Endangered Excellence

林不容兮鸣蜩，余何留兮中州？

If the woods cannot hold a singing cicada, why should I stay in the Central Land?

陶嘉月兮总驾，搴玉英兮自修。

In a favourable month I ready my team and carriage, and pluck jade blossoms to adorn myself.

结荣茝兮逶逝，将去烝兮远游。

I bind flowering chai angelica as a token of my faith and set off on a winding way, about to leave my lord and travel far.

径岱土兮魏阙，历九曲兮牵牛。

I pass straight through the land of Mount Dai, whose peaks tower like palace gates, then cross the nine bends of heaven to the Oxherd star.

聊假日兮相佯，遗光燿兮周流。

For now I take these days to roam at leisure, spreading my radiance as I circle the world without rest.

望太一兮淹息，纡余辔兮自休。

I gaze towards Taiyi, the supreme spirit of heaven, and halt for a long while; slackening my reins, I take my rest.

晞白日兮皎皎，弥远路兮悠悠。

The white sun rises bright and clear; the long road stretches on and on without end.

顾列孛兮缥缥，观幽云兮陈浮。

I glance back at the ranked comets, their light flickering, and watch the dark mountain clouds spread out and drift.

钜宝迁兮砏磤，雉咸雊兮相求。

The great treasure, the Year Star, shifts with a crashing roar, and the pheasants all crow, calling to their mates.

泱莽莽兮究志，惧吾心兮懤懤。

The land spreads vast and boundless; I would carry my purpose to its end, yet I fear my heart will be weighed down with grief.

步余马兮飞柱，览可与兮匹俦。

I walk my horse over the sacred mountain Feizhu, surveying the host of the fine to find one who could be my companion.

卒莫有兮纤介，永余思兮怞怞。

In the end there is not the slightest match to be found; my thoughts run long, and my sorrow has no limit.