"But stern and pious was their ancient sire, And his successor too did faith inspire;
Exalted were the wise, the able used, The rule was kept and never was abused.
The august heaven, with unbiassed grace, All men discerns, and helps the virtuous race;
Sagacious princes through their virtuous deed,The earth inherit, and their reigns succeed.
The past I probed, the future so to scan, And found these rules that guide the life of man:
A man unjust in deed who would engage? Whom should men take as guide except the sage?
In mortal dangers death I have defied, Yet could look back, and cast regret aside.
Who strove, their tool's defects accounting nought, Like ancient sages were to cauldrons brought."
Thus I despaired, my face with sad tears marred, Mourning with bitterness my years ill-starred;
And melilotus leaves I took to stem,The tears that streamed down to my garment's hem.
Soiling my gown, to plead my case I kneeled; Th'ancestral voice the path to me revealed.
Swift jade-green dragons, birds with plumage gold, I harnessed to the whirlwind, and behold.
At daybreak from the land of plane-trees grey, I came to paradise ere close of day.
I wished within the sacred brove to rest, But now the sun was sinking in the west;
The driver of the sun I bade to stay, Ere with the setting rays we haste away.
The way was long, and wrapped in gloom did seem, As I urged on to seek my vanished dream.
The dragons quenched their thirst beside the lake, Where bathed the sun, whilst I upon the brake.
Fastened my reins; a golden bough I sought, To brush the sun, and tarred there in sport.
The pale moon's charioteer I then bade lead, The master of the winds swiftly succeed;
Before, the royal blue bird cleared the way; The lord of thunder urged me to delay.