In Praise of the Orange Tree
Qu Yuan
The southern land and the fine tree
First see the colours, shapes and roots.
Southern soil and deep roots establish constancy before leaves, flowers, thorns and fruits unfold in detail.
A human recitation has not been added for this poem yet.
后皇嘉树，橘徕服兮。
Fine tree nurtured by heaven and earth, the orange has settled and flourished here.
受命不迁，生南国兮。
Receiving its nature, it will not move; it grows in the southern land.
深固难徙，更壹志兮。
Deep-rooted and firm, hard to transplant, it makes its single purpose still clearer.
绿叶素荣，纷其可喜兮。
Green leaves and white flowers flourish in delightful abundance.
曾枝剡棘，圆果抟兮。
Layered branches bear sharp thorns, and round fruits gather upon them.
青黄杂糅，文章烂兮。
Green and yellow mingle in brilliant patterns.
精色内白，类任道兮。
Fine colour outside and white within, it seems fit to uphold the right way.
纷緼宜修，姱而不丑兮。
Rich and beautifully formed, it is lovely without ugliness.
Outer colour leads to inward cleanness, joining the actual tree to a hope for conduct.