《九歌·國殤》－ 屈原

《九歌·國殤》－ 屈原

 

操吳戈兮被犀甲，

車錯轂兮短兵接。

旌蔽日兮敵若雲，

矢交墜兮士爭先。

淩餘陣兮躐餘行，

左驂殪兮右刃傷。

霾兩輪兮縶四馬，

援玉枹兮擊鳴鼓。

天時懟兮威靈怒，

嚴殺盡兮棄原野。

出不入兮往不反，

平原忽兮路超遠。

帶長劍兮挾秦弓，

首身離兮心不懲。

誠既勇兮又以武，

終剛強兮不可淩。

身既死兮神以靈，

子魂魄兮為鬼雄！ 

 

A Verse by Qu Yuan

(Nine Elegies for Fallen Warriors of Chu State)

 

Wearing rhino-hide-armors, and wielding halberds,

Warriors drove chariots into the foe of large herds.

Myriad flags eclipsed the sunlight, foe swarmed like cloud,

Braving foe’s arrows, warriors pushed forth with cries loud.

Your lineup was broken by foe’s counterattack,

Your left steed was slain and the right one hurt, alack.

Many four-steeds-drawn-chariots were all in mud trapped,

But your marshal’s battle drums still loud struck and rapped.

The most brutal battle eke shook heaven and earth,

All warriors died on the wild-lands for all were worth.  

All warriors were never prepared to return home,

Around the vast wild-lands your valiant souls did roam.

With your long halberds and strong bows no one could vie,

Your heads and bodies strewed, but your hearts will ne’er die.

Ye were truly the most intrepid men of man,

So formidable that subdue you no one can.

Your flesh perished, but your brave spirit never will,

Returned to dust, ye heroes of the heroes still.

 

Tr. Ziyuzile

28/06/2020