📖 Songs of Chu Selections - Volume I

The Emperor is a descendant of Gaoyang, and I, The Emperor's father, was called Boyong. Under the constellation of Sheti in the first month, on the day of Gengyin, I was born. The Emperor observed my birth and bestowed upon me a fine name. Named me Zhengze, styled me Lingjun. Having this inner beauty, I further cultivated my abilities. Wearing Jiangli and Bizi, I wove autumn orchids as my adornment. Rushing as if I will not make it, fearing that time will not wait for me. In the morning, I pluck Mulan from the slopes, in the evening, I gather Sumang grass from the isles. The Sun Moon swiftly pass, spring and autumn alternate in turn. As grass and trees wither, I fear the beauty will age. Why not abandon the vile and embrace the strong, why not change this course? Riding a fine steed, galloping forward, come, let me lead the way.

He said: At the very beginning of ancient times, who conveyed the Dao? When above and below were yet unformed, how could it be examined? In the dimness and obscurity, who could fathom it? With wings spread like an elephant, how could it be recognized? Bright and dark, what was the purpose of time? When yin and yang merged thrice, what was the origin and transformation? The heavens are ninefold, who measured and planned them? What was the merit of this, who first created it? Where is the axis tied, where is the pole added? When do the eight pillars stand, where does the southeast lack? At the edge of the nine heavens, where is it placed and to whom does it belong? There are many corners and recesses, who knows their number?

On this auspicious day, the Chen is favorable, the Emperor above is joyful. Holding the long Sword with jade hilt, its resonant sound is Linglang. On the jade seat with jade ornaments, why not grasp the jade fragrance. Steamed delicacies on orchid mats, offering cassia wine and pepper brew. Raise the drumsticks and beat the drums, with relaxed rhythm and peaceful song, presenting the pipes and zithers in grand performance. The spirit is graceful in splendid attire, the fragrance of Fang Fei fills the hall. The five tones blend in a grand assembly, the lord is delighted and joyful.

Bathe in orchid soup and cleanse with fragrance, wearing splendid clothes like flowers. The spirit lingers and stays, radiant and endless. With determination and peace in the palace of longevity, shining with the Sun Moon. Dragon carriage and imperial attire, leisurely soaring and wandering. The spirit descends, swiftly rising among the clouds. Surveying the land of Ji with abundance, traversing The World without end. Thinking of my Husband, sighing deeply, extremely troubled and anxious.

The Emperor's son descends to the northern shore, his gaze distant and filled with sorrow. The autumn wind gently sways, the waves of Dongting ripple as leaves fall. White reeds stretch into the distance, awaiting a promised meeting at dusk. Birds gather among the duckweed, why are nets cast upon the trees? In Yuan grows the iris, in Li the orchid, thinking of the young master, yet dare not speak. Gazing far into the wilderness, watching the flowing waters murmur. What do the deer eat in the courtyard? What does the dragon do by the water's edge? In the morning, I ride my horse along the riverbank, in the evening, I cross to the western shore. Hearing the fair lady call for me, I prepare to mount and depart together. Building a house in the water, roofing it with lotus leaves.

The wall of Artemisia, the purple altar, spreading fragrant pepper to form a hall. Cinnamon beams and orchid rafters, Xinyi lintels and medicinal rooms. Covering with creeping vines as curtains, spreading sweet rush mats already set. White jade as weights, sparse stone orchids as fragrance. Angelica roofed with lotus houses, encircled with Pollia. Gathering a hundred herbs to fill the courtyard, establishing fragrant aroma at the porch. The Nine Peaks splendidly welcome, the spirits come like clouds. Cast my sleeves into the river, leave my robe at the sweet shore. Pluck Pollia from the islet, intending to send it to the distant ones. Time cannot be hastily obtained, let us wander freely and leisurely.

If there is someone at the mountain's edge, adorned with creeping vines and girded with silk. With a gaze and a fitting smile, you admire me for my graceful beauty. Riding a red leopard, followed by a patterned civet, Xinyi carriage with cinnamon banners. Adorned with stone orchids and girded with Pollia, plucking fragrant aroma to leave for the one I miss. I dwell in the secluded bamboo grove, never seeing the sky, the path is perilous and difficult, coming alone later. Standing alone atop the mountain, clouds gather below. Dim and dark, alas, the day is gloomy; the east wind blows, alas, the divine rain falls. Lingering in spiritual cultivation, forgetting to return, the year is late, who will bloom for me? Gathering three treasures among the mountains, stones piled high and vines winding. Resentful of the Young Master, wistfully forgetting to return, you think of me but cannot find leisure. Mountain dwellers with fragrant Pollia, drinking from stone springs, shaded by pines and cypresses. You think of me, yet doubt arises. Thunder rumbles, rain darkens, monkeys chirp again at night. The wind rustles, the trees whisper, thinking of the Young Master, only brings sorrow.

Why does Heaven not grant pure fate, and why do the people tremble in error? The people scatter and lose each other, migrating east in mid-spring. Leaving their homeland to distant lands, following the Yangtze and Xia Rivers in exile. Leaving the nation's gates with heavy hearts, departing at dawn. Departing Yingdu and leaving the village, where does this desolation end? Rowing gently with oars, sorrowfully seeing the lord never again. Gazing at the long poplars with deep sighs, tears fall like sleet. Passing Xia's head and floating westward, looking back at Longmen but seeing nothing. Heart torn and grieving, not knowing where to tread.

Yearning for my love, tears are held back while waiting. The path is blocked and words cannot be conveyed. Burdened by troubles and grievances, trapped and unable to express. Shen Dan to ease inner feelings, aspirations are deep but unreachable. Wishing to send words to the floating clouds, encountering Fenglong but not proceeding. Sending words through returning birds, yet they fly high and are hard to reach. High Xin's spirit is strong, encountering the mysterious bird to convey words. Desiring to change and follow customs, ashamed to alter the beginning and bend aspirations. Enduring years alone and leaving sorrow, yet the heart remains unchanged. Rather hide in sorrow and live long, what change can be made!

After Qu Yuan was exiled, he wandered by the river and chanted by the marsh, his appearance haggard and emaciated. A fisherman saw him and asked: "Are you not the minister of the Three Chu districts? Why have you come to this?" Qu Yuan replied, "The whole world is filthy, yet I alone am clean; everyone is drunk, yet I alone am sober. That is why I was exiled!" The fisherman said, "A sage does not cling to things but adapts to the world. If the world is filthy, why not stir the mud and raise the waves? If everyone is drunk, why not eat the dregs and drink the lees? Why do you think deeply and act nobly, causing yourself to be exiled?"

Qu Yuan said, "I have heard that one freshly bathed must shake his cap, one newly washed must shake his robes. How can one who is pure and spotless take on the filth of the world? Better to cast myself into the Xiang River, to rest in the bellies of river fish. How can the purest white be stained with the dust of the world?" The fisherman smiled, paddled away, and sang, "When the waters of the Canglang are clear, I may wash my tassel. When the waters of the Canglang are muddy, I may wash my feet." And with that, he departed, speaking no more.