Holding to Resolve

陟玉峦兮逍遥，览高冈兮峣峣。

I climb the Jade Ridge of Mount Kunlun and roam a while, and gaze on the high ridges towering apart.

桂树列兮纷敷，吐紫华兮布条。

Cassia trees stand in rows, spreading rich and wide, putting out purple blossoms all along their boughs.

实孔鸾兮所居，今其集兮惟鸮。

This was truly the haunt of the peacock and the luan phoenix, yet now only owls flock here.

乌鹊惊兮哑哑，余顾盼兮怊怊。

Crows and magpies start up with harsh cries, and I look all about me into the vast distance.

彼日月兮闇昧，障覆天兮祲氛。

Yonder sun and moon are dim and dark, and baleful vapours blanket and cover the sky.

伊我后兮不聪，焉陈诚兮效忠。

My lord does not hear clearly, so how can I lay out my sincerity and offer my loyalty?

摅羽翮兮超俗，游陶遨兮养神。

I spread my wings and rise above the common world, roaming free and untethered to nourish my spirit.

乘六蛟兮蜿蝉，遂驰骋兮升云。

I ride six jiao dragons, writhing and coiling, and so gallop onward and rise into the clouds.

扬彗光兮为旗，秉电策兮为鞭。

I raise the light of a comet for my banner and grip the lightning for my whip.

朝晨发兮鄢郢，食时至兮增泉。

At dawn I set out from Yan and Ying, the capitals of Chu, and by breakfast time I reach Zengquan, the River of Heaven.

绕曲阿兮北次，造我车兮南端。

I wind round the crooked slopes and lodge in the north, then drive my carriage to the southern end.

谒玄黄兮纳贽，崇忠贞兮弥坚。

I pay my respects to Xuanhuang, Emperor of the Centre, and present my gifts, and my devotion to loyalty grows firmer still.

历九宫兮遍观，睹秘藏兮宝珍。

I pass through the Nine Palaces of heaven and view them all, and behold their hidden stores of treasure.

就传说兮骑龙，与织女兮合婚。

I join Fu Yue, now a star, to ride the dragon together, and take the Weaving Maid star in marriage.

举天罼兮掩邪，彀天弧兮射奸。

I lift the Net of Heaven to snare the wicked and draw the Bow of Heaven full to shoot the treacherous.

随真人兮翱翔，食元气兮长存。

I follow the immortals, the perfected ones, in flight, feeding on the primal breath of heaven to live for ever.

望太微兮穆穆，睨三阶兮炳分。

I gaze on the Taiwei enclosure, heaven's central palace, serene and stately, and glance at its Three Steps, bright and distinct.

相辅政兮成化，建烈业兮垂勋。

I would assist in the Lord of Heaven's government to perfect his transforming rule, and found a glorious work to leave my merit behind.

目瞥瞥兮西没，道遐回兮阻叹。

I watch the sunlight flicker and sink in the west; the road is long and winding, and blocked, I sigh.

志稸积兮未通，怅敞罔兮自怜。

My long-stored purpose finds no way through, and in dejection and loss I pity myself.

乱曰：

The envoi says:

天庭明兮云霓藏，三光朗兮镜万方。

The court of heaven is clear and the clouds and rainbows hide away; sun, moon and stars shine bright, mirroring every quarter of the world.

斥蜥蜴兮进龟龙，策谋从兮翼机衡。

Drive out the lizards and bring in the tortoise and dragon; let good counsel be followed to aid the ruler's balance, like the jade sighting-tube and beam.

配稷契兮恢唐功，嗟英俊兮未为双。

Like Hou Ji and Xie serving Yao of Tang, one would enlarge the royal work; alas, the gifted have yet to find their matching lord.