Grieving at the Whirlwind

悲回风之摇蕙兮，心冤结而内伤。

I grieve at the whirlwind shaking hui; injustice knots my heart and wounds me within.

物有微而陨性兮，声有隐而先倡。

Some things are fragile and lose their lives; some sounds are hidden yet begin the song.

夫何彭咸之造思兮，暨志介而不忘！

Why do I keep thinking of Peng Xian's purpose? I would join his steadfast resolve and never forget.

万变其情岂可盖兮，孰虚伪之可长？

Feelings change in countless ways: how can they all be hidden? How can deceit endure?

鸟兽鸣以号群兮，草苴比而不芳。

Birds and beasts call to their kind; green and withered grass mingle without fragrance.

鱼葺鳞以自别兮，蛟龙隐其文章。

Fish gather their scales to mark themselves apart, while water dragons conceal their patterned beauty.

故荼荠不同亩兮，兰茝幽而独芳。

Bitter greens and shepherd's purse do not share one field; lan and chǎi give fragrance alone in seclusion.

惟佳人之永都兮，更统世以自贶。

I think of the beloved dwelling long in the capital, inheriting rule through successive generations.

眇远志之所及兮，怜浮云之相羊。

My distant purpose reaches far; I pity the floating clouds that wander without support.

介眇志之所惑兮，窃赋诗之所明。

Holding this high resolve brings bewilderment; privately I make a poem to clarify my heart.