伎儿欲夸众,喜占衢路交。
系组不厌长,缚竿不厌高。
空中纷往来,巧捷如飞猱。
却行欠肤寸,倒絓连秋毫。
参差有万一,虀粉安可逃。
钱刀不盈掬,身世轻鸿毛。
徒资旁观好,曹偶相称褒。
岂知从事者,处之危且劳。
伎儿欲夸众,喜占衢路交。
系组不厌长,缚竿不厌高。
空中纷往来,巧捷如飞猱。
却行欠肤寸,倒絓连秋毫。
参差有万一,虀粉安可逃。
钱刀不盈掬,身世轻鸿毛。
徒资旁观好,曹偶相称褒。
岂知从事者,处之危且劳。
卖艺的人想要向众人夸耀,喜欢占据道路交汇的闹市。
系上的绳索不嫌长,绑缚的竹竿不嫌高。
他在空中纷繁地往来,灵巧敏捷如同飞猿。
后退时只差毫厘,倒挂时仅连秋毫。
万一有丝毫的参差错失,粉身碎骨怎能逃脱?
挣得的钱财不满一捧,身世比鸿毛还轻。
徒然供旁观者叫好,同伴们互相称赞褒扬。
哪里知道从事这行当的人,身处其中既危险又劳苦。
The performer, wishing to amaze the crowd, / Loves to occupy the crossroads' meeting.
The rope he ties, he doesn't mind its length; / The pole he binds, he doesn't mind its height.
In the air, he moves back and forth busily, / Agile and deft like a flying macaque.
Stepping backward, a hair's breadth from falling; / Hanging upside down, connected by a thread.
If there's the slightest misstep, one in ten thousand, / How could he escape being crushed to powder?
Coins and knives not filling a handful, / His life lighter than a goose feather.
Merely providing a good show for onlookers, / Companions praise and applaud him.
Who knows that the one engaged in this task / Places himself in peril and toil?
揭示了公共表演中个体与群体认同的微妙博弈。
讽刺卖艺者于街市炫耀技艺、哗众取宠的世相。
本诗为五言古诗,押平声韵。
东山书院编辑整理