The world is dark, and envious of my grace; They veil my virture and the evil praise. Thy chamber dark lies in recesses deep, Sagacious prince, risest thou not from sleep? My zeal unknown the prince would not descry; How could I bear this harsh eternity?
With mistletoe and herbs of magic worth, I urged the witch the future to show forth. "If two attain perfection they must meet, But who is there that would thy virtue greet? Far the nine continents their realm display; Why here to seek thy bride doth thou delay? Away!" she cried, "set craven doubt aside, If beauty's sought, there's none hath with thee vied. What place is there where orchids flower not fair? Why is thy native land thy single care?
"Now darkly lies the world in twilight's glow, Who doth your defects and your virtue know? Evil and good herein are reconciled; The crowd alone hath nought but is defiled. With stinking mugwort girt upon their waist, They curse the others for their orchids chaste; Ignorant thus in choice of fragrance rare, Rich ornaments how could they fitly wear? With mud and filth they fill their pendent bag; Cursing the pepper sweet, they brawl and brag." Although the witches counsel I held good, In foxlike indecision still I stood. At night the wizard great made his descent, And meeting him spiced rice I did present. The angels came, shading with wings the sky; From mountains wild the deities drew nigh. With regal splendour shone the solemn sight, And thus the wizard spake with omens bright:
"Take office high or low as days afford, If one there be that could with thee accord; Like ancient kings austere who sought their mate, Finding the one who should fulfill their fate. Now if thy heart doth cherish grace within, What need is there to choose a go-between? A convict toiled on rocks to expiate His crime; his sovereign gave him great estate. A butcher with his knife made roundelay; His king chanced there and happy proved the day. A prince who heard a cowherd chanting late Raised him to be a councillor of state. Before old age o'ertake thee on thy way, Life still is young; to profit turn thy day. Spring is but brief, when cuckoos start to sing, And flowers will fade that once did spread and spring."
On high my jasper pendent proudly gleamed, Hid by the crowd with leaves that thickly teemed; Untiring they relentless means employed; I feared it would through envy be destroyed. This gaudy age so fickle proved its will, That to what purpose did I linger still? E'en orchids changed, their fragrance quickly lost, And midst the weeds angelicas were tossed. How could these herbs, so fair in former day, Their hue have changed, and turned to mugworts grey? The reason for their fall, not far to seek, Was that to tend their grace their will proved weak.
I thought upon the orchids I might lean; No flowers appeared, but long bare leaves were seen; Their grace abandoned, vulgar taste to please, Content with lesser flowers to dwell at ease. To boasts and flattery the pepper turned; To fill the pendent bag the dogwood yearned; Thus only upon higher stations bent, How could they long retain their former scent? Since they pursued the fashion of the time, Small wonder they decayed e'en in their prime. Viewing the orchids' and the peppers' plight Why blame the rumex and selinea white?
By: Dalian Sun Translation Co.,Ltd
Editor: Shi Liwei
