Grieving over Ying
This poem was aimed at recording and grieving over the history that Ying—the capital of Chu was captured by Qin and King Huai of Chu was thereafter insulted and the common people became destitute and homeless.
God no longer blesses my country.
Why did he make people so depressed？
They drift everywhere both homeless and miserable.
They escape to the east in February in the mid spring.
I left my hometown the capital Ying and went far away.
I went into exile following the Changjiang River and Xia River.
I felt an ache in my bosom when being out of the city gate.
I started off in the morning of Jia day and went eastwards.
I left my hometown from capital Ying.
Absent-minded I felt my future is dim.
Lifting the quant I let the boat drift with water.
I've no way to see my exalted emperor again.
Looking at the tall catalpa from afar I heaved a long sigh.
My tears are streaming down like snow balls falling down.
Passing Xiashui my boat flies straight down.
Turning back I can't see the capital Ying City.
Anxiously my heart is filled with sorrow and misery.
Feeling my future is dim and I don't know where to stop.
I follow the wind and go freely over the waves.
From now on I am a homeless man drifting around.
I travel on the roaring waves all day long.
Like flying up not knowing where I'm cast.
It is rather hard to wipe out my depression.
My anxious heart is broken with great pain.
I let my boat float down stream with the mad waves.
Enter Dongting in south and enter Changjiang River in north.
I left my hometown where we lived for generations.
I drift around and come to the remote east at last！
I always think how and when I can return to my hometown.
I have never forgotten this matter even for a single minute.
My boat goes eastward but my heart flies westward.
I'm sad because my capital Ying City is left far behind.
I climb up the highland near the river and look afar.(https://www.daowen.com)
I consider this as a good way to remove my anxiety.
I feel sad immediately after seeing this happy land.
Ancient customs still exist in both sides of the river.
Facing the great waves I do not know where to float.
Drifting southward I wonder where I should go now.
High buildings were reduced into ruins unexpectedly.
How can weeds overgrow the two eastern city gates？
I have long been unpleasant and depressed.
Old sadness not leaving yet new one comes.
I think how far away the way to the capital Ying City.
How Changjiang River and Xia River run back once again？
I'm estranged without being used any longer.
Up to now nine years has already passed over.
Lonely and sorrowful I am distracted.
Anxious and disappointed I worried.
All those base persons curry favor with the king.
Being empty inside they've no personal integrity.
Loyal to the king I'm ready to give my life to the country.
Envied by base persons I have to be parted with the king.
With a lofty virtue worthy of respect Yao and Shun were noble.
The distant candle is bright and it shines directly the heaven.
But base persons envied and slandered them nevertheless.
Then they added bad reputations of not being benevolent.
I'm loyal and virtuous but detested and hated by the king.
But the king admired the base persons with silken tongue.
Trying to secure personal gain base persons are promoted.
The excellent generals and ministers are estranged far away.
The end：
Taking a broad view I am looking out to all directions.
When do I have a chance to return my native place？
Even the flying birds want to fly back to their nests.
At death door foxes turn faces to hills they grew up.
I am in fact innocent but was cast aside and sent into exile.
I shall remember this and could hardly forget home for ever.