虽作湘竹纹,还非楚筠质。
化龙徒有期,待凤曾无实。
本与凡草俱,偶亲君子室。
虽作湘竹纹,还非楚筠质。
化龙徒有期,待凤曾无实。
本与凡草俱,偶亲君子室。
虽然有着湘竹般的斑纹,却并非楚地美竹的实质。
期盼化龙只是空有期望,等待凤栖也从未成为现实。
它原本与平凡的野草一同生长,偶然间才得以亲近君子的居室。
Though patterned like the mottled bamboo of Xiang, / It lacks the true substance of Chu's finest stand.
To turn into a dragon—a hope in vain; / To wait for the phoenix—no fruit in hand.
It was born as common grass, one of the kind, / Yet by chance drew near the chamber of the noble mind.
对物本质的辨析隐含对真实性的认知追求。
咏竹虽具湘竹纹路却非楚筠本质,借物喻指名实之辨。
本诗为五言古诗,押平声韵。
东山书院编辑整理