Thinking of the Beloved

思美人兮，揽涕而竚眙。

Thinking of the beautiful one, I wipe my tears and stand gazing for a long time.

媒绝路阻兮，言不可结而诒。

The messengers are gone and the road blocked; my words cannot be gathered and delivered.

蹇蹇之烦冤兮，陷滞而不发。

Uprightness brings anguish and injustice; trapped in hardship, I cannot give them voice.

申旦以舒中情兮，志沉菀而莫达。

Through the night until dawn I unfold my feelings, but my sunken purpose reaches nobody.

愿寄言于浮云兮，遇丰隆而不将。

I would entrust my words to floating clouds, but Fenglong refuses to carry them.

因归鸟而致辞兮，羌迅高而难当。

I would send a message with returning birds, but they fly too swiftly and high to catch.

高辛之灵盛兮，遭玄鸟而致诒。

How powerful was Gaoxin's spirit: the dark bird came and brought its gift.

欲变节以从俗兮，媿易初而屈志。

I would change my principles to follow the world, yet feel ashamed to bend my first intention.

独历年而离愍兮，羌凭心犹未化。

Alone for years I have borne suffering, but the feelings filling my heart have not changed.

宁隐闵而寿考兮，何变易之可为！

I would rather endure hidden grief into old age; how could I alter my purpose?

知前辙之不遂兮，未改此度。

I know the earlier tracks lead nowhere, yet have not changed this measure.

车既覆而马颠兮，蹇独怀此异路。

The carriage has overturned and the horses fallen, yet I alone hold to this different road.