李密［西晋］《陈情表》（3）（罗经国 英译）

伏惟圣朝以孝治天下［31］，凡在故老［32］，犹蒙矜育［33］，况臣孤苦，特为尤甚。且臣少仕伪朝［34］，历职郎署［35］，本图宦达，不矜名节［36］。今臣亡国贱俘，至微至陋，过蒙拔擢，宠命优渥［37］，岂敢盘桓，有所希冀！但以刘日薄西山，气息奄奄，人命危浅，朝不虑夕。臣无祖母，无以至今日，祖母无臣，无以终余年，祖孙二人，更相为命，是以区区不能废远［38］。臣密今年四十有四，祖母刘今年九十有六，是臣尽节于陛下之日长［39］，报刘之日短也。乌鸟私情［40］，愿乞终养。

Now Your Majesty is ruling the country on the principle of filial piety. Old people of high virtue are being taken care of and well provided for. It is apparent that I am more distressed than others. Besides, out of vainglory to secure a high position in the government regardless of my personal integrity, I served in the last dynasty during my youth as shangshulang (6), and now, I, a captive, a slave, am getting undeserved favor from Your Majesty. How dare I hesitate and cherish any aspirations? But my grandmother is at her last breath, and she is like the setting sun beyond the western hills. Her life is at stake and she may die at any moment. But for her, I would not have become what I am today. But for me, she would have been long dead. It is because the two of us depend upon each other that I, your humble servant, cannot leave home at present. I am forty-four years of age and my grandmother is ninety-six. Ahead lie many years during which I may faithfully serve Your Majesty, but there remain only a few brief moments during which I can serve my grandmother. Given that even the crow looks after its elderly, I pray Your Majesty will allow me to stay with my grandparent until her last breath.

(6)Shangshulang was an official chosen from xiaolian to help the emperor in administrative work.

【注释】

［31］伏惟：旧时奏疏、书信中下级对上级常用的敬语。

［32］故老：遗老。

［33］矜育：怜惜抚育。

［34］伪朝：指蜀汉。

［35］历职郎署：指曾在蜀汉官署中担任过郎官职务。

［36］矜：矜持爱惜。

［37］宠命：恩命。指拜郎中、洗马等官职。优渥（ｗò握）：优厚。

［38］区区：形容感情恳切。

［39］陛下：对帝王的尊称。

［40］乌鸟私情：相传乌鸦能反哺，所以常用来比喻子女对父母的孝养之情。