A memorial of thanks for the imperial letter, the robe and the state gifts謝御札衣襟並國信表
1The imperial gown, the borneol incense and the gold vessels
臣某言。二月二十六日宣慰使李從孟至。伏蒙聖恩別賜臣御札衣襟並御服衫一領。龍腦香一。金合金鈒花散椀一口。金花銀榼一隻者。字窺神筆。恩襲御衣。仙香氣撲於鼻根。寶器光騰於眼界。仰霑寵錫。俯積憂兢。臣某誠感誠懼。頓首頓首。臣每念業紹弓裘。任叨斧鉞。誓傾忠節。終報聖朝。去年親率驍雄。願殲兇醜。旋承綸音。已駐舟師。旣慙叩檝之言。徒切枕戈之望。先期貂冠傳命。龍衮裁書。辱宣尼一字之褒。過光武十行之詔。加以粉分御笥。香滿雕奩。花鐫乃麗水之珍。雪既透任山之器。捧玩而實驚寮吏。緘藏而永耀子孫。雖有幸逢時。輝榮驟集。而無功受賞。愧恥難居。徒荷鴻私。何申豹略。身依楚水。未陳告捷之書。目斷蜀天。但灑感恩之淚。臣限守藩鎭。不獲稱謝行在。無任荷戴激切榮抃兢懼之至。謹因供奉官李從孟廻。附表陳謝以聞。臣某誠惶誠恐。頓首頓首謹言。
Your servant So-and-so speaks. On the twenty-sixth day of the second month the commissioner of consolation Li Congmeng arrived. Your servant humbly received your sage grace, which bestowed on him, besides an imperial letter and a robe collar, one imperial gown, one piece of borneol incense, one gold box with a bowl chased with gold flowers, and one silver flask with gold flowers. In the letters he glimpses the divine brush, and in your grace the imperial robe is laid upon him. The fragrance of the immortals strikes the root of his nose, and the light of the precious vessels rises before his eyes. Looking up, he is wet with your gifts of favor; looking down, he heaps up care and fear. Your servant So-and-so is truly moved and truly afraid, bowing his head to the ground, bowing his head to the ground. Your servant thinks always that his calling carries on the bow and the fur coat, and that his office has presumed upon the axe and the battle-axe. He has sworn to pour out his loyalty and to repay the sage court in the end. Last year he led his bold and brave men in person, wishing to wipe out the vile crew, but soon he received your word and halted his fleet. He is ashamed now of the words he struck out upon the oar, and his wish to pillow his head on a spear is keen and idle. Before the appointed time the sable cap brought your command and the dragon robe wrote out a letter, and he has unworthily received such praise in a single word as Confucius gave. It outshines the ten-line edict of Guangwu. Besides, the powder is divided out from the imperial hamper and the incense fills a carved case. The flower carving is a treasure from the river where gold is born, and the snow has already pierced the vessel of Mount Ren. His officers are truly startled as he holds them and admires them, and sealed away they will shine on his sons and grandsons forever. Though he has had the good fortune to meet his time, and bright honors gather on him all at once, to take a reward without merit is a shame hard to live in. He has borne great private kindness for nothing; with what could he show any skill in the art of war? His body rests by the waters of Chu, and he has not yet set out a letter announcing victory. His eyes are cut off by the sky of Shu, and he only sheds tears of gratitude for your grace. Your servant is bound to the guarding of his frontier command and cannot offer his thanks at your traveling palace. He cannot bear the utmost of bearing your grace, of keen feeling, of clapping at this honor and trembling in fear. By the return of the attendant officer Li Congmeng he respectfully sends this memorial of thanks for Your Majesty's hearing. Your servant So-and-so is truly awed and truly afraid, bowing his head to the ground, bowing his head to the ground. Respectfully spoken.