朝搴阰之木兰兮，夕揽洲之宿莽。
日月忽其不淹兮，春与秋其代序。
And wreaths of Cymbidium flowers I oft wear. Aware that time and tide for nobody will wait, To make hay while th' sun shines I do myself cultivate.
惟草木之零落兮，恐美人之迟暮。
不抚壮而弃秽兮，何不改乎此度?
乘骐骥以驰骋兮，来吾道夫先路！
昔三后之纯粹兮，固众芳之所在。
杂申椒与菌桂兮，岂惟纫夫蕙茝！
彼尧、舜之耿介兮，既遵道而得路。
I pluck the Magnolia on the slope at dawn; In th' eve on the sand-bar I pick the Winter-Thorn. The sun and th' moon in due course rise and fall so swift; While spring and autumn for each other in turn shift. 'Tis true that wither may the plants, which today thrive: To meet th' Beauty in her youth 'tis wise that I strive. I am determin'd to purge the vile in my prime: Shouldn't the Institution be reform'd in time? Riding on the steed I would rush and charge ahead As path-breaker, though sweat and blood I might shed. Why had the Three Ancient Kings been so pure and true?
何桀纣之猖披兮，夫惟捷径以窘步。
惟夫党人之偷乐兮，路幽昧以险隘。
Around them were gathered Flowers Red and Blue. Good use of Sweet Grass and Angelica they made, And heed to Cassia and Ash they also paid.
岂余身之殚殃兮，恐皇舆之败绩！
忽奔走以先后兮，及前王之踵武。荃不查余之中情兮，反信谗而齌怒。余固知謇謇之为患兮，忍而不能舍也。
King Yao and King Shun, who was just and fair, believ'd In th' righteous way, and their noble goals they achiev'd; Whereas Jie and Zhou, who their power had abus'd, Found their kingdoms lost and themselves greatly confus'd. Th' Faction for ignoble ease and pleasure have long'd; Th' obscure road they take is indeed with perils throng'd. My fear is not that I'd meet with personal plight, But that upon the Sovereign they should be a blight! With utter devotion I’ve bent myself to th’ quest;
指九天以为正兮，夫惟灵修之故也。
曰黄昏以为期兮，羌中道而改路！
初既与余成言兮，后悔遁而有他。
That the Crown follow the Wise King’s course I have blest. The Calamus ignor’d my holy sentiment And, credulous to slander, his spite he did vent. That good advice jars on the ear I am aware,
余既不难夫离别兮，伤灵修之数化。
But away from the cause I can not myself tear. I swear that I’d spar’d no effort for th’ monarchy: Providence could be witness of my royalty.