Lament for Ying

皇天之不纯命兮，何百姓之震愆？

Why has heaven withheld a sound destiny? Why are the people shaken by disaster?

民离散而相失兮，方仲春而东迁。

The people scatter and lose one another; in the middle of spring they migrate east.

去故乡而就远兮，遵江夏以流亡。

Leaving home for distant places, I wander along the great river and the Xia.

出国门而轸怀兮，甲之鼂吾以行。

I pass through the capital's gate in sorrow and set out at dawn on a jia day.

发郢都而去闾兮，怊荒忽其焉极？

Leaving Ying and its neighbourhoods, I am bewildered: where will this grief end?

楫齐扬以容与兮，哀见君而不再得。

The oars rise together and the boat moves slowly; I grieve that I shall not see my ruler again.

望长楸而太息兮，涕淫淫其若霰。

Looking at the tall qiu trees, I sigh; my tears fall thickly like grains of sleet.

过夏首而西浮兮，顾龙门而不见。

Past the mouth of the Xia, I float west and look back, but the Dragon Gate has disappeared.

心婵媛而伤怀兮，眇不知其所蹠。

My heart clings to home in pain; the distance leaves me uncertain where I shall set foot.

顺风波以从流兮，焉洋洋而为客。

Following wind, waves and current, I drift widely as a stranger.

凌阳侯之汜滥兮，忽翱翔之焉薄。

I cross the surging floods, then sweep away without knowing where to land.

心絓结而不解兮，思蹇产而不释。

The knot in my heart will not loosen; tangled thoughts cannot be laid aside.