许渊冲：北京大学教授，翻译家，译作涵盖中、英、法等语种，翻译集中在中国古诗英译，形成韵体译诗的方法与理论，被誉为“诗译被誉为“诗译英法唯一人”。在国内外出版中、英、法文著译六十本，包括《诗经》、《楚辞》、《李白诗选》、《西厢记》等。凡是译者都知道译事之难，相比之下，诗歌讲究格律音韵，自然是难上加难。唐诗宋词博大精深，理解已属不易，况且要译成外文，其难度可想而知，非大家焉敢问津？译诗不同于云山雾罩的空头理论，可以用些似是而非的时髦术语蒙混过去，译诗是要一字一句明明白白地与原文对照的。
下面我们一起来欣赏和学习许渊冲大师的英译【离骚】，对于我们很多读不懂离骚的朋友，也许英文能让你有所感悟。
Sorrow after Departure
Qu YUAN (Translated by Xu Yuanchong)
Descendant of High Sunny King,oh!
My father's name shed sunny ray.
The Wooden Star appeared in spring, oh!
When I was born on Tiger's Day.
My father saw my birthday bright, oh!
He gave me an auspicious name.
My formal name was Divine Right, oh!
I was also called Divine Flame.
I have so much beauty inside,oh!
And add to it a style ornate.
I weave sweet grass by riverside,oh!
Into a belt with orchids late.
Like running water years will pass, oh!
I fear time and tide wait for none.
At dawn I gather mountain grass, oh!
At dusk I pick secluded one.
The sun and the moon will not stay, oh!
Spring will give place to autumn cold.
Grass will wither and trees decay, oh!
I fear that beauty will grow old.
Give up the foul while young and strong, oh
Why won't you my lord, change your style and way ?
Ride your fine steed , gallop along,oh!
I'll go before you lest you stray.
Three ancient kings were pure and true,oh!
Around them flocked all fragrant things.
Pepper and cassia also grew, oh!
Sweet orchids were formed into rings.
The first two monarchs were so bright, oh!
That they followed and gained the way.
The two last kings were in sad plight, oh!
They sought by paths and came to bay.
Your partisans love stolen pleasure,oh!
Their way is dark, with perils sown.
Do I dread my personal woe? oh!
I fear the royal cab o’erthrown.
I run before it and behind, oh!
I wish you would follow your sire.
To my loyalty you’re unkind,oh!
You heed slander and burst in fire.
With frank advice you won't comply, oh!
I endure and cannot have done.
Be my witness,Ninth Heaven high,oh!
I've done all for you Sacred One.
The word you've given still remains, oh!
But you go back on it and stray.
Departure causes me no pains, oh!
Of your fickleness what to say?
I grow spring orchids in fields nine, oh!
And a hundred acres of clover.
I plant peonies line byline,oh!
Mixed with fragrant grass all over.
I’d see their leaves green and blooms red,oh !
And reap the fruit in season due.
I am not grieved they're withered, oh!
But they decay'mid weeds in view.
All vie in avarice and greed, oh!
Their lust is never gratified.
Judging others by their own deed,oh!
They’re jealous-minded and green-eyed.
I am not so eager as they, oh!
To run after wealth here and there.
Old age draws near from day to day,oh!
Have I a name lasting and fair?
From magnolia I drink the dew,oh!
And feed on aster petals frail.
My spirit being pure and true, oh!
Do I care to grow lank and pale?
I string clover with gathered vine,oh!
And fallen stamens there among.
I plait cassia tendrils and twine, oh!
Some strands of ivy green and long.
I’ll imitate the ancient sage, oh!
Not the vulgar world of today .
Though I displease the modern age, oh!
I will follow the ancient way.
I sigh and wipe away my tears,oh!
I’m grieved at a life full of woes.
Good and just,I hear only jeers,oh!
Morning and night I suffer blows.
I make a belt of grasses sweet, oh!
And add to it clovers and thymes.
My heart tells me it’s good and meet,oh!
I won't regret to die nine times.
The Sacred One neglects his duty, oh!
He will not look into my heart.
The slanderers envy my beauty, oh!
They say I play licentious part.
The vulgar praise what is unfair, oh!
They reject common rules with pleasure