英文版离骚

LISAO(TheLament)isnotonlyoneofthemostremarkableworksofCh'üYüan,itranksasoneofthegreatestpoemsinChineseorworldpoetry.Itwasprobablywrittenduringtheperiodwhenthepoethadbeenexiledbyhisking,andwaslivingsouthoftheYangtseRiver.ThenameLISAOhasbeeninterpretedbysomeasmeaning"encounteringsorrow,"byothersas"sorrowafterdeparture."Somerecentscholarshaveconstrueditas"sorrowinestrangement,"whileyetothersthinkitwasthenameofacertaintypeofmusic.Thislonglyricalpoemdescribesthesearchanddisillusionmentofasoulinagony,ridingondragonsandserpentsfromheaventoearth.Bymeansofrichimageryandskilfulsimiles,itexpressesloveofone'scountryandthesadnessofseparation.Ittouchesuponvarioushistoricalthemesintermingledwithlegendsandmyths,anddepicts,directlyorindirectly,thesocialconditionsofthattimeandthecomplexdestiniesofthecitystatesofancientChina.Theconflictbetweentheindividualandtherulinggroupisrepeatedlydescribed,whileatthesametimethepoetaffirmshisdeterminationtofightforjustice.Thispassionatedesiretosavehiscountry,andthisloveforthepeople,accountforthepoem'ssplendourandimmortality.AprinceamIofancestryrenowned,Illustriousnamemyroyalsirehathfound.WhenSiriusdidinspringitslightdisplay,Achildwasborn,andTigermarkedtheday.Whenfirstuponmyfacemylord'seyeglanced,Formeauspiciousnameshestraightadvanced,DenotingthatinmeHeaven'smarksdivineShouldwiththevirtuesoftheearthcombine.Withlavishedinnatequalitiesindued,ByartandskillmytalentsIrenewed;Angelicherbsandsweetselineastoo,Andorchidslatethatbythewatergrew,Iwoveforornament;tillcreepingTime,Likewaterflowing,stoleawaymyprime.MagnoliasofthegladeIpluckedatdawn,Atevebesidethestreamtookwinter-thorn.Withoutdelaythesunandmoonspedfast,Inswiftsuccessionspringandautumnpassed;Thefallenflowerslayscatteredontheground,Theduskmightfallbeforemydreamwasfound.HadInotlovedmyprimeandspurnedthevile,WhyshouldInothavechangedmyformerstyle?MychariotdrawnbysteedsofracedivineIurged;toguidethekingmysoledesign.ThreeancientkingsthereweresopureandtrueThatroundthemeveryfragrantflowergrew;Cassiaandpepperofthemountain-sideWithmelilotuswhiteinclustersvied.Twomonarchsthen,whohighrenownreceived,Followedthekinglyway,theirgoalachieved.Twoprincesproudbylusttheirreignabused,Soughteasierpath,andtheirownstepsconfused.Thefactionforillictpleasurelonged;Dreadfultheirwaywherehiddenperilsthronged.Dangeragainstmyselfcouldnotappal,ButfearedIlestmysovereign'ssceptrefall.ForwardandbackIhastenedinmyquest,Followedtheformerkings,andtooknorest.Theprincemytrueintegritydefamed,Gaveeartoslander,highhisangerflamed;IntegrityIknewcouldnotavail,Yetstillendured;mylordIwouldnotfail.Celestialspheresmywitnessbeonhigh,Istrovebutforhissacredmajesty.Twasfirsttomehegavehisplightedword,Butsoonrepentingothercounselheard.Formedeparturecouldarousenopain;Igrievedtoseehisroyalpurposevain.NinefieldsoforchidsatonetimeIgrew,Formelilotahundredacrestoo,Andfiftyacresfortheazaleabright,Therumexfragrantandthelichenwhite.Ilongedtoseethemyieldingblossomsrare,Andthoughtinseasonduethespoiltoshare.Ididnotgrievetoseethemdieaway,Butgrievedbecausemidstweedstheydiddecay.InsatiableinlustandgreedinessThefactionstrove,andtirednotofexcess;Themselvescondoning,othersthey'ddecry,Andsteeptheirheartsinenviousjealousy.Insatiablytheyseizedwhattheydesired,Itwasnotthattowhichmyheartaspired.Asoldageunrelentinghurriednear,Lestmyfairnameshouldfailwasallmyfear.DewfrommagnolialeavesIdrankatdawn,Ateveforfoodwereasterpetalsborne;Andlovingthusthesimpleandthefair,HowshouldIformysallowfeaturescare?WithgatheredvinesIstrungvaleriawhite,Andmixedwithbluewistariapetalsbright,Andmelilotusmatchedwithcassiasweet,Withivygreenandtendrilslongtomeet.LifeIadaptedtotheancientway,Leavingthemannersofthepresentday;Thusunconformingtothemodernage,ThepathIfollowedofabygonesage.LongdidIsighandwipeawaymytears,Toseemypeoplebowedbygriefsandfears.ThoughImygiftsenhancedandcurbedmypride,Atmornthey'dmockme,wouldatevederide;FirstcursedthatIangelicashouldwear,Thencursedmeformymelilotusfair.Butsincemyheartdidlovesuchpurity,I'dnotregretathousanddeathstodie.Imarvelatthefollyoftheking,Soheedlessofhispeople'ssuffering.Theyenviedmemymothlikeeyebrowsfine,Andsomynamehisdamselsdidmalign.Trulytocraftalonetheirpraisetheypaid,Thesquareinmeasuringtheydisobeyed;Theuseofcommonrulestheyhelddebased;Withconfidencetheircrookedlinestheytraced.Insadnessplungedandsunkindeepestgloom,AloneIdroveontomydrearydoom.InexileratherwouldImeetmyend,Thantothebasenessoftheirwaysdescend.Remotetheeaglespurnsthecommonrange,Nordeignssincetimebeganitswaytochange;Acirclefitsnotwithasquaredesign;Theirdifferentwayscouldnotbemergedwithmine.YetstillmyheartIcheckedandcurbedmypride,Theirblameenduredandtheirreproachbeside.TodieforrighteousnessaloneIsought,Forthiswaswhattheancientsagestaught.Ifailedmyformererrorstodiscern;Itarriedlong,butnowIwouldreturn.MysteedsIwheeledbacktotheirformerway,LestalltoolongdownthewrongpathIstray.Onorchid-coveredbankIloosedmysteed,Andlethimgallopbytheflow'rymeadAtwill.Rejectednowandindisgrace,Iwouldretiretocultivatemygrace.WithcressleavesgreenmysimplegownImade,Withlilieswhitemyrusticgarbdidbraid.WhyshouldIgrievetogounrecognised,Sinceinmyheartfragrancewastrulyprized?Myheaddressthenhigh-pinnacledIraised,Lengthenedmypendents,wherebrightjewelsblazed.Othersmaysmirchtheirfragranceandbrighthues,Myinnocenceisproofagainstabuse.OftIlookedback,gazedtothedistancestill,Longedinthewildernesstoroamatwill.Splendidmyornamentstogethervied,Withallthefragranceoftheflowersbeside;Allmenhadpleasuresintheirvariousways,Mypleasurewastocultivatemygrace.Iwouldnotchange,thoughtheymybodyrend;Howcouldmyheartbewrestedfromitsend?Myhandmaidfair,withcountenancedemure,Entreatedmeallegiancetoabjure:"Aheroperishedintheplainill-starred,Wherepigmiesstayedtheirplumagetodiscard.Whylovestthouthygraceandpurity,Alonedostholdthysplendidvirtuehigh?Lentilsandweedstheprince'schamberfill:Whyholdestthoualoofwithstubbornwill?Thoucanstnotonebyonethecrowdpersuade,Andwhothepurposeofourhearthathweighed?Factionandstrifetheworldhatheverloved;Heedingmenot,whystandestthouremoved?"Isoughtth'ancestralvoicetoeasemywoe.Alas,howonesoproudcouldsinksolow!TobarbaroussouthIwentacrossthestream;BeforetheancientIbeganmytheme:"Withodesdivinetherecameamonarch'sson,Whoserevelsunrestrainedwereneverdone;Inanticswild,tocomingperilsblind,Hefoughthisbrother,andhisswaydeclined.Theroyalarcher,inhiswantonchaseForfoxeshuge,hiskingdomdiddisgrace.Suchwantonnesspredictsnohappyend;Hisqueenwasstolenbyhisloyalfriend.Thetraitor'sson,cladinprodigiousmight,Inincestsinnedandcarednotwhatwasright.Herevelledallhisdays,forgettingall;Hisheadatlastintreacherydidfall.Andthentheprince,whocounselsdisobeyed,Didcourtdisaster,andhiskingdomfade.Aprincehissageinburningcauldronstossed;Hisgloriousdynastyerelongwaslost."Butsternandpiouswastheirancientsire,Andhissuccessortoodidfaithinspire;Exaltedwerethewise,theableused,Therulewaskeptandneverwasabused.Theaugustheaven,withunbiassedgrace,Allmendiscerns,andhelpsthevirtuousrace;SagaciousprincesthroughtheirvirtuousdeedTheearthinherit,andtheirreignssucceed.ThepastIprobed,thefuturesotoscan,Andfoundtheserulesthatguidethelifeofman:Amanunjustindeedwhowouldengage?Whomshouldmentakeasguideexceptthesage?InmortaldangersdeathIhavedefied,Yetcouldlookback,andcastregretaside.Whostrove,theirtool'sdefectsaccountingnought,Likeancientsagesweretocauldronsbrought."ThusIdespaired,myfacewithsadtearsmarred,Mourningwithbitternessmyyearsill-starred;AndmelilotusleavesItooktostemThetearsthatstreameddowntomygarment'shem.Soilingmygown,topleadmycaseIkneeled;Th'ancestralvoicethepathtomerevealed.Swiftjade-greendragons,birdswithplumagegold,Iharnessedtothewhirlwind,andbehold,Atdaybreakfromthelandofplane-treesgrey,Icametoparadiseerecloseofday.Iwishedwithinthesacredbrovetorest,Butnowthesunwassinkinginthewest;ThedriverofthesunIbadetostay,Erewiththesettingrayswehasteaway.Thewaywaslong,andwrappedingloomdidseem,AsIurgedontoseekmyvanisheddream.ThedragonsquenchedtheirthirstbesidethelakeWherebathedthesun,whilstIuponthebrakeFastenedmyreins;agoldenboughIsoughtTobrushthesun,andtarredthereinsport.Thepalemoon'scharioteerIthenbadelead,Themasterofthewindsswiftlysucceed;Before,theroyalbluebirdclearedtheway;Thelordofthunderurgedmetodelay.Ibadethephoenixscantheheavenwide;Butvainlydayandnightitscourseittried;Thegatheringwhirlwindsdroveitfrommysight,Rushingwithloweringcloudstocheckmyflight;Siftingandmerginginthefirmament,Above,below,invarioushuestheywent.Thegate-keeperofheavenIbadegiveplace,Butleaningonhisdoorhescannedmyface;Thedaygrewdark,andnowwasnearlyspent;IdlymyorchidsintowreathsIbent.Thevirtuousandthevileindarknessmerged;Theyveiledmyvirtue,bytheirenvyurged.AtdawnthewaterswhiteIleftbehind;Mysteedstayedbytheportalsofthewind;Yet,gazingback,abittergriefIfeltThatintheloftycragnodamseldwelt.Iwanderedeastwardtothepalacegreen,Andpendentssoughtwherejasperboughswereseen,Andvowedthatthey,beforetheirsplendourfade,Asgiftshouldgotogracetheloveliestmaid.ThelordofcloudsIthenbademounttheskyToseekthesteamwhereoncethenymphdidlie;AspledgeIgavemybeltofsplendidsheen,Mycouncillorappointedgo-between.Fleetingandwilfullikecapriciouscloud,Herobstinacyswiftnochangeallowed.Atduskretiredshetothecragwithdrawn,Herhairbesidethestreamshewashedatdawn.Exultinginherbeautyandherpride,Pleasuresheworshipped,andnowhimdenied;Sofairofform,socarelessofallgrace,Iturnedtotakeanotherinherplace.Toearth'sextremitiesIsoughtmybride,Andurgedmytrainthroughalltheheavenwide.UponaloftycragofjaspergreenThebeauteousprincessofthewestwasseen.ThefalconthenIbadeentreatthemaid,Buthe,demurring,wouldmycoursedissuade;Theturtle-dovecooedsoftandoffdidfly,ButImistrustedhisfrivolity.Likewhelpindoubt,liketimidfoxinfear,Iwishedtogo,butwanderedevernear.Withnuptialgiftsthephoenixswiftlywent;IfearedtheprincehadwonherereIsent.Ilongedtotravelfar,yetwithnobourn,Icouldbutwanderaimlessandforlorn.Beforetheyoungkingwasinmarriagebound,Theroyalsisterstwainmightstillbefound;Mysuitwasunauspiciousatthebest;IknewIhadsmallhopeinmyrequest.Theworldisdark,andenviousofmygrace;Theyveilmyvirtureandtheevilpraise.Thychamberdarkliesinrecessesdeep,Sagaciousprince,risestthounotfromsleep?Myzealunknowntheprincewouldnotdescry;HowcouldIbearthisharsheternity?Withmistletoeandherbsofmagicworth,Iurgedthewitchthefuturetoshowforth."Iftwoattainperfectiontheymustmeet,Butwhoistherethatwouldthyvirtuegreet?Fartheninecontinentstheirrealmdisplay;Whyheretoseekthybridedoththoudelay?Away!"shecried,"setcravendoubtaside,Ifbeauty'ssought,there'snonehathwiththeevied.Whatplaceistherewhereorchidsflowernotfair?Whyisthynativelandthysinglecare?"Nowdarklyliestheworldintwilight'sglow,Whodothyourdefectsandyourvirtueknow?Evilandgoodhereinarereconciled;Thecrowdalonehathnoughtbutisdefiled.Withstinkingmugwortgirtupontheirwaist,Theycursetheothersfortheirorchidschaste;Ignorantthusinchoiceoffragrancerare,Richornamentshowcouldtheyfitlywear?Withmudandfilththeyfilltheirpendentbag;Cursingthepeppersweet,theybrawlandbrag."AlthoughthewitchescounselIheldgood,InfoxlikeindecisionstillIstood.Atnightthewizardgreatmadehisdescent,AndmeetinghimspicedriceIdidpresent.Theangelscame,shadingwithwingsthesky;Frommountainswildthedeitiesdrewnigh.Withregalsplendourshonethesolemnsight,Andthusthewizardspakewithomensbright:"Takeofficehighorlowasdaysafford,Ifonetherebethatcouldwiththeeaccord;Likeancientkingsausterewhosoughttheirmate,Findingtheonewhoshouldfulfilltheirfate.Nowifthyheartdothcherishgracewithin,Whatneedistheretochooseago-between?AconvicttoiledonrockstoexpiateHiscrime;hissovereigngavehimgreatestate.Abutcherwithhisknifemaderoundelay;Hiskingchancedthereandhappyprovedtheday.AprincewhoheardacowherdchantinglateRaisedhimtobeacouncillorofstate.Beforeoldageo'ertaketheeonthyway,Lifestillisyoung;toprofitturnthyday.Springisbutbrief,whencuckoosstarttosing,Andflowerswillfadethatoncedidspreadandspring."Onhighmyjasperpendentproudlygleamed,Hidbythecrowdwithleavesthatthicklyteemed;Untiringtheyrelentlessmeansemployed;Ifeareditwouldthroughenvybedestroyed.Thisgaudyagesofickleproveditswill,ThattowhatpurposedidIlingerstill?E'enorchidschanged,theirfragrancequicklylost,Andmidsttheweedsangelicasweretossed.Howcouldtheseherbs,sofairinformerday,Theirhuehavechanged,andturnedtomugwortsgrey?Thereasonfortheirfall,notfartoseek,Wasthattotendtheirgracetheirwillprovedweak.