Li Sao

路曼曼其修远兮，吾将上下而求索。

The way was long, and wrapped in gloom did seem,
As I urged on to seek my vanished dream.

"Li Sao" (Chinese: 離騷; pinyin: Lí Sāo; translation: "Encountering Sorrow") is an ancient Chinese poem from the anthology Chuci traditionally attributed to Qu Yuan. Li Sao dates from the late 3rd century BCE, during the Chinese Warring States period.

Quotes

Unless otherwise noted, all translations into English are taken from Yuan Qu, Li Sao, trans. Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang (Foreign Languages Press, 1955)

• 长太息以掩涕兮，哀民生之多艰。
  余虽好修姱以鞿羁兮，謇朝谇而夕替。
  既替余以蕙纕兮，又申之㠯揽茝。
  亦余心之所善兮，虽九死其犹未悔。
  • Long did I sigh and wipe away my tears,
    To see my people bowed by griefs and fears.
    Though I my gifts enhanced and curbed my pride,
    At morn they'd 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,
    I'd not regret a thousand deaths to die.
    • Line 40

• 路曼曼其修远兮，吾将上下而求索。
  • The way was long, and wrapped in gloom did seem,
    As I urged on to seek my vanished dream.
    • Line 97

• 世溷浊而不分兮，好蔽美而嫉妒。
  • The virtuous and the vile in darkness merged;
    They veiled my virtue, by their envy urged.
    • Line 107

• 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。
  • Since in that kingdom all my virtue spurn,
    Why should I for the royal city yearn?
    Wide though the world, no wisdom can be found.
    I'll seek the stream where once the sage was drowned.
    • Lines 187–188

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Li Sao on Wikipedia