Guo Feng (Airs of the States)

為鬼為蜮，則不可得。有靦面目，視人罔極。作此好歌，以極反側。

If you were a ghost or a water sprite, you could not be seen. Yet you have a shameless face, and look at people without any rule. I make this good song to probe your inconstancy.

萋兮斐兮，成是貝錦。彼譖人者，亦已大甚！

The patterns are intricate, woven into this cowrie brocade. Those who slander people have gone too far!

哆兮侈兮，成是南箕。彼譖人者，誰適與謀。

The mouth is opened wide, and becomes the South Winnowing Basket star. Those who slander people, with whom do they plot?

緝緝翩翩，謀欲譖人。慎爾言也，謂爾不信。

Whispering and going back and forth, they plot to slander people. Be careful of your words, or they will say you cannot be trusted.

捷捷幡幡，謀欲譖言。豈不爾受？既其女遷。

Glib and nimble, turning and shifting, they plot to bring slander. Do you not accept them? Later it will shift onto you.

驕人好好，勞人草草。蒼天蒼天，視彼驕人，矜此勞人。

The arrogant are pleased and self-satisfied, the toilers are worn and sorrowful. Blue Heaven, blue Heaven, look at those arrogant ones, and pity these toilers.

彼譖人者，誰適與謀？取彼譖人，投畀豺虎。豺虎不食，投畀有北。有北不受，投畀有昊！

Those who slander people, with whom do they plot? Seize those who slander people and throw them to the jackals and tigers. If the jackals and tigers will not eat them, throw them to the north. If the north will not accept them, throw them to August Heaven!

楊園之道，猗於畝丘。寺人孟子，作為此詩。凡百君子，敬而聽之。

The road of Yang garden leads to Mu hill. The eunuch Meng Zi made this poem. All you gentlemen, listen respectfully.

習習穀風，維風及雨。將恐將懼，維予與女。將安將樂，女轉棄予。

The wind from the valley blows gently, wind and then rain. In the time of fear and dread, it was only me and you. In the time of peace and joy, you turn and cast me aside.

習習穀風，維風及頹。將恐將懼，置予於懷。將安將樂，棄予如遺。

The wind from the valley blows gently, wind and then storm. In the time of fear and dread, you put me in your bosom. In the time of peace and joy, you cast me away like a thing discarded.

習習穀風，維山崔嵬。無草不死，無木不萎。忘我大德，思我小怨。

The wind from the valley blows gently, and the mountain towers high. There is no grass that does not die, no tree that does not wither. You forget my great kindness and think only of my small grievances.

蓼蓼者莪，匪莪伊蒿。哀哀父母，生我劬勞。

The tall, tall artemisia, it is not artemisia but wormwood. Sorrowful father and mother, bearing me cost them toil.

蓼蓼者莪，匪莪伊蔚。哀哀父母，生我勞瘁。

The tall, tall artemisia, it is not artemisia but mugwort. Sorrowful father and mother, bearing me cost them toil and wearing out.

瓶之罄矣，維罍之恥。鮮民之生，不如死之久矣。無父何怙？無母何恃？出則銜恤，入則靡至。

The small jar is empty, and it is the shame of the large jar. For a person left alone to live, it is better to die early. Without a father, whom do I rely on? Without a mother, whom do I lean on? Going out I carry sorrow, coming in it is as if I had not reached home.

父兮生我，母兮鞠我。撫我畜我，長我育我，顧我復我，出入腹我。欲報之德。昊天罔極！

Father, you gave birth to me; mother, you nourished me. You supported me and raised me, you made me grow and brought me up, you looked after me and turned me over, going out and in you held me in your arms. I wish to repay this kindness. August Heaven has no rule!

南山烈烈，飄風發發。民莫不穀，我獨何害！南山律律，飄風弗弗。民莫不穀，我獨不卒！

The Southern Mountain is fierce, the whirlwind is violent. Of the people, none are not good; why alone am I harmed! The Southern Mountain is high, the whirlwind is fierce. Of the people, none are not good; why alone can I not finish caring for my parents!

有饛簋飧，有捄棘匕。周道如砥，其直如矢。君子所履，小人所視。眷言顧之，潸焉出涕。

The rice in the bowl is heaped full, and the jujube spoon is long and curved. The great road is like a whetstone, straight as an arrow. What the gentleman walks on, the petty people look at. Looking back, I weep in streams.

小東大東，杼柚其空。糾糾葛屨，可以履霜。佻佻公子，行彼周行。既往既來，使我心疚。

In the small east and the great east, the looms are empty. Tightly bound kudzu shoes can tread on frost. The airy young lord walks on that great road. Going and coming, he makes my heart ache.

有冽氿泉，無浸獲薪。契契寤嘆，哀我憚人。薪是獲薪，尚可載也。哀我憚人，亦可息也。

There is a cold spring welling from the side; do not soak the cut firewood. Waking in sorrow and sighing, pity us laboring people. The firewood is cut firewood, and can still be loaded. Pity us laboring people, who may also have rest.

東人之子，職勞不來。西人之子，粲粲衣服。舟人之子，熊羆是裘。私人之子，百僚是試。

The sons of the people of the east are assigned toil without reward. The sons of the people of the west wear robes of brilliant color. The sons of the boatmen wear bear-skin coats. The sons of the private households are all tried for office among the hundred officials.

或以其酒，不以其漿。鞙鞙佩璲，不以其長。維天有漢，監亦有光。跂彼織女，終日七襄。

Some use wine, some have not even a drink of broth. The pendants of jade swing, yet some do not even have miscellaneous pendants. In the sky there is the Milky Way, which shines with light. The Weaving Girl stands on tiptoe, shifting seven stations in a day.

雖則七襄，不成報章。睆彼牽牛，不以服箱。東有啟明，西有長庚。有捄天畢，載施之行。

Though she shifts seven stations, she cannot weave a pattern of going back and forth. That bright Ox-Herd star cannot be used to pull a cart. In the east there is the Bright Dawn star and in the west the Long Evening star. The curved Heavenly Net star is placed on the road.

維南有箕，不可以簸揚。維北有鬥，不可以挹酒漿。維南有箕，載翕其舌。維北有鬥，西柄之揭。

In the south there is the Winnowing Basket star, but it cannot be used to winnow. In the north there is the Northern Dipper, but it cannot be used to ladle wine. In the south there is the Winnowing Basket, sticking out its tongue. In the north there is the Dipper, its handle raised high in the west.

四月維夏，六月徂署。先祖匪人，胡寧忍予？

The fourth month is summer, and the sixth month goes into the heat. (The base text writes a wrong character for "heat" here.) Were the ancestors not human; why are they willing to be so cruel to me?

秋日悽悽，百卉具腓。亂離瘼矣，爰其適歸？

Autumn days are chilly, and all the grasses wither. Disorder, separation and sickness; where can I go back to?

冬日烈烈，飄風發發。民莫不穀，我獨何害？

Winter days are fierce, the whirlwind is violent. Of the people, none are not good; why alone am I harmed?

山有嘉卉，侯栗侯梅。廢為殘賊，莫知其尤！

On the mountain there are fine plants and trees, chestnut and plum. Cast aside they become wasted and ruined, and no one knows the fault!

相彼泉水，載清載濁。我日構禍，曷雲能谷？

Look at that spring, now clear and now muddy. I meet with calamity every day; how can I get good?

滔滔江漢，南國之紀。盡瘁以仕，寧莫我有？

The rolling Yangtze and Han are the bonds of the southern lands. Though I have worn myself out in office, do you not care for me?

匪鶉匪鳶，翰飛戾天。匪鱣匪鮪，潛逃於淵。

I am not a dove or a kite, yet fly high into the sky. I am not a sturgeon or a tuna, yet dive into the deep pool.

山有蕨薇，隰有杞桋。君子作歌，維以告哀。

On the mountain there are bracken and vetch, in the hollows there are wolfberry and yi trees. The gentleman makes a song, only to tell his sorrow.

陟彼北山，言採其杞。偕偕士子，朝夕從事。王事靡盬，憂我父母。

I climb that northern mountain to gather wolfberries. Sturdy scholars labor morning and night. The king's business has no end, and it makes my parents worry.

溥天之下，莫非王土；率土之濱，莫非王臣。大夫不均，我從事獨賢。

Under the whole sky, there is no land that is not the king's; along the sea's shores of the land, there are none who are not the king's subjects. The grandees are not fair, and I alone am assigned the most work.

四牡彭彭，王事傍傍。嘉我未老，鮮我方將。旅力方剛，經營四方。

The four stallions gallop on, and the king's business presses urgent. They praise me as not yet old, and commend me as in my prime. My strength is just vigorous, and I labor across the four quarters.

或燕燕居息，或盡瘁事國；或息偃在床，或不已於行。

Some live at ease and rest, some wear themselves out in service to the state; some lie on their beds, some never stop on the road.

或不知叫號，或慘慘劬勞；或棲遲偃仰，或王事鞅掌。

Some do not know the sound of calls and commands, some toil in grief; some rest and recline, some are busy and hurried with the king's business.

或湛樂飲酒，或慘慘畏咎；或出入風議，或靡事不為。

Some indulge in pleasure and wine, some are fearful of giving offense; some go in and out voicing opinions, some have nothing they do not do.

無將大車，祇自塵兮。無思百憂，祇自疧兮。

Do not push that great cart, you will only dirty yourself with dust. Do not think of those hundred sorrows, you will only make yourself ill.

無將大車，維塵冥冥。無思百憂，不出於熲。

Do not push that great cart, the dust is thick and dark. Do not think of those hundred sorrows, you cannot come out into the light.

無將大車，維塵雍兮。無思百憂，祇自重兮。

Do not push that great cart, the dust is choking. Do not think of those hundred sorrows, you will only make them heavier.

明明上天，照臨下土。我徵徂西，至於艽野。二月初吉，載離寒暑。

Bright Heaven above shines down on the lower earth. I go on campaign to the west, to the remote and wild lands. In the second month, the first auspicious day, I have gone through cold and heat.

心之憂矣，其毒大苦。念彼共人，涕零如雨。豈不懷歸？畏此罪罟！

The sorrow in my heart, that poison is very bitter. Thinking of those respectful ones, my tears fall like rain. Do I not long to go home? I fear this net of guilt!

昔我往矣，日月方除。曷雲其還？歲聿雲莫。念我獨兮，我事孔庶。

When I left long ago, the sun and moon were just clearing out the old. When can I return? The year is nearly at its end. I think of my loneliness; my tasks are very many.

心之憂矣，憚我不暇。念彼共人，眷眷懷顧！豈不懷歸？畏此譴怒。

The sorrow in my heart, toil leaves me no leisure. Thinking of those respectful ones, I look back longingly! Do I not long to go home? I fear this rebuke and anger.

昔我往矣，日月方奧。曷雲其還？政事愈蹙。歲聿雲莫，採蕭獲菽。

When I left long ago, the sun and moon were just growing warm. When can I return? Affairs of government press all the more. The year is nearly at its end, and I gather mugwort and harvest beans.

心之憂矣，自詒伊戚。念彼共人，興言出宿。豈不懷歸？畏此反覆。

The sorrow in my heart, I have left sorrow for myself. Thinking of those respectful ones, I rise and speak of lodging abroad. Do I not long to go home? I fear this inconstancy.

嗟爾君子，無恆安處。靖共爾位，正直是與。神之聽之，式谷以女。

Alas, you gentlemen, do not always settle in comfort. Be calm and respectful in your posts, and keep company with the upright. When the spirits hear it, they will repay you with good.

嗟爾君子，無恆安息。靖共爾位，好是正直。神之聽之，介爾景福。

Alas, you gentlemen, do not always rest in ease. Be calm and respectful in your posts, and love what is upright. When the spirits hear it, they will bestow great blessings on you.

鼓鍾將將，淮水湯湯，憂心且傷。淑人君子，懷允不忘。

The bells are struck, jiang jiang, the Huai River flows in broad surges; my heart is sorrowful and grieved. The good and gentle gentleman, I remember his trustworthiness and cannot forget.

鼓鍾喈喈，淮水湝湝，憂心且悲。淑人君子，其德不回。

The bells are struck, jie jie, and the waters of the Huai flow, jie jie; my heart is sad and grieved. The good man, the gentleman, his virtue is without fault.

鼓鍾伐鼛，淮有三洲，憂心且妯。淑人君子，其德不猶。

The bells are struck and the great drums beaten, the Huai has its three islets; my heart is sad and shaken. The good man, the gentleman, his virtue is without error.

鼓鍾欽欽，鼓瑟鼓琴，笙磬同音。以雅以南，以龠不僭。

The bells are struck, qin qin, the se and qin are played, the sheng and chimes sound in unison. The Ya music and the Southern music are played, and the flutes keep proper measure.

楚楚者茨，言抽其棘，自昔何為？我蓺黍稷。我黍與與，我稷翼翼。

The caltrops grow thick; remove their thorns. What did we do in the past? We planted millet and sorghum. My millet is lush and abundant, and my sorghum is neat and orderly.

我倉既盈，我庾維億。以為酒食，以享以祀，以妥以侑，以介景福。

My granaries are full, and my open stores number in the hundreds of thousands. We make wine and food, to offer in sacrifice, to comfort the spirits and urge them to feast, and to seek great blessings.

濟濟蹌蹌，絜爾牛羊，以往烝嘗。或剝或亨，或四或將。祝祭於祊，

In full numbers and stately steps, wash your oxen and sheep and go to the winter and autumn sacrifices. Some flay, some boil, some cut up, some carry in. The invoker sacrifices inside the temple gate,

祀事孔明。先祖是皇，神保是饗。孝孫有慶，報以介福，萬壽無疆！

and the sacrificial affairs are clear and complete. The ancestors then arrive, and the spirit protector enjoys the offering. The filial descendant has cause for joy; great blessings are returned, ten thousand years of life without limit!

執爨踖踖，為俎孔碩，或燔或炙。君婦莫莫，為豆孔庶。為賓為客，

The cooks are reverent and attentive, the sacrificial stands are large, some roast and some broil. The lady of the house is quiet and calm, the bean vessels many. As guests and visitors,

獻酬交錯。禮儀卒度，笑語卒獲。神保是格，報以介福，萬壽攸酢！

they exchange cups in turn. The rites are in due measure, and the laughter and words are fitting. The spirit protector then arrives and returns great blessings, ten thousand years of life as reward!

我孔戁矣，式禮莫愆。工祝致告，徂賚孝孫。苾芬孝祀，神嗜飲食。

We are very reverent and fearful, and the rites have no fault. The officiating invoker makes his announcement, going forward to bestow on the filial descendant. The fragrant filial offering, the spirits love these foods and drinks.

卜爾百福，如幾如式。既齊既稷，既匡既敕。永錫爾極，時萬時億！

They give you a hundred blessings, on time and as the rule. All is orderly and swift, all is correct and careful. Forever they give you uprightness, in ten thousands and hundreds of millions!