弘明集 12.27

12.27

臣言。陛下近遊祇洹。臣固請碑讚。如憶髣髴有許。法駕既旋。臣輒仰刊碑上曰。皇帝讚正此三字而已。專輒之罪思臣所甘。至於記福冥中未知彼齊。若賜神筆數字。臣死且不朽。以之弘獎風尚有益而無損。萬機朕有未暇聖旨自可援之。左史侍衛之臣。寧無自効之心。裨諶世叔何遠之有。可不勞聖慮。亦冕旒之意也。臣事久謝生塗已盡。區區在心唯來世而已。臣受恩深重祿賜有餘。自度終無報於聖世已矣。蓋首並結草之誠。願陛下哀而弗責臣言。

Your servant states: Your Majesty recently visited the Jetavana Monastery, and your servant earnestly requested an inscription and eulogy, seeming to recall a vague assent. After the imperial carriage returned, your servant reverently carved on the monument: 'Eulogy by the Emperor', these three words alone. For the crime of taking liberties, I am willing to accept punishment. As for recording blessings in the unseen realm, I do not know if that matched [your intent]. If you would bestow a few characters in the divine brush, your servant would die without decaying, and for promoting customs, it would be beneficial and without harm. If Your Majesty is too occupied with the myriad affairs of state, your imperial intention could naturally be delegated. How could the scribes and bodyguard ministers lack the wish to exert themselves? What distance is there like Pi Chen and Shi Shu? This need not labor the imperial thought, which also accords with the intent of wearing the crown tassels. Your servant's career has long declined, and the road of life is exhausted; my humble mind cares only for the next life. Having received profound favor and more than sufficient salary, I assess that I will never repay this sage era. In the sincerity of offering a horse's head or tying grass, I pray Your Majesty will take pity and not blame your servant's words.