Songs of Chu

The Lament of Parting

I am descended from the ancient lord Gaoyang; My father bore the honored name Boyong. When Jupiter marked the first month of the Tiger year, I entered this world with my newborn cry.

My father studied the promise of my birth And granted me a name of auspicious worth: Zhengze, the Upright Measure, was my name; Lingjun, the Balanced Spirit, my courtesy name.

Blessed from birth with gifts of noble nature, I rejoiced in talents of uncommon measure. I clothed myself in river herbs and fragrant angelica, And bound autumn orchids about my waist.

I hastened onward, fearing I could not attain my goal, Afraid the fleeting years would leave me behind. At dawn I gathered magnolias from the hillside; At dusk I plucked evergreen herbs from river isles.

The sun and moon hurry on and never return; Spring gives way to autumn in endless succession. Watching the flowers and grasses fade, I feared my sovereign, too, would grow old.

Why not cast away corruption while strength remains? Why not change your ways before the years are gone? Mount your noble steed and gallop onward! Come—I shall ride before you and clear the road.

In ancient days, the three wise kings of Chu Were pure in virtue, upright and selfless; Thus worthy men assembled at their courts, As pepper and cinnamon mingle in fragrant groves.

Not orchids and angelica alone adorned their gardens; Every noble fragrance flourished there. Yao and Shun shone with wisdom and righteousness, Following the true Way and guiding their realms.

But Jie and Zhou were reckless and perverse, Seeking easy paths that led them to destruction. The factions of the selfish feasted in pleasure, While the nation's road grew dark and perilous.

Was I afraid of misfortune to myself? I feared the royal carriage might overturn. I hurried before and behind my sovereign, Hoping he would follow the footsteps of former kings.

Yet he never perceived the truth within my heart; He trusted slander and blazed with anger. I knew that walking straight would bring calamity, Yet pain itself could never bend my purpose.

I called on Heaven and Earth to witness my oath: All that I did was for my sovereign's sake. We had agreed to meet at evening's fall, Yet halfway there he turned along another road.

At first he bound himself to me by promise; Soon afterward he broke his word and sought another. I no longer grieved that lord and servant were parted; I mourned his changing will, his vows undone.

I planted orchids through nine spacious gardens And cultivated fragrant herbs on a hundred acres. I set peonies and wild blossoms in their beds, With sweet-rooted plants and angelica among them.

I hoped to see them flourish into abundance, And waited for the day when I might gather them. Their withering would not itself have grieved me; I sorrowed that the garden might become a field of thorns.

The multitude pursue advantage without measure, Forever grasping, never satisfied. They judge my heart by the desires of their own And nurse their jealousies and private schemes.

They race and struggle after wealth and fame; Such striving has never been my wish. The evening of my life draws steadily nearer; I fear my name may leave no worthy fragrance.

At dawn I drink the dew from magnolia blossoms; At dusk I taste the fallen petals of chrysanthemums. If only my heart stays pure and beautiful, Why mourn the wasting of my body and spirit?

I gather roots and bind them with angelica; I string the tender blossoms of climbing vines. I straighten cassia branches and entwine them with fragrant herbs, Then twist sweet grasses into flowing ornaments.

I follow the garments of the ancient sages, Not fashions favored by the common crowd. Though I may never please the present age, I shall uphold the example left by Peng Xian.

Enough! No worthy men remain within my country; There is no one who can understand my heart. Why must I linger, mourning for my homeland? Since none will join me in renewing its ways, I shall follow Peng Xian to his final dwelling.

Nine Songs