To the Lord of River Xiang

Why don't you come, oh! still hesitating?

For whom on midway isle, oh! are you waiting?

Duly adorned, Oh! and fair, I float

On rapid stream, oh! my cassia boat.

I bid the waves, oh! more slowly go

And the river, oh! tranquilly flow.

I wait for you, oh! who have not come;

Playing my flute, oh! with grief I'm numb.

In dragon boat, oh! for north I make

And zigzag up, oh! to Dongting Lake,

Ivy behind, oh! lotus before,

Orchid for flag, oh! cedar for oar.

I gaze on the lake, oh! and its farthest side;

My soul can't cross, oh! the river wide.

Across the river, oh! I cannot fly;

For my distress, oh! my handmaids sigh.

My tears stream down, oh! and slowly flow;

Longing for you, oh! I hide my woe.

With orchid rudder, oh! and cassia oar,

I break the ice, oh! and snow before,

As plucking ivy, oh! from the stream

Or lotus from trees, oh! in a dream.

The go-between, oh! cannot unite

Two divided hearts, oh! whose love is light,

As on a shallow stream, oh! a dragon boat,

Though its wings beat fast, oh! can't keep afloat.

Faithless as you're, oh! you deceive me;

Breaking our tryst, oh! you say you're not free.

At dawn I drive my cab, oh! by riverside;

At dusk on northern isle, oh! I stop my ride.

Under the eaves, oh! the birds reposed;

Around the house, oh! the river flows.

I throw in water, oh! my jasper rings

And cast away, oh! my offerings.

I pluck sweet flowers, oh! on the island

And give them to maids, oh! inferior hand.

For time once lost, oh! can't be found again;

From thinking of you, oh! I would refrain. 7dEtCkzqIq+UhVNV5p5MqC4ye59nDaqP1nU3Jdm1KsmTmlhJqzdlJsbOlpapjZ0y