The Greater Lord of Fate
Qu Yuan
Cloud travel and the power over life
Pass through heaven's gates and look upon the Nine Provinces.
Whirlwind and rain precede the deity; the question of lifespan turns flight toward the fate of living people.
广开兮天门，纷吾乘兮玄云。
The gates of heaven open wide; I ride among masses of dark cloud.
令飘风兮先驱，使涷雨兮洒尘。
I send the whirlwind ahead and command the sudden rain to wash away the dust.
君回翔兮以下，逾空桑兮从女。
You circle down from above; I cross Kongsang and follow you.
纷总总兮九州，何寿夭兮在予。
The people of the Nine Provinces throng below; why does the length of their lives rest with me?
高飞兮安翔，乘清气兮御阴阳。
I fly high and glide at ease, riding pure air and directing yin and yang.
吾与君兮斋速，导帝之兮九坑。
I hasten reverently with you, guiding the heavenly emperor toward the Nine Ridges.
灵衣兮被被，玉佩兮陆离。
The spirit's long robes flutter; jade pendants gleam in shifting colours.
一阴兮一阳，众莫知兮余所为。
Yin gives way to yang; none of the people knows what I do.
Visible adornment brings the spirit near, while the governance of lifespans remains beyond human understanding.