釋鑑稽古略續集 3.167

3.167

甲子十七年。陳茂烈。養母疏略云。慈幃衰邁夕照如飛。母今年七十有七矣。君恩猶可以再酬。母年不可以多得也。又一母一子各天一涯。千思萬思無時不思。疾病獨自呻吟。藥餌孰與調節。臣既思母則報主之心亂。母復思臣則保身之念微。臣心可愍。母心尤可虞也。又庶得以慰倚門之望。少伸寸草之帎。又尚期捐塵埃之報于將來。更效犬馬之勞於未死云。

In the seventeenth year, jiazi [1504], Chen Maolie submitted a memorial on caring for his mother, which roughly said: "My compassionate mother's quarters grow frail and aged; the evening glow flies as if on wings. Mother is now seventy-seven years of age. The sovereign's favor may still be repaid another day, but Mother's years cannot be gained again in abundance. Moreover, with one mother and one son each at opposite ends of the world, through a thousand thoughts and ten thousand yearnings there is no moment I do not think of her. In sickness she groans alone; who is there to regulate her medicines and meals? If I, your minister, think of my mother, my resolve to repay the ruler is disrupted; if Mother furthermore longs for me, her will to preserve her health will wane. Your minister's state of mind is pitiable; Mother's state of mind is even more precarious. Furthermore, may I be permitted to comfort her expectations as she leans upon the door, and slightly fulfill the devotion of an inch of grass? I still look forward to offering my dust-like recompense in the future, and further rendering my dog-and-horse-like service before I die."