Li Sao

Li Sao (离骚The Lament) was the longest poem in ancient China. In the first part of the poem, Qu Yuan expressed his fervent concern over the fate of the State of Chu, as well as hopes for political reforms. In the second part, the patriotic author described the quest, sorrow and disillusionment of an exiled minister of state.

The poem carries typical features of romanticism in its structural magnificence, literary grace, mythic allusions, and imaginative analogy like the beauty and vanilla. The poem was so great that people identified the "Style of Li Sao," which had profound influence on later poetry.

Facsimile of Li Sao

Portrait of Qu Yuan

离 骚 The Sorrow of Separation by Qu Yuan(340-278BC) I. (1) The poet describes his family background, birthday, name, and his self-cultivation of morals and abilities in order to assist the Emperor of the Chu state to carry out potitical reform and make his country rich and strong 帝高阳之苗裔兮， I am the descendant of the ancient emperor Gao-yang. 朕皇考曰伯庸。 My deceased father is called Baiyong .I was born in January, 摄提真于孟陬兮， 340B.C,Having carefully considered my birthday. 惟庚寅吾以降。 my father gave me a fine name called Zhengze and a literary 皇览揆余初度兮， name of Linjun. Nature has endowed me many good qualities. 肇锡余以嘉名： I have also diligently cultivated my moral character. 名余曰正则兮， I draped fragrant plants such as chuan-xiong and Dahurian 字余曰灵均。 angelica over my shoulder,I made ropes with autumn orchids 纷吾既有此内美兮， to hang on my sides.Time fleets away like an arrow. 又重之以修能。 I fear it will not wait for me.In the morning I plucked lily 扈江离与辟芷兮， magnonia on the hill slope, and in the evening I gathered 纫秋兰以为佩。 perennial rank grass on a islet in the river. Days passed 汨余若将不及兮， away quickly and seasons rotated in succession. I worry about 恐年岁之不吾与。 the plants withering away and fear I am growing old. 朝搴阰之木兰兮， Why not abolish the pressnt corrupt regime while I am still 夕揽洲之宿莽。 strong? 日月忽其不淹兮， Why not alter this political system? 春与秋其代序。 Let us ride fine steeds and gallop away. 惟草木之零落兮， Come on, I'll lead the way! 恐美人之迟暮。 不抚壮而弃秽兮， 何不改乎此度？ 乘骐骥以驰骋兮， 来吾道乎先路！

Ⅰ. (2) The poet explains his political point of view and position, and the painful sentiments when his view-point was not accepted by the Emperor of Chu State.

昔三后之纯粹兮， In ancient times the three sagacious emperors Yu, 固众芳之所在。 Tang and Wengwang were pure and fair, thus worthy and 杂申椒与菌桂兮， upright people all flocked to them. They employed personnel 岂维纫夫蕙茝？ who were not only virtuous but also outspoken, 彼尧舜之耿介兮， like fragrant prickly ash and cinnamon. 既遵道而得路。 Ancient sages like Yao and Shun were just and honorable. 何桀纣之猖披兮， They followed a right path, so they reached the desired end. 夫唯捷径以窘步。 While tyrants Jie and Zhou were arrogant and wicked. 惟夫党人之偷乐兮， They wanted to follow short cuts, but arrived at blind alleys. 路幽昧以险隘。 They formed cligues to gain private ends. 岂余身之惮殃兮， Hence their future was dark and risky. I am not afraid of 恐皇舆之败绩。 incurring disasters. I only worry about my country being 忽奔走以先后兮， overthrown. I have hurried back and forth, always busying 及前王之踵武。 myself and hoping that the emperor of Chu would catch 荃不察余之中情兮， up with those ancient emperors. You emperor did not understand 反信谗而暴怒。 my inner feelings. Instead,. you listened to slanders and got 余固知謇謇之为患兮, angry with me. I knew that honest advice would offend superiors, 忍而不能舍也。 but I could not help doing so.I call heaven to bear witness for me. 指九天以为正兮， I have done everything for you, my emperor. 夫为灵修之故也！ Once we made an agreement, but later you changed your mind 初既与余成言兮， and had other plans. It is not very hard for me to leave you. 后悔遁而有他。 I only feel painful that you are so capricious! 余既不难夫离别兮， 伤灵修之数化。 I. (3) The poet describes his efforts to train personnel for his state. But under the circumstance when most court officials were insatiably greedy and exclusive, talents like flowers withered. However, he still actively practised self-cultivation and followed the teachings of the ancient sage Pengxian.

余既滋兰之九畹兮， I have planted nine hectares of spring orchids and 100mu 又树蕙之百亩。 (1/16ha.) of autumn orchids. I have also grown many beds of peory, 畦留夷与揭车兮， wild ginger and dahurian angelica.I hope they grow vigorously, 杂杜衡与芳芷。 so that I can harvest them when they are ripe. 冀枝叶之峻茂兮， It matters not much if they wither and die. 愿竣时乎吾将刈。 What greieves me is that they deteriorate and become rotten. 虽萎绝其亦何伤兮， They all make desperate effort to seek fortune. 哀众芳之芜秽。 They are obsessed with the desire for gain, and insatiably avaricious. 众皆竞进以贪婪兮， They are suspicious of others, but indulgent to themselves, 凭不厌乎求索。 They intrigue against each other and are jealous of each other. 羌内恕己以量人兮， They curry favor with their superiors, scramble for power and profit. 各兴心而嫉妒。 I am not after these petty things. I feel old age is gradually 忽驰骛以追逐兮， approaching. I fear I could not establish a good reputation. In the 非余心之所急。 morning I drank dew drops on the lily magnonia, and in the evening 老冉冉其将至兮， I ate fallen flowers of the autumn chrysanthemums. Provided that 恐修名之不立。 I remain faithful and true, what does it matter I become haggard! 朝饮木兰之坠露兮， I used tree roots to tie orchids and stringed pistils of climbing fig 夕餐秋菊之落英。 together. I used cinamon branches to combine orchids, 苟余情其信姱以练要兮，and made long and slender cords with a climbing plant. 长顑颔亦何伤。 I learn from ancient sages, while vulgar people of the world cannot 揽木根以结茝兮， do. Although I can hardly get along with present-day people, 贯薜荔之落蕊。 I'll follow the teachings of the deceased sage Penxian. 矫菌桂以纫蕙兮， 索胡绳之纚纚。 謇吾法夫前修兮， 非世俗之所服。 虽不周于今之人兮， 愿依彭咸之遗则！

I. (4) As the emperor of Chu was muddle-headed and his petty courtiers were slenderous, the poet felt lonely in this foul world. But he sticked to his ideal and insisted on his principle. 长太息以掩涕兮， I wiped my tears and heaved long sighs. 哀民生之多艰。 I lamented over the hazard of life's journey,in spite of the fact that 余虽好修姱以靰羁兮， I paid attention to self-cultivation and have been srtict with myself. 謇朝谇而夕替。 In the morning I was insulted, and in the evening I was dismissed 既替余以蕙纕兮， from office. They abused me for wearing orchids, and cursed me for. 又申之以揽茝。 plucking orchids, which I have longed for. I'll not regret even if I die 亦余心之所善兮， several times. I blame the emperor of Chu for being so muddleheaded. 虽九死其犹未悔！ He failed to understand other people's sentiments all along. 怨灵修之浩荡兮， Those women were jealous of my graceful figure, slandering that I 终不察夫民心。 was licentious.Those vulgar people were by nature opportunistic. 众女嫉余之娥眉兮， They violated rules and distorted policies. They defied moral 谣诼谓余以善淫。 standards and sticked to distortions. Their principle was to curry 固时俗之工巧兮， favor with their superiors. I feel deppressed, worried and 偭规矩而改错。 disappointed. Now I am lonely and poor. I would rather 背绳墨以追曲兮， die and depart. I hate to flatter people. 竞周容以为度。 Eagles would not live with sparrows. 忳郁邑余侘傺兮， This is the way since ancient times. 吾独穷困乎此时也。 Squares and rounds cannot live in peace. 宁淹死以流亡兮， I would rather make concessions and control my emotions. 余不忍为此态也！ I would endure their blame and abuse. 鸷鸟之不群兮， I only wish I could keep myself clean and die an honest death 自前世而固然。 This kind of act was praised by ancient sages. 何方圆之能周兮， 夫孰异道而相安！ 屈心而抑志兮， 忍尤而攘诟。 伏清白以死直兮， 固前圣之所厚！

I. (5) Since his ideal could not be realized, the poet retired to cultivate his moralcharacter. He would not give up his ideal under any circumstance. 悔相道之不察兮， I regret I did not watch clearly my way ahead. 延伫乎吾将反。 I hesitated a while, then I turned back my carriage to follow the 回朕车以复路兮， original path. I halted in time while I went not far astray. 及行迷之未远。 I led my horse to stroll along the orchid river bank, 步余马于兰皋兮， gallop on the pepper hill, and stayed there for a while. 驰椒丘且焉止息。 I enterd the royal court, but was not accepted by the emperor. 进不入以离尤兮， Moreover. I offended people. So I retired to mend my old clothes. 退将复修吾初服。 I used waternut leaves to make my coat, 制芰荷以为衣兮， and used lotus flower to make my skirt. 集芙蓉以为裳。 It does not matter if nobody understands me. 不吾知其亦己兮， What I care for is only that my sentiments remain true and fragrant. 苟余情其信芳。 I wore a tall hat and a long belt. 高余冠之岌岌兮， Although pure things and dirty things are often mixed up in this 长余佩之陆离。 world, yet only pure quality can last long.. 芳与泽其杂糅兮， Suddenly I turned my head, and looked into the distance. 唯昭质其犹未亏。 I wore colorful garments, which emitted a strong aroma. 忽反顾以游目兮， Everybody has his own interest, but I especially love moral 将往观乎四荒。 cultivation. I'll not change my point of view even if I come to 佩缤纷其繁饰兮， pieces.How could I hesitate to pursue my ideal? 芳菲菲其弥章。 民生各有所乐兮， 余独好修以为常。 虽体解吾犹未变兮， 岂余心之可惩！

II. (1) In accordance with his elder sister's advice, the poet went south to present his idea and ideas to Emperor Shun of the Yu State. He quoted many historical events to explain his political views. 女媭之婵媛兮， My elder sister was much concerned about my fate. 申申其詈予。 She advised me again and again :"Gun was stubborn and self-willed, 曰："鲧婞直以亡身兮， thus was finally killed in tha wilderness of Yu Mountain. 终然殀乎羽之野。 You are too out-spoken and self-disciplined . 汝何博謇而好修兮， You have many good qualities. 纷独有此姱节。 Your house is full of common grasses and flowers, 薋菉葹以盈室兮， but , unlike others, you care not to wear them. 判独离而不服。 People cannot explain it to you from house to house. 众不可户说兮， Who would come to examine our inner feelings? 孰云察余之中情？ People in the world like to boost each other and form cliques. 世并举而好朋兮， Why do you prefer solitude and refuse to listen to me?" 夫何茕独而不予听？" I have tried to control my temper, 依前圣以节中兮， following ancinet sages example . 喟凭心而历兹。 My indignation could not be subdued until today. 济沅湘以南征兮， So I crossed the Yuan River and the Xiang River to make an 就重华而陈词： expedition to the south, "启九辩与九歌兮， wishing to approach Emperor Chonghua(Yuxun) and reason with 夏康娱以自纵。 him:"Emperor Xia Qi stole two songs JIU BIAN and JIU GE from 不顾难以图后兮， Heaven.He indulged him- self in pleasure. 五子用失乎家巷。 He failed to see risks ahead, 羿淫游以佚畋兮， and refused to plan for his future. 又好射夫封狐。 Hence Xia Qi's son Wu Guan staged a rebellion. 固乱流其鲜终兮， Emperor Yi indulged in sensual pleasures and was fond of hunting, 浞又贪夫厥家。 especially shooting big foxes. 浇身被服强圉兮， Of course, licentious people rarely ended well. 纵欲而不忍。 Yi's minister Han Zhuo killed him and forcibly occupied his wife. 日康娱以自忘兮， Counting on his own strength, 厥首用夫颠陨。 Han Ao indulged in sensual pleasures. 夏桀之常违兮， Everyday he sought merry-making and forgot himself. 乃遂焉而逢殃。 Thus his head was cut down. 后辛之菹醢兮， Tyrant Xia Jie always acted against common practice. 殷宗用而不长。 As a result he met with disasters. 汤禹俨而祗敬兮， Tyrant Yin Zhou cruelly killed faithful and upright courtiers, 周论道而莫差。 hence the Yin dynasty did not last long. 举贤而授能兮， Emperors Shan Tang and Xia Yu were solemn and respectful. 循绳墨而不颇。 Emperor Zhou Wen Wang was also sensible. 皇天无私阿兮， They selected worthy personnel and employed capable ministers. 览民德焉错辅。 They strictly observed certain principles. 夫维圣哲以茂行兮， Heaven is fair and unbiased, 苟得用此下土。 and supports people of virtue. 瞻前而顾后兮， Only ancient sagacious emperors were nobleminded. 相观民之计极。 So they could rule the world. Looking back and forward, 夫孰非义而可用兮， I observe the final objective of our human beings. 孰非善而可服？ How can we do things which are unjust? 阽余身而危死兮， And how can we accomplish deeds which are wicked? 览余初其犹未悔。 Though I face the danger of death. 不量凿而正枘兮， I never regret my original aspiration . 固前修以菹醢。 Don't try to fit a square tenon with a round mortise. 曾嘘唏余郁邑兮， Exactly because of this,former sages encountered disasters." 哀朕时之不当。 I weep, I am depressed. I deplore I am a misfit! 揽茹蕙以掩涕兮， With soft orchid I wiped my tears which rolled down on my 沾余襟之浪浪。 clothes.

II (2) After explaining his political views of"Seleting worthy people and appointing able men", the poet fancied to travel around the world to seek for truth and his ideal, but he encountered failure. 跪敷衽以陈辞兮， With open front of my garment I kneeled down to present my 耿吾既得此中正。 points of view. I feel enlighted that I've got the right way. 驷玉虬以乘鷖兮， I rode in a phoenix carriage driven by four Jade-decorated dragons. 溘埃风余上征。 Suddenly I left the earth and flew to the sky. 朝发轫于苍梧兮， In the morning I started from Can Wu Mountain and in the 夕余至乎县圃。 evening I reached Kunlun Mountain. 欲少留此灵琐兮， I intended to stay at Lingsuo(a fairyland), 日忽忽其将暮。 but it quickly approached sunset. 吾令羲和弭节兮， I ordered the sun-driver XiHe to drive slowly, 望崦嵫而勿迫。 lest the sun approached Yanzhi Mountain. 路曼曼其修远兮， The road ahead is long and long. 吾将上下而求索。 I'll seek truth(my ideal) in the heaven and on the earth. 饮余马于咸池兮， I let my horse drink water at Xian Chi fairy pond, 总余辔乎扶桑。 and tied my horse to the mulberry tree Fusan. 折若木以拂日兮， I broke a branch of Ruomu(a fairy tree) to block the sun. 聊逍遥以相羊。 I could for the timebeing roam leisurely and remain carefree. 前望舒使先驱兮， I let the moon-driver Wangshu to act as pioneer and told the wind- 后飞廉使奔属。 god Feilian to follow closely. 鸾皇为余先戒兮， A phoenix acted as vanguard. 雷师告余以未具。 The thunder god told me that luggage was not ready. 吾令凤鸟飞腾兮， I orderd the phoenix to fly fast day and night. 继之以日夜。 A cyclone gathered around leading clouds to welcome me. 飘风屯其相离兮， Clouds changed quickly, now gathering, now separating, 帅云霓而来御。 now this color, now that color, now moving up, now moving down. 纷总总其离合兮， I called the door-keeper of the Heaven gate to open the door. 斑陆离其上下。 He leaned against the door looking at me steadily. 吾令帝阍开关兮， The sun was going to set. 倚阊阖而望予。 It became darker and darker on the horizon. 时暖暖其将罢兮， I loitered there for a long time wreathing orchids into garlands. 结幽兰而延伫。 This world is in a mesh without distinction of ritht and wrong. 世混浊而不分兮， Vulgar people are jealous and like to belittle other's achievements 好蔽美而嫉妒。 and merits

II (3) The poet descrides his failure in realzing his ideal. He expressed his bitter feelings when he was out of his emperor's favor and was misunderstood by his colleagues. 朝吾将济于白水兮， In the morning I crossed the longevity river Baishui and climbed 登阆风而系马。 Lang Feng Mountain, where I tethered my horse. 忽反顾以流涕兮， Suddenly I looked back, tears falling profusely. 哀高丘之无女。 I lamented that in the royal court of Chu there were no beautiful 溘吾游此春宫兮， women(sagacious people who understood Qu Yuan). 折琼枝以继佩。 I toured this royal court, where I broke down a jade tree 及荣华之未落兮， branch to decorate myself. While flowers were still on 相下女之可诒。 the tree, I looked for beautiful women who would receive 吾令丰隆乘云兮， gifts of flowers. I ordered the cloud god Fenglong to drive 求宓妃之所在。 the cloud chariot to look for the place where Mifei (the 解佩纕以结言兮， imperial concubine) lived. I untied my belt to tie my love 吾令蹇修以为理。 letter. I asked Jianxiu to act as match-maker. Clouds 纷总总其离合兮， changed rapidly, now gathering, now separating. Soon I 忽帏缅其难迁。 knew some people were perverse, they were hard to deal 夕归次于穷石兮， with. In the evening Mifei returned to Qiong Shi the 朝濯发乎洧盘。 rendezvous. Early in the morning she went to the river 保厥美以骄傲兮， Weipan to wash her hair. She was dissolute and sought 日康娱以淫游。 pleasure everyday. She was beautiful but immoral.Let me 虽信美而无礼兮， desert her and look for another beauty, In Heaven I looked 来违弃而改求。 all around.After travelling around I descended from 览相观于四极兮 Heaven. Looking from afar at the sublime jasper terrace 周流乎天余乃下。 I saw the beautiful lady of You Song living on the terrace. 望瑶台之偃蹇兮， I asked Zhen(a legendary bird) to act as match-maker. 见有娀之佚女。 It told me that she was no good. The male bird Zhen flew 吾令鸩为媒兮， away chirping. I disliked its treachery and flippancy. 鸩告余以不好。 I felt hesitant and doubtful. I wanted to go there myself, 雄鸠之鸣逝兮， but felt improper to do so. The go-between had accepted 余犹恶其佻巧。 Emperor Digao's betrothal gift. I was afraid Gaoxing 心犹豫而狐疑兮， (Digao) might overtake me. I would like to travel far 欲自适而不可。 and wide. but I could find no place to stay. So I had to 凤皇既受诒兮， roam about. When prince ShaoKang was still unmarried, 恐高辛之先我。 There were two princesses to be married off in Youyu 欲远集而无所止兮， State.For lack of a glib tongue the match-maker was 聊浮游以逍遥。 unsuccessful. The world is filthy: Low brows are envious 及少康之未家兮， of high brows. They (low brows) like to disparage virtue 留有虞之二姚。 and praise evil. It is difficult to approach beauties in the 理弱而媒拙兮， boudoir, while sagacious emperors are slow to wake. 恐导言之不固。 I am full of devotion but where can I vent my indignation? 世混浊而嫉贤兮， How can I endure such a situation? 好蔽美而称恶。 闺中既以邃远兮， 哲王又不寤。 怀朕情而不发兮， 余焉能忍与此终古！

III. (1) Facing the question of leaving or staying, the poet could not make up his mind.So he asked the wizard to divine for him. The wizard urged him to leave and told him why. 

索藑茅以筳蓴兮， With a magic grass and some bamboo tablets I appealed 命灵氛为余占之。 to a wizard to practise divination for me. He said: 曰："两美其必合兮， "The two beauties(referring to wise emperor and worthy 孰信修而慕之？ ministers) must unite. Those who sincerely cultivate 思九州之博大兮， themselves would be admired. The world is so wide 岂唯是其有女？" that beautiful women can be found outside this place. 曰："勉远逝而无狐疑兮， "I advise you to fly far and wide. Don't hesitate. 孰求美而释女？ People who look for beauties(worthy personnel) would 何所独无芳草兮， not forsake you. You can find fragrant grasses(beautiful 尔何怀乎故宇？ women) everywhere in the world. Why should you so 世幽昧以眩曜兮， bitterly long for your native land? The world is dark, 孰云察余之善恶？ making people dizzy. Who would be able to 民好恶其不同兮， distinguish our evil from our good? People have 惟此党人其独异。 different likes and dislikes. These petty partisans are 户服艾以盈要兮， particularly queer. Most people wear mugwort around 谓幽兰其不可佩。 their waists, saying that orchids are worthless. They 览察草木其犹未得兮， even cannot distinguish weeds from crops, how can 岂▲美之能当？ they properly evaluate jade articles? They fill their 苏粪壤以充帏兮， pockets with muck, saying that prickly ash is not 谓申椒其不芳。" sweet."

III. (2) After hearing the wizard's advice, and considering the situation of the Chu State, the poet finally decided to leave his native land. 

欲从灵氛之吉占兮， After hearing from the wizard that the divination 心犹豫而狐疑。 promised well. I hesitated and felt doubtful. 巫咸将夕降兮， I heard that wizard Wuxian would appeal to God 怀椒糈而要之。 to descend from Heaven this night. I brought 百神翳其备降兮， prickly ash and refined rice to welcome him. 九疑缤其并迎。 All gods descended from Heaven blotting out the sky 皇剡剡其扬灵兮， and covering up the sun, while gods from Jiuning 告余以吉故。 Mountain came out in profusion to welcome them. 曰："勉升降以上下兮， Their haloes glittered showing their divine power. 求矩矱之所同。 Wuxian told me many propitious stories, saying: 汤禹严而求合兮， "You should make an effort to go up and down to look 挚咎繇而能调。 for comrades. Emperors Tang and Yu were anxious 苟中情其好修兮， for men of worth and ability. Thus they obtained wise 又何必用夫行媒。 ministers like Yiyin and Gaotao and worked harmoniously. 说操筑于傅岩兮， As long as one is kind-hearted and practises self-cultivation, 武丁用而不疑。 what is the use of match-makers? Fu Yue used to build 吕望之鼓刀兮， walls with pestles in Fuyan(in Shanxi province). 遭周文而得举。 Emperor Wudin(Yin Gao Zhong) didn't hesitate to use 宁戚之讴歌兮， him as prime minister. Lu Wang(Jiang Taigong) used to 齐桓闻以该辅。 be a butcher, he was lucky to meet Emperor. 及年岁之未晏兮， Zhou Weng Wang and was appointed premier. 时亦犹其未央。 Nigi used to feed cattle, singing songs accompanied 恐鹈鴂之先鸣兮， by beating ox horn. After hearing the song, 使夫百草为之不芳。 Emperor Qi Wangong appointed him as a senior official. 何琼佩之偃蹇兮， While we are still young, we have plenty of time to put 众薆然而蔽之。 our talent to good use. I only fear cuckoos sing too early, 惟此党人之不谅兮， lest flowers should all fall. Why should people block the 恐嫉妒而折之。 briliance of so fine a jade pendant?Thinking of the treachery 时缤纷其变易兮， of these petty partisans, I am afraid their jealousy would 又何可以淹留。 spoil it. Times are chaotic and fickle, how can I stay here for 兰芷变而不芳兮， long? Orchids and Dahurian angelicas have lost their 荃蕙化而为茅。 fragrance,and quan grasses have changed into cogon grasses. 何昔日之芳草兮， Why yesterday's fragrant grasses have all changed 今直为此萧艾也？ into today's wormwoods and mugworts? Are there 岂其有他故兮， other reasons than the harm caused by neglect of moral 莫好修之害也。 cultivation? I used to regard orhids most reliable .Who knows 余以兰为可恃兮， that they are flashy and without substance.They give up their 羌无实而容长。 good qualities and follow vulgar customs, trying their best to 委厥美以从俗兮， squeeze into the ranks of pretty flowers. Prickly ashes are 苟得列乎众芳。 despotic, flattering and arrogant.Cornels wish to enter the 椒专佞以慢慆兮， sachet, passing off as fragrant flowers.Since they are so 又欲充夫佩帏。 anxious to curry favor with high officials, surely they cannot 既干进而务入兮， emit fragrance.Since drifting with the tide is the way of the 又何芳之能祇。 world,who can be steadfast without change? Even prickly ash 固时俗之流从兮， and orchid have deteriorated to such a state, how can Jiangli 又孰能无变化？ (Gracilaria confervoides) remain unchanged.Only my 览椒兰其若兹兮， ornaments are most precious as they can maintain their 又况揭车与江离。 beauty until doday.Their fragrance can hardly vanish indeed. 惟兹佩之可贵兮， I wisely adjust myself to seek amusement.When I am still 委厥美而历兹。 young,and my ornaments are still pretty, I'll travel around 芳菲菲而难亏兮， the world to look for beautiful women(sagacious people 芬至今犹未沫！ who understand Qu Yuan). 和调度以自娱兮， 聊浮游而求女。 及余饰之方壮兮， 周流观乎上下

III. (3) Accepting the wizard's advice, the poet decided to travel far and wide. however, he was reluctant to leave his native land.  

灵氛既告余以吉占兮， The wizard has told me that I'll be blessed by a lucky star. 历吉日乎吾将行。 So I'll select a good day to start my journey. I'll break a 折琼枝以为羞兮， branch of jasper tree as dried meat and pulverize jade as 精琼糜以为粮。 solid food. A flying dragon will drive my carriage, which 为余驾飞龙兮， is decorated with jade and ivory. How could I cooperate 杂瑶象以为车。 with the dissenter? I would leave him and go far away. 何离心之可同兮， I turned my way toward Kunlun Mountain.The way was long. 吾将远逝以自疏。 I continued to travel. Clouds flew covering the sun. 邅吾道夫昆仑兮， Bells on the carriage jingled along. In the morning I started 路修远以周流。 from the ferry of the Milky Way. In the evening I arrived at 扬云霓之晻蔼兮， the extreme west. The phoenix spread its wings to bear the 鸣玉鸾之啾啾。 cloud. It flew high and rhythmically. Suddenly I came to the 朝发轫于天津兮， desert. Along the Red River I could walk only slowly. 夕余至乎西极。 I commanded the flood dragon to build a bridge at the ferry, 凤皇翼其承旗兮， and ordered the God of the West to ferry me to the other shore. 高翱翔之翼翼。 Seeing the journey long and risky, I ordered my carriages to 忽吾行此流沙兮， wait at the roadside. I passed through Buzhou Mountain, 遵赤水而容与。 then I turned to the left. My destination was the sea of the 挥蛟龙使梁津兮， west. I gathered a thousand carriages, put their wheels on a 诏西皇使涉予。 par, and let them run side by side. The eight dragons carrying 路修远以多艰兮， the carriage wriggled forward, while the flags 腾众车使径待。 bearing the clouds fluttered in the wind. I controlled my 路不周以左转兮， emotion and moved forward slowly. But my sentiments flew 指西海以为期。 high, could hardly be controlled. I played the Jiuge music and 屯余车其千乘兮， danced the Jiushao dance. Let me avail myself of my splendid 齐玉轪而并驰。 youth to seek pleasure. The sun rose in the east and shone 驾八龙之婉婉兮， brightly over the earth. Suddenly I saw my native land. 载云旗之委蛇。 My servant felt sorry for me and my horse hesitated to go 抑志而弭节兮， forward. Epilogue:"Let it be! Since my fellow country men 神高驰之邈邈。 fail to understand me, why should I yearn for my hometown? 奏《九歌》而舞《韶》兮，Since I cannot realize my political ideal, I"ll follow ancient 聊假日以愉乐。 Sage Pengxian's example." 陟升皇之赫戏兮， 忽临睨夫旧乡。 仆夫悲余马怀兮， 蜷局顾而不行 。 乱曰："已矣哉！" 国无人莫我知兮， 又何怀乎故都？ 既莫足与为美政兮， 吾将从彭咸之所居！"