“Lament of a Disheartened Nation”
Beneath the dense, tender green mulberries, there lies a shaded place, once filled with the coolness of ample leaves. Now, with all the leaves picked clean, the branches are bare, leaving the people to suffer under the scorching sun, unable to find respite. Their minds are troubled, hearts filled with ceaseless sorrow, lingering in despair. High above, the heavens shine brightly; how can they not see our plight and offer us mercy?
Strong and vigorous are the horses pulling the chariot, banners fluttering wildly in the wind. Yet the land is in turmoil, unrest spreading across the nation, leaving hearts filled with fear. The people suffer, with few able-bodied men remaining, as if a fire had swept through, leaving only ashes behind. Long and mournful are the cries, reflecting the nation’s dire straits and tumultuous fate. The country’s fortune dwindles, lacking sustenance and support from the heavens. Homeless and rootless, where can one find a place to settle?
A noble man contemplates constantly, holding firm to his integrity and strength of will. Who has caused this calamity, continuing to harm the people to this day? Deep sorrow fills his heart, as he longs for his homeland and familiar places. Born at an unfortunate time, he faces the wrath of the heavens. From the west to the east, there is nowhere to find peace, a most desolate existence. Enduring calamities and suffering, he worries about external threats at the borders. Careful planning and wise strategies are needed to eliminate the state of chaos. Understand the need to empathize with the people, and employ the virtuous.
Who, when suffering from heat, does not seek relief in cool water? A corrupt ruler brings no good, leading the people to destruction. It is like walking against the wind, struggling to breathe. The people inherently have respect and reverence, but they have nowhere to channel their efforts. Emphasizing agricultural production, the hardworking people toil to sustain the land. Their labor and harvest are the nation’s treasures, these hardworking people embody virtue and goodness. Yet, the heavens send down disasters and death, aiming to destroy the ruler we have established. Pests descend, devouring the crops, causing widespread devastation. The people of the land mourn deeply, as continuous drought ravages the fields. Without anyone to offer help, how can we sincerely appeal to the heavens?
A good ruler aligns with the people’s hearts, earning their love and admiration. He diligently governs, carefully selecting capable ministers. A bad ruler, however, enjoys his privileges alone, allowing corrupt officials to poison the nation, driving the people to madness. Look at the vast forest, where the deer frolic joyfully, yet among the officials, there is mutual slander, lacking sincerity and goodness. People speak of such matters, finding themselves in a dilemma, truly lamentable. Only a sage with clear vision can see far and wide, while foolish men, blinded by arrogance, find joy in their folly.
It is not that we cannot speak, but why do we hesitate in fear? Only a person with a kind heart, seeking nothing for himself, but there are those too cruel, constantly changing and unreliable. The people seem to be in chaos, suffering from the cruelty of the bad governance. A strong wind blows fiercely, through the long and empty valleys. The good people are kind-hearted, their actions noble and upright. The wicked, however, do not follow reason, their behavior filthy and corrupt. The fierce wind roars, and the greedy scoundrels abound. They respond to flattering words, but feign drunkenness when hearing sincere advice. The virtuous are not employed, instead, they view me as rebellious.
My friend, do you not see the pretense? Like birds flying high, sometimes they are caught in the net. I am familiar with your true nature, yet you come to intimidate me, how foolish. Without standards, the people are disturbed, because you deceive them and act unjustly. You do things that harm the people, as if you find it insufficiently ruthless. The people follow crooked paths, due to your violent oppression. The people are uneasy and terrified, while the rulers act like thieves, plundering recklessly. Honest advice is ignored, and behind my back, you call me absurd. Despite your slander, I will continue to sing my song.
This poem is composed of sixteen stanzas. The first eight stanzas, each with eight lines, criticize King Li for his misrule, greed, and tyranny, which have brought suffering to the people, leading to widespread discontent. The last eight stanzas, each with six lines, criticize the officials, pointing out that their incompetence and flattery are also the king’s fault. Thus, the Mao commentary summarizes the poem as a criticism of King Li.
The first stanza uses the metaphor of mulberry trees to illustrate the plight of the people. The once dense and shady trees, now stripped bare, symbolize the people who have been exploited and can no longer find relief. The poet expresses sorrow for the people’s suffering and appeals to the heavens, questioning why they do not show mercy.
In the second to fourth stanzas, the poet discusses the root of the chaos, attributing it to incessant conscription and lack of stability for the people. The sight of royal chariots and banners brings only pain, as the people are already suffering from constant military service. The poet laments that without peace, the nation is doomed, likening the people’s plight to a devastating fire. The poet reflects on the nation’s decline and the heavens’ apparent indifference, causing the people to wander without a place to settle. This drives the noble-hearted to deep reflection, questioning the source of their misfortune and expressing the sorrow of being born in such troubled times. The people, longing for their homes, find nowhere safe, constantly fearing both internal and external threats.
In the fifth to eighth stanzas, the poet offers advice for governing the nation, urging careful planning and the use of virtuous officials. The metaphor of cooling down with water during heat emphasizes the need for competent and empathetic governance. The poet criticizes the ruling class for their neglect, warning that incompetent leadership brings calamity, akin to pests ruining crops. The poet mourns the continuous disasters and the people’s inability to find relief, urging a return to virtuous and empathetic leadership to align with the people’s hearts.
The ninth to fourteenth stanzas criticize the officials, who, unlike the harmonious deer, engage in mutual slander and insincerity. The poet contrasts the clear vision of the sage with the foolish arrogance of the corrupt officials, who find joy in their misdeeds. The poet laments the officials’ lack of sincerity and the people’s resulting despair. The poet’s warning is clear: good governance requires empathy and wisdom, while corrupt rule leads to chaos and suffering.
The fifteenth and sixteenth stanzas return to the people’s suffering, attributing it to the officials’ greed and violence. The poet criticizes the officials for their exploitation and warns that their actions are driving the people to despair and rebellion. Despite being slandered, the poet remains determined to speak out, hoping to inspire change and understanding.
This poem reflects deep sorrow and concern for the nation’s fate, highlighting the destructive impact of corrupt governance and the urgent need for virtuous leadership. The poet’s use of vivid metaphors and heartfelt appeals to both the heavens and the rulers underscores the gravity of the people’s suffering and the hope for a better future.