valeria white, and mixed with blue wistaria petals bright,
矯菌桂以紉蕙兮 索胡繩之纚纚 And melilotus matched with cassia sweet, with ivy green and tendrils long to meet.
謇吾法夫前脩兮 非世俗之所服 Life I adapted to the ancient way, leaving the manners of the present day;
雖不周于今之人兮 愿依彭咸之遺則 Thus unconforming to the modern age, the path I followed of a bygone sage.


長太息以掩涕兮 哀民生之多艱 Long did I sigh and wipe away my tears, To see my people bowed by grieves and fears,
余雖好修姱以鞿羈兮 謇朝誶而夕替 Though I my gifts enhanced and curbed my pride, at morn they'd mock me, would at eve deride;
既替余以蕙纕兮 又申之以攬芷 First cursed that I angelica should wear, then cursed me for my melilotus fair.
亦余心之所善兮 雖九死其猶未悔 But since my heart did love such purity, I'd not regret a thousand deaths to die.
怨靈脩之浩蕩兮 終不察夫民心 I marvel at the folly of the king, so heedless of his people's suffering.
眾女嫉余之蛾眉兮 謠諑謂余以善淫 They envied me my mothlike eyebrows fine, and so my name his damsels did malign.
固時俗之工巧兮 偭規矩而改錯 Truly to craft alone their praise they paid, the square in measuring they disobeyed;
背繩墨以追曲兮 競周容以為度 The use of common rules they held debased; with confidence their crooked lines they traced.
忳鬱邑余侘傺兮 吾獨窮困乎此時也 In sadness plunged and sunk in deepest gloom, alone I drive on to my dreary doom.
寧溘死以流亡兮 余不忍為此態也 In exile rather would I meet my end, than to the basness of their ways descend.
鷙鳥之不群兮 自前世而固然 Remote the eagle spurns the common range, nor deigns since time began its way to change;
何方圜之能周兮 夫孰異道而相安 A circle fits not with a square design; their different ways could not be merged with mine.
屈心而抑志兮 忍尤而攘詬 Yet still my heart I checked and curbed my pride, their blame endured and their reproach beside.
伏清白以死直兮 固前聖之所厚 To die for righteousness alone I sought, for this was what the ancient sages taught.


悔相道之不察兮 延佇乎吾將反 I failed my former errors to discern; I tarried long, but now I would return.
回朕車以復路兮 及行迷之未遠 My steeds I wheeled back to their former way, lest all too long down the wrong path I stray.
步余馬於蘭皋兮 馳椒丘且焉止息 On orchild-covered bank I loosed my steed, and let him gallop by the flow'ry mead
進不入以離尤兮 退將復脩吾初服 At will, rejected now and in disgrace, I would retire to cultivate my grace.
製芰荷以為衣兮 集芙蓉以為裳 With cress leaves green my simple gown I made, with lilies white my rustic garb did braid.
不吾知其亦已兮 苟余情其信芳 Why should I grieve to go unrecognised, since in my heart fragrance was truly prized?
高余冠之岌岌兮 長余佩之陸離 My headdress then high-pinnacled I raised, lengthened my pendents, where bright jewels blazed.
芳與澤其雜糅兮 唯昭質其猶未虧 Others may smirch their fragrance and bright huse, my innocence is prrof against abuse.
忽反顧以遊目兮 將往觀乎四荒 Oft I looked back, gazed to the distance still, longed in the wilderness to roam at will.
佩繽紛其繁飾兮 芳菲菲其彌章 Splendid my ornaments together vied, with all the fragrance of the flowers beside;
民生各有所樂兮 余獨好脩以為常 All men had pleasures in their various ways, my pleasure was to cultivate my grace.
雖體解吾猶未變兮 豈余心之可懲 I would not change, though they my body rend; How could my heart be wrested from its end?

女嬃之嬋媛兮 申申其詈予曰 My handmaid fair, with countenance demure, entreated me allegiance to abjure;
鯀婞直以亡身兮 終然殀乎羽之野 "A hero perished in the plain ill-starred, where pigmies stayed their plumage to discard.
汝何博謇而好脩兮 紛獨有此姱節 Why lovest thou thy grace and purity, alone dost hold thy splendid virtue high?
薋菉葹以盈室兮 判獨離而不服 Lentils and weeds the prince's chamber fill; Why holdest thou aloof with stubborn will?
眾不可戶說兮 孰云察余之中情 Thou canst not one by one the crowd persuade, and who the purpose of our heart hath weighed?
世並舉而好朋兮 夫何煢獨而不予聽 Faction and strife the world hath ever loved; heeding me not, why standest thou removed?"


依前聖以節中兮 喟憑心而歷茲 I sought th'ancestral voice to ease my woe. Alas, how one so proud could sink so low!
濟沅湘以南征兮 就重華而陳詞 To barbarous south I went across the stream; before the ancient I began my theme;
啟九辯與九歌兮 夏康娛以自縱 "With odes divine there came a monarch's son, whose revels unrestrained were never done;
不顧難以圖後兮 五子用乎家巷 In antics wild, to coming perils blind, he fought his brother, and his sway declined.
羿淫遊以佚畋兮 又好射夫封狐 The royal archer, in his wanton chase. For foxes huge, his kingdom did disgrace.
固亂流其鮮終兮 浞又貪夫厥家 Such wantonness predicts no happy end; His queen was stolen by his loyal friend.
澆身被服強圉兮 縱欲而不忍 The traitor's son, clad in prodigious might, in incest sinned and cared not what was right.
日康娛而自忘兮 厥首用夫顛隕 He revelled all his days, forgetting all; his head at last in treachery did fall.
夏桀之常違兮 乃遂焉而逢殃 And then the prince, who counsels disobeyed, did court disaster, and his dingdom fade.
后辛之菹醢兮 殷宗用而不長 A prince his sage in burning cauldrons tossed; his glorious dynasty ere long was lost.
湯禹儼而祗敬兮 周論道而莫差 "But stern and pious was their ancient sire, and his successor too did faith inspire;
舉賢才而授能兮 循繩墨而不頗 Exalted were the wise, the able used, the rule was kept and never was abused.
皇天無私阿兮 攬民德焉錯輔 The august heaven, with unbiassed grace, all men discerns, and helps the virtuous race;
夫維聖哲以茂行兮 苟得用此下土 Sagacious princes through their virtuous deed the earth inherit, and their reigns succeed.
瞻前而顧後兮 相觀民之計極 The past I probed, the future so to scan, and found these rules that guide the life of man;
夫孰非義而可用兮 孰非善而可服 A man unjust in deed who would engage? Whom should men take as guide except the sage?
阽余身而危死兮 攬余初其猶未悔 In mortal dangers death I have defied, Yet could look back, and cast regret aside.
不量鑿而正枘兮 固前脩以菹醢 Who strove, their tool's defects accounting nought, like ancient sages were to cauldrons brought."
曾歔欷余鬱邑兮 哀朕時之不當 Thus I despaired, my face with sad tears marred, mourning with bitterness my years ill-starred;
攬茹蕙以掩涕兮 霑余襟之浪浪 And melilotus leaves I took to stem, the tears that streamed down to my garment's hem.


跪敷衽以陳辭兮 耿吾既得此中正 Soiling my gown, to plead my case I kneeled; th'ancestral voice the path to me revealed.
駟玉虯以乘鷖兮 溘埃風余上征 Swift jade-green dragons, birds with plumage gold, I harnessed to the whirlwind, and behold,
朝發軔于蒼梧兮 夕余至乎縣圃 At daybreak from the land of plane-trees grey, I came to paradise ere close of day.
欲少留此靈瑣兮 日忽忽其將暮 I wished within the sacred brove to rest, but now the sun was sinking in the west.
吾令羲和弭節兮 望崦嵫而匆迫 The driver of the sun I bade to stay, ere with the setting rays we haste away.
路曼曼其脩遠兮 吾將上下而求索 The way was long, and wrapped in gloom did seem, as I urged on to seek my vanished dream.
飲余馬于咸池兮 摠余轡乎扶桑 The dragons quenched their thirst beside the lake, where bathed the sun, whilst I upon the brake.
折若木以拂日兮 聊逍遙以相羊 Fastened my reins; a golden bough I sought, to brush the sun, and tarred there in sport.
前望舒使先驅兮 後飛廉使奔屬 The pale moon's charioteer I then bade lead, the master of the winds swiftly succeed;
鸞皇為余先戒兮 雷師告余以未具 Before, the royal blue bird cleared the way; the lord of thunder urged me to delay.
吾令鳳鳥飛騰夕 繼之以日夜 I bade the phoenix scan the heaven wide; but vainly day and night its course it tried;
飄風屯其相離兮 帥雲霓而來御 The gathering whirlwinds drove it from my sight; rushing with lowering clouds to check my flight;
紛總總其離合兮 斑陸離其上下 Sifting and merging in the firmament, above, below, in various hues they went.
吾令帝閽開關兮 倚閶闔而望予 The gate-keeper of heaven I bade give place, but leaning on his door he scanned my face;
時曖曖其將罷兮 結幽蘭而延佇 The day grew dark, and now was nearly spent; idly my orchids into wreaths I bent.
世溷濁而不分兮 好蔽美而嫉妒 The virtuous and the vile in darkness merged; they veiled my virtue, by their envy urged.
朝吾將濟于白水兮 登閬風而媟馬 At dawn the waters white I left behind; my steed stayed by the portals of the wind;
忽反顧以流涕兮 哀高丘之無女 Yet, gazing back, a bitter grief I felt. That in the lofty crag no damsel dwelt.


溘吾遊此春宮兮 折瓊枝以繼佩 I wandered eastward to the palace green, and pendents sought where jasper boughs were seen,
及榮華之未落兮 相下女之可詒 And vowed that they, before their splendour fade, as gift should go to grace the loveliest maid.
吾令豐隆乘雲兮 求宓妃之所在 The lord of clouds I then bade mount the sky, to seek the steam where once the nymph did lie;
解佩纕以結言兮 吾令蹇脩以為理 As pledge I gave my belt of splendid sheen, my councillor appointed go-between.
紛總總其離合兮 忽緯繣其難遷 Fleeting and silful like capricious could, her obstinacy swift no chnage allowed.
夕歸次於窮石兮 朝濯髮乎洧盤 At dusk retired she to the crag withdrawn, her hair beside the stream she washed at dawn.
保厥美以驕傲兮 日康娛以淫遊 Exulting in her beauty and her pride, pleasure she worshipped, and no whim denied;
雖信美而無禮兮 來違棄而改求 So fair of form, so careless of all grace, I turned to take another in her place.
覽相觀於四極兮 周流乎天余乃下 To earth's extremities I sought my bride, and urged my train through all the heaven wide.
望瑤台之偃蹇兮 見有娀之佚女 Upon a lofty crag of jasper green, the beauteous princess of the west was seen.
吾令鴆為媒兮 鴆告余以不好 The falcon then I bade entreat the maid, but he, demurring, would my course dissuade;
雄鳩之鳴逝兮 余猶惡其佻巧 The turtle-dove cooed soft and off did fly, but I mistrusted his frivolity.
心猶豫而狐疑兮 欲自適而不可 Like whelp in doubt, like timid fox in fear, I wished to go, but wandered ever near.
鳳凰既受詒兮 恐高辛之先我 With nuptial gifts the phoenix swiftly went; I feared the prince had won her ere I sent.
欲遠集而無所適兮 聊浮遊以逍遙 I longed to travel far, yet with no bourn, I could but wander aimless and forlorn.
及少康之未家兮 留有虞之二姚 Before the young king was in marriage bound, they royal sisters twain might still be found;
理弱而媒拙兮 恐導言之不固 My suit was unauspicious at the best; I knew I had small hope in my request.
世溷濁而嫉賢兮 好蔽美而稱惡 The world is dark, and envious of my grace; they veil my virture and the evil praise.
閨中既已邃遠兮 哲王又不寤 Thy chamber dark lies in recesses deep, sagacious prince, risest thou not from sleep?
懷朕情而不發兮 余焉能忍此終古 My zeal unknown the prince would not descry; How could I bear this harsh eternity?


索藑茅以莛篿兮 命靈氛為余占之曰 With mistletoe and herbs of magic worth, I urged the witch the future to show forth.
兩美其必合兮 孰信脩而慕之 "If two attain perfection they must meet, but who is there that would thy virtue greet?
思九州之博大兮 豈惟是其有女 曰 Far the nine continents their realm display; why here to seek thy bride doth thou dealy?
勉遠逝而無狐疑兮 孰求美而釋女 Away!" she cried, "set craven doubt aside, if beauty's sought, there's none hath with thee vied.
何所獨無芳草兮 爾何懷乎故宇 What place is there where orchids flower not fair? Why is thy native land thy single care?
世幽昧以昡曜兮 孰云察余之善惡 "Now darkly lies the world in twilight's glow, who doth your defects and your virtue know?
民好惡其不同兮 惟此黨人其獨異 Evil and good herein are reconciled; the crowd alone hath nought but is defiled.
戶服艾以盈要兮 謂幽蘭其不可佩 With stinking mugwort girt upon their waist. They curse the others for their orchids chaste;
覽察草木其猶未得兮 豈珵美之能當 Ignorant thus in choice of fragrance rare, Rich ornaments how could they fitly wear?
蘇糞壤以充幃兮 謂申椒其不芳 With mud and filth they fill their pendent bag; Cursing the pepper sweet, they brawl and brag."


欲從靈氛之吉占兮 心猶豫而狐疑 Although the witches counsel I held good, in foxlike indecision still I stood.
巫咸將夕降兮 懷椒糈而要之 At night the wizard great made his descent, and meeting him spiced rice I did present.
百神翳其備降兮 九嶷繽其並迎 The angels came, shading with wings the sky; from mountains wild the deities drew night.
皇剡剡其揚靈兮 告余以吉故曰 With regal splendour shone the solemn sight, and thus the wizard spake with omens bright:
勉陞降以上下兮 求矩矱之所同 "Take office high or low as days afford, if one there be that could with thee accord;
湯禹嚴而求合兮 摯咎繇而能調 Like ancient kings austere who sought their mate, finding the one who should fulfill their fate.
苟中情其好脩兮 又何必用夫行媒 Now if thy heart doth cherish grace within, what need is there to choose a go-between?
說操築於傅巖兮 武丁用而不疑 A convict toiled on rocks to expiate his crime; his sovereign gave him great estate.
呂望之鼓刀兮 遭周文而得舉 A butcher with his knife made roundelay; his king chanced there and ahppy proved the day.
甯戚之謳歌兮 齊桓聞以該輔 A prince who heard a cowherd chanting late, raised him to be a councillor of state.
及年歲之未晏兮 時亦猶其未央 Before old age o'ertake thee on thy way, life still is young; to profit turn thy day.
恐鵜鴃之先鳴兮 使夫百草為之不芳 Spring is bit brief, when cuckoos start to sing, and flowers will fade that once did spread and spring."


何瓊佩之偃蹇兮 眾薆然而蔽之 On high my jasper pendent proudly gleamed, hid by the crowd with leaves that thickly teemed;
惟此黨人之不諒兮 恐嫉妒而折之 Untiring they relentless means employed; I feared it would through envy be destroyed.
時繽紛其變易兮 又何可以淹留 This gaudy age so fickle proved its will. That to what purpose did I linger still?
蘭芷變而不芳兮 荃蕙化而為茅 E'en orchids changed, their fragrance quickly lost, and midst the weeds angelicas were tossed.
何昔日之芳草兮 今直為此蕭艾也 How could these herbs, so fair in former day. Their hue have changed, and turned to mugworts grey?
豈其有他故兮 莫好脩之害也 The reason for their fall, not far to seek, was that to tend their grace their will proved weak.
余既以蘭為可恃兮 羌無實而容長 I thought upon the orchids I might lean; no flowers appeared, but long bare leaves were seen;
委厥美以從俗兮 苟得列乎眾芳 Their grace abandoned, vulgar taste to please, content with lesser flowers to dwell at ease.
椒專佞以慢慆兮 樧又欲充夫佩幃 To boasts and flattery the pepper turned; to fill the pendent bag the dogwood yearned;
既干進而務入兮 又何芳之能祗 Thus only upon higher stations bent, how could they long retain their former scent?
固時俗之流從兮 又孰能無變化 Since they pursued the fashion of the time, small wonder they decayed e'en in their prime.
覽椒蘭其若茲兮 又況揭車與江離 Viewing the orchids' and the peppers' plight. Why blame the rumex and selinea white?
惟茲佩之可貴兮 芳菲菲而難虧兮 My jasper pendent rare I was beguiled to leave, and to this depth then sank defiled.
委厥美而歷茲兮 芬至今猶未沫 It blossomed still and never ceased to grow; like water did its lovely fragrance flow;
和調度以自娛兮 聊浮游而求女 Pleasure I took to wear this bough in sport, as roaming wild the damsel fair I sought.
及余飾之方壯兮 周流觀乎上下 Thus in my prime, with ornaments bedecked, I roved the earth and heaven to inspect.


靈氛既告余以吉占兮 歷吉日乎吾將行 With omens bright the seer revealed the way, I then appointed an auspicious day.
折瓊枝以為羞兮 精瓊爢以為粻 As victuals rare some jasper twigs I bore, and some prepared, provision rich to store;
為余駕飛龍兮 雜瑤象以為車 Then winged horses to my chariot brought, my carriage bright with jade and ivory wrought.
何離心之可同兮 吾將遠逝以自疏 How might tow hearts at variance accord? I roamed till peace be to my mind restored.
邅吾道夫昆侖兮 路脩遠以周流 The pillar of the earth I stayed beside; the way was long, and winding far and wide.
揚雲霓之晻藹兮 鳴玉鸞之啾啾 In twilight glowed the clouds with wondrous sheen, and chirping flew the birds of jasper green.

朝發軔于天津兮 夕余至乎西極I went at dawn high heaven's ford to leave; to earth's extremity I came at eve.
鳳凰翼其承旂兮 高翱翔之翼翼 On phoenix wings the dragon pennons lay; with plumage bright they flew to lead the way.
忽吾行此流沙兮 遵赤水而容與 I crossed the quicksand with its treach'rous flood, beside the burning river, red as blood;
麾蛟龍使梁津兮 詔西皇使涉予 To bridge the stream my dragons huge I bade, invoked the emperor of the west to aid.
路脩遠以多艱兮 騰眾車使徑侍 The way was long, precipitous in view; I bade my train a different path pursue.
路不周以左轉兮 指西海以為期 There where the heaven fell we turned a space, and marked the western sea as meeting-place.
屯余車其千乘兮 齊玉軑而並馳 A thousand chariots gathred in my train, with axles full abreast we drove amain;
駕八龍之蜿蜿兮 載雲旗之委蛇 Eight horses drew the carriages behind; the pennons shook like serpents in the wind.

抑志而弭節兮 神高馳之邈邈 I lowered flags, and from my whip refrained; my train of towering chariots I restrained.
奏九歌而舞韶兮 聊假日以媮樂 I sang the odes. I trod a sacred dance, in revels wild my last hour to enhance.
陟陞皇之赫戲兮 忽臨睨夫舊鄉 Ascending where celestial heaven blazed, on native earth for the last time we gazed;
僕夫悲余馬懷兮 蜷局顧而不行 My salves were sad, my steeds all neighed in grief, and gazing back, the earth they would not leave.

亂曰 已矣哉 Epilogue
國無人莫我知兮 又何懷乎故都 Since in that kingdom all my virtue spurn, why should I for the royal city yearn?
既莫足為美政兮 吾將從彭咸之所居 Wide though the world, no wisdom can be found. I'll seek the stream where once the sage was drowned.