Lyrics by Qu Yuan (c. 340 BCE – 278 BCE)
暾将出兮东方
照吾槛兮扶桑
抚余马兮安驱
夜皎皎兮既明
驾龙辀兮乘雷
载云旗兮委蛇
长太息兮将上
心低徊兮顾怀
羌声色兮娱人
观者憺兮忘归
緪瑟兮交鼓 箫钟兮瑶簴
鸣篪兮吹竽 思灵保兮贤姱
翾飞兮翠曾 展诗兮会舞
应律兮合节 灵之来兮蔽日
緪瑟兮交鼓 箫钟兮瑶簴
鸣篪兮吹竽 思灵保兮贤姱
翾飞兮翠曾 展诗兮会舞
应律兮合节 灵之来兮蔽日
青云衣兮白霓裳
举长矢兮射天狼
操余弧兮反沦降
援北斗兮酌桂浆
撰余辔兮高驼翔
杳冥冥兮以东行
Lyrics Translated by Arthur Waley
There is a glow in the sky; soon he will be rising in the east.
Now on my balcony falls a ray from Fu-sang.
I touch my horses and gently drive.
The night grows pale; now it is broad daylight.
He harnesses his dragon-shaft, rides on his thunderwheels,
He carries banners of cloud that twist and trail.
But he heaves a great sigh, and when he is about to rise
He cannot make up his mind ; he looks back full of yearning.
‘Ch’iang! Beauty and music are things to delight in!
He that looks lingers, and forgets to go on his way.
The zithern-strings are tightened; drum answers drum.
The bells are beaten till the bell-stand rocks.
Sound of flute, blowing of the reed-organ;
A clever and beautiful Spirit-guardian
Lightly fluttering on halcyon wings.
Verses chanted to fit the dance,
Singers who keep their pitch, instruments in strict measure;
The coming of many Spirits covers the sun.
Coat of blue cloud, skirt of white rainbow,
I gather my reins and my chariot sweeps aloft.
I take up my long arrow and shoot at the Heavenly Wolf,
Then draw toward me the Dipper and pour out for myself a drink of cassia.
And bow in hand plunge into the abyss,
Am lost in mirk and darkness as I start on my journey to the East.
