咏史

(二首其一)

北湖南埭[1]水漫漫,

一片降旗百尺竿[2]。

三百年[3]间同晓梦,

钟山[4]何处有龙盘[5]。

此诗题目已经标明,是一首咏史诗,辛辣地讽刺南朝帝王的兴败没落。

注释:

[1]北湖南埭:统指玄武湖。北湖,即金陵(今江苏省南京市)玄武湖。南埭,即鸡鸣埭,在玄武湖边。埭,水闸,土坝。

[2]一片降旗百尺竿:刘禹锡《金陵怀古》:“一片降旗出石头。”指吴主孙皓投降晋龙骧将军王浚,也指陈后主投降隋庐州总管韩擒虎。

[3]三百年:指东吴、东晋、宋、齐、梁、陈六朝建国年代的约数。

[4]钟山:金陵紫金山。

[5]龙盘:形容山势如盘龙。

On History

(I)

Water shimmers in Northern Lake by Southern Tower

All kings surrendered with white flags to a new power.

Three hundred years have passed like a dream one and all,

No Mount Dragon could keep kingdoms from their downfall.

Note:The Northern Lake,Southern Tower,Mount Coiling Dragon were all in the vicinity of the capital,but neither mountain nor river could keep kingdoms from their downfall.