《五美吟·綠珠》出自清代小說家曹雪芹所著小說《紅樓夢》,是一首七言絕句,在小說中由林黛玉所作。詩中的前兩句意思是說,石崇視明珠如瓦礫,不曾真心看重過包括綠珠在內的美貌女子。后兩句謂,石崇的福份是前生注定的,雖然他不見得真正愛綠珠,而綠珠卻甘心為他殉情。此詩借歌詠綠珠,抒發(fā)了林黛玉對于把女性徹底玩物化的封建權貴的憤慨,同時也對受封建倫理道德觀念毒害,喪失起碼人格的女性表示哀嘆。這首詩運用了比喻和引用的手法,以此來加重全詩的悲劇色彩。
《紅樓夢》·《五美吟·綠珠》
瓦礫明珠一例拋,何曾石尉重嬌嬈?
都緣頑福前生緣,更有同歸慰寂寥。
Green Pearl(David Hawkes 譯)
Pebble or pearl—to Shi Chong it was only a rich man's whim:
Do you really believe your undoubted charms meant so very much to him?
It was fate, from some past life preordained, that made him take his rash stand,
And the carving to have a companion in death's dark, silent land.
Lü Chu(B. S. Bonsall 譯)
The potsherd and the brilliant pearl are alike cast away.
When did the officer Shih attach importance to beauty and grace?
It was all created because of the enjoyment of happiness in a previous existence.
Again she returns with him to be a comfort in desolation.
Green Pearl(楊憲益、戴乃迭 譯)
Rubble and pearls alike are cast away,
Shi Chong used this fair maid so slightingly;
Predestined he was to good fortune—
Together they died, but still lonely in death was she.