《大雅·行苇》是中国古代第一部诗歌总集《诗经》中的一首诗。此诗三十二句,按朱熹《诗集传》的分法划分为四章。第一章以道路旁的芦苇起兴,那芦苇初生的苞芽嫩叶绿油油逗人喜爱,面对此景,不由发出牛羊不要践踏的呼声;第二章正面描写宴饮歌乐的盛况:设席、铺筵、设几,侍者往来不停,主人献酒,客人回敬,洗杯斟酒,丰美菜肴,击鼓歌唱,热闹非凡;第三章由宴饮转入比射,写比射过程井然有序,四人一组,依序进行;第四章以敬酒祝福作结,向座中老人祝福,愿他们健康长寿,天赐景福。全诗表现了周代贵族家宴的盛况,描写宴会、比射,既有大的场面描绘,又有小的细节点染,转换自然,层次清晰,有较强的艺术感染力。
行苇[1]
敦[2]彼行苇,
牛羊勿践履。
方苞方体,
维叶泥泥[3]。
戚戚[4]兄弟,
莫远具尔。
或肆之筵,
或受之几。
肆筵设席,
授几有缉[5]御。
或献或酢,
洗爵奠斝[6]。
醓醢[7]以荐,
或燔或炙。
嘉觳脾臄[8],
或歌或咢[9]。
敦[10]弓既坚,
四[11]既钧。
舍矢既均,
序宾以贤。
敦弓既句[12],
既挟四。
四鍭如树,
序宾以不侮。
曾孙维主,
酒醴维醹[13]。
酌以大斗,
以祈黄耇[14]。
黄耇台背[15],
以引以翼。
寿考维祺,
以介景[16]福。
注释:
[1] 行苇:路边的芦苇。
[2] 敦:聚集的样子。
[3] 泥泥:柔嫩茂盛的样子。
[4] 戚戚:亲密友善的样子。
[5] 缉:不断轮换。
[6] 斝(jiǎ):酒杯。
[7] 醓醢:带汤的肉酱。
[8] 臄(jué):舌头。
[9] 咢:只击鼓不唱歌。
[10] 敦:通“雕”,画。
[11] (hóu):箭。
[12] 句:拉满弓。
[13] 醹(rú):酒味醇厚。
[14] 黄耇(gǒu):高寿的老人。
[15] 台背:长寿的老人。
[16] 景:大。
Banquet[1]
Let no cattle and sheep
Trample on roadside rush
Which bursts up with root deep
And with leaves soft and lush.
We’re closely related brothers.
Let us be seated near.
Spread mats for some; for others
Stools will be given here.
Mats spread one on another,
Servants come down and up.
Host and guests pledge each other;
They rinse and fill their cup.
Sauce brought with prickles ripe
And roast or broiled meat,
There are provisions of tripe,
All sing to music sweet.
The bow prepared is strong
And the four arrows long.
The guests all try to hit
And stand in order fit.
They fully draw the bow
And four arrows straight go.
They hit like planting trees;
Those who miss stand at ease.
The grandson is the host;
With sweet or strong wine they toast.
They drink the cups they hold
And pray for all the old.
The hoary old may lead
And help the young in need.
May their old age be blessed;
May they enjoy their best!
[1] This ode celebrated some entertainment given by the king to bis relatives, with the trial of archery after the banquet; it also celebrated the honor done on such occasions to the aged.