Illuminating the Age

世溷兮冥昏，违君兮归真。

The world is muddied and dark; I leave my lord and return to what is true and pure.

乘龙兮偃蹇，高回翔兮上臻。

I ride a dragon rearing high and twisting, wheeling aloft until I reach the heavens.

袭英衣兮缇䌌，披华裳兮芳芬。

I put on a fine upper robe of bright scarlet and drape a patterned skirt that gives off fragrance.

登羊角兮扶舆，浮云漠兮自娱。

I rise on the ram's-horn whirlwind, looking slowly about me, and amuse myself among the drifting clouds.

握神精兮雍容，与神人兮相胥。

Holding the essence of the spirits with calm bearing, I wait for the immortals Chisongzi and Wangzi Qiao to keep them company.

流星坠兮成雨，进瞵盼兮上丘墟。

Meteors fall like rain; with eyes wide I press on and climb the hilltop heights.

览旧邦兮滃郁，余安能兮久居。

Looking down on my old homeland of Chu, dense with clouds and turmoil, how could I remain here long?

志怀逝兮心懰栗，纡余辔兮踌躇。

My will would depart, but my heart grieves and trembles; I slacken my reins and hesitate.

闻素女兮微歌，听王后兮吹竽。

I hear the goddess Sunü singing softly and listen to Fufei, goddess of the Luo River, playing the yu pipes.

魂悽怆兮感哀，肠回回兮盘纡。

My soul is stricken and touched with grief; my innards twist round and round in knots.

抚余佩兮缤纷，高太息兮自怜。

I stroke my pendants hanging in bright confusion, heave a great sigh and pity myself.

使祝融兮先行，令昭明兮开门。

I send Zhurong, the fire god of the south, ahead to clear the way, and order the flame spirit Zhaoming to open the gates.

驰六蛟兮上征，竦余驾兮入冥。

I drive six jiao dragons upwards and lift my carriage into the far dark heights.

历九州兮索合，谁可与兮终生。

I cross the nine provinces seeking one who matches me: who could be my companion to the end of life?

忽反顾兮西囿，睹轸丘兮崎倾。

Suddenly I look back at the western park and see Zhen Hill, steep and tilted, rugged and hard to cross.

横垂涕兮泫流，悲余后兮失灵。

Tears stream down my face in floods; I grieve that my sovereign has lost the guidance of heaven.