隋宫[1]
(其一)
紫泉[2]宫殿锁烟霞,
欲取芜城作帝家。
玉玺不缘归日角,
锦帆[3]应是到天涯。
于今腐草无萤火,
终古垂杨有暮鸦。
地下若逢陈后主,
岂宜重问后庭花。
隋炀帝杨广是历史上有名的荒淫昏暴的皇帝。他在位的14年里,居京不足一年,大多时间都在外淫游。此诗即写隋炀帝穷奢极欲的生活,以借古讽今。该诗采用兴比手法,用典融化无痕,写得灵动含蓄,音节铿锵,跌宕有致,在咏史诗中独树一帜。
注释:
[1]隋宫:指隋炀帝杨广在江都(今江苏省扬州市)所建的行宫。
[2]紫泉:即紫渊,长安河名。
[3]锦帆:隋炀帝所乘的龙舟,其帆用华丽的宫锦制成。
The Sui Palace
(I)
The Palace of Purple Spring lost in rainbow cloud
Might be replaced by new one in riverside town.
Were the emperor not overthrown by the crowd,
His royal ship might sail to new sky’s end unknown.
But now no fireflies overspread the withered grass;
Only dark crows perch on his weeping willow trees.
If he met underground his captive king,alas!
Could the sweet song of their palace flowers still please?
Note:This is a satire against the last emperor of the Sui Dynasty(隋炀帝)who would go south to spend a luxurious life in a riverside town if he were not overthrown by the Tang(唐)army.The captive king refers to the last king of Chen Dynasty(陈后主)who was enjoying music of his favorite songstress when the Sui(隋)army entered his capital.