She Walks In Beauty

  by Lord Byron.

She walks in Beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

 

 

WHEN by my solitary hearth I sit,
      And hateful thoughts enwrap my soul in gloom;
When no fair dreams before my "mind's eye" flit,
      And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;
            Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
            And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Whene'er I wander, at the fall of night,
      Where woven boughs shut out the moon's bright ray,
Should sad Despondency my musings fright,
      And frown, to drive fair Cheerfulness away,
            Peep with the moonbeams through the leafy roof,
            And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof!

Should Disappointment, parent of Despair,
      Strive for her son to seize my careless heart;
When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air,
      Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart:
            Chase him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright,
            And fright him as the morning frightens night!

Whene'er the fate of those I hold most dear
      Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow,
O bright-eyed Hope, my morbidfancy cheer;
      Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow:
            Thy heaven-born radiance around me shed,
            And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

Should e'er unhappy love my bosom pain,
      From cruel parents, or relentless fair;
O let me think it is not quite in vain
      To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air!
            Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
            And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!

In the long vista of the years to roll,
      Let me not see our country's honour fade:
O let me see our land retain her soul,
      Her pride, her freedom; and not freedom's shade.
            From thy bright eyes unusual brightness shed---
            Beneath thy pinions canopy my head!

Let me not see the patriot's high bequest,
      Great Liberty! how great in plain attire!
With the base purple of a court oppress'd,
      Bowing her head, and ready to expire:
            But let me see thee stoop from heaven on wings
            That fill the skies with silver glitterings!

And as, in sparkling majesty, a star
      Gilds the bright summit of some gloomy cloud;
Brightening the half veil'd face of heaven afar:
      So, when dark thoughts my boding spirit shroud,
            Sweet Hope, celestial influence round me shed,
            Waving thy silver pinions o'er my head!

 

                                              ---John Keats.

 

"She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red roses," cried the young Student; "but in all my garden there is no red rose."

From her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him, and she looked out through the leaves, and wondered.

"No red rose in all my garden!" he cried, and his beautiful eyes filled with tears. "Ah, on what little things does happiness depend! I have read all that the wise men have written, and all the secrets of philosophy are mine, yet for want of a red rose is my life made wretched."

"Here at last is a true lover," said the Nightingale. "Night after night have I sung of him, though I knew him not: night after night have I told his story to the stars, and now I see him. His hair is dark as the hyacinth-blossom, and his lips are red as the rose of his desire; but passion has made his face like pale ivory, and sorrow has set her seal upon his brow."

"The Prince gives a ball to-morrow night," murmured the young Student, "and my love will be of the company. If I bring her a red rose she will dance with me till dawn. If I bring her a red rose, I shall hold her in my arms, and she will lean her head upon my shoulder, and her hand will be clasped in mine. But there is no red rose in my garden, so I shall sit lonely, and she will pass me by. She will have no heed of me, and my heart will break."

"Here indeed is the true lover," said the Nightingale. "What I sing of, he suffers - what is joy to me, to him is pain. Surely Love is a wonderful thing. It is more precious than emeralds, and dearer than fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it, nor is it set forth in the marketplace. It may not be purchased of the merchants, nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold."

"The musicians will sit in their gallery," said the young Student, "and play upon their stringed instruments, and my love will dance to the sound of the harp and the violin. She will dance so lightly that her feet will not touch the floor, and the courtiers in their gay dresses will throng round her. But with me she will not dance, for I have no red rose to give her"; and he flung himself down on the grass, and buried his face in his hands, and wept.

"Why is he weeping?" asked a little Green Lizard, as he ran past him with his tail in the air.

"Why, indeed?" said a Butterfly, who was fluttering about after a sunbeam.

"Why, indeed?" whispered a Daisy to his neighbour, in a soft, low voice.

"He is weeping for a red rose," said the Nightingale.

"For a red rose?" they cried; "how very ridiculous!" and the little Lizard, who was something of a cynic, laughed outright.

But the Nightingale understood the secret of the Student's sorrow, and she sat silent in the oak-tree, and thought about the mystery of Love.

Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air. She passed through the grove like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed across the garden.

In the centre of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree, and when she saw it she flew over to it, and lit upon a spray.

"Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetest song."

But the Tree shook its head.

"My roses are white," it answered; "as white as the foam of the sea, and whiter than the snow upon the mountain. But go to my brother who grows round the old sun-dial, and perhaps he will give you what you want."

So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing round the old sun-dial.

"Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetest song."

But the Tree shook its head.

"My roses are yellow," it answered; "as yellow as the hair of the mermaiden who sits upon an amber throne, and yellower than the daffodil that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with his scythe. But go to my brother who grows beneath the Student's window, and perhaps he will give you what you want."

So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing beneath the Student's window.

"Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetest song."

But the Tree shook its head.

"My roses are red," it answered, "as red as the feet of the dove, and redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in the ocean-cavern. But the winter has chilled my veins, and the frost has nipped my buds, and the storm has broken my branches, and I shall have no roses at all this year."

"One red rose is all I want," cried the Nightingale, "only one red rose! Is there no way by which I can get it?"

"There is away," answered the Tree; "but it is so terrible that I dare not tell it to you."

"Tell it to me," said the Nightingale, "I am not afraid."

"If you want a red rose," said the Tree, "you must build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with your own heart's-blood. You must sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night long you must sing to me, and the thorn must pierce your heart, and your life-blood must flow into my veins, and become mine."

"Death is a great price to pay for a red rose," cried the Nightingale, "and Life is very dear to all. It is pleasant to sit in the green wood, and to watch the Sun in his chariot of gold, and the Moon in her chariot of pearl. Sweet is the scent of the hawthorn, and sweet are the bluebells that hide in the valley, and the heather that blows on the hill. Yet Love is better than Life, and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man?"

So she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air. She swept over the garden like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed through the grove.

The young Student was still lying on the grass, where she had left him, and the tears were not yet dry in his beautiful eyes.

"Be happy," cried the Nightingale, "be happy; you shall have your red rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with my own heart's-blood. All that I ask of you in return is that you will be a true lover, for Love is wiser than Philosophy, though she is wise, and mightier than Power, though he is mighty. Flame- coloured are his wings, and coloured like flame is his body. His lips are sweet as honey, and his breath is like frankincense."

The Student looked up from the grass, and listened, but he could not understand what the Nightingale was saying to him, for he only knew the things that are written down in books.

But the Oak-tree understood, and felt sad, for he was very fond of the little Nightingale who had built her nest in his branches.

Sing me one last song," he whispered; "I shall feel very lonely when you are gone."

So the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree, and her voice was like water bubbling from a silver jar.

When she had finished her song the Student got up, and pulled a note-book and a lead-pencil out of his pocket.

"She has form," he said to himself, as he walked away through the grove - "that cannot be denied to her; but has she got feeling? I am afraid not. In fact, she is like most artists; she is all style, without any sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks merely of music, and everybody knows that the arts are selfish. Still, it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they do not mean anything, or do any practical good." And he went into his room, and lay down on his little pallet-bed, and began to think of his love; and, after a time, he fell asleep.

And when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to the Rose-tree, and set her breast against the thorn. All night long she sang with her breast against the thorn, and the cold crystal Moon leaned down and listened. All night long she sang, and the thorn went deeper and deeper into her breast, and her life-blood ebbed away from her.

She sang first of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and a girl. And on the top-most spray of the Rose-tree there blossomed a marvellous rose, petal following petal, as song followed song. Pale was it, at first, as the mist that hangs over the river - pale as the feet of the morning, and silver as the wings of the dawn. As the shadow of a rose in a mirror of silver, as the shadow of a rose in a water-pool, so was the rose that blossomed on the topmost spray of the Tree.

But the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn. "Press closer, little Nightingale," cried the Tree, "or the Day will come before the rose is finished."

So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and louder and louder grew her song, for she sang of the birth of passion in the soul of a man and a maid.

And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose, like the flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips of the bride. But the thorn had not yet reached her heart, so the rose's heart remained white, for only a Nightingale's heart's-blood can crimson the heart of a rose.

And the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn. "Press closer, little Nightingale," cried the Tree, "or the Day will come before the rose is finished."

So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and the thorn touched her heart, and a fierce pang of pain shot through her. Bitter, bitter was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song, for she sang of the Love that is perfected by Death, of the Love that dies not in the tomb.

And the marvellous rose became crimson, like the rose of the eastern sky. Crimson was the girdle of petals, and crimson as a ruby was the heart.

But the Nightingale's voice grew fainter, and her little wings began to beat, and a film came over her eyes. Fainter and fainter grew her song, and she felt something choking her in her throat.

Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it, and she forgot the dawn, and lingered on in the sky. The red rose heard it, and it trembled all over with ecstasy, and opened its petals to the cold morning air. Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills, and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams. It floated through the reeds of the river, and they carried its message to the sea.

"Look, look!" cried the Tree, "the rose is finished now"; but the Nightingale made no answer, for she was lying dead in the long grass, with the thorn in her heart.

And at noon the Student opened his window and looked out.

"Why, what a wonderful piece of luck!" he cried; "here is a red rose! I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is so beautiful that I am sure it has a long Latin name"; and he leaned down and plucked it.

Then he put on his hat, and ran up to the Professor's house with the rose in his hand.

The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway winding blue silk on a reel, and her little dog was lying at her feet.

"You said that you would dance with me if I brought you a red rose," cried the Student. "Here is the reddest rose in all the world. You will wear it to-night next your heart, and as we dance together it will tell you how I love you."

But the girl frowned.

"I am afraid it will not go with my dress," she answered; "and, besides, the Chamberlain's nephew has sent me some real jewels, and everybody knows that jewels cost far more than flowers."

"Well, upon my word, you are very ungrateful," said the Student angrily; and he threw the rose into the street, where it fell into the gutter, and a cart-wheel went over it.

"Ungrateful!" said the girl. "I tell you what, you are very rude; and, after all, who are you? Only a Student. Why, I don't believe you have even got silver buckles to your shoes as the Chamberlain's nephew has"; and she got up from her chair and went into the house.

"What I a silly thing Love is," said the Student as he walked away. "It is not half as useful as Logic, for it does not prove anything, and it is always telling one of things that are not going to happen, and making one believe things that are not true. In fact, it is quite unpractical, and, as in this age to be practical is everything, I shall go back to Philosophy and study Metaphysics."

So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book, and began to read.

                                         ----Oscar Wilde

PART 1
离 骚
屈 原（公元前340-278）The Sorrow of Separation by Qu Yuan(340-278BC)

I. (1) The poet describes his family background, birthday, name, and his self-cultivation of morals and abilities in order to assist the Emperor of the Chu state to carry out potitical reform and make his country rich and strong

帝高阳之苗裔兮， I am the descendant of the ancient emperor Gao-yang.
朕皇考曰伯庸。 My deceased father is called Baiyong .I was born in January,
摄提真于孟陬兮， 340B.C,Having carefully considered my birthday.
惟庚寅吾以降。 my father gave me a fine name called Zhengze and a literary
皇览揆余初度兮， name of Linjun. Nature has endowed me many good qualities.
肇锡余以嘉名： I have also diligently cultivated my moral character.
名余曰正则兮， I draped fragrant plants such as chuan-xiong and Dahurian
字余曰灵均。 angelica over my shoulder,I made ropes with autumn orchids
纷吾既有此内美兮， to hang on my sides.Time fleets away like an arrow.
又重之以修能。 I fear it will not wait for me.In the morning I plucked lily
扈江离与辟芷兮， magnonia on the hill slope, and in the evening I gathered
纫秋兰以为佩。 perennial rank grass on a islet in the river. Days passed
汨余若将不及兮， away quickly and seasons rotated in succession. I worry about
恐年岁之不吾与。 the plants withering away and fear I am growing old.
朝搴阰之木兰兮， Why not abolish the pressnt corrupt regime while I am still
夕揽洲之宿莽。 strong?
日月忽其不淹兮， Why not alter this political system?
春与秋其代序。 Let us ride fine steeds and gallop away.
惟草木之零落兮， Come on, I'll lead the way!
恐美人之迟暮。
不抚壮而弃秽兮，
何不改乎此度？
乘骐骥以驰骋兮，
来吾道乎先路！

Ⅰ. (2) The poet explains his political point of view and position, and the painful sentiments when his view-point was not accepted by the Emperor of Chu State.

昔三后之纯粹兮， In ancient times the three sagacious emperors Yu,
固众芳之所在。 Tang and Wengwang were pure and fair, thus worthy and
杂申椒与菌桂兮， upright people all flocked to them. They employed personnel
岂维纫夫蕙茝？ who were not only virtuous but also outspoken,
彼尧舜之耿介兮， like fragrant prickly ash and cinnamon.
既遵道而得路。 Ancient sages like Yao and Shun were just and honorable.
何桀纣之猖披兮， They followed a right path, so they reached the desired end.
夫唯捷径以窘步。 While tyrants Jie and Zhou were arrogant and wicked.
惟夫党人之偷乐兮， They wanted to follow short cuts, but arrived at blind alleys.
路幽昧以险隘。 They formed cligues to gain private ends.
岂余身之惮殃兮， Hence their future was dark and risky. I am not afraid of
恐皇舆之败绩。 incurring disasters. I only worry about my country being
忽奔走以先后兮， overthrown. I have hurried back and forth, always busying
及前王之踵武。 myself and hoping that the emperor of Chu would catch
荃不察余之中情兮， up with those ancient emperors. You emperor did not understand
反信谗而暴怒。 my inner feelings. Instead,. you listened to slanders and got
余固知謇謇之为患兮, angry with me. I knew that honest advice would offend superiors,
忍而不能舍也。 but I could not help doing so.I call heaven to bear witness for me.
指九天以为正兮， I have done everything for you, my emperor.
夫为灵修之故也！ Once we made an agreement, but later you changed your mind
初既与余成言兮， and had other plans. It is not very hard for me to leave you.
后悔遁而有他。 I only feel painful that you are so capricious!
余既不难夫离别兮，
伤灵修之数化。

I. (3) The poet describes his efforts to train personnel for his state. But under the circumstance when most court officials were insatiably greedy and exclusive, talents like flowers withered. However, he still actively practised self-cultivation and followed the teachings of the ancient sage Pengxian.

余既滋兰之九畹兮， I have planted nine hectares of spring orchids and 100mu
又树蕙之百亩。 (1/16ha.) of autumn orchids. I have also grown many beds of peory,
畦留夷与揭车兮， wild ginger and dahurian angelica.I hope they grow vigorously,
杂杜衡与芳芷。 so that I can harvest them when they are ripe.
冀枝叶之峻茂兮， It matters not much if they wither and die.
愿竣时乎吾将刈。 What greieves me is that they deteriorate and become rotten.
虽萎绝其亦何伤兮， They all make desperate effort to seek fortune.
哀众芳之芜秽。 They are obsessed with the desire for gain, and insatiably avaricious.
众皆竞进以贪婪兮， They are suspicious of others, but indulgent to themselves,
凭不厌乎求索。 They intrigue against each other and are jealous of each other.
羌内恕己以量人兮， They curry favor with their superiors, scramble for power and profit.
各兴心而嫉妒。 I am not after these petty things. I feel old age is gradually
忽驰骛以追逐兮， approaching. I fear I could not establish a good reputation. In the
非余心之所急。 morning I drank dew drops on the lily magnonia, and in the evening
老冉冉其将至兮， I ate fallen flowers of the autumn chrysanthemums. Provided that
恐修名之不立。 I remain faithful and true, what does it matter I become haggard!
朝饮木兰之坠露兮， I used tree roots to tie orchids and stringed pistils of climbing fig
夕餐秋菊之落英。 together. I used cinamon branches to combine orchids,
苟余情其信姱以练要兮，and made long and slender cords with a climbing plant.
长顑颔亦何伤。 I learn from ancient sages, while vulgar people of the world cannot
揽木根以结茝兮， do. Although I can hardly get along with present-day people,
贯薜荔之落蕊。 I'll follow the teachings of the deceased sage Penxian.
矫菌桂以纫蕙兮，
索胡绳之纚纚。
謇吾法夫前修兮，
非世俗之所服。
虽不周于今之人兮，
愿依彭咸之遗则！

I. (4) As the emperor of Chu was muddle-headed and his petty courtiers were slenderous, the poet felt lonely in this foul world. But he sticked to his ideal and insisted on his principle.

长太息以掩涕兮， I wiped my tears and heaved long sighs.
哀民生之多艰。 I lamented over the hazard of life's journey,in spite of the fact that
余虽好修姱以靰羁兮， I paid attention to self-cultivation and have been srtict with myself.
謇朝谇而夕替。 In the morning I was insulted, and in the evening I was dismissed
既替余以蕙纕兮， from office. They abused me for wearing orchids, and cursed me for.
又申之以揽茝。 plucking orchids, which I have longed for. I'll not regret even if I die
亦余心之所善兮， several times. I blame the emperor of Chu for being so muddleheaded.
虽九死其犹未悔！ He failed to understand other people's sentiments all along.
怨灵修之浩荡兮， Those women were jealous of my graceful figure, slandering that I
终不察夫民心。 was licentious.Those vulgar people were by nature opportunistic.
众女嫉余之娥眉兮， They violated rules and distorted policies. They defied moral
谣诼谓余以善淫。 standards and sticked to distortions. Their principle was to curry
固时俗之工巧兮， favor with their superiors. I feel deppressed, worried and
偭规矩而改错。 disappointed. Now I am lonely and poor. I would rather
背绳墨以追曲兮， die and depart. I hate to flatter people.
竞周容以为度。 Eagles would not live with sparrows.
忳郁邑余侘傺兮， This is the way since ancient times.
吾独穷困乎此时也。 Squares and rounds cannot live in peace.
宁淹死以流亡兮， I would rather make concessions and control my emotions.
余不忍为此态也！ I would endure their blame and abuse.
鸷鸟之不群兮， I only wish I could keep myself clean and die an honest death
自前世而固然。 This kind of act was praised by ancient sages.
何方圆之能周兮，
夫孰异道而相安！
屈心而抑志兮，
忍尤而攘诟。
伏清白以死直兮，
固前圣之所厚！

I. (5) Since his ideal could not be realized, the poet retired to cultivate his moralcharacter. He would not give up his ideal under any circumstance.

悔相道之不察兮， I regret I did not watch clearly my way ahead.
延伫乎吾将反。 I hesitated a while, then I turned back my carriage to follow the
回朕车以复路兮， original path. I halted in time while I went not far astray.
及行迷之未远。 I led my horse to stroll along the orchid river bank,
步余马于兰皋兮， gallop on the pepper hill, and stayed there for a while.
驰椒丘且焉止息。 I enterd the royal court, but was not accepted by the emperor.
进不入以离尤兮， Moreover. I offended people. So I retired to mend my old clothes.
退将复修吾初服。 I used waternut leaves to make my coat,
制芰荷以为衣兮， and used lotus flower to make my skirt.
集芙蓉以为裳。 It does not matter if nobody understands me.
不吾知其亦己兮， What I care for is only that my sentiments remain true and fragrant.
苟余情其信芳。 I wore a tall hat and a long belt.
高余冠之岌岌兮， Although pure things and dirty things are often mixed up in this
长余佩之陆离。 world, yet only pure quality can last long..
芳与泽其杂糅兮， Suddenly I turned my head, and looked into the distance.
唯昭质其犹未亏。 I wore colorful garments, which emitted a strong aroma.
忽反顾以游目兮， Everybody has his own interest, but I especially love moral
将往观乎四荒。 cultivation. I'll not change my point of view even if I come to
佩缤纷其繁饰兮， pieces.How could I hesitate to pursue my ideal?
芳菲菲其弥章。
民生各有所乐兮，
余独好修以为常。
虽体解吾犹未变兮，
岂余心之可惩！

II. (1) In accordance with his elder sister's advice, the poet went south to present his idea and ideas to Emperor Shun of the Yu State. He quoted many historical events to explain his political views.

女媭之婵媛兮， My elder sister was much concerned about my fate.
申申其詈予。 She advised me again and again :"Gun was stubborn and self-willed,
曰："鲧婞直以亡身兮， thus was finally killed in tha wilderness of Yu Mountain.
终然殀乎羽之野。 You are too out-spoken and self-disciplined .
汝何博謇而好修兮， You have many good qualities.
纷独有此姱节。 Your house is full of common grasses and flowers,
薋菉葹以盈室兮， but , unlike others, you care not to wear them.
判独离而不服。 People cannot explain it to you from house to house.
众不可户说兮， Who would come to examine our inner feelings?
孰云察余之中情？ People in the world like to boost each other and form cliques.
世并举而好朋兮， Why do you prefer solitude and refuse to listen to me?"
夫何茕独而不予听？" I have tried to control my temper,
依前圣以节中兮， following ancinet sages example .
喟凭心而历兹。 My indignation could not be subdued until today.
济沅湘以南征兮， So I crossed the Yuan River and the Xiang River to make an
就重华而陈词： expedition to the south,
"启九辩与九歌兮， wishing to approach Emperor Chonghua(Yuxun) and reason with
夏康娱以自纵。 him:"Emperor Xia Qi stole two songs JIU BIAN and JIU GE from
不顾难以图后兮， Heaven.He indulged him- self in pleasure.
五子用失乎家巷。 He failed to see risks ahead,
羿淫游以佚畋兮， and refused to plan for his future.
又好射夫封狐。 Hence Xia Qi's son Wu Guan staged a rebellion.
固乱流其鲜终兮， Emperor Yi indulged in sensual pleasures and was fond of hunting,
浞又贪夫厥家。 especially shooting big foxes.
浇身被服强圉兮， Of course, licentious people rarely ended well.
纵欲而不忍。 Yi's minister Han Zhuo killed him and forcibly occupied his wife.
日康娱以自忘兮， Counting on his own strength,
厥首用夫颠陨。 Han Ao indulged in sensual pleasures.
夏桀之常违兮， Everyday he sought merry-making and forgot himself.
乃遂焉而逢殃。 Thus his head was cut down.
后辛之菹醢兮， Tyrant Xia Jie always acted against common practice.
殷宗用而不长。 As a result he met with disasters.
汤禹俨而祗敬兮， Tyrant Yin Zhou cruelly killed faithful and upright courtiers,
周论道而莫差。 hence the Yin dynasty did not last long.
举贤而授能兮， Emperors Shan Tang and Xia Yu were solemn and respectful.
循绳墨而不颇。 Emperor Zhou Wen Wang was also sensible.
皇天无私阿兮， They selected worthy personnel and employed capable ministers.
览民德焉错辅。 They strictly observed certain principles.
夫维圣哲以茂行兮， Heaven is fair and unbiased,
苟得用此下土。 and supports people of virtue.
瞻前而顾后兮， Only ancient sagacious emperors were nobleminded.
相观民之计极。 So they could rule the world. Looking back and forward,
夫孰非义而可用兮， I observe the final objective of our human beings.
孰非善而可服？ How can we do things which are unjust?
阽余身而危死兮， And how can we accomplish deeds which are wicked?
览余初其犹未悔。 Though I face the danger of death.
不量凿而正枘兮， I never regret my original aspiration .
固前修以菹醢。 Don't try to fit a square tenon with a round mortise.
曾嘘唏余郁邑兮， Exactly because of this,former sages encountered disasters."
哀朕时之不当。 I weep, I am depressed. I deplore I am a misfit!
揽茹蕙以掩涕兮， With soft orchid I wiped my tears which rolled down on my
沾余襟之浪浪。 clothes. II.

(2) After explaining his political views of"Seleting worthy people and appointing able men", the poet fancied to travel around the world to seek for truth and his ideal, but he encountered failure.

跪敷衽以陈辞兮， With open front of my garment I kneeled down to present my
耿吾既得此中正。 points of view. I feel enlighted that I've got the right way.
驷玉虬以乘鷖兮， I rode in a phoenix carriage driven by four Jade-decorated dragons.
溘埃风余上征。 Suddenly I left the earth and flew to the sky.
朝发轫于苍梧兮， In the morning I started from Can Wu Mountain and in the
夕余至乎县圃。 evening I reached Kunlun Mountain.
欲少留此灵琐兮， I intended to stay at Lingsuo(a fairyland),
日忽忽其将暮。 but it quickly approached sunset.
吾令羲和弭节兮， I ordered the sun-driver XiHe to drive slowly,
望崦嵫而勿迫。 lest the sun approached Yanzhi Mountain.
路曼曼其修远兮， The road ahead is long and long.
吾将上下而求索。 I'll seek truth(my ideal) in the heaven and on the earth.
饮余马于咸池兮， I let my horse drink water at Xian Chi fairy pond,
总余辔乎扶桑。 and tied my horse to the mulberry tree Fusan.
折若木以拂日兮， I broke a branch of Ruomu(a fairy tree) to block the sun.
聊逍遥以相羊。 I could for the timebeing roam leisurely and remain carefree.
前望舒使先驱兮， I let the moon-driver Wangshu to act as pioneer and told the wind-
后飞廉使奔属。 god Feilian to follow closely.
鸾皇为余先戒兮， A phoenix acted as vanguard.
雷师告余以未具。 The thunder god told me that luggage was not ready.
吾令凤鸟飞腾兮， I orderd the phoenix to fly fast day and night.
继之以日夜。 A cyclone gathered around leading clouds to welcome me.
飘风屯其相离兮， Clouds changed quickly, now gathering, now separating,
帅云霓而来御。 now this color, now that color, now moving up, now moving down.
纷总总其离合兮， I called the door-keeper of the Heaven gate to open the door.
斑陆离其上下。 He leaned against the door looking at me steadily.
吾令帝阍开关兮， The sun was going to set.
倚阊阖而望予。 It became darker and darker on the horizon.
时暖暖其将罢兮， I loitered there for a long time wreathing orchids into garlands.
结幽兰而延伫。 This world is in a mesh without distinction of ritht and wrong.
世混浊而不分兮， Vulgar people are jealous and like to belittle other's achievements
好蔽美而嫉妒。 and merits. II.

(3) The poet descrides his failure in realzing his ideal. He expressed his bitter feelings when he was out of his emperor's favor and was misunderstood by his colleagues.

朝吾将济于白水兮， In the morning I crossed the longevity river Baishui and climbed
登阆风而系马。 Lang Feng Mountain, where I tethered my horse.
忽反顾以流涕兮， Suddenly I looked back, tears falling profusely.
哀高丘之无女。 I lamented that in the royal court of Chu there were no beautiful
溘吾游此春宫兮， women(sagacious people who understood Qu Yuan).
折琼枝以继佩。 I toured this royal court, where I broke down a jade tree
及荣华之未落兮， branch to decorate myself. While flowers were still on
相下女之可詒。 the tree, I looked for beautiful women who would receive
吾令丰隆乘云兮， gifts of flowers. I ordered the cloud god Fenglong to drive
求宓妃之所在。 the cloud chariot to look for the place where Mifei (the
解佩纕以结言兮， imperial concubine) lived. I untied my belt to tie my love
吾令蹇修以为理。 letter. I asked Jianxiu to act as match-maker. Clouds
纷总总其离合兮， changed rapidly, now gathering, now separating. Soon I
忽帏缅其难迁。 knew some people were perverse, they were hard to deal
夕归次于穷石兮， with. In the evening Mifei returned to Qiong Shi the
朝濯发乎洧盘。 rendezvous. Early in the morning she went to the river
保厥美以骄傲兮， Weipan to wash her hair. She was dissolute and sought
日康娱以淫游。 pleasure everyday. She was beautiful but immoral.Let me
虽信美而无礼兮， desert her and look for another beauty, In Heaven I looked
来违弃而改求。 all around.After travelling around I descended from
览相观于四极兮 Heaven. Looking from afar at the sublime jasper terrace
周流乎天余乃下。 I saw the beautiful lady of You Song living on the terrace.
望瑶台之偃蹇兮， I asked Zhen(a legendary bird) to act as match-maker.
见有娀之佚女。 It told me that she was no good. The male bird Zhen flew
吾令鸩为媒兮， away chirping. I disliked its treachery and flippancy.
鸩告余以不好。 I felt hesitant and doubtful. I wanted to go there myself,
雄鸠之鸣逝兮， but felt improper to do so. The go-between had accepted
余犹恶其佻巧。 Emperor Digao's betrothal gift. I was afraid Gaoxing
心犹豫而狐疑兮， (Digao) might overtake me. I would like to travel far
欲自适而不可。 and wide. but I could find no place to stay. So I had to
凤皇既受詒兮， roam about. When prince ShaoKang was still unmarried,
恐高辛之先我。 There were two princesses to be married off in Youyu
欲远集而无所止兮， State.For lack of a glib tongue the match-maker was
聊浮游以逍遥。 unsuccessful. The world is filthy: Low brows are envious
及少康之未家兮， of high brows. They (low brows) like to disparage virtue
留有虞之二姚。 and praise evil. It is difficult to approach beauties in the
理弱而媒拙兮， boudoir, while sagacious emperors are slow to wake.
恐导言之不固。 I am full of devotion but where can I vent my indignation?
世混浊而嫉贤兮， How can I endure such a situation?
好蔽美而称恶。
闺中既以邃远兮，
哲王又不寤。
怀朕情而不发兮，
余焉能忍与此终古！

III. (1) Facing the question of leaving or staying, the poet could not make up his mind.So he asked the wizard to divine for him. The wizard urged him to leave and told him why.

索藑茅以筳蓴兮， With a magic grass and some bamboo tablets I appealed
命灵氛为余占之。 to a wizard to practise divination for me. He said:
曰："两美其必合兮， "The two beauties(referring to wise emperor and worthy
孰信修而慕之？ ministers) must unite. Those who sincerely cultivate
思九州之博大兮， themselves would be admired. The world is so wide
岂唯是其有女？" that beautiful women can be found outside this place.
曰："勉远逝而无狐疑兮， "I advise you to fly far and wide. Don't hesitate.
孰求美而释女？ People who look for beauties(worthy personnel) would
何所独无芳草兮， not forsake you. You can find fragrant grasses(beautiful
尔何怀乎故宇？ women) everywhere in the world. Why should you so
世幽昧以眩曜兮， bitterly long for your native land? The world is dark,
孰云察余之善恶？ making people dizzy. Who would be able to
民好恶其不同兮， distinguish our evil from our good? People have
惟此党人其独异。 different likes and dislikes. These petty partisans are
户服艾以盈要兮， particularly queer. Most people wear mugwort around
谓幽兰其不可佩。 their waists, saying that orchids are worthless. They
览察草木其犹未得兮， even cannot distinguish weeds from crops, how can
岂▲美之能当？ they properly evaluate jade articles? They fill their
苏粪壤以充帏兮， pockets with muck, saying that prickly ash is not
谓申椒其不芳。" sweet."

III. (2) After hearing the wizard's advice, and considering the situation of the Chu State, the poet finally decided to leave his native land.

欲从灵氛之吉占兮， After hearing from the wizard that the divination
心犹豫而狐疑。 promised well. I hesitated and felt doubtful.
巫咸将夕降兮， I heard that wizard Wuxian would appeal to God
怀椒糈而要之。 to descend from Heaven this night. I brought
百神翳其备降兮， prickly ash and refined rice to welcome him.
九疑缤其并迎。 All gods descended from Heaven blotting out the sky
皇剡剡其扬灵兮， and covering up the sun, while gods from Jiuning
告余以吉故。 Mountain came out in profusion to welcome them.
曰："勉升降以上下兮， Their haloes glittered showing their divine power.
求矩矱之所同。 Wuxian told me many propitious stories, saying:
汤禹严而求合兮， "You should make an effort to go up and down to look
挚咎繇而能调。 for comrades. Emperors Tang and Yu were anxious
苟中情其好修兮， for men of worth and ability. Thus they obtained wise
又何必用夫行媒。 ministers like Yiyin and Gaotao and worked harmoniously.
说操筑于傅岩兮， As long as one is kind-hearted and practises self-cultivation,
武丁用而不疑。 what is the use of match-makers? Fu Yue used to build
吕望之鼓刀兮， walls with pestles in Fuyan(in Shanxi province).
遭周文而得举。 Emperor Wudin(Yin Gao Zhong) didn't hesitate to use
宁戚之讴歌兮， him as prime minister. Lu Wang(Jiang Taigong) used to
齐桓闻以该辅。 be a butcher, he was lucky to meet Emperor.
及年岁之未晏兮， Zhou Weng Wang and was appointed premier.
时亦犹其未央。 Nigi used to feed cattle, singing songs accompanied
恐鹈鴂之先鸣兮， by beating ox horn. After hearing the song,
使夫百草为之不芳。 Emperor Qi Wangong appointed him as a senior official.
何琼佩之偃蹇兮， While we are still young, we have plenty of time to put
众薆然而蔽之。 our talent to good use. I only fear cuckoos sing too early,
惟此党人之不谅兮， lest flowers should all fall. Why should people block the
恐嫉妒而折之。 briliance of so fine a jade pendant?Thinking of the treachery
时缤纷其变易兮， of these petty partisans, I am afraid their jealousy would
又何可以淹留。 spoil it. Times are chaotic and fickle, how can I stay here for
兰芷变而不芳兮， long? Orchids and Dahurian angelicas have lost their
荃蕙化而为茅。 fragrance,and quan grasses have changed into cogon grasses.
何昔日之芳草兮， Why yesterday's fragrant grasses have all changed
今直为此萧艾也？ into today's wormwoods and mugworts? Are there
岂其有他故兮， other reasons than the harm caused by neglect of moral
莫好修之害也。 cultivation? I used to regard orhids most reliable .Who knows
余以兰为可恃兮， that they are flashy and without substance.They give up their
羌无实而容长。 good qualities and follow vulgar customs, trying their best to
委厥美以从俗兮， squeeze into the ranks of pretty flowers. Prickly ashes are
苟得列乎众芳。 despotic, flattering and arrogant.Cornels wish to enter the
椒专佞以慢慆兮， sachet, passing off as fragrant flowers.Since they are so
又欲充夫佩帏。 anxious to curry favor with high officials, surely they cannot
既干进而务入兮， emit fragrance.Since drifting with the tide is the way of the
又何芳之能祇。 world,who can be steadfast without change? Even prickly ash
固时俗之流从兮， and orchid have deteriorated to such a state, how can Jiangli
又孰能无变化？ (Gracilaria confervoides) remain unchanged.Only my
览椒兰其若兹兮， ornaments are most precious as they can maintain their
又况揭车与江离。 beauty until doday.Their fragrance can hardly vanish indeed.
惟兹佩之可贵兮， I wisely adjust myself to seek amusement.When I am still
委厥美而历兹。 young,and my ornaments are still pretty, I'll travel around
芳菲菲而难亏兮， the world to look for beautiful women(sagacious people
芬至今犹未沫！ who understand Qu Yuan).
和调度以自娱兮，
聊浮游而求女。
及余饰之方壮兮，
周流观乎上下。

III. (3) Accepting the wizard's advice, the poet decided to travel far and wide. however, he was reluctant to leave his native land.

灵氛既告余以吉占兮， The wizard has told me that I'll be blessed by a lucky star.
历吉日乎吾将行。 So I'll select a good day to start my journey. I'll break a
折琼枝以为羞兮， branch of jasper tree as dried meat and pulverize jade as
精琼糜以为粮。 solid food. A flying dragon will drive my carriage, which
为余驾飞龙兮， is decorated with jade and ivory. How could I cooperate
杂瑶象以为车。 with the dissenter? I would leave him and go far away.
何离心之可同兮， I turned my way toward Kunlun Mountain.The way was long.
吾将远逝以自疏。 I continued to travel. Clouds flew covering the sun.
邅吾道夫昆仑兮， Bells on the carriage jingled along. In the morning I started
路修远以周流。 from the ferry of the Milky Way. In the evening I arrived at
扬云霓之晻蔼兮， the extreme west. The phoenix spread its wings to bear the
鸣玉鸾之啾啾。 cloud. It flew high and rhythmically. Suddenly I came to the
朝发轫于天津兮， desert. Along the Red River I could walk only slowly.
夕余至乎西极。 I commanded the flood dragon to build a bridge at the ferry,
凤皇翼其承旗兮， and ordered the God of the West to ferry me to the other shore.
高翱翔之翼翼。 Seeing the journey long and risky, I ordered my carriages to
忽吾行此流沙兮， wait at the roadside. I passed through Buzhou Mountain,
遵赤水而容与。 then I turned to the left. My destination was the sea of the
挥蛟龙使梁津兮， west. I gathered a thousand carriages, put their wheels on a
詔西皇使涉予。 par, and let them run side by side. The eight dragons carrying
路修远以多艰兮， the carriage wriggled forward, while the flags
腾众车使径待。 bearing the clouds fluttered in the wind. I controlled my
路不周以左转兮， emotion and moved forward slowly. But my sentiments flew
指西海以为期。 high, could hardly be controlled. I played the Jiuge music and
屯余车其千乘兮， danced the Jiushao dance. Let me avail myself of my splendid
齐玉轪而并驰。 youth to seek pleasure. The sun rose in the east and shone
驾八龙之婉婉兮， brightly over the earth. Suddenly I saw my native land.
载云旗之委蛇。 My servant felt sorry for me and my horse hesitated to go
抑志而弭节兮， forward. Epilogue:"Let it be! Since my fellow country men
神高驰之邈邈。 fail to understand me, why should I yearn for my hometown?
奏《九歌》而舞《韶》兮，Since I cannot realize my political ideal, I"ll follow ancient
聊假日以愉乐。 Sage Pengxian's example."
陟升皇之赫戏兮，
忽临睨夫旧乡。
仆夫悲余马怀兮，
蜷局顾而不行 。
乱曰："已矣哉！"
国无人莫我知兮，
又何怀乎故都？
既莫足与为美政兮，
吾将从彭咸之所居！"

        Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
              Bird thou never wert,
        That from Heaven, or near it,
              Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.

        Higher still and higher
              From the earth thou springest
        Like a cloud of fire;
              The blue deep thou wingest,
And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest.

        In the golden lightning
              Of the sunken sun
        O'er which clouds are bright'ning,
              Thou dost float and run,
Like an unbodied joy whose race is just begun.

        The pale purple even
              Melts around thy flight;
        Like a star of Heaven
              In the broad daylight
Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight:

        Keen as are the arrows
              Of that silver sphere,
        Whose intense lamp narrows
              In the white dawn clear
Until we hardly see--we feel that it is there.

        All the earth and air
              With thy voice is loud.
        As, when night is bare,
              From one lonely cloud
The moon rains out her beams, and heaven is overflowed.

        What thou art we know not;
              What is most like thee?
        From rainbow clouds there flow not
              Drops so bright to see
As from thy presence showers a rain of melody.

        Like a poet hidden
              In the light of thought,
        Singing hymns unbidden,
              Till the world is wrought
To sympathy with hopes and fears it heeded not:

        Like a high-born maiden
              In a palace tower,
        Soothing her love-laden
              Soul in secret hour
With music sweet as love, which overflows her bower:

        Like a glow-worm golden
              In a dell of dew,
        Scattering unbeholden
              Its aerial hue
Among the flowers and grass, which screen it from the view:

        Like a rose embowered
              In its own green leaves,
        By warm winds deflowered,
              Till the scent it gives
Makes faint with too much sweet these heavy-winged thieves.

        Sound of vernal showers
              On the twinkling grass,
        Rain-awakened flowers,
              All that ever was
Joyous, and clear, and fresh, thy music doth surpass.

        Teach us, sprite or bird,
              What sweet thoughts are thine:
        I have never heard
              Praise of love or wine
That panted forth a flood of rapture so divine.

        Chorus hymeneal
              Or triumphal chaunt
        Matched with thine, would be all
              But an empty vaunt--
A thing wherein we feel there is some hidden want.

        What objects are the fountains
              Of thy happy strain?
        What fields, or waves, or mountains?
              What shapes of sky or plain?
What love of thine own kind? what ignorance of pain?

        With thy clear keen joyance
              Languor cannot be:
        Shadow of annoyance
              Never came near thee:
Thou lovest, but ne'er knew love's sad satiety.

        Waking or asleep,
              Thou of death must deem
        Things more true and deep
              Than we mortals dream,
Or how could thy notes flow in such a crystal stream?

        We look before and after,
              And pine for what is not:
        Our sincerest laughter
              With some pain is fraught;
Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.

        Yet if we could scorn
              Hate, and pride, and fear;
        If we were things born
              Not to shed a tear,
I know not how thy joy we ever should come near.

        Better than all measures
              Of delightful sound,
        Better than all treasures
              That in books are found,
Thy skill to poet were, thou scorner of the ground!

        Teach me half the gladness
              That thy brain must know,
        Such harmonious madness
              From my lips would flow
The world should listen then, as I am listening now!

                            ---Percy Bysshe Shelley

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
     My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
     One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk:
'Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,
     But being too happy in thy happiness,---
          That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees,
               In some melodious plot
     Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,
          Singest of summer in full-throated ease.

O for a draught of vintage, that hath been
     Cooled a long age in the deep-delved earth,
Tasting of Flora and the country green,
     Dance, and Provencal song, and sun-burnt mirth!
O for a beaker full of the warm South,
     Full of the true, the blushful Hippocrene,
          With beaded bubbles winking at the brim,
               And purple-stained mouth;
     That I might drink, and leave the world unseen,
          And with thee fade away into the forest dim:

Fade far away, dissolve, and quite forget
     What thou among the leaves hast never known,
The weariness, the fever, and the fret
     Here, where men sit and hear each other groan;
Where palsy shakes a few, sad, last gray hairs,
     Where youth grows pale, and spectre-thin, and dies;
          Where but to think is to be full of sorrow
               And leaden-eyed despairs;
     Where beauty cannot keep her lustrous eyes,
          Or new love pine at them beyond tomorrow.

Away! away! for I will fly to thee,
     Not charioted by Bacchus and his pards,
But on the viewless wings of Poesy,
     Though the dull brain perplexes and retards:
Already with thee! tender is the night,
     And haply the Queen-Moon is on her throne,
          Clustered around by all her starry fays;
               But here there is no light,
     Save what from heaven is with the breezes blown
          Through verdurous glooms and winding mossy ways.

I cannot see what flowers are at my feet,
     Nor what soft incense hangs upon the boughs,
But, in embalmed darkness, guess each sweet
     Wherewith the seasonable month endows
The grass, the thicket, and the fruit-tree wild;
     White hawthorn, and the pastoral eglantine;
          Fast-fading violets covered up in leaves;
               And mid-May's eldest child,
     The coming musk-rose, full of dewy wine,
          The murmurous haunt of flies on summer eves.

Darkling I listen; and for many a time
     I have been half in love with easeful Death,
Called him soft names in many a mused rhyme,
     To take into the air my quiet breath;
Now more than ever seems it rich to die,
     To cease upon the midnight with no pain,
          While thou art pouring forth thy soul abroad
               In such an ecstasy!
     Still wouldst thou sing, and I have ears in vain---
          To thy high requiem become a sod

Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!
     No hungry generations tread thee down;
The voice I hear this passing night was heard
     In ancient days by emperor and clown:
Perhaps the self-same song that found a path
     Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home,
          She stood in tears amid the alien corn;
               The same that oft-times hath
     Charmed magic casements, opening on the foam
          Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.

Forlorn! the very word is like a bell
     To toll me back from thee to my sole self!
Adieu! the fancy cannot cheat so well
     As she is famed to do, deceiving elf.
Adieu! adieu! thy plaintive anthem fades
     Past the near meadows, over the still stream,
          Up the hill-side; and now 'tis buried deep
               In the next valley-glades:
     Was it a vision, or a waking dream?
          Fled is that music:---do I wake or sleep?

 

                                             ---John Keats

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloundless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

2 

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

3 

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

---1815 Byron