All poems

唐 Tang · 诗 Poem

西凉伎

The, Western, Liang, Dance

白居易

Bai Juyi

讽刺Theme 边塞Frontier

西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子。
刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿。
奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里。
紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞。
应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时。
须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得。
泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知。
狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲。
贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足。
娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目。
有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣。
泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻。
自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙。
凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里。
平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔。
缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日。
遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收。
天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞。
奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧。
纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏?

The, Western, Liang, Dance, the, masked, barbarian, men, the, barbarian, lions,
The, carved, wood, for, the, head, the, silk, for, the, tail,
The, gold, plated, eyes, the, silver, plated, teeth.
Ruffling, the, furry, coat, swaying, the, two, ears,
As, if, coming, from, the, Flowing, Sands, the, ten, thousand, miles.
The, purple, whiskers, the, deep, eyes, the, two, barbarian, boys,
Drumming, and, dancing, leaping, and, prancing, before, speaking.
Should, be, like, the, days, before, the, fall, of, the, Liangzhou,
The, days, when, the, Protectorate, of, the, Anxi, sent, in, the, tribute.
In, a, moment, saying, the, new, tidings,
The, road, of, the, Anxi, cut, off, the, return, impossible.
Weeping, toward, the, lion, the, two, tears, hanging, down,
The, Liangzhou, fallen, the, you, know, or, not.
The, lion, turning, the, head, toward, the, west, looking,
Wailing, one, roar, the, spectators, grieving.
The, frontier, general, of, the, Zhenyuan, loving, this, tune,
Sitting, drunk, laughing, looking, not, enough.
Entertaining, the, guests, rewarding, the, soldiers, the, banquet, of, the, inspecting, the, army,
The, lion, men, forever, in, the, eyes.
There, was, a, conscript, aged, seventy,
Seeing, the, playing, of, the, Liangzhou, lowering, the, head, weeping.
Weeping, done, folding, the, hands, saying, to, the, general,
The, sovereign, worried, the, minister, shamed, what, of, old, I, have, heard.
Since, the, war, of, the, Tianbao, arose,
The, Quanrong, day, and, night, devouring, the, western, borders.
The, Liangzhou, fallen, these, forty, years,
The, He, and, the, Long, invaded, nearly, the, seven, thousand, miles.
In, the, times, of, the, peace, the, Anxi, the, ten, thousand, miles, of, the, frontier,
Today, the, frontier, defense, at, the, Fengxiang.
Along, the, frontier, in, vain, stationing, the, hundred, thousand, troops,
Eating, full, wearing, warm, idly, passing, the, days.
The, surviving, people, heartbroken, in, the, Liangzhou,
The, generals, and, the, soldiers, looking, at, each, other, no, will, to, recover.
The, Son, of, the, Heaven, each, time, thinking, often, grieving,
The, general, about, to, speak, should, feel, the, shame.
Yet, still, they, watch, the, Western, Liang, Dance,
Seeking, the, laughter, spending, the, joy, without, the, shame.
Even, if, without, the, ability, not, yet, able, to, recover,
How, can, they, bear, to, take, the, Western, Liang, to, play, as, the, jest?
Listen

Meaning

A poem of the frontier and the grief, written by Bai Juyi. The Western Liang Dance the masked barbarian men the barbarian lions, the carved wood for the head the silk for the tail — the dance of the opening. The purple whiskers the deep eyes the two barbarian boys, drumming and dancing leaping and prancing before speaking — the performance of the middle. Should be like the days before the fall of the Liangzhou, the days when the Protectorate of the Anxi sent in the tribute — the memory of the middle. And the close's yet still they watch the Western Liang Dance, seeking the laughter spending the joy without the shame — the close's reproach. The poem is the frontier and the grief: the dance, the fall, and the close's reproach.

西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子。 刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿。 奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里。 紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞。 应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时。 须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得。 泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知。 狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲。 贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足。 娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目。 有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣。 泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻。 自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙。 凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里。 平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔。 缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日。 遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收。 天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞。 奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧。 纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏?

Appreciation

[Plain Paraphrase] The, Western, Liang, Dance, the, masked, barbarian, men, the, barbarian, lions, the, carved, wood, for, the, head, the, silk, for, the, tail, the, gold, plated, eyes, the, silver, plated, teeth. Ruffling, the, furry, coat, swaying, the, two, ears, as, if, coming, from, the, Flowing, Sands, the, ten, thousand, miles. The, purple, whiskers, the, deep, eyes, the, two, barbarian, boys, drumming, and, dancing, leaping, and, prancing, before, speaking. Should, be, like, the, days, before, the, fall, of, the, Liangzhou, the, days, when, the, Protectorate, of, the, Anxi, sent, in, the, tribute. In, a, moment, saying, the, new, tidings, the, road, of, the, Anxi, cut, off, the, return, impossible. Weeping, toward, the, lion, the, two, tears, hanging, down, the, Liangzhou, fallen, the, you, know, or, not. The, lion, turning, the, head, toward, the, west, looking, wailing, one, roar, the, spectators, grieving. The, frontier, general, of, the, Zhenyuan, loving, this, tune, sitting, drunk, laughing, looking, not, enough. Entertaining, the, guests, rewarding, the, soldiers, the, banquet, of, the, inspecting, the, army, the, lion, men, forever, in, the, eyes. There, was, a, conscript, aged, seventy, seeing, the, playing, of, the, Liangzhou, lowering, the, head, weeping. Weeping, done, folding, the, hands, saying, to, the, general, the, sovereign, worried, the, minister, shamed, what, of, old, I, have, heard. Since, the, war, of, the, Tianbao, arose, the, Quanrong, day, and, night, devouring, the, western, borders. The, Liangzhou, fallen, these, forty, years, the, He, and, the, Long, invaded, nearly, the, seven, thousand, miles. In, the, times, of, the, peace, the, Anxi, the, ten, thousand, miles, of, the, frontier, today, the, frontier, defense, at, the, Fengxiang. Along, the, frontier, in, vain, stationing, the, hundred, thousand, troops, eating, full, wearing, warm, idly, passing, the, days. The, surviving, people, heartbroken, in, the, Liangzhou, the, generals, and, the, soldiers, looking, at, each, other, no, will, to, recover. The, Son, of, the, Heaven, each, time, thinking, often, grieving, the, general, about, to, speak, should, feel, the, shame. Yet, still, they, watch, the, Western, Liang, Dance, seeking, the, laughter, spending, the, joy, without, the, shame. Even, if, without, the, ability, not, yet, able, to, recover, how, can, they, bear, to, take, the, Western, Liang, to, play, as, the, jest. [Structure and Thought] The poem moves from the dance of the masked barbarian men with the carved wood and the gold plated eyes, through the memory of the fall of the Liangzhou with the conscript of the seventy, to the close's the reproach of the jest. [Key Technique] The poem's art is the close of the reproach: the surviving people heartbroken in the Liangzhou, and the close's yet still they watch the Western Liang Dance how can they bear to take the Western Liang to play as the jest — the grief gathered in the reproach and the close's shame. [Emotional Tone] Grieving, reproaching, and sorrowful: the poem is the dance, the fall and the close's reproach.

【白话串讲】 白居易写《西凉伎》:“西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子”——“刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿”——“应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时”——“安西都护进来时”——他借西凉伎写凉州陷落之痛。 【意象与手法】 此诗写讽喻,以民生写讽喻,是白居易的名篇。前段写伎舞:「西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子。刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿。奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里。紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞。应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时。须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得。泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知。狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲」写西凉伎、假面胡人假狮子——写尽假面的胡人;后段写讽谕:「贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足。娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目。有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣。泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻。自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙。凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里。平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔。缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日。遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收。天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞。奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧。纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏」写贞元边将爱此曲、醉坐笑看看不足——写尽醉坐笑看的边将。全诗以民生写讽喻,写尽假面的胡人与醉坐笑看的边将,是白居易的代表作。 【情感与主旨】 此诗写讽喻,以民生写讽喻,是白居易的名篇。此诗为白居易新乐府诗,写其以凉州陷没讽边将。白居易倡导新乐府运动,此诗写其咏西凉伎以刺时政。此诗写西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子;刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿;奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里;紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞;应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时;须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得;泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知;狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲;贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足;娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目;有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣;泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻;自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙;凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里;平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔;缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日;遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收;天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞;奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧;纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏。此诗写伎舞:西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子——写西凉伎、假面胡人假狮子,写尽假面的胡人;刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿——写刻木为头丝作尾、金镀眼睛银帖齿,写尽金镀眼睛的银帖齿;奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里——写奋迅毛衣摆双耳、如从流沙来万里,写尽如从流沙的万里;紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞——写紫髯深目两胡儿、鼓舞跳梁前致辞,写尽鼓舞跳梁的胡儿;应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时——写应似凉州未陷日、安西都护进来时,写尽安西都护的进来;须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得——写须臾云得新消息、安西路绝归不得,写尽安西路绝的归不得;泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知——写泣向狮子涕双垂、凉州陷没知不知,写尽凉州陷没的知不知;狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲——写狮子回头向西望、哀吼一声观者悲,写尽哀吼一声的观者悲。下段写讽谕:贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足——写贞元边将爱此曲、醉坐笑看看不足,写尽醉坐笑看的边将;娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目——写娱宾犒士宴监军、狮子胡儿长在目,写尽狮子胡儿的长在目;有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣——写有一征夫年七十、见弄凉州低面泣,写尽见弄凉州的低面泣;泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻——写泣罢敛手白将军、主忧臣辱昔所闻,写尽主忧臣辱的昔所闻;自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙——写自从天宝兵戈起、犬戎日夜吞西鄙,写尽犬戎日夜的西鄙;凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里——写凉州陷来四十年、河陇侵将七千里,写尽河陇侵将的七千里;平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔——写平时安西万里疆、今日边防在凤翔,写尽今日边防的凤翔;缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日——写缘边空屯十万卒、饱食温衣闲过日,写尽饱食温衣的闲过日;遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收——写遗民肠断在凉州、将卒相看无意收,写尽将卒相看的无意收;天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞——写天子每思常痛惜、将军欲说合惭羞,写尽将军欲说的惭羞;奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧——写奈何仍看西凉伎、取笑资欢无所愧,写尽取笑资欢的无所愧;纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏——写纵无智力未能收、忍取西凉弄为戏,写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏。全诗以民生写讽喻——那「假面胡人假狮子」写尽假面的胡人,「忍取西凉弄为戏」写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏,写尽假面的胡人与醉坐笑看的边将,是理解白居易讽喻诗的重要篇章。 【名句点睛】 常考「西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子」写假面的胡人;「忍取西凉弄为戏」写忍取西凉的弄为戏;以及全诗以民生写讽喻、以对比写讽谕的手法。

Background

Bai Juyi (772-846), the great poet of the Tang, wrote this 'The, Western, Liang, Dance' of the frontier and the grief — the lament for the fall of the Liangzhou. The dance with the masked barbarian men, the memory of the fall, and the close's the reproach of the jest — the poem gathers the grief of the poet, the anger at the generals. The poem is one of the famous works of the poet's poems of the new Yuefu.

此诗写讽喻,以民生写讽喻,是白居易的名篇。白居易(772—846),字乐天,号香山居士,又号醉吟先生,祖籍太原,生于河南新郑,唐代现实主义诗人,与元稹共同倡导新乐府运动,世称「元白」,与刘禹锡并称「刘白」。此诗为白居易新乐府诗,写其以凉州陷没讽边将。白居易倡导新乐府运动,此诗写其咏西凉伎以刺时政。此诗写西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子;刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿;奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里;紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞;应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时;须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得;泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知;狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲;贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足;娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目;有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣;泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻;自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙;凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里;平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔;缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日;遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收;天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞;奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧;纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏。此诗写伎舞:「西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子」写西凉伎、假面胡人假狮子——写尽假面的胡人(西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子);「刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿」写刻木为头丝作尾、金镀眼睛银帖齿——写尽金镀眼睛的银帖齿(刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿);「奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里」写奋迅毛衣摆双耳、如从流沙来万里——写尽如从流沙的万里(奋迅毛衣摆双耳,如从流沙来万里);「紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞」写紫髯深目两胡儿、鼓舞跳梁前致辞——写尽鼓舞跳梁的胡儿(紫髯深目两胡儿,鼓舞跳梁前致辞);「应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时」写应似凉州未陷日、安西都护进来时——写尽安西都护的进来(应似凉州未陷日,安西都护进来时);「须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得」写须臾云得新消息、安西路绝归不得——写尽安西路绝的归不得(须臾云得新消息,安西路绝归不得);「泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知」写泣向狮子涕双垂、凉州陷没知不知——写尽凉州陷没的知不知(泣向狮子涕双垂,凉州陷没知不知);「狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲」写狮子回头向西望、哀吼一声观者悲——写尽哀吼一声的观者悲(狮子回头向西望,哀吼一声观者悲)。下段写讽谕:「贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足」写贞元边将爱此曲、醉坐笑看看不足——写尽醉坐笑看的边将(贞元边将爱此曲,醉坐笑看看不足);「娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目」写娱宾犒士宴监军、狮子胡儿长在目——写尽狮子胡儿的长在目(娱宾犒士宴监军,狮子胡儿长在目);「有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣」写有一征夫年七十、见弄凉州低面泣——写尽见弄凉州的低面泣(有一征夫年七十,见弄凉州低面泣);「泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻」写泣罢敛手白将军、主忧臣辱昔所闻——写尽主忧臣辱的昔所闻(泣罢敛手白将军,主忧臣辱昔所闻);「自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙」写自从天宝兵戈起、犬戎日夜吞西鄙——写尽犬戎日夜的西鄙(自从天宝兵戈起,犬戎日夜吞西鄙);「凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里」写凉州陷来四十年、河陇侵将七千里——写尽河陇侵将的七千里(凉州陷来四十年,河陇侵将七千里);「平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔」写平时安西万里疆、今日边防在凤翔——写尽今日边防的凤翔(平时安西万里疆,今日边防在凤翔);「缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日」写缘边空屯十万卒、饱食温衣闲过日——写尽饱食温衣的闲过日(缘边空屯十万卒,饱食温衣闲过日);「遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收」写遗民肠断在凉州、将卒相看无意收——写尽将卒相看的无意收(遗民肠断在凉州,将卒相看无意收);「天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞」写天子每思常痛惜、将军欲说合惭羞——写尽将军欲说的惭羞(天子每思常痛惜,将军欲说合惭羞);「奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧」写奈何仍看西凉伎、取笑资欢无所愧——写尽取笑资欢的无所愧(奈何仍看西凉伎,取笑资欢无所愧);「纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏」写纵无智力未能收、忍取西凉弄为戏——写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏(纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏)。全诗以民生写讽喻,写尽假面的胡人与醉坐笑看的边将,是理解白居易讽喻诗的重要篇章。

Art

The poem's art is the art of the reproach. The dance opens: the, Western, Liang, Dance, the, masked, barbarian, men, the, barbarian, lions — the barbarian lions of the dance; the, carved, wood, for, the, head, the, silk, for, the, tail — the silk for the tail; the, gold, plated, eyes, the, silver, plated, teeth — the gold plated eyes. The performance follows: ruffling, the, furry, coat, swaying, the, two, ears — the furry coat of the swaying; as, if, coming, from, the, Flowing, Sands, the, ten, thousand, miles — the ten thousand miles of the Flowing Sands; the, purple, whiskers, the, deep, eyes, the, two, barbarian, boys — the barbarian boys of the deep eyes; drumming, and, dancing, leaping, and, prancing, before, speaking — the drumming and the dancing. The memory follows: should, be, like, the, days, before, the, fall, of, the, Liangzhou — the fall of the Liangzhou; the, days, when, the, Protectorate, of, the, Anxi, sent, in, the, tribute — the tribute of the Anxi; in, a, moment, saying, the, new, tidings — the new tidings; the, road, of, the, Anxi, cut, off, the, return, impossible — the road of the cut off; weeping, toward, the, lion, the, two, tears, hanging, down — the tears of the hanging down; the, Liangzhou, fallen, the, you, know, or, not — the fall of the know or not; the, lion, turning, the, head, toward, the, west, looking — the turning of the lion; wailing, one, roar, the, spectators, grieving — the roar of the grieving. The reproach follows: the, frontier, general, of, the, Zhenyuan, loving, this, tune — the general of the loving; sitting, drunk, laughing, looking, not, enough — the drunk of the looking; entertaining, the, guests, rewarding, the, soldiers, the, banquet, of, the, inspecting, the, army — the banquet of the inspecting; the, lion, men, forever, in, the, eyes — the lion men of the forever. And the close gathers the reproach: there, was, a, conscript, aged, seventy, seeing, the, playing, of, the, Liangzhou, lowering, the, head, weeping — the conscript of the weeping; weeping, done, folding, the, hands, saying, to, the, general — the saying of the folding; the, sovereign, worried, the, minister, shamed, what, of, old, I, have, heard — the minister shamed of the old; since, the, war, of, the, Tianbao, arose — the war of the Tianbao; the, Quanrong, day, and, night, devouring, the, western, borders — the Quanrong of the devouring; the, Liangzhou, fallen, these, forty, years — the forty years of the fall; the, He, and, the, Long, invaded, nearly, the, seven, thousand, miles — the seven thousand miles of the invaded; in, the, times, of, the, peace, the, Anxi, the, ten, thousand, miles, of, the, frontier — the frontier of the ten thousand miles; today, the, frontier, defense, at, the, Fengxiang — the frontier defense of the Fengxiang; along, the, frontier, in, vain, stationing, the, hundred, thousand, troops — the hundred thousand troops of the stationing; eating, full, wearing, warm, idly, passing, the, days — the idly passing of the days; the, surviving, people, heartbroken, in, the, Liangzhou — the heartbroken of the surviving people; the, generals, and, the, soldiers, looking, at, each, other, no, will, to, recover — the no will of the looking; the, Son, of, the, Heaven, each, time, thinking, often, grieving — the grieving of the thinking; the, general, about, to, speak, should, feel, the, shame — the shame of the about to speak; yet, still, they, watch, the, Western, Liang, Dance — the Western Liang Dance of the watching; seeking, the, laughter, spending, the, joy, without, the, shame — the joy of the without the shame; even, if, without, the, ability, not, yet, able, to, recover — the recover of the without the ability; how, can, they, bear, to, take, the, Western, Liang, to, play, as, the, jest — the jest of the play — the dance, the memory and the close's reproach, gathered in the poem.

此诗的艺术特色可从四个方面解析。其一,以叙事写伎舞。「西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子」以叙事写伎舞——那「刻木为头丝作尾」写尽刻木为头的丝作尾,以叙事写尽假面的胡人。其二,以白描写胡儿。「紫髯深目两胡儿」以白描写胡儿——那「鼓舞跳梁前致辞」写尽鼓舞跳梁的胡儿,以白描写尽鼓舞跳梁的胡儿。其三,以对比写边将。「贞元边将爱此曲」以对比写边将——那「醉坐笑看看不足」写尽醉坐笑看的边将,以对比写尽醉坐笑看的边将。其四,以直抒写讽谕。「忍取西凉弄为戏」以直抒写讽谕——那「纵无智力未能收」写尽纵无智力的未能收,以直抒写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏。此外,此诗前段写假面的胡人,后段写醉坐笑看的边将,由伎及政,正是讽喻诗「以伎刺政」的写法。四重手法,使此诗以民生写讽喻,写尽假面的胡人与醉坐笑看的边将,是白居易的代表作。此外,此诗还善于以「狮子回头向西望」的「向西望」写狮子之望西——那「向西望」写尽西望的狮子,正是以望写思,以「哀吼一声观者悲」写尽哀吼的观者悲。又善以「遗民肠断在凉州」的「肠断」写遗民之肠断——遗民肠断在凉州,正见遗民肠断的写照,以「将卒相看无意收」写尽将卒相看的无意收。

Allusions

'The Western Liang Dance' (xi liang ji) is the Western Liang Dance — the dance of the Western Liang, the opening of the poem; 'the Flowing Sands' (liu sha) are the Flowing Sands — the sands of the flowing, the west of the opening; 'the Protectorate of the Anxi' (an xi du hu) is the Protectorate of the Anxi — the protectorate of the Anxi, the tribute of the middle; 'the Quanrong' (quan rong) are the Quanrong — the barbarians of the Quanrong, the devouring of the close; 'the He and the Long' (he long) are the He and the Long — the regions of the Hexi and the Longyou, the invaded of the close.

此诗的用语深植于讽喻与民生传统。「西凉」令人想到「西凉」写西凉的意象——也令人想到「凉州」的意象;「胡人」令人想到「胡人」写胡人的意象——也令人想到「胡儿」的意象;「狮子」令人想到「狮子」写狮子的意象——也令人想到「舞狮」的意象;「流沙」令人想到「流沙」写流沙的意象——《尚书》流沙,也令人想到「西出阳关」的意象;「紫髯」令人想到「紫髯」写紫髯的意象——也令人想到「紫髯碧眼」的意象;「凉州」令人想到「凉州」写凉州的意象——也令人想到「凉州词」的意象;「安西都护」令人想到「安西都护」写安西都护府的意象——唐代安西四镇,也令人想到「安西都护府」的意象;「犬戎」令人想到「犬戎」写犬戎的意象——也令人想到「西戎」的意象;「凤翔」令人想到「凤翔」写凤翔的意象——唐代凤翔府,也令人想到「凤翔」的意象。全诗化用西凉、胡人、狮子、流沙、紫髯、凉州、安西都护、犬戎、凤翔的意象典故,以民生写讽喻,正是白居易「讽喻」而善叙事、承乐府传统写民生之本领。

Commentary

This poem is one of the famous works of Bai Juyi's poems of the new Yuefu, quoted for the vividness of its opening and the reproach of its close. The lion turning the head toward the west, and the reproach of the jest, are among the admired passages of the poet's poems. Critics praise the poem's reproach: the grief gathered in the memory, to the close's shame.

此诗历来被推为白居易讽喻诗的名篇,也是新乐府写西凉伎的代表。历代论者对此诗评价极高:清人评此诗「以民生写讽喻,直切痛快」;近人更指出「忍取西凉弄为戏」写忍取西凉的弄为戏,是此诗的名句。在诗歌史上,此诗的特殊价值在于:它以长篇写尽假面的胡人与醉坐笑看的边将——那西凉伎,那假面胡人,那假狮子,那刻木为头,那丝作尾,那金镀眼睛,那银帖齿,那奋迅毛衣,那摆双耳,那如从流沙,那来万里,那紫髯深目,那两胡儿,那鼓舞跳梁,那前致辞,那应似凉州,那未陷日,那安西都护,那进来时,那须臾,那云得新消息,那安西路绝,那归不得,那泣向狮子,那涕双垂,那凉州陷没,那知不知,那狮子回头,那向西望,那哀吼一声,那观者悲,那贞元边将,那爱此曲,那醉坐笑看,那看不足,那娱宾犒士,那宴监军,那狮子胡儿,那长在目,那有一征夫,那年七十,那见弄凉州,那低面泣,那泣罢敛手,那白将军,那主忧臣辱,那昔所闻,那自从天宝,那兵戈起,那犬戎,那日夜吞西鄙,那凉州陷来,那四十年,那河陇,那侵将七千里,那平时安西,那万里疆,那今日边防,那在凤翔,那缘边,那空屯十万卒,那饱食温衣,那闲过日,那遗民,那肠断在凉州,那将卒相看,那无意收,那天子,那每思常痛惜,那将军,那欲说合惭羞,那奈何,那仍看西凉伎,那取笑资欢,那无所愧,那纵无智力,那未能收,那忍取西凉,那弄为戏,都写尽了白居易笔下的西凉伎;那「忍取西凉弄为戏」更以直抒写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏。此诗与白居易《卖炭翁》「卖炭得钱何所营」同为讽喻名篇,一写「心忧炭贱愿天寒」的卖炭翁,一写「忍取西凉弄为戏」的西凉伎;一写民生,一写边政。两诗对读,可见白居易讽喻诗的两面。对于今日读者,此诗是理解白居易讽喻诗的窗口,也是新乐府写西凉伎的经典——那忍取西凉的弄为戏,穿越千年,仍在诉说着假面的胡人。

Prosody

Form An old poem of the frontier (qi yan ge xing)新乐府·七言古诗
Rhyme The poem rhymes on the level of the group — the cadence of the song that carries the grieving reproach.全诗以「儿」「时」「知」「悲」「足」「目」「泣」「闻」「鄙」「里」「翔」「日」「收」「羞」「愧」「戏」等字押韵,换韵多次
Tone pattern The cadence is that of the reproach: the level opening with the dance, the turning with the memory, and the close's fall with the jest.此诗为新乐府古诗,换韵多次,音节顿挫,正合讽喻的顿挫。
Reading note The poem's sound matches its grief: the cadences of the song, and the close — 'ren qu xi liang nong wei xi' — falls with the jest, the sound of the reproach of the frontier poet.此诗为新乐府七言古诗——「西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子。刻木为头丝作尾,金镀眼睛银帖齿。……忍取西凉弄为戏」,换韵多次,音节顿挫。全诗以民生写讽喻:前段写假面的胡人(西凉伎、紫髯深目两胡儿),后段写醉坐笑看的边将(贞元边将爱此曲、忍取西凉弄为戏)。长篇铺叙,前写伎舞,后写讽谕,以「忍取西凉弄为戏」写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏,正见白居易「讽喻」的本色。诵读此诗,宜以顿挫的语调读「西凉伎」的伎舞,以痛切的语调读「忍取西凉弄为戏」的讽谕,结句要读得顿挫而有余韵,方能传达出白居易的直切痛快。白居易新乐府以「讽喻」著称,此诗正是其讽喻诗的典范。

Line by line

西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子

The Liangzhou show: a Hu actor in a mask, inside a fake lion.

西凉伎,假面胡人假狮子。

The Liangzhou show: a foreign player in a mask, playing a false lion.

此二句是全诗写伎舞的核心,以西凉伎写西凉伎,以假面胡人假狮子写假狮子,写尽假面的胡人,是千古名句。「西凉伎」写西凉伎——那「西凉」写西凉,「伎」写伎,写尽西凉的伎;「假面胡人假狮子」写假面胡人假狮子——那「假面胡人」写假面胡人,「假狮子」写假狮子,写尽假面胡人的假狮子。这句的深意在于:它以「西凉伎」的伎与「假面胡人假狮子」的假狮子,写尽假面的胡人——西凉伎,那「西凉伎」写尽西凉的伎——西凉伎,正是西凉舞伎的写照,那「伎」写尽假面的胡人;假面胡人假狮子,那「假面胡人假狮子」写尽假面胡人的假狮子——假面胡人假狮子,正是胡人舞狮的写照,那「假狮子」写尽假面的胡人;那「西凉伎」写尽西凉的伎,那「假面胡人假狮子」写尽假面胡人的假狮子,一写西凉,一写假狮子,写尽假面的胡人——西凉舞伎而胡人舞狮,正是伎舞的写照;此二句以西凉、假狮子写尽假面的胡人,也为下文的刻木为头作铺垫,也让此二句成为全诗写伎舞的核心与千古名句。若换作直说「西凉伎,戴着假面的胡人扮着假狮子」,则失其讽喻;唯以「西凉伎」写西凉伎、「假面胡人假狮子」写假狮子,写尽假面的胡人,也让此二句成为全诗写伎舞的核心。

These lines are the performance heart of the poem, naming the Liangzhou show and the masked foreigner in the fake lion. 'The Liangzhou show' names the dance imported from the western garrison; 'a Hu actor in a mask, inside a fake lion' describes the lion dance itself—a masked performer enclosed in a cloth lion. The plain naming of the 'fake' lion, repeated, is the start of the satire: the show mimes the western lands that have been lost. If stated as 'a lion dance with a masked foreigner,' the allegory would vanish; only through the doubled 'fake' does the mockery take root.

忍取西凉弄为戏

Can they bear to take the lost Liangzhou and turn it into a farce?

纵无智力未能收,忍取西凉弄为戏。

Hardhearted, they take Liangzhou and make of it a stage play.

此句是全诗写讽谕的核心,以忍取西凉写西凉,以弄为戏写为戏,写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏,是千古名句。「忍取西凉」写忍取西凉——那「忍取」写忍取,「西凉」写西凉,写尽忍取的西凉;「弄为戏」写弄为戏——那「弄」写弄,「为戏」写为戏,写尽弄为戏的戏。这句的深意在于:它以「忍取西凉」的西凉与「弄为戏」的为戏,写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏——忍取西凉,那「忍取西凉」写尽忍取的西凉——忍取西凉,正是忍心弄西凉的写照,那「忍取」写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏;弄为戏,那「弄为戏」写尽弄为戏的戏——弄为戏,正是作弄为戏的写照,那「为戏」写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏;那「忍取西凉」写尽忍取的西凉,那「弄为戏」写尽弄为戏的戏,一写忍取,一写为戏,写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏——忍心弄西凉而为戏,正是讽谕的写照;此句以忍取、为戏写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏,也让此句成为全诗写讽谕的核心与千古名句。若换作直说「忍心把西凉拿来作戏」,则失其痛切;唯以「忍取西凉」写西凉、「弄为戏」写为戏,写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏,也让此句成为全诗写讽谕的核心。

This line is the satiric heart of the poem, daring to turn the lost Liangzhou into entertainment. 'Can they bear' carries the outrage—how can the rulers endure to make a spectacle of a conquered province? 'Turn it into a farce' lands the accusation: the lion dance, which once celebrated the western frontier, is now a mere plaything while Liangzhou lies in enemy hands. The single 'bear' exposes the court's indifference. If stated as 'they cruelly make sport of Liangzhou,' the poignancy would fade; only through 'can they bear' does the grief become a cry.

Study

Word focus

假 A key expression in the poem. Read it as an image, mood, or grammar point in context. 「假面胡人假狮子」之「假」字是写伎舞关键词,一个「假」字写尽假面的胡人。假者,假借、假装也。白居易以「假面胡人假狮子」写伎舞,这个「假」字至少有双重意味:其一,写面之假——那「假面胡人假狮子」写假面胡人假狮子,那「假」字写尽假面的胡人——假面,正是戴着假面的写照,那「假」字写尽假面的胡人;其二,写戏之假——那「假」字更是写假——假,正见假扮狮子的舞戏,那「假」字写尽白居易的讽喻。以「假」字写伎舞,正是白居易写讽喻的枢纽——若换作「戴」「扮」等字,则或失其与「假面胡人」「假狮子」的配合,或失其写假的意味;唯「假」字,以假面胡人假狮子写尽胡人之假面与狮子之假扮,与「西凉伎」的伎相合,写尽假面的胡人,也让「假面胡人假狮子」成为全诗写伎舞的名句。
忍 A key expression in the poem. Read it as an image, mood, or grammar point in context. 「忍取西凉弄为戏」之「忍」字是写讽谕关键词,一个「忍」字写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏。忍者,忍心、忍耐也。白居易以「忍取西凉弄为戏」写讽谕,这个「忍」字至少有双重意味:其一,写取之忍——那「忍取西凉弄为戏」写忍取西凉弄为戏,那「忍」字写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏——忍取,正是忍心取弄的写照,那「忍」字写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏;其二,写心之痛——那「忍」字更是写痛——忍,正见忍心为戏的痛切,那「忍」字写尽白居易的讽喻。以「忍」字写讽谕,正是白居易写民生的枢纽——若换作「敢」「肯」等字,则或失其与「忍取西凉」「弄为戏」的配合,或失其写忍的意味;唯「忍」字,以忍取西凉弄为戏写尽西凉之忍取与为戏之痛切,与「纵无智力未能收」的未能收相合,写尽忍取西凉的弄为戏,也让「忍取西凉弄为戏」成为全诗写讽谕的名句。

Related Reading