48 Pr e - q i n t i m e s
introduction of a speech by another character briefly interrupts the poet’s lengthy
monologue. It brings in a certain dramatic element and relieves the poem’s mo-
notony. The woman’s speech attempts to bring about an exchange with the poet,
but this potential does not materialize because, as we shall see, instead of answer-
ing the woman’s questions and concerns, the poet turns his attention elsewhere.
The woman disappears from the poem.
In the next section, lines 141–182 (omitted), the poet, as if aware of the difficulty
of explaining his situation to a contemporary, takes his case directly to Shun, one
of the most revered ancient sage-rulers. He tells Shun that, unlike in the past,
when justice was rewarded and evil punished, his own time is thoroughly out of
order. Then, the poet “yoked a team of jade dragons to a phoenix-figured car /
And waited for the wind to come, to soar upon my journey” (lines 183–184). What
follows is the poem’s first heavenly trip, one of the most fantastic sections in the
poem:185 I started out in the morning on my way from Cang-wu, 朝發軔于蒼梧兮 (zhāo fā rèn yú cāng wú xi)
By evening I had arrived at the Hanging Garden.25 夕余至乎縣圃 (xī yú zhì hū xuán pŭ)
I wanted to stay a while in those fairy precincts, 欲少留此靈瑣兮 (yù shāo liú cĭ líng suŏ xi)
But the swift-moving sun was dipping to the west. 日忽忽其將暮 (rì hū hū qí jiāng mù)
I ordered Xi He to stay the sun-steeds’ gallop,26 吾令羲和弭節兮 (wú lìng xī hé mĭ jié xi)
190 To stand over Yan-zi Mountain and not go in;27 望崦嵫而勿迫 (wàng yān zī ér wù pò)
For the road was so far and so distant was my journey, 路曼曼其脩遠兮 (lù màn màn qí xiū yuăn xi)
And I wanted to go up and down, seeking my
heart’s desire. 吾將上下而求索 (wú jiāng shàng xià ér qiú suŏ)
I watered my dragon steeds at the Pool of Heaven,28 飲余馬于咸池兮 (yìnyú mă yú xián chí xi)
And tied their reigns up to the Fu-sang tree.29 總余轡乎扶桑 (zŏngyú pèihū fúsāng)
195 I broke a sprig of the Ruo tree to strike the sun with,30 折若木以拂日兮 (zhé ruò mù yĭfú rì xi)
First I would roam a little for my enjoyment. 聊逍遙以相羊 (liáoxiāo yáo yĭ xiāng yáng)
I sent Wang Shu ahead to ride before me,31 前望舒使先驅兮 (qián wàng shū shĭ xiān qū xi)
Fei Lian went behind me as my outrider.32 后飛廉使奔屬 (hòu fēi lián shĭ bēn zhŭ)
The Bird of Heaven gave notice of my comings;3 3 鸞皇為余先戒兮 (luán huáng wèi yú xiān jiè xi)
200 The Thunder God warned me when all was not ready. 雷師告余以未具 (léi shī gào yú yĭ wèi jù)
I ordered my phoenixes to mount on their pinions 吾令鳳鳥飛騰兮 (wú lìng fèng niăo fēi téng xi)
And fly ever onward by night and by day. 繼之以日夜 (jì zhī yĭ rì yè)
The whirlwinds gathered and came out to meet me, 飄風屯其相離兮 (piāo fēng tún qí xiāng lí xi)
Leading clouds and rainbows, to give me welcome. 帥雲霓而來御 (shuài yún ní ér lái yù)
205 In wild confusion, now joined and now parted, 紛總總其離合兮 (fēn zŏng zŏng qí lí hé xi)
Upward and downward rushed the glittering train. 斑陸離其上下 (bān lù lí qí shàng xià)
I ordered Heaven’s porter to open up for me; 吾令帝閽開關兮 (wú lìng dì hūn kāi guān xi)
But he leant across Heaven’s gate and eyed me
churlishly. 倚閶闔而望予 (yĭ chāng hé ér wàng yú)
The day was getting dark and drawing to its close, 時曖曖其將罷兮 (shí ài ài qí jiāng bà xi)
210 Knotting orchids, I waited in indecision. 結幽蘭而延佇 (jié yōu lán ér yán zhù)