Qu Yuan, in those days, composed the Chu Saos,
Clutching in his hand a blade that could slay.
With wormwood and mugwort rampant while fragrant pepper and orchids scarce,
He leapt forth into ten-thousand-mile waves.

[Title Explanation]

[Notes]
1) The “blade that could slay”: refers to the combative power wielded by Qu Yuan in writing the Li Sao.
2) Wormwood and mugwort: metaphorical of treacherous villains.
3) Fragrant pepper and orchids: metaphorical of virtuous and worthy men.
4) Leaping into ten-thousand-mile waves: alludes to Qu Yuan’s suicide by drowning in the Miluo River.

[Appreciation]
As is typical, Mao Zedong admired the great poet Qu Yuan; yet his description of Qu as holding “a blade that could slay” to signify the Li Sao’s militant force is both concrete and strikingly original—insights not readily grasped by most people.