少司命: Lesser Fate

Lesser Fate Qu Yuan	少司命 屈原
There was orchid of autumn and the narrow leaves of the rhizome, scattered in the courtyard in front of the temple.	秋蘭兮麋蕪 羅生兮堂下
The green leaves concealed the little white flowers, its fragrance flew towards our noses.	綠葉兮素華 芳菲菲兮襲予
People all have their beloved children, so why do you worry so?	夫人自有兮美子 蓀何以兮愁苦
The orchid of autumn grows lush, its tender green leaves hold the purple stems of flowers.	秋蘭兮青青 綠葉兮紫莖
The beautiful women filled the court, all of whom sent me their kindest regards.	滿堂兮美人 忽獨與余兮目成
I greet not nor do I bid farewell, rising with the whirlwind to raise my flag of mist and clouds.	入不言兮出不辭 乘回風兮載雲旗
There is no sadness greater than being forced apart, nor is there happiness greater than meeting new people.	悲莫悲兮生別離 樂莫樂兮新相知
With clothes of lotus petals and sashes of sweet grass, greeting and parting come as quick as they go.	荷衣兮蕙帶 儵而來兮忽而逝
Camping outside in the suburbs of the Imperial City at night, who are you waiting for alone in the deep clouds?	夕宿兮帝郊 君誰須兮雲之際
I swam in the nine rivers with you, riding the whirlwind and making great waves (Note 1)	與女遊兮九河 衝風至兮水揚波
I washed my hair with you in the salt pools where the sun itself sets, drying my hair at where the sun rose in the east.	與女沐兮咸池 晞女髮兮陽之阿
Looking at the distant beauties that would never come, I sang my resentment and sadness into the wind.	望美人兮未來 臨風怳兮浩歌
With a chariot that has a roof was adorned with peacock plumage and a flag made of bird feathers, you rose to the heavens to sweep away the comets. (Note 2)	孔蓋兮翠旍 登九天兮撫彗星
Holding a sword in one hand and a child in the other, only you are most fit to command men's fates! (Note 3)	竦長劍兮擁幼艾 蓀獨宜兮為民正

1. This is a line from "河伯:　River Spirit", the next poem, which may have been misplaced here sometime in the ages.
2. Comets are ill omens in Ancient China, and this signifies Lesser Fate's defense of mankind which makes her worthy of worship.
3. Lesser Fate is the Goddess of Childbirth, arguably the most important deity in the lives of the Chu people who placed posterity before all, thus.