Lamenting the untimeliness of fate, alas, the days of Shun grow ever more distant.
Cherishing integrity and honest conduct, yet meeting this world's turbid filth.
My will is vast and upright, but my thoughts turn in tangled, halting paths.
The crowd advances, blocking and obscuring—why should the wise lord bear resentment?
Truly, the customs of this age are frantic and disordered, turning from the rule and measure, incorrigible.
Alone I love refinement to increase my virtue, yet fittingly they call me full of deceit.
Only Heaven and Earth can bear witness—I point to the Yellow Springs as my final pledge.
Should I bend my heart to follow vulgar ways? Even facing nine deaths, I could not bear it.
Grasping the long-tailed ape of Taiyuan, treading the steep cliffs of Jiao's plateau.
The world sinks in mud, none knowing me—the loftier I stand, the more I trust myself.
When Boyang met with turmoil, his time too was said to be hurried and distressed.
Since the Duke of Zhou no longer appears in dreams, why doubt Confucius' sorrow and regret?
Yin and Yang intertwine in conflict; Heaven and Earth whirl in constant motion.
If the Eight Pillars begin to tremble, on what shall the Four Extremities rest?
Alas, my life has been full of hardships; I grieve that the multitude's fate will decline.
I wish to lay bare my will and draw out proof, yet thinking to approach, I find it unattainable.
Alone, suppressed, with none to speak to—lost in vast emptiness, where is the end?
Tears overflow and merge like flooding waters; facing the high vault of heaven, I sigh.
I shall flee the world to dwell in purity, follow Nestfather at Mount Ji.
Gathering magic herbs and chewing ancient cypress, thus to pass my remaining years.
Sad, the mountain valleys are full of wind; sleet and snow darken, obscuring the sky.
Jackals and wolves glare and howl at each other; tigers and leopards gather to devour men.
Truly, at ease yet with nowhere to go, lingering in hesitation, bewildered and lost.
Eyes fixed fiercely outward floating, spirit focused intently, I go forth alone.
Plucking the purest essence to wear as adornment, gathering the vast ether to hold as a scepter.
Fragrances rush together, attending in throngs—not only pepper, cassia, and river thoroughwax.
Weary of this world's clamor and noise, I shall leap far away and leave it behind.
Raising the long pole of the Great Unity, planting the flying banner of the Wavering Star.
Heavenly Wu runs errands for me; Dragon Lord points the way at my command.
Breaking off the Deng Forest to make a whip, traversing the eight directions in swift drive.
My left lapel brushes against Kunlun; my right sleeve covers the Moon's cavern.
Seeking where Chaos dwells, surpassing the azure void into boundless obscurity.
Touching the crown of Pangu's head, pulling the arm of the Heavenly Sovereign.
Setting forth my heart and arraying these words—why does the primeval age not return?
I shall lift the Dipper to measure the Nine Regions, equalizing the lot assigned to human life.
Setting the places where sun and moon rest, making them shine forever on this earth below.
Yet I fear the host of spirits' love for slander, causing the High God's wrath to descend.
If they do not illuminate my sincere devotion, to whom then shall I make my appeal?
Facing the celestial road, I wander in doubt; my soul, unsettled, loses its measure.
Luan: I turned my chariot to return—how could it suffice to ease my sorrow?
Since the wise lord does not bless me, what fault now lies with the people of this age?
Cherishing my feelings unto eternity, I shall wander free with transformation, carefree.