英文版离骚.docx

1、英文版离骚LI SAO (The Lament) is not only one of the most remarkable works of Ch Yan, it ranks as one of the greatest poems in Chinese or world poetry. It was probably written during the period when the poet had been exiled by his king, and was living south of the Yangtse River. The name LI SAO has been

2、interpreted by some as meaning encountering sorrow, by others as sorrow after departure. Some recent scholars have construed it as sorrow in estrangement, while yet others think it was the name of a certain type of music. This long lyrical poem describes the search and disillusionment of a soul in a

3、gony, riding on dragons and serpents from heaven to earth. By means of rich imagery and skilful similes, it expresses love of ones country and the sadness of separation. It touches upon various historical themes intermingled with legends and myths, and depicts, directly or indirectly, the social con

4、ditions of that time and the complex destinies of the city states of ancient China. The conflict between the individual and the ruling group is repeatedly described, while at the same time the poet affirms his determination to fight for justice. This passionate desire to save his country, and this l

5、ove for the people, account for the poems splendour and immortality. A prince am I of ancestry renowned, Illustrious name my royal sire hath found. When Sirius did in spring its light display, A child was born, and Tiger marked the day. When first upon my face my lords eye glanced, For me auspicious

6、 names he straight advanced, Denoting that in me Heavens marks divine Should with the virtues of the earth combine. With lavished innate qualities indued, By art and skill my talents I renewed; Angelic herbs and sweet selineas too, And orchids late that by the water grew, I wove for ornament; till c

7、reeping Time, Like water flowing, stole away my prime. Magnolias of the glade I plucked at dawn, At eve beside the stream took winter-thorn. Without delay the sun and moon sped fast, In swift succession spring and autumn passed; The fallen flowers lay scattered on the ground, The dusk might fall bef

8、ore my dream was found. Had I not loved my prime and spurned the vile, Why should I not have changed my former style? My chariot drawn by steeds of race divine I urged; to guide the king my sole design. Three ancient kings there were so pure and true That round them every fragrant flower grew; Cassi

9、a and pepper of the mountain-side With melilotus white in clusters vied. Two monarchs then, who high renown received, Followed the kingly way, their goal achieved. Two princes proud by lust their reign abused, Sought easier path, and their own steps confused. The faction for illict pleasure longed;

10、Dreadful their way where hidden perils thronged. Danger against myself could not appal, But feared I lest my sovereigns sceptre fall. Forward and back I hastened in my quest, Followed the former kings, and took no rest. The prince my true integrity defamed, Gave ear to slander, high his anger flamed

11、; Integrity I knew could not avail, Yet still endured; my lord I would not fail. Celestial spheres my witness be on high, I strove but for his sacred majesty. Twas first to me he gave his plighted word, But soon repenting other counsel heard. For me departure could arouse no pain; I grieved to see h

12、is royal purpose vain. Nine fields of orchids at one time I grew, For melilot a hundred acres too, And fifty acres for the azalea bright, The rumex fragrant and the lichen white. I longed to see them yielding blossoms rare, And thought in season due the spoil to share. I did not grieve to see them d

13、ie away, But grieved because midst weeds they did decay. Insatiable in lust and greediness The faction strove, and tired not of excess; Themselves condoning, others theyd decry, And steep their hearts in envious jealousy. Insatiably they seized what they desired, It was not that to which my heart as

14、pired. As old age unrelenting hurried near, Lest my fair name should fail was all my fear. Dew from magnolia leaves I drank at dawn, At eve for food were aster petals borne; And loving thus the simple and the fair, How should I for my sallow features care? With gathered vines I strung valeria white,

15、 And mixed with blue wistaria petals bright, And melilotus matched with cassia sweet, With ivy green and tendrils long to meet. Life I adapted to the ancient way, Leaving the manners of the present day; Thus unconforming to the modern age, The path I followed of a bygone sage. Long did I sigh and wi

16、pe away my tears, To see my people bowed by griefs and fears. Though I my gifts enhanced and curbed my pride, At morn theyd mock me, would at eve deride; First cursed that I angelica should wear, Then cursed me for my melilotus fair. But since my heart did love such purity, Id not regret a thousand

17、deaths to die. I marvel at the folly of the king, So heedless of his peoples suffering. They envied me my mothlike eyebrows fine, And so my name his damsels did malign. Truly to craft alone their praise they paid, The square in measuring they disobeyed; The use of common rules they held debased; Wit

18、h confidence their crooked lines they traced. In sadness plunged and sunk in deepest gloom, Alone I drove on to my dreary doom. In exile rather would I meet my end, Than to the baseness of their ways descend. Remote the eagle spurns the common range, Nor deigns since time began its way to change; A

19、circle fits not with a square design; Their different ways could not be merged with mine. Yet still my heart I checked and curbed my pride, Their blame endured and their reproach beside. To die for righteousness alone I sought, For this was what the ancient sages taught. I failed my former errors to

20、 discern; I tarried long, but now I would return. My steeds I wheeled back to their former way, Lest all too long down the wrong path I stray. On orchid-covered bank I loosed my steed, And let him gallop by the flowry mead At will. Rejected now and in disgrace, I would retire to cultivate my grace.

21、With cress leaves green my simple gown I made, With lilies white my rustic garb did braid. Why should I grieve to go unrecognised, Since in my heart fragrance was truly prized? My headdress then high-pinnacled I raised, Lengthened my pendents, where bright jewels blazed. Others may smirch their frag

22、rance and bright hues, My innocence is proof against abuse. Oft I looked back, gazed to the distance still, Longed in the wilderness to roam at will. Splendid my ornaments together vied, With all the fragrance of the flowers beside; All men had pleasures in their various ways, My pleasure was to cul

23、tivate my grace. I would not change, though they my body rend; How could my heart be wrested from its end? My handmaid fair, with countenance demure, Entreated me allegiance to abjure: A hero perished in the plain ill-starred, Where pigmies stayed their plumage to discard. Why lovest thou thy grace

24、and purity, Alone dost hold thy splendid virtue high? Lentils and weeds the princes chamber fill: Why holdest thou aloof with stubborn will? Thou canst not one by one the crowd persuade, And who the purpose of our heart hath weighed? Faction and strife the world hath ever loved; Heeding me not, why

25、standest thou removed? I sought thancestral voice to ease my woe. Alas, how one so proud could sink so low! To barbarous south I went across the stream; Before the ancient I began my theme: With odes divine there came a monarchs son, Whose revels unrestrained were never done; In antics wild, to comi

26、ng perils blind, He fought his brother, and his sway declined. The royal archer, in his wanton chase For foxes huge, his kingdom did disgrace. Such wantonness predicts no happy end; His queen was stolen by his loyal friend. The traitors son, clad in prodigious might, In incest sinned and cared not w

27、hat was right. He revelled all his days, forgetting all; His head at last in treachery did fall. And then the prince, who counsels disobeyed, Did court disaster, and his kingdom fade. A prince his sage in burning cauldrons tossed; His glorious dynasty ere long was lost. But stern and pious was their

28、 ancient sire, And his successor too did faith inspire; Exalted were the wise, the able used, The rule was kept and never was abused. The august heaven, with unbiassed grace, All men discerns, and helps the virtuous race; Sagacious princes through their virtuous deed The earth inherit, and their rei

29、gns succeed. The past I probed, the future so to scan, And found these rules that guide the life of man: A man unjust in deed who would engage? Whom should men take as guide except the sage? In mortal dangers death I have defied, Yet could look back, and cast regret aside. Who strove, their tools de

30、fects accounting nought, Like ancient sages were to cauldrons brought. Thus I despaired, my face with sad tears marred, Mourning with bitterness my years ill-starred; And melilotus leaves I took to stem The tears that streamed down to my garments hem. Soiling my gown, to plead my case I kneeled; Tha

31、ncestral voice the path to me revealed. Swift jade-green dragons, birds with plumage gold, I harnessed to the whirlwind, and behold, At daybreak from the land of plane-trees grey, I came to paradise ere close of day. I wished within the sacred brove to rest, But now the sun was sinking in the west; The driver of the sun I bade to stay, Ere with the setting rays we haste away. The way was long, and wrapped in gloom did seem, As I urged on to seek my vanished dream. The dragons quenched their thirst beside the lake Where bathed the sun, whilst I upon the brake Fastened