Gathering Blossoms

秋风兮萧萧，舒芳兮振条。

The autumn wind sighs and sighs, spreading the scent of the plants and shaking the branches.

微霜兮眇眇，病殀兮鸣蜩。

A thin frost settles faintly, the cold biting deep, and the singing cicadas sicken and die young.

玄鸟兮辞归，飞翔兮灵丘。

The swallows take leave and fly home, winging past Lingqiu, the sacred hill.

望谿谷兮滃郁，熊罴兮呴嗥。

I gaze at the valleys thick with rising mist, where bears and great brown bears roar and howl.

唐虞兮不存，何故兮久留？

Sage rulers like Yao of Tang and Shun of Yu are no more; why should I linger here so long?

临渊兮汪洋，顾林兮忽荒。

Before me the deep water spreads without limit; behind me the woods stretch dim and vast to meet the hills.

修余兮袿衣，骑霓兮南上。

I straighten my long gui robe and ride the rainbow up towards the south.

乘云兮回回，亹亹兮自强。

Riding the clouds I circle round and round, pressing steadily on and urging myself forward.

将息兮兰皋，失志兮悠悠。

I would rest on the lan-grown bank, yet my purpose fails me and my mind drifts in a daze.

蒶蕴兮霉黧，思君兮无聊。

Sorrow gathers until my face is grimed and dark; I think of my lord and find no comfort anywhere.

身去兮意存，怆恨兮怀愁。

My body departs but my heart remains behind; full of anguish and resentment, I carry my sorrow.