Leaving Sorrowfully
This poem is the magnum opus of the famous poet Qu Yuan in the Warring States Period.The whole poem is composed of 335 sentences.So it is the longest romantic political lyric in the history of ancient Chinese poetry.Taking the conflicts between ideal and reality as the main line，using plants and birds to display the technique of metaphor，taking the charming and psychedelic wonderland as a symbol，with the help of the intense emotion in his autobiography-like recalling as well as the imaginary and real dreamland，the poet unfolded the whole poem.The poet，in this master piece，poured out his concern about the fate of Chu State and the life of the people，lashed out at the base men in power，proposed to recommend the capable and repudiated the idea of God's will.With a lot of analogy and rich imagination，the poet put up a positive romanticism spirit and initiated a poetic style of Sao which exerted a far-reaching influence on later ages.
I'm the offspring of the ancient emperor Gaoyang.
I was told that my late father's name was Boyong.
In the month of Yin and in the year of Yin，
I was born exactly in the day of Gengyin.
My father thought about my birth time，very careful.
Then he gave me a nice name that was matched well.
Lingjun is a name given by my father.
My formal name was called Zhengze.
Heaven gave me fine qualities kindly.
My cultivation was bettered gradually.
Jiangli and Zhi grasses were put on my shoulders.
Autumn orchids and nice tape hang on my body.
Time ticks away too fast for us to catch up with it.
It doesn't wait for me，I feel flustered and nervous.
In the morning，I pick mulan on the hillside.
I gather sumang on the small islet at dusk.
Time goes by without waiting long.
The four seasons change regularly.
These flush woods and plants are going to turn withered.
I'm worried about you and I got older with mind muddled.
In spite of prosperity we didn't uproot bad politics.
What's the reason for us not to change the old laws？
I am riding the swift horse and run speedily.
I am willing to be a pioneer and a forerunner.
The three kings acted loftily and kindly.
Wise men gathered together happily.
Shenjiao and jungui like persons who were elegant.
But Chai grasses and orchids like persons excellent.
Yao and Shun were very much aboveboard.
Taking a right way they went on a clear road.
Jie and Zhou were over arrogant and evil.
Seeking a short-cut，they had no way out.
The evil persons did their best to feather their nests.
They had a dark future with dangers and hardships.
I'm not afraid of inviting disaster and misfortune.
What I worry about is the collapse of the country.
Going around，crying for help，I attend to affairs.
I only hope the king to learn from his progenitor.
You do not understand my loyal heart at all.
Just believed slander and got angry with me.
I know that sincere advices will cause disaster.
I can not give in though I would rather endure.
I beg that God will be willing to be my witness.
All I've done are only for the benefit of my king.
We've already decided to get married after dusk.
But why you changed your mind all of a sudden？
We've made promises long before.
But you go back on your own word.
It's not fearful to part with the king of mine.
What really makes me sad is your repetition.
I've already planted spring orchids.
There're also many autumn orchids.
Liuyi and jieche are planted with ridges separated.
Duheng and fangzhi are planted all between ridges.
I hope flowers and grass to be flourishing，
And waiting for the date I go to pick them.
I don't feel sad if plants become withered.
Yet the quality changes make me distracted.
Blinded by gain they skin a flea for its hide.
Persons climb by cheating each other side.
They distrust all others but forgive themselves.
They're jealous and intrigue against each other.
Seek personal gain，contend for power and profit.
All these're absolutely not what I pursue and love.
I feel my old age is gradually coming near and near.
Worry about being unable to keep good reputation.
I drink the clear dew drops on mulan in the morning.
But at dusk I eat withered petals of chrysanthemum.
So long as my feelings are too strong to be changed at all，
I pay no attention to my body becoming as thin as a lath.
I link chai grasses with wood roots.
The bili stamens are strung together.
The jungui twigs link hui grasses.
Huma ropes are long and lovely.
I learnt many things from the ancient sages.
I do not mix up my self with mean persons.
Though I can't be harmonious with the present people.
But I have never gone against the teachings of Pengxian.
I wipe my tears and give out a long sigh painfully.
What a pity that the way of life is with hardships.
I try to self-purify and set strict demands on myself.
I'm scolded in the morning and lose post in the evening.
I am attacked because that I wear hui grasses as decoration.
I'm scolded because picking chai grasses is to my satisfaction.
So long as in my heart kindness exists there.
I'm determined to pursue my dream forever.
It's just because the king of Chu is too muddle-minded.
As for others，he never tries to observe and understand.
Base persons envy me because I've graceful appearance.
They defame me because I'm pretty，coquettish and nice.
Mediocre persons are good at sucking their brain.
They go against regular rules and change policies.
They mix right and wrong on wrong ways further and further.
They consider this as laws and do evil things more and more.
I am to be hot under the collar and upset.
Poor and lonely I'm besieged by hardships.
I'd rather die with my soul scattering and disappearing，
Than seize every chance to gain advantage by trickery.
Eagles and sparrows absolutely cannot live together.
This rule has never changed ever since ancient times.
How the square and round things go matched with each other？
How persons with difference will live in peace with each other？
I would like to suffer from injustice，
And endure all rebukes and curses.
I'll die without anything to regret if I can keep my purity.
All ancient sages and men of virtue praised this conduct.
I'm awakened and regretted that I've something to say：
The reason is that I failed to see in time the right way.
Turning the wagon I go on the original way.
The wrong path is not long I stop in a hurry.
Spurring my horse I passed the waterfront with orchid.
I have to stop on the small hill with jiaomu temporarily.
I kept forging ahead but committed crimes.
I have to go back and repair my old clothes.
I use the lotus leaves and stems to make a jacket.
I use lotus flowers to make a petticoat with scent.
If no one knows me，I just do not care about it at all，
So long as fragrance can be sent out from my heart.
I put on my tall hat freely and elegantly.
Its tape is fluttering aloft and gracefully.
Fragrant and clean things are mixed with dirty ones，
But pure qualities cannot be decayed nevertheless.
I look far and turn back suddenly.
I'm going to make a travel faraway.
Florid decoration is gorgeous.
The golden scent is dripped.
Everyone has his own hobby.
My hobby is embellishment.
I don't change at all even having body smashed to pieces.
I have always been warned time and again.But so what？
My sister showed concerns over my bitter experience.
She has given kind admonitions to me again and again.
Gun was too upright and outspoken regardless of his life.
He was killed in wilds of the area of Yushan Mountains.
All these are cause of my hobby of embellishment.
Only I myself always persist in high moral principle.
The base plants are heaped up fully in the house.
They are different from others bowing to no one.
No one is willing to make explanation for me house to house.
Who can ever experience and observe our true state of minds？
People love to form a clique to pursue selfish interest.
But why there is no one who is willing to listen to me？
I tried to learn from sages to control my disposition.
But my resentment hasn't been removed up to now.
I crossed the Yuan and Xiang rivers and go southward.
I'm going to make a clear explanation to Yu and Shun.
The Nine Debates and The Nine Songs were stolen by Xia Qi.
It's really difficult for me to distinguish the genuine and fake.
Thinking nothing about the possible future dangers and hardships，
Wuguan took advantage of the occasion to brew internal disorder.
Houyi loved hunting and was indulged in creature comforts.
He loved shooting and killing big foxes more than other things.
Licentious persons are doomed to bad final result.
Hanzhuo killed Houyi and forcibly occupied his wife.
Hanzhuo's son was self-assured for his own power and energy.
He is indulged in sensual pleasures not knowing self-control.
Indulged in pleasure and forgetting himself，
He had his own head chopped down at last.
Xia Jie went against the common principles.
When disasters came，he could hardly avoid.
Zhou chopped his loyal minister into flinders.
But the Yin Dynasty failed to last long at last.
Wen Wang was righteous，talented and virtuous.
And Shang Tang and Xia Yu were white-handed.
They could choose wise and capable talents.
They followed standard without going astray.
The Heaven is fair toward all people.
He supports all the persons of virtue.
The ancient sacred kings were of noble virtue.
So they could possess all places under heaven.
Recall the past and look forward to the future.
The principles for conduct must be made clear.
Unfair men must not be trusted and used.
Unkind men must be duly guarded against.
I would rather face dangers and death.
I do not regret for making up my mind.
Casually chisel holes without measuring heads.
Former wise men suffered disasters therefore.
Without stopping choking with sorrow，
I sigh that I have never met good times.
I wipe out my tears with soft hui grasses.
Hot tears rolled down and wet my jacket.
Laying out my jacket and kneeling down and speaking，
I have got a right way with my heart brightly lightened.
Driving a jade dragon and taking a phoenix wagon.
I fly into the sky and wander amidst winds and dust.
I set out from Mount Cangwu in the morning.
I reached the Kunlun Mountain in the evening.(https://www.daowen.com)
I am going to take a rest in Lingsuo.
The sun goes west in the vast dusk.
I already ordered Xihe to stop his pace to avoid troubles.
The sun must not go near the hillside of Yanzi Mountains.
My way forward is long and far.
I look for my ideal everywhere.
Let my horse drink the water of Xianchi.
The rein was tied onto the fusang tree.
I break ruo tree twig to touch the sun softly.
For the time being，I stroll calmly and easily.
I ask Wangshu to come here like a pioneer.
Feilian is tightly closed behind nevertheless.
The crow and the phoenix come over as my vanguard.
Thunder Master has not made a proper arrangement.
I order the phoenix to stretch its wings.
So she can fly constantly day and night.
The whirlwind comes and draws close.
It leads colorful clouds to welcome me.
Leaving and coming the colorful clouds are gathering.
Multi-colored they are freely floating and undulating.
Guardian of the heaven gate opens the gate for me.
Leaning against the heaven gate he is staring at me.
Getting dark and dark it was late already.
I stroll together with orchids very happy.
Manners and morals of the time are getting muddled gradually.
The villains in power are jealous of the persons able and worthy.
It's rather hard to distinguish good things from bad things.
To blot out other's good quality became common practice.
I crossed the Baishui River in the morning.
I tied my horse on Mount Langfeng.
Turning and looking back I have tears streaming down.
I sigh that there should be no pretty girls in high hills.
Moving swiftly I go sightseeing in Spring Palace.
I break twigs from the jade trees for decoration.
I won't miss the chance before my looks are not withered.
I'm looking for the pretty girls so as to make contributions.
I order the cloud master to drive the cloud wagon.
My aim is to explore the places where Fufei lived.
I make proposal letters well bound and tapes unfasten.
I ask Jianxiu to help me by being marriage go-between.
The colorful clouds separate and join every now and then.
It is very difficult for me to yield any awkward things at all.
Fufei washes her hair in Weipan in the morning.
She goes back Qiongshi to put up for the night.
Self-assured for having charming looks to rely on，
Fufei acts like a loose fish and is indulged in joy.
Relying on her nice looks she goes against propriety and law.
I have to abandon her and find some better persons than her.
I observe and look for in the heaven，
After traveling around I float down.
Looking afar at the gorgeous and magnificent jade tower，
I know that the beauty from Song clan lives on the tower.
I ask zhen bird go there as a marriage go-between.
But the bird tells me that beautiful girl is not good.
The male bird chirps and goes to be a go-between.
But I think this bird is rather frivolous and cunning.
I have second thoughts but still feel uncertain.
I'm going to go but consider that it is improper.
Though phoenix accepted the betrothal gifts I entrust.
Yet I am afraid that Gaoxin is too excellent to accept.
When thinking nowhere for me to live in far places，
I have to lead a wandering life drifting everywhere.
I won't miss the chance that Shaokang hasn't got married.
I want to make an offer of marriage to two beauties of Yu.
The go-between does not have the gift of gab.
I'm afraid that the hope of success is too slim.
In this muddled world people envy the good and able.
They obstruct and cover virtue but praise all evil things.
It's too hard to draw near pretty girls in boudoir.
But the wise king has not been awakened yet.
Nowhere for me to pour out loyalty and passion.
But how can I endure this sort of things forever？
Finding lingcao grasses and bamboo pieces，
I ask a sorcerer to practice divination for me.
If acting well，both sides can surely be joined together.
One really cultivating himself is certain to be admired.
The world under the heaven is so vast and extensive.
How can it be said that only here are beautiful girls？
I persuade you to go afar without any hesitation.
You look for beauties with no one to give you up.
There are fragrant grasses everywhere in this world.
It's unnecessary to be reluctant to leave native place.
This dark world makes people confused.
Whoever knows our unapparent details？
By nature people are bad though different.
This group of base men is more peculiar.
Waists are full of felon herbs hanging there.
Orchid is said to be improper for decoration.
It is hard to distinguish good plants from bad ones.
How to correctly evaluate jade objects nevertheless？
Perfume satchel is full of dung and dirt.
But shenjiao is said not to be fragrant.
Hope to hear the good divinatory symbols，
I feel hesitated and flustered nevertheless.
I am told the wizard will invite gods tonight.
I will take pepper and nice rice to welcome.
The gods come down with the sun fully covered.
Mount Jiuyi expresses that they are welcomed.
The miraculous brightness shows the deities.
The wizard told me a lot of much-told stories.
He said I should go up to heaven and down under earth，
So as to look for and find the sympathetic persons I need.
Kings Tang and Yu modestly sought talents with eagerness.
Yiyin and Gaoyao could harmonize the king-subject-relations.
That is enough one has a kind heart and loves cleanness.
How can it be necessary to ask for help from go-between？
Fuyue was very much like to build walls at Fuyan.
Wuding promoted him as minister for this reason.
Lvwang was once a butcher in his early times.
He was promoted cause of meeting Wen Wang.
Ningqi once knocked ox horn to sing.
Huangong heard and promoted him.
Full usage of youth enables one to develop skill to full.
Time should be cherished but not to be spent in vain.
I am afraid that the cuckoos will chirp too early.
Grasses will therefore lose fragrance completely.
How wonderful this sort of jade pendant is！
Why do people want to cover the brilliance？
When thinking base men pay no attention to good faith，
I'm afraid the destruction by jealousy cannot be avoided.
This world is confused with irregular changes.
What's the necessity for me to live here long？
Orchids and zhi plants lost fragrance.
Quan and hui grasses became ramie.
They were once fragrant plants in the past.
But why did they become wild wormwood？
It surely doesn't mean that there is no other reason.
Shortage of self-cultivation is the cause for disaster.
In the past I once thought orchids are reliable really.
Who knows that beauty has good appearance only？
Orchids cast fine quality aside to follow common customs.
It manages to be listed as fragrant plant but unworthy of it.
Pepper is imperious and arrogant and loves to toady.
Cornel enters perfume satchel，pretend to be vanilla.
They are so wild to secure their personal gains.
How can vanilla send out faint fragrance again？
Follow common customs and go with the stream，
Who can still be able to persist in his strong will？
Fragrant pepper and orchids changed like this.
How can Jie che and jiang li keep unchanged？
I must make my decorations always praiseworthy.
So that I can keep my virtue unchanged all along.
The rich sweet smell is hard to dissipate.
It still sends out fragrance even up to now.
Adjust myself and seek pleasure for my own.
Knock about the world and look for beauties.
I'll take advantage of my beautiful decoration，
Go all over the world in heaven and on earth.
The sorcerer told me that I won a good divinatory symbol.
I will choose a lucky day to make a preparation to set off.
Twigs and leaves of jade trees are made into preserved meat.
Nice jade is pounded into pieces as grain to be well prepared.
Flying dragon is used as a horse to drive wagon for me.
The wagon is fully decorated with nice jade and ivory.
How can different hearts coordinate with each other？
I have to leave him positively and go to a distant place.
I turned the destination of my route to Mount Kunlun.
That's a place far away I am going to visit and observe.
The colorful clouds are flying up with the sun covered.
The jade bell of the wagon sends out a dingdong sound.
I set out at the ferry of the Milky Way in the morn.
I reached the most distant place in the west at dusk.
The phoenix stretches its wings to support the flag.
It hovers in the sky soaring up and down gracefully.
Suddenly I come to the drift sand section.
Then I go slowly along the Chishui River.
I command the dragon to cross the ferry and build a bridge.
I order Xihuang to help me cross the river to the other side.
The way is distant fully with hardships and dangers.
I issued an order to ask the wagon wait at road side.
I turned to the left at Mount Buzhou.
West Sea is the destination of this trip.
I have a thousand wagons gather together.
The wagons all keep paces with each other.
I drive eight dragons to advance tortuously.
Colorful clouds and flags dance with the wind.
I keep calm to go forward slowly.
It is hard to control my feelings.
Play the music of Nine Songs and dance trippingly.
I enjoy the grand time to look for joy and pleasure.
The sun is rising in the east where it is brilliant.
I suddenly see it with unbearable homesickness.
Both the servant and the horse feel sad and sorrowful.
They retreated and turned back without going forward.
End：Completely forget it！
There is no one to know me at all at home.
What's the need to think of my native land？
My ideal politics can't be duely realized.
I will follow Pengxian to find places I go.