Rising far in the west; in the Emei and Min Mountains;
Plowing its way through Wu; east flowing; resistless;
Swelled by its nine tributary streams; rolling down from the far north;
Aided and helped by a hundred rivulets swirling and foaming;
Ocean receives it at last weling; joyful; its waters。
Therein abide sea nymphs and water gods;
Enormous whales a thousand fathoms long;
Nine…headed monstrous beasts; reptiles and octopi;
Demons and uncouth creatures wondrous strange。
In faith it is the home and safe retreat
Of devils and sprites; and wondrous growths;
And eke the battle ground of valiant humans。
At times occur strange strife of elements;
When darkness strives on lights domains that encroach;
Whereat arises in the vaulted dome of blue
White wreaths of fog that toward the center roll。
Then darkness falls; too dense for any torch
Illumine; only clanging sounds can pass。
The fog at first appears; a vaporous wreath
Scarce visible。 But thickening fast; it veils
The Southern Hills; the painted leopards home。
And spreads afar; until the northern sea
Leviathans are amazed and lose their course。
And denser yet it touches on the sky。
And spreads a heavy mantle over the earth。
Then; wide as is the high pitched arch of heaven;
Therein appears no single rift of blue。
Now mighty whales lead up their spouses to sport
Upon the waves; the sinuous dragons dive
Deep down and; breathing; swell the heaving sea;
The earth is moist as with the early rains;
And springs creative energy is chilled。
Both far and wide and high the damp fog spreads;
Great cities on the eastern bank are hid;