立春自昔为土牛,古人设象今人愁。
岂有笵泥作头角,便可代天熙九畴。
村夫田妇初不知,缤纷围遶争相祈。
皆云宜蚕又宜谷,拜跪满前同致词。
由来人事常反复,久立要津宁尔福。
请看今者拜跪徒,少选分张取其肉。
牛实无知何用祭,牛能有情岂不愧。
化育万物非尔才,世人资尔聊为戏。
立春自昔为土牛,古人设象今人愁。
岂有笵泥作头角,便可代天熙九畴。
村夫田妇初不知,缤纷围遶争相祈。
皆云宜蚕又宜谷,拜跪满前同致词。
由来人事常反复,久立要津宁尔福。
请看今者拜跪徒,少选分张取其肉。
牛实无知何用祭,牛能有情岂不愧。
化育万物非尔才,世人资尔聊为戏。
立春自古以来要制作土牛,
古人设立这种象征,今人却为之发愁。
岂有用泥土塑出犄角头脸,
就能代替上天治理九州。
村夫农妇起初并不知晓,
纷纷围绕争相祈求。
都说土牛宜于养蚕又宜于谷物丰收,
跪拜在它面前一同致辞祷告。
人事从来常常反复无常,
长久占据要职难道就是你的福气?
请看现在这些跪拜的人们,
一会儿就要分散开来取走它的肉。
土牛实际无知,何必祭祀,
土牛若能有情,岂不羞愧?
化育万物并非你的才能,
世人借助你不过是聊作戏耍。
Since old times, for Spring's start, a clay ox is made,
An image set by ancients, for moderns a cause of dismay.
How can molded mud with horns and head,
Replace Heaven's work to order the world's way?
Village men and women, knowing naught at first,
Gather in colorful crowds, praying with zeal immersed.
All say it's good for silkworms and for grain,
Kneeling before it, their wishes they explain.
Human affairs have always been prone to reverse,
Long standing at key posts—is that your true good fortune's source?
Look at those who now kneel and bow in prayer,
Soon they'll disperse and take its flesh to share.
The ox, unknowing, needs no sacrifice,
If it had feelings, would it not feel shame's price?
To nurture all things is not your skill or art,
People use you, clay ox, but for a playful part.
仪式符号的治理功能在历史周期中逐渐失效。
借立春土牛旧俗,抒发对今人徒具形式、不解古意的愁绪。
本诗为七言古诗,押平声韵。
东山书院编辑整理