Breaking through Obstruction

览杳杳兮世惟，余惆怅兮何归。

I see how dim and murky the counsels of the world are; disheartened, I do not know where to turn.

伤时俗兮溷乱，将奋翼兮高飞。

I grieve that the ways of the age are muddied and disordered, and would spread my wings to fly high away.

驾八龙兮连蜷，建虹旌兮威夷。

I harness eight dragons coiling and twisting, and raise a rainbow banner that streams with light.

观中宇兮浩浩，纷翼翼兮上跻。

I gaze on the vast expanse of the world below and, in a surge of spirit, climb up the road to heaven.

浮溺水兮舒光，淹低佪兮京沶。

I float across the Weak Water, spreading my radiance, and linger long on Jingyi, the lofty islet.

屯余车兮索友，睹皇公兮问师。

I halt my carriage to seek immortal friends, and meet Huanggong, the Lord of Heaven, to ask him for guidance as my teacher.

道莫贵兮归真，羡余术兮可夷。

Nothing in the Way is nobler than returning to the true and simple; I delight that my own art can bring joy and peace.

吾乃逝兮南娭，道幽路兮九疑。

So I travel to roam in the south, taking the dark road past Mount Jiuyi, where Shun lies buried.

越炎火兮万里，过万首兮嶷嶷。

I cross ten thousand li of blazing heat and pass the ten thousand peaks of the sea, towering high.

济江海兮蝉蜕，绝北梁兮永辞。

Crossing rivers and seas I shed my body like a cicada its shell, pass the northern bridge and bid farewell for ever.

浮云郁兮昼昏，霾土忽兮塺々。

Drifting clouds gather and the day grows dark; dust storms rise suddenly and the air is thick with grime.

息阳城兮广夏，衰色罔兮中怠。

I rest in a broad hall at Yangcheng in the south; my looks are worn, my spirit lost, and I am weary within.

意晓阳兮燎寤，乃自诊兮在兹。

My mind brightens and I wake fully to understanding; examining myself, I see where I have come to.

思尧舜兮袭兴，幸咎繇兮获谋。

I think of Yao and Shun rising one after the other, and rejoice that the wise minister Gaoyao could offer them his counsel.

悲九州兮靡君，抚轼叹兮作诗。

I grieve that in all the nine provinces there is no worthy ruler; leaning on the carriage rail I sigh and compose this poem.