《西施詠》是唐代詩人王維的一首五言古詩。詩人借西施從平民到宮廷寵妃的歷史典故,來揭示人生浮沉,全憑際遇的炎涼世態(tài),并表達對小人的嘲諷,揭露當時社會上潛藏的危機,抒發(fā)詩人懷才不遇的不平與感慨;借世人只見顯貴時的西施之美,表達對勢利小人的嘲諷;借“朝為越溪女”的西施“暮作吳宮妃”后的驕縱,譏諷那些由于偶然機遇受到恩寵就趾高氣揚、不可一世的人;借效顰的東施,勸告世人不要為了博取別人賞識而故作姿態(tài),弄巧成拙。
《西施詠》 王維
艷色天下重,西施寧久微。
朝為越溪女,暮作吳宮妃。
賤日豈殊眾,貴來方悟稀。
邀人傅脂粉,不自著羅衣。
君寵益嬌態(tài),君憐無是非。
當時浣紗伴,莫得同車歸。
持謝鄰家子,效顰安可希。
She Shone in Beauty—Idyll of Xishi
She shone in beauty without a peer,
How could she hide for many a year!
And thus at morn a brook-side laundress
By dusk became a tyrant's dear.
She hadn't made much difference when mean,
She ordered others to powder her face
And dress her up with noble grace.
The prince's doting increased her charm.
"Let them gossip. Why, there's no harm."
Alas, those old-time laundress-mates
Could not enjoy such princely dates!
And may that neighbor of former days
Be clear it's not a frowning case.