Poem: Xi Shi the Beauty 唐诗《西施》

Xi Shi
西施
Luó Yǐn(Táng)
罗隐(唐)

Jiāguó xīngwáng zì yǒu shí,
家国兴亡自有时，
Wú rén hékǔ yuàn Xīshī.
吴人何苦怨西施。
Xīshī ruò jiě qīng Wúguó,
西施若解倾吴国，
Yuèguó wáng lái yòu shì shuí?
越国亡来又是谁？

evaluation

西施是中国古代四大美人之一，被越王勾践献给吴王夫差，成为吴王最宠幸的妃子。吴王因沉湎美色，无心国事，后吴国被越国灭掉。
Xi Shi was one of the famous Four Beauties in China’s history. She was given by Gou Jian, King of State Yue, as a gift to Fu Chai, King of State Wu, and became Fu Chai’s favorite concubine. Bewitched by the beauty of Xi Shi, Fu Chai forgot all about his responsibilities and gradually, Wu dwindled and was conquered by the State of Yue in the end.
国家的兴盛和衰亡自然有它自己的时势和规律，吴国被越国攻灭了，吴国人何苦要去怪罪、怨恨西施。如果说西施是颠覆吴国的罪魁祸首，那么后来越国灭亡了，罪魁祸首又是谁呢？
The rise and fall of a nation has its appointed time according to pattern. Why should the rulers of Wu blame and despise Xi Shi for the fall of their nation? If this beautiful woman is truly the reason for the decline and fall of Wu, then who is to blame for the decay of the State of Yue?
这首诗写了诗人对历史的看法。历来的传统观念都把吴国的灭亡归罪于女色，归罪于吴王宠幸了西施，而诗人却认为，是统治者们自己耽误了国家大事，何必要去归罪于一个弱女子呢！这里的“吴人”说的不是一般的吴国百姓，而是指吴国的统治者们。
The poet here is expressing his opinion about history. Traditionally, it had been considered that the downfall of Wu was attributable to Xi Shi’s charm. But the poet viewed it in a different way. He considered it the fault of the emperor that the state was overthrown and Xi Shi had nothing to do with it. Here “吴人” refers not to the common people of Wu, but the rulers.
Explanation

时势（shíshì）n. the current situation
颠覆（diānfù）v. overturn
罪魁祸首（zuìkuí huòshǒu）ph. the main cause of a disaster
统治者（tǒngzhì zhě）n. ruler