帕布莉卡《天问》是战国时期诗人屈原创作的长诗。此诗从天地离分、阴阳变化、日月星辰等自然现象，一直问到神话传说乃至圣贤凶顽和治乱兴衰等历史故事，表现了作者对某些传统观念的大胆怀疑，以及追求真理的探索精神。语言别具一格，句式以四言为主，不用语尾助词，四句一节，每节一韵，节奏音韵自然协调。全诗通篇是对天地、自然和人世等一切事物现象的发问，内容奇绝，显示出作者沉潜多思、思想活跃、想象丰富的个性，表现出超卓非凡的学识和惊人的艺术才华，被誉为是“千古万古至奇之作”。
天问[1]
曰：遂古之初，
谁传道之？
上下未形，
何由考之？
冥昭[2]瞢暗，
谁能极之？
冯翼[3]惟像，
何以识之？
明明暗暗，
惟时何为？
阴阳三合，
何本何化？
圆则九重，
孰营度之？
惟兹何功？
孰初作之？
斡维[4]焉系？
天极焉加？
八柱[5]何当？
东南何亏？
九天之际，
安放安属？
隅隈[6]多有，
谁知其数？
天何所沓[7]？
十二焉分[8]？
日月安属？
列星安陈？
出自汤谷，
次于蒙汜。
自明及晦，
所行几里？
夜光何德，
死则又育？
厥利维何，
而顾菟在腹？
女岐[9]无合，
夫焉取九子？
伯强何处？
惠气安在？
何阖而晦？
何开而明？
角宿[10]未旦，
曜灵[11]安藏？
不任汩[12]鸿，
师何以尚之？
佥[13]曰“何忧”，
何不课而行之？
鸱[14]龟曳衔，
鲧[15]何听焉？
顺欲成功，
帝何刑焉？
永遏在羽山，
夫何三年不施？
伯禹腹鲧，
夫何以变化？
纂就前绪，
遂成考功。
何续初继业，
而厥谋不同？
洪泉极深，
何以窴之？
地方九则，
何以坟之？
河海应龙[16]，
何尽何历？
鲧何所营？
禹何所成？
康回[17]冯怒，
地何故以东南倾？
九州安错？
川谷何洿[18]？
东流不溢，
孰知其故？
东西南北，
其修孰多？
南北顺椭，
其衍几何？
昆仑县圃，
其尻安在？
增城九重，
其高几里？
四方之门，
其谁从焉？
西北辟启，
何气通焉？
日安不到？
烛龙[19]何照？
羲和之未扬，
若华何光？
何所冬暖？
何所夏寒？
焉有石林？
何兽能言？
焉有龙虬[20]，
负熊以游？
雄虺[21]九首，
倏忽焉在？
何所不死？
长人何守？
靡萍九衢，
枲[22]华安居？
一蛇吞象，
厥大何如？
黑水玄趾，
三危安在？
延年不死，
寿何所止？
鲮鱼何所？
鬿堆[23]焉处？
羿焉彃[24]日？
乌焉解羽？
禹之力献功，
降省下土四方。
焉得彼涂山女[25]，
而通之于台桑？
闵妃匹合，
厥身是继，
胡为嗜不同味，
而快朝饱？
启代益作后，
卒然离蠥[26]。
何启惟忧，
而能拘是达？
皆归射鞠，
而无害厥躬。
何后益作革，
而禹播降？
启棘宾商，
《九辩》《九歌》。
何勤子屠母，
而死分竟地？
帝降夷羿，
革孽夏民。
胡射夫河伯，
而妻彼洛嫔？
冯珧利决，
封狶是射。
何献蒸肉之膏，
而后帝不若？
浞娶纯狐，
眩妻爰谋。
何羿之射革，
而交吞揆之？
阻穷西征，
岩何越焉？
化为黄熊，
巫何活焉？
咸播秬黍[27]，
莆雚[28]是营。
何由并投，
而鲧疾修盈？
白蜺婴茀，
胡为此堂？
安得夫良药，
不能固臧？
天式纵横，
阳离爰死。
大鸟何鸣，
夫焉丧厥体？
蓱号起雨，
何以兴之？
撰体协胁，
鹿何膺之？
鳌戴山抃[29]，
何以安之？
释舟陵行，
何以迁之？
惟浇在户，
何求于嫂？
何少康逐犬，
而颠陨厥首？
女歧缝裳，
而馆同爰止。
何颠易厥首，
而亲以逢殆？
汤谋易旅，
何以厚之？
覆舟斟寻，
何道取之？
桀伐蒙山，
何所得焉？
妹嬉[30]何肆，
汤何殛[31]焉？
舜闵在家，
父何以鱞[32]？
尧不姚告，
二女何亲？
厥萌在初，
何所亿焉？
璜台十成，
谁所极焉？
登立为帝，
孰道尚之？
女娲有体，
孰制匠之？
舜服厥弟，
终然为害。
何肆犬体，
而厥身不危败？
吴获迄古，
南岳是止。
孰期去斯，
得两男子？
缘鹄饰玉，
后帝是飨。
何承谋夏桀，
终以灭丧？
帝乃降观，
下逢伊挚。
何条放致罚，
而黎服大说？
简狄在台，
喾何宜？
玄鸟[33]致贻，
女何喜？
该[34]秉季德，
厥父是臧。
胡终弊于有扈，
牧夫牛羊？
干协时舞，
何以怀之？
平胁曼肤，
何以肥之？
有扈牧竖，
云何而逢？
击床先出，
其命何从？
恒秉季德，
焉得夫朴牛？
何往营班禄，
不但还来？
昏微遵迹，
有狄不宁。
何繁鸟萃棘，
负子肆情？
眩弟并淫，
危害厥兄。
何变化以作诈，
而后嗣逢长？
成汤[35]东巡，
有莘爰极。
何乞彼小臣，
而吉妃是得？
水滨之木，
得彼小子。
夫何恶之，
媵有莘之妇？
汤出重泉，
夫何罪尤？
不胜心伐帝，
夫谁使挑之？
会朝争盟，
何践吾期？
苍鸟群飞，
孰使萃之？
列击纣躬，
叔旦不嘉。
何亲揆发足，
周之命以咨嗟？
授殷天下，
其位安施？
反成乃亡，
其罪伊何？
争遣伐器，
何以行之？
并驱击翼，
何以将之？
昭[36]后成游，
南土爰底。
厥利惟何？
逢彼白雉？
穆王巧梅，
夫何为周流？
环理天下，
夫何索求？
妖夫曳衒，
何号于市？
周幽谁诛？
焉得夫褒姒？
天命反侧，
何罚何佑？
齐桓九会，
卒然身杀？
彼王纣之躬，
孰使乱惑？
何恶辅弼，
谗谄是服？
比干何逆，
而抑沉之？
雷开阿顺，
而赐封之。
何圣人之一德，
卒其异方？
梅伯受醢，
箕子详狂。
稷维元子，
帝何竺之？
投之于冰上，
鸟何燠之？
何冯弓挟矢，
殊能将之？
既惊帝切激，
何逢长之？
伯昌号衰，
秉鞭作牧。
何令彻彼岐社，
命有殷国？
迁藏就岐，
何能依？
殷有惑妇，
何所讥？
受赐兹醢[37]，
西伯上告。
何亲就上帝罚，
殷之命以不救？
师望在肆，
昌何识？
鼓刀扬声，
后何喜？
武发杀殷，
何所悒？
载尸集战，
何所急？
伯林雉经，
维其何故？
何感天抑地，
夫谁畏惧？
皇天集命，
惟何戒之？
受礼天下，
又使至代之？
初汤臣挚，
后兹承辅。
何卒官汤，
尊食宗绪？
勋阖梦生，
少离散亡。
何壮武厉，
能流厥严？
彭铿斟雉，
帝何飨？
受寿永多，
夫何久长？
中央共牧，
后何怒？
蠭[38]蛾微命，
力何固？
惊女采薇，
鹿何祐？
北至回水，
萃何喜？
兄有噬犬，
弟何欲？
易之以百两，
卒无禄？
薄暮雷电，
归何忧？
厥严不奉，
帝何求？
伏匿穴处，
爰何云？
荆勋作师，
夫何长？
悟过改更，
我又何言？
吴光争国，
久余是胜？
何环穿自闾社丘陵，
爰出子文？
吾告堵敖以不长，
何试上自予，
忠名弥彰？
注释：
[1] 天问：问天。
[2] 冥昭：黑夜和白昼。
[3] 冯（píng）翼：充盛。
[4] 斡（wò）：旋转的枢纽，古人认为天是可以旋转的。维：绳子，古人认为地是不动的。
[5] 八柱：支撑天的八根柱子，古人认为天是由八根柱子撑起来的。
[6] 隈（yú）：与“隅”字同义，指角落。
[7] 沓：重合。
[8] 十二焉分：古人将天分为十二部分，即子、丑、寅、卯、辰、巳、午、未、申、酉、戌、亥。
[9] 女岐：神女，传说没有婚配便生下九个儿子。
[10] 角宿（xiù）：二十八星宿之一，晚上出现在东方。
[11] 曜（yào）灵：太阳。
[12] 汩（gǔ）：治理。
[13] 佥（qiān）：都。
[14] 鸱（chī）：猫头鹰一类的鸟。
[15] 鲧（gǔn）：大禹的父亲。
[16] 应（yìng）龙：一种有翅膀的龙。
[17] 康回：共工，传说共工和颛顼（zhuān xū）争夺帝位，怒而触不周之山。
[18] 洿（wū）：低洼地方掘挖成水池。
[19] 烛龙：传说中的神龙。
[20] 虬：没有角的龙。
[21] 虺（huǐ）：凶恶的毒蛇。
[22] 枲（xǐ）：麻的别名。
[23] 鬿（qí）堆：神话传说中的魁雀，见《山海经·东山经》。
[24] 彃（bì）：古代神话传说中太阳里的三足乌。
[25] 涂山女：传说大禹娶涂山女为妻子。
[26] 蠥（niè）：忧，难。
[27] 秬（jù）黍：黑小米。
[28] 莆：通“蒲”，水草。雚（huán）：芦苇类植物。
[29] 抃（biàn）：拍手。
[30] 妹嬉（mò xī）：末喜氏。
[31] 殛（jí）：杀死，处罚而死。
[32] 鱞（guān）：同“鳏”。
[33] 玄鸟：燕子。
[34] 该：通“亥”，即王亥。
[35] 成汤：商汤。
[36] 昭：周昭王。
[37] 醢（hǎi）：肉酱。
[38] 蠭（fēng）：“蜂”的异体字。
请问：远古开始的情形，
究竟是谁传播下来的？
那时天地尚未形成，
从何处得以成形？
天地之间昼夜不分，
又有谁能将它辨认清楚？
混沌空蒙的模样，
到底根据什么来辨别？
宇宙间昼夜交替时暗时明，
究竟又是怎样产生？
阴阳和元气三者结合产生万物，
它们又以谁为其本源呢？
天为圆形高达九层，
是谁在设计规划？
这项工程是如此伟大，
到底是谁开始最初的创建？
天体旋转的枢纽到底在哪儿？
天之边际又在何方？
八柱撑天立于何处？
地的东南角为什么会倾倒？
九重天的边际，
究竟怎样连接又如何安放？
天边有多少角落，
有谁知道它的数量吗？
天体运行在何处与地重合？
十二个时辰又是怎么划分？
太阳月亮是怎样挂在天上？
灿烂星辰又为何布置成这样？
太阳每天在汤谷升起，
晚上停留在蒙汜。
一天自明而暗，
究竟运行多少里？
月亮具有怎样的品德，
月圆月缺竟死而复生。
月中黑影那是何物，
是否兔子腹中藏身？
女岐没有丈夫，
又为何能生出九个儿子？
伯强究竟住在什么地方啊？
祥瑞之气又在何方？
什么关闭了便天黑？
什么开启了便天明？
东方没有明亮之前，
太阳在哪里躲藏？
既然鲧不懂得治理洪水，
众人为何要推举他？
人人都说这有何可忧，
为什么不让他去试试呢？
鸱龟或曳或衔而相助，
鲧具有何神圣德行？
他也想把洪水治理好，
尧又为何非将他惩罚呢？
把他永久囚禁在羽山上，
为何过了三年仍不放他？
大禹从鲧的腹中生出来，
治水之法如何变化？
大禹集成了鲧的事业，
并终于完成了乃父的功业。
他为何继承鲧的事业，
又采取了什么不同的治水方法呢？
洪水如渊异常深邃，
大禹又怎么能堵住呢？
神州土地沃瘠九等，
这有什么依据呢？
应龙是怎么样规划的呢？
江河究竟流过哪些地方呢？
鲧治水的时候究竟做了什么？
大禹又是怎样成功的呢？
共工怒触不周山，
东南方大地为什么倾斜？
大地依据什么划分为九州？
江河水道如何疏浚？
百川东入海永不溢出，
谁知道其中的道理呢？
东西南北之间的距离，
究竟哪个更长呢？
南北方的地形狭长，
它比东西方的地形长多少？
昆仑山山顶县圃胜境，
其山脊的末尾在何处？
昆仑山上增加的九层增城，
究竟有多高？
昆仑山上的四面大门，
有谁从此进进出出？
打开昆仑山的西北门，
什么风从此门通过？
世上没有太阳照不到的地方，
那么烛龙又怎样有光照耀？
羲和还没有扬起驾驭太阳的皮鞭，
若木的花又怎么发光？
什么地方的冬天温暖？
什么地方的夏天寒冷？
哪里的石头像树林一样？
什么野兽能够说话？
什么地方有无角的虬龙，
背着熊遨游？
雄性虺蛇有九个头颅，
飞速地窜来窜去在什么地方？
什么地方是不死之国？
长寿的人有何神术？
神异的萍草无数分叉盘错，
什么地方能生长出奇特的枲花？
一条巨蛇能把大象吞下，
它究竟该有多大啊？
黑水在何处，
三危山又在何方？
玄趾和三危的人延年益寿长生不老，
他们到底能活多久？
人面鱼身的鲮鱼生活在什么地方？
怪鸟鬿堆住在何处？
后羿为何能射落九个太阳？
太阳里的金乌羽毛落向何方？
大禹治理洪水献功，
还深入百姓中考察。
他怎么遇到了涂山国的姑娘？
在台桑和她结合。
涂山国的姑娘和他结合，
是因为传宗接代的缘故。
他与涂山姑娘并非同一族群，
为何要贪恋一时的快乐？
夏启取代益成为君王，
没想到自己突然遭殃。
为什么夏启遭遇此种忧患，
却又能从牢狱逃亡？
那是因为勤谨而鞠躬尽瘁，
因而夏启毫发未伤。
为何益不能成功接受禅让，
而大禹的后嗣却能久长？
夏启梦为天帝之客，
把《九辩》和《九歌》带回地上。
夏启为什么出生后便杀死生母，
并将她尸骨分离弃地？
天帝派来了夷羿，
消除夏朝忧患以慰百姓。
羿为什么要将河伯射瞎，
又娶了洛水的女神？
夷羿持着手中的弓箭套着扳指，
专门射杀大野猪。
夷羿用蒸肉祭祀天帝，
天帝为什么还不适意？
寒浞想娶羿的妻子纯狐，
纯狐与他合谋害死夷羿。
羿的力气足够射穿甲胄，
而遭其妻与浞暗算？
向西的道路险峻受阻，
重重山岩怎样越过？
鲧变成了黄熊，
西方的神仙怎样让他复活？
鲧教会大家种黍，
还把田里的水草铲除。
为什么鲧还遭受放逐，
难道他恶贯满盈？
身披白霓为衣饰，
为何常仪如此堂皇？
从哪儿得来的不死之药，
又不能好好保藏？
天地间的法则是经纬纵横，
如果阳气消失了人就会死亡。
大鸟为什么还在鸣叫，
它本来的躯体怎样消亡？
雨师屏翳呼号掌管云雨，
那云雨又是怎样兴起？
体质柔顺驯良，
鹿身风神又是怎样响应？
巨鳖承载着大山游舞，
大山怎么能稳固不移？
弃舟舍船在陆地上行走，
又怎么能走得动呢？
寒浇到他嫂子家中，
他对嫂子有何企图？
为什么少康田猎的时候驱使猎犬，
就能砍掉寒浇的头？
寒浇的嫂子女歧给寒浇缝补衣服，
晚上两人便同屋同住。
少康为什么错砍了女歧的头，
而使自己遭遇危险？
少康整顿部下，
又是通过什么方法使部队壮大？
他讨伐了斟寻覆其船，
到底是怎样取得的胜利？
夏桀起兵讨伐蒙山国，
在那里得到了什么？
妹嬉到底有什么过错，
商汤非要惩罚她？
舜在家里十分仁孝，
他父亲为什么不让他成家？
尧事先并没有告诉舜的父亲，
两个女儿如何嫁给了舜？
生命最初的情形，
我们怎么推断它？
用玉石做成十层高台，
是谁能建成这样之美的建筑？
上古时候的帝王登位，
是根据什么来推举的？
女娲特殊的人面蛇身，
到底是谁赐予她这样的躯体？
舜对他的弟弟那么顺从，
还是被他弟弟算计，
为什么舜的弟弟如狗般放肆，
而舜却没有受到伤害？
吴国能够长久存在，
江南山川百姓安栖。
谁能预料到这种情况，
是因为两个贤人的缘故？
伊尹用天鹅和玉饰的容具，
进献美味给商汤。
承用伊尹的计谋，
最终使夏桀灭亡？
商汤来到民间视察，
在民间碰到了伊尹。
商汤把夏桀放逐到鸣条，
诸侯和民众为什么都皆大欢喜？
简狄住在九层瑶台之上，
为什么帝喾要迎娶她？
燕子给简狄带来了聘礼，
她为什么这么高兴？
王亥秉承了其父王季的德行，
以父亲的品德为善。
为什么他最终困于有易国，
为有易国放牧牛羊呢？
王亥手持盾牌起舞，
有易国的少女为何要思恋他？
这位姑娘体态丰满肌肤润泽，
为何长得如此丰满美丽呢？
有易国人发现王亥淫乱，
他们是怎样碰上这件事的呢？
有易国派人在床上袭击王亥，
他的性命如何得以保存？
王恒继承了其父的美德，
从哪儿得到了这些大牛满栏？
王恒还得到了有易国的俸禄赏赐，
不仅仅是徒手而来。
昏庸的上甲微遵循其父王亥的德行，
使得有易国的人民不得不宁。
为什么群鸟聚集在荆棘丛中，
与其子妇在野地里放纵淫荡？
坏兄弟想奸淫他的嫂子，
因此要谋害他的兄长。
这些变化无常行为奸诈的小人，
为什么后代兴盛不衰？
成汤到东部巡察，
一直到了莘这个地方。
为什么他只索取伊尹这个小臣，
因此还得到了贤淑的妃子？
在那水边的空心桑树中，
有莘氏得到了伊尹。
为什么国君讨厌伊尹，
把伊尹作为陪嫁送给成汤呢？
成汤从重泉被释放出来，
是因为什么罪过而被囚禁呢？
成汤本没有下决心攻伐帝桀，
是什么人挑唆他呢？
诸侯会盟誓师，
他们如何履行武王的约定呢？
武王的将帅勇猛若鹰，
是谁使它们聚集在一起？
整顿队伍攻伐商纣，
周公旦非常不赞同。
为什么周公帮武王伐纣，
完成天命后又要叹息呢？
上帝把天下授予殷王朝，
这种王位施舍的根据是什么？
等到殷朝建立后又要灭亡它，
殷朝的罪过究竟是什么？
八百诸侯争先恐后派部队讨伐纣王，
这些部队如何调集起来？
周军并驾齐驱攻击商军的两翼，
是谁指挥这些士兵出击？
周昭王完成了游历天下的志愿，
他来到了楚国的土地才停止。
最终有什么贪求？
难道是为了遇见白色野鸡？
周穆王善于驰骋，
为什么要周行天下？
周穆王的足迹遍布天下，
他到底在寻找什么？
妖人携带货物在街上叫卖，
在市场叫卖的是什么东西？
周幽王到底是被谁杀死？
他是怎样得到美女褒姒的？
天命是如此地反复无常，
究竟保佑谁惩罚谁？
齐桓公举行了九次诸侯会盟，
最后为什么会被人残杀？
商纣王的性情为人，
是谁令他昏庸狂暴？
为什么会厌恶身边贤良的臣子，
而重用谄媚的小人？
比干到底有何大逆不道之处，
为何不受重用反受处罚？
雷开对待纣王是何等顺从，
因此受到了赏赐和拜封。
为什么圣人的德行都那么相似，
处事方法却大不相同？
梅伯被剁成肉酱，
箕子假装疯狂。
后稷是帝喾的嫡长子，
帝喾对他为何这样狠毒？
在他出生后即抛弃在冰上，
群鸟覆羽其上给他保护？
为何后来后稷能持弓善射，
具有将帅的领导才能？
他的出生既然惊了帝喾，
为什么还让他兴盛不衰？
周文王施行号令在商朝衰亡之际，
掌握大权成为诸侯之长。
为什么让他丢弃西岐的社稷，
顺应天命享有殷商之国？
人们带着财物迁居西岐，
他们为什么要归顺周国？
纣王被妲己迷惑，
劝谏的言语又有何用？
纣王把人肉酱赐给文王，
文王便向上天控诉。
为何纣王亲受上天的惩罚，
殷商的命运无法挽救？
军师吕望在都城朝歌的店铺里，
周文王是怎样了解他的呢？
吕望舞刀发出声音，
文王听后为何高兴起来？
周武王砍下纣王的头，
他为什么会有难抑的怒火？
用车装载文王的灵位会战，
周武王为何如此焦虑？
纣王燃薪上吊自焚，
到底是什么原因？
为何他的死感动了天地？
而又有谁为此恐惧？
上天既降天命于王者，
又怎样告诫那些受命的人？
既然让他治理天下，
为何还要派人取而代之？
伊尹起初只是商汤的小官，
后来才做到了辅政宰相。
为何最后上追成汤，
死后还享祭商汤的宗庙？
有功的阖卢是寿梦的子孙，
少年时曾遭受过流亡之苦。
为何到了壮年便英武刚强，
威名赫赫震慑四方？
彭祖献上野鸡做的羹，
帝尧为何乐于品尝？
彭祖有着很长的寿命，
为什么他能活那么长时间？
诸侯共同管理天下，
周厉王为何要发怒？
蜂蚁虽然微小，
它们的力量是多么顽强？
夷齐在首阳山采薇被女人讥讽，
为什么神鹿反而护佑他们？
他们向北到了首阳山，
为何欢喜地留在这里？
兄长秦景公有一条恶狗，
弟弟为何非要把它弄到手？
他要用一百辆车来换取，
怎么最后连官禄也丢了？
天色将晚雷电交加，
回到家中的我为何还如此忧愁？
楚王已然不像一个国君般威严，
我又去求得什么呢？
遭受放逐隐居山林，
还有什么可说的呢？
楚王追求功绩兴师动众，
国运怎能长久？
如果楚王能悔过并改正所犯错误，
我又何必多说？
吴国与楚国交战，
为何吴国总能获胜？
环绕穿越闾里丘陵，
淫乱之后还能生出子文？
我曾告诉贤者堵敖，
楚国将衰时间不会长久，
为何成王杀了国君自立，
忠贞的名声更加显著彰扬？
Asking Heaven
Who could tell us at last
When did begin the past?
How could anyone know
The formless high and low?
Who knows where darkness did end
When light and shade did blend?
How to imagine things
In air but not on wings?
How could darkness turn bright
When was day divided from night?
How did light and shade strange
Originate and change?
Who did take measure of
The Ninth Heaven above?
Who built the firmament
Of such boundless extent?
What string could bind the sky?
How was the Pole raised high?
Where did Eight Pillars stand?
Why lowered southeast land?
How did Nine Spheres divide
And join up side by side?
How many ins and outs
Of Heaven’s whereabouts?
On what rests Heaven wide?
How did twelve hours divide?
And sun and moon shed rays
And stars in fine arrays?
Rising from Vale of Beam
And setting by Dark Stream,
How many leagues had run
From dawn till dusk the sun?
How could the moon be bright
And wax and wane by night?
What advantage was there
To keep in it a hare?
Unwed was Star Divine.
How could she have sons nine?
Where is Wind Star who frees
The freshening warm breeze?
What door, when closed, made night
And, when opened, gave light?
Where behind the closed gate
Did the sun hide and wait?
To stem the flood Kun was unfit.
Why was he ordered to do it?
“No one cares for the worst.
Why not let Kun try first? ”
Bird-turtles made a sign.
How could Gun think it divine?
He would not sink but swim.
Why should the Lord punish him?
For three years cast away,
Why did his corpse not decay?
How was his son Yu born
Out of his belly torn?
How did his son succeed
In accomplishing his deed?
How did the plan begun
Become a different one?
How did Yu try to fill
Up the deep flood at will?
To build riverbanks and
To protect land on land?
How did the Dragon’s tail
Braze on the earth a trail?
How did the rivers flow
And towards oceans go?
How could Yu well succeed
In Gun’s miscarried deed?
And the Fury o’ergrown
Knock the southeast Peak down?
Why are the nine lands dry
And wet the valleys lie?
Who knows why streams east go
And seas never overflow?
How far is east to west
Or north to southern crest?
Is it longer than wide
From north to southern side?
The Hanging Garden’s high.
But where did its base lie?
Kunlun walls were ninefold.
How high were they, all told?
Who went with rapid strides
Through the gates in four sides?
And what wind passed before
The open northwest door?
Could Torch Dragon shed light
When the sun was not bright?
How could flowers divine
Before the sun’s chariot shine?
Where’s winter warm and old?
Where’s summer young and cold?
Where could be found stone trees?
Where could beasts talk with ease?
Where’s Dragon without horn
Swimming with bears airborne?
Where’s the nine-headed Snake
Moving without a break?
Where would man never die?
Where lived giants on high?
Where’s the nine-branched weed
And the hemp’s blooming seed?
What serpent could devour
An elephant beyond its power?
Where’s Mount Perils and goes
Black Stream dyeing one’s toes?
How could a deathless man
Live as long as he can?
Where lived man-fish unheard
Of and white-headed giant bird?
How did the Archer shoot down
Nine suns with golden crown
And the Raven in the sun
With its feathers undone?
Yu made flood-water flow
Through nine channels below.
How with a Southern lass could
He make love in the wood?
If he loved the fair one,
He should have loved their son.
Why did he make up his mind
To leave their son behind?
How did Qi take Yi’s place
After he met disgrace?
Put in prison by Yi,
How could Qi be set free?
All shot at Qi with bows;
He was not hurt by blows.
How was Yi overthrown?
How did Qi win the crown?
Qi sought favor divine
And got melodies nine.
How could his stony breath
Entail his mother’s death?
The Lord sent Archer down
That Xia’s evils be mown.
Why did he shoot the Lord of Stream
And wive his Lady Dream?
He bent to the full his bow
And killed the big swine below.
Why was his sacrifice
Not accepted as nice?
The traitor wed his wife
And plotted against his life.
How was he boiled and slain,
Piercing seven shields in vain?
Barred from returning west,
Could Gun cross Mount Crest?
Turned into a yellow fish,
Could he revive at wish?
Gun had black millet sown
And weeds and grasses mown.
Why should he bear the blame
And have ever a bad name?
Adorned with rainbow white,
Why should the Belle take flight
With herbs divine to hide
Herself at the moon’s side?
Heaven rules left and right;
Death comes when there’s no light.
Should not the Golden Raven cry
When shot down from the sky?
How did the Lord of Rain shout
And showers fall all about?
How did the wings of Deer
Raise the wind far and near?
How could the Turtles great
Bear the five Islands’ weight?
Without the giant boat,
How could the island float?
What did Strong Ao ask for
At his brother’s widow’s door?
Was Strong Ao’s head cut down
By the Hunter wearing crown?
The sewing widow kept
Ao at home and they slept.
How did she lose her head
By mistake while in bed?
How was Ao’s armor planned
The stoutest of the land?
Boats overturned, by what way
Was the foe brought to bay?
King Jie attacked Meng State.
How did this change his fate?
His queen with charm was filled.
How by Tang was she killed?
How did Shun’s father blind
Leave unwed his son kind?
And Yao give him princess,
Telling not the sightless?
Who did at the first sign
Foretell the Shang’s decline?
By whom was built and made
The ten-floored tower of jade?
When Snake-Queen mounted the throne,
Who said it was well done?
Who made her body change
Into seventy shapes strange?
Shun yielded to his brother,
Still he was harmed by the other.
How could the dog prevail
And his tricks never fail?
Old Wu State extended far
Southward up to Mount Bar.
How did two princes great
Come to rule over the State?
In cauldron decked with swan of jade
The sacrifice was made.
King Jie of Xia received the crown.
Why was he overthrown?
How did Lord Tang advise
Yi his minister wise
To have King Jie destroyed
And people overjoyed?
How did King Kuts favor shower
On fair Janedy in the tower?
How did the Swallow’s egg
Make her conceived, I beg?
Hai was Qi’s worthy son;
He did as Qi had done.
Why did he go and keep
In Youyi ox and sheep?
How was the Youyi queen entranced
When shield in hand Hai danced?
How could the oxherd win
The queen with lovely skin?
How did a herdsman find
Them making love and from behind
Strike and miss them in bed
And they lost not their head?
How could Heng tend his flocks
And get back his fat ox?
Why did he, gifts in hand,
Not come back to his land?
Wei followed up Hai’s trace
And put Youyi out of place.
Why should he risk his life
To make love with his son’s wife?
His brother full of lust
Did him harm, so unjust.
How could one doing wrong
Have descendants in throng?
Lord Tang the victor great
Went east to Youshen State.
How could he need a cook
And win a princess of good look?
In a riverside tree
Was found a baby free.
How did the minister mean
Come with Youshen’s fair queen?
Jailed in the Double Spring,
What wrong did Tang do the king?
Who provoked him to overthrow
The Xia by blow on blow?
How did lords in array
Arrive on battle day?
Who made grey eagles fly
And flock up in the sky?
Fa beat the corpse of Yin’s king bad.
Why was Fa’s brother sad?
When Fa ruled the Zhou State,
Why did his brother sigh over Yin’s fate?
When Yin had divine grace,
What had they done in place?
Thriving and then overthrown,
What crimes committed the crown?
Who made Zhou’s ranks proceed
With weapons at full speed,
Keep pace and forward go
And smite the wings of the foe?
How was King Zhao’s tour planned
As far as the Southern land?
How was he drowned at sight
Of a great pheasant white?
King Mu was fond of steed.
How did he tour with speed
The western land all o’er?
What was he searching for?
What did a man and his wife base
Cry in the market place?
Did King You kill the pair
To get Bao Si the fair?
Capricious is the Fate
To punish and to compensate.
How was Duke Huan denied
To be buried long after he died?
How could King Zhou’s crowned head
Into folly be led?
How did he hate advice,
And not flattery and vice?
What wrong did Bi Gan do
That his heart was pierced through?
What good did Yesman Kai
To be raised to rank high?
Why did men excellent
Have a fate different?
Mei Bo was minced, so sad;
Ji Zi pretended mad!
Ji was King Ku’s first-born.
How was he made Lord Corn?
Why, left out on the ice,
Was he warmed by birds nice?
How did he bend his bow
And special talent show?
His birth surprised the king.
Could he teem with offspring?
Lord Chang at Yin’s decline
Became a herdsman fine.
How did he move his altar great
From Qi to replace the Yin State?
How did the people free
Bring their wealth and move to Mount Qi?
How much did the jeered king care
For the betwitching fair?
Given the minced flesh of his son,
Lord Chang denounced the deed done.
Should not God punish the Yin State
If its last king cursed its own fate?
How could Lord Chang recognize
The butcher as master wise?
Hearing the butcher’s knife ring,
How glad was the future king?
When Yin’s last king was killed,
Why was Wu with sorrow filled?
Carrying the corpse of the knight,
Why was he so eager to fight?
Why should Yin’s last king be
Hanged on a cypress tree?
What on earth did he tread?
Who would tremble in dread?
Heaven ruled royal fate.
How did it warn Yin State?
Yin’s kings ruled over the land.
Why were they replaced by the grand?
At first Yi Yin was Tang’s slave,
Then he became a lord brave.
How did he share Tang’s nice
Ancestral sacrifice?
He Lu was Meng’s grandson;
While young, he was a vagrant one.
Grown up, strong he became.
How did he spread his fame?
How did God like to eat
Peng-cooked pheasant’s meat?
Peng lived eight hundred years.
Why should he still shed tears?
Lords ruled the Central State.
Why was the king in anger great?
How could the ant-like throng
Be powerful and strong?
The two brothers ate no fern.
How did the doe show its concern?
In northern waterside retreat,
Why were they glad to meet?
Why should the duke’s younger brother
About the duke’s dog bother?
He would for it give gold,
But of his rank lost hold.
At dusk a tempest roared.
Why, on backward way feel bored
And without dignity
Appeal to His Majesty?
When hidden in a cave,
For what could one still crave?
Repent and mend your way!
What more have I to say?
Why raise an army vast
And how could it long last?
How beaten ever since
He fought against Wu prince?
Why go by winding way
To the hill far away,
Where to make love in mirth
And to Zi Wen give birth?
Why say the king did wrong
And his State would not last long?
Why kill him and replace
Him and win divine grace?
