[The "Lyrics of Chu" is an anthology of poetry that includes works from the end of the Warring States Period and from the early Han period. It includes two poems in which a shaman recalls a soul from its wanderings back to life, describing what the soul encounters and what life is calling for return. "Far Roaming" is a similar account of a heavenly journey. The following translation is by Stephen Owen. The entire poem can be read in his collection (which is one of the best collections available in English and should be read by anyone interested in Chinese culture) An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911.]
I deplored the world's ways, they hampered and hemmed me,
I wished to rise lightly, go roaming afar.
Yet this flesh was crude stuff, I had not the means,
what carriage would bear me floating up and away? . . . .[after the poet speaks with a Taoist adept he is able to continue on his way:]
What I heard was much treasured, I then set to go,
and all at once I was on my way.
Nigh to the feathered men on Cinnabar Hill,
I lingered in that olden land of the Undying.At dawn I washed my hair in the Sun Gorge's clefts
at twilight, dried my body beneath its nine suns,
I sucked subtle distillates from the cascades,
clasped to bosom the sparklings of diamonds.Jade complexion grew ruddy, my face began to glow,
with essence strained pure, I first felt my vigor.
All flesh-firmness melted, I began to grow pliant,
the spirit grew slender, moved with wanton abandon.I admired the blazing Attainment of southern lands,
found fair winter flowering of cassia trees.
Hills bleak and barren with no beasts there;
moors silent and gloomy, without men.
I bore up my several souls, I climbed to rose wisps,
and by floating clouds hidden, I fared on above.I charged Heaven's gatekeeper to open the bar;
he pushed back the gates and stared at me.
I called on Feng Long, made him guide the way,
I asked where was lodged the god's palace of stars.At Tiered Rays I alighted, I went in the God's precincts,
pushed on to Xun-shi, viewed the Clear Citadel [Xun-shi: a star near the Dipper]
At dawn I loosed wheel-block in the Sacred Yard;
and by twilight I hung above Yu-wei-lu Hill.Then I massed all my chariots, a thousand strong,
in majestic tumult we galloped together.
I hitched my eight dragons, heaving and coiling,
and bore my cloud banners streaming behind.Upright bright pennons, bearing cock-rainbows,
mixed of all colors dazzling, flashing.
Up sprung the yoke team, low, then aloft,
the trace dragons coiled, they burst headlong forward.A jumble of riders, mixed in confusion,
a motley surging calvacade, moving together.
I myself seized the reins, I held the whip straight,
for we soon were to pass the place of Gou Mang.We traversed Tai-hao then bent to the right,
Ahead went Fei Lian to open the path.
In glow of the sunlight before the full rays,
we crossed Heaven's Pool and forged straight ahead.The Wind-Earl sped for me, taking the van,
purged billowing dust, it was clear and cool.
Phoenix spread wings and bore up my banners,
I met with Ru-shou where the West's Sovereign dwells.I snatched up a comet to serve as my standard,
I raised Dipper's handle to serve as my sign.
Chaotic, pellmell, we rose and dipped down,
we swam flowing waves of fog-tendrils windstruck.But the moment grew dimmer, all darkened in shadow,
I called on Black Tortoise to dash in my train.
Behind went Wen Chang, in charge of the columns,
all the gods stood in order, the wheelhubs were even.The road kept on going, it was long and far,
I slowed, pausing in pace, and crossed up on high.
To my left the Rain Master I made wait upon me,
to my right was Lord Thunder, who served as my guard.I wished to cross from the world and forget to return.
my fancies ran wild, were reckless and rash.
I felt merry within, and I found myself fair,
I sought pleasure the while, and wanton delight.[The journey continues to the last stanzas:]
I went back and forth through the world's four bounds,
and flowed all around the Six Enclosures.
Rising I reached the Lightning Crack,
then plunging I gazed on the Great Chasm.Vertiginous depths below me where no land was,
a cavernous emptiness above where was no sky.
It flashed and flared where I looked, but I saw nothing,
a blurred rumble when I listened, but I heard nothing.
I passed beyond non-acting, I reached to the Clear,
the Very Beginning became my neighbor.
Return to Study Guide for Qin and Han Dynasties.