Sacrificial address performed again on leaving camp at Sangju (尙州)更行尙州離營祭文
Dongguk Isangguk Jip (Collected Works of Minister Yi of the Eastern Country) 東國李相國集 · Yi Gyubo · Compiled 1241 (Goryeo, 28th year of King Gojong); revised and enlarged 1251 · 1 passages · 128 Chinese characters · reading time 1.3 min
Dongguk Isangguk Jip (Collected Works of Minister Yi of the Eastern Country) Former Collection, Book 38 The collected writings of Yi Gyubo of Goryeo, gathered and cut in woodblock by his son Yi Ham in 1241 and revised and enlarged by his grandson Yi Ikbae in 1251. It holds poems and rhapsodies, memorials and reports sent up to the king, records written for temples and pagodas, stele and tomb inscriptions, letters and prefaces, and the state letters that passed to and from the Mongols during the invasions. The Lay of King Dongmyeong, which sings the founder of Goguryeo, stands in volume 3 of the first collection, and the daily life of a man who called himself the White Cloud Layman — with his wine, his zither and his verse — fills the later collection. The book closes with the last poem he wrote as his eyes failed and he laid down the brush, and with the dirge and tomb inscription others made for him after his death.
And so forth. If one turns back upon oneself and repents of oneself, one may keep one's body whole; but where there is guilt and no plea for pardon, it does but add to that guilt.
Setting down again the time when we left the district the other day: wishing quietly to pray to the several gods for blessing, we had already made ready a sheep and a pig and were about to offer up the sacrifice of blood. How then was it that the man who does the cooking was not careful, and they were taken from us on the road? Because your numinous majesty helped us in secret the thief did indeed give himself away; but the thing came of the army's discipline not being strict, and how then should I dare to be at ease? I have already punished that man, and I reproach myself besides.
Having made ready once more an offering complete with victims, we unfold our sincerity to the gods, who seem to be far off.
I pray only that with a right hearing you savor it all together, so that the passing on of sickness ceases at once and no sign of calamity arises. Command our tiger-striding soldiers to sweep away the brigands that swarm like bees. And so forth.