Classic Poem

Ling-fan, whose oracle was favorable to me,
Chose a fortunate day for my departure.
He broke a branch of the ch’iung tree for my food;
Like rice he boiled it for my nourishment.

He yoked for me a team of flying dragons;
With jade and with ivory he adorned my chariot.
How could I dwell in peace with hearts estranged from my own?
I would go far away. I would keep myself apart.

I turned my course towards the mountains of K’wan-lun;
Long was the way and far and wide did I wander.
Clouds of many colors floated like banners above my head,
And “ping, ping,” rang the jade bells of my harness.

In the morning I started from the Ford of Heaven,
And in the evening I reached the uttermost West.
The mated phoenixes greeted me, floating like flags,
In mutual harmony soaring and hovering.

Suddenly I was crossing over the Moving Sands,
And following gaily the banks of the Red River.
I motioned to the dragons to form a bridge for me,
And I prayed the Western Emperor to carry me across.

Long was the way and difficult the going.
I sent my chariots up before me, by narrow ways, to wait for one another,
While I went up by Pu-chau hill, and turned me to the left.
And I appointed the Western Sea for our meeting place.

I collected my chariots, a thousand in number.
Their linchpins were of jade, and they raced on together.
To each were yoked eight dragons, with snake-like motions gliding,
And the banners of colored cloud floated above our heads.

Nevertheless I paused, and I moderated my haste,
Though my spirit rose afar, racing like a horse of mettle.
I sang the Nine Songs, I danced the dance of Shun,
Spending a long day in the refreshment of pleasure

I ascended then into the luminous glory of the sky
And suddenly, looking down slantwise, I saw my old home.
My charioteer lamented; my chargers drooped with sorrow.
My heart was shaken; long I looked down, and went no farther.

Therefore I say, “It is the end.” In the whole kingdom
There is no one, there is no man who knows me.
Why should I still keep thinking of my old country?
Since I am not thought fit to govern justly
I will follow P’ang Hsien to the place where he is.