陈情表
臣密言：臣以险衅，夙遭闵凶。生孩六月，慈父见背。行年四岁，舅夺母志。祖母刘悯臣孤弱，躬亲抚养。臣少多疾病，九岁不行，零丁孤苦，至于成立。既无伯叔，终鲜兄弟；门衰祚薄，晚有儿息。外无期功强近之亲，内无应门五尺之僮。茕茕孑立，形影相吊。而刘夙婴疾病，常在床蓐；臣侍汤药，未曾废离。
逮奉圣朝，沐浴清化。前太守臣逵察臣孝廉，后刺史臣荣举臣秀才。臣以供养无主，辞不赴命。诏书特下，拜臣郎中，寻蒙国恩，除臣洗马。猥以微贱，当侍东宫，非臣陨首所能上报。臣具以表闻，辞不就职。诏书切峻，责臣逋慢。郡县逼迫，催臣上道；州司临门，急于星火。臣欲奉诏奔驰，则刘病日笃；欲苟顺私情，则告诉不许：臣之进退，实为狼狈。
伏惟圣朝以孝治天下，凡在故老，犹蒙矜育，况臣孤苦，特为尤甚。且臣少仕伪朝，历职郎署，本图宦达，不矜名节。今臣亡国贱俘，至微至陋。过蒙拔擢，宠命优渥，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。母孙二人，更相为命。是以区区不能废远。
臣密今年四十有四，祖母今年九十有六，是臣尽节于陛下之日长，报养刘之日短也。乌鸟私情，愿乞终养。
臣之辛苦，非独蜀之人士及二州牧伯所见明知，皇天后土,实所共鉴。愿陛下矜悯愚诚，听臣微志，庶刘侥幸，保卒余年。臣生当陨首，死当结草。臣不胜犬马怖惧之情，谨拜表以闻。
英译：
Your humble servant Mi begs to say:
A Letter to His Majesty
Born with ill fortune, I lived a miserable and disastrous life in my early childhood. My father died when I was six months old and my mother was forced by her brother to remarry when I was four years old. Feeling deep sympathy for my loneliness and poor health, Grandmother Liu brought me up on her own. Being susceptible to illness in my childhood, I could hardly walk even at the age of nine. Having neither uncles nor cousins, I grew up helpless and forlorn without any intimate companions. I only got a male descendant late in life. I have neither close relatives who will wear mourning for me when I die, nor a boy servant to attend to the household affairs. Oh! How wretched and lonely I am, with only body and shadow comforting each other. Grandmother Liu has been bedridden for a long time and I have to wait upon her without negligence.
Immersed in the enlightenment of Your Majesty’s just and wise rule, I was first recommended as xiaolian by Perfect Kui, and then as xiucai by CishiRong of the District. I declined both offers on the ground that I had to look after my grandmother. Then your imperial edict came, offering me the position of langzhong, and later further granting me the imperial favor that I, your humble servant, was appointed as xianma to serve His Highness. Even if I should have head cut off, I could hardly express my gratitude for Your Majesty’s great favor. I have written to Your Majesty a letter declining this offer. Another edict came, which, in severe terms, criticized me for my hesitation. Both magistrates of the prefecture and the county urged me to set off immediately.Then the governor of the District came to my house, commanding me to start without delay. I should have done so but my grandmother’s falling health detained me. I appealed to them, begging for their sympathy, but they were adamant. I am in a dilemma, knowing not what to do.
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 the late dynasty during my youth as Shangshulang, and now, I, a captive, petty and low, am getting underserved favor from Your Majesty. How dare I hesitate and cherish any aspirations ? Butmy grandmother is at her last breath, and she is like the setting sun beyond thewestern 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 old 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 grandmother until her last breath.
Not only do the people of Shu, but also the officials of Liang and Ye know my situation will.Heaven and Earth, too, bear witness to my misery. I sincerely hope Your Majesty may show mercy on me so that I can fulfill my lifelong wish to serve my grandmother till she has lived her full span. I will do anything for Your Majesty for the rest of my life and will repay your kindness by twisting grass for Your Majesty after my death. I am trembling all over as I present to Your Majesty this petition.
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