(01.42 - 02.05 of the Li Sao recording)

Qu Yuan says that he augmented his auspicious birth by dressing beautifully, an allegorical way of saying he educated himself. He then searched for a virtuous king to serve. There is some ambiguity here as Qu Yuan refers to the king as "mei ren", beautiful person, an expression which later referred only to women. In any case, he finds himself slandered, and so calls on heaven to witness his loyalty.

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