雙語詩歌翻譯|馬援-《馬援戒兄子嚴敦書》

這封信是馬援率兵遠征期間寫給兩個侄兒的書信。在信中，馬援針對兩個侄子喜歡議論別人，愛結(jié)交輕薄俠客的弱點，以自己平生的經(jīng)驗指導他們?nèi)绾螢槿颂幨?。馬援（前14—后49）字文淵，東漢扶風茂陵（今陜西興平東北）人。新莽時，為新城大尹。后依附隗囂，繼歸劉秀，攻滅隗囂，為隴西太守。官至伏波將軍，封新息侯。后在進擊武陵"五溪蠻”時，病死軍中。著有《銅馬相法》。

《馬援戒兄子嚴敦書》

援兄子嚴、敦，并喜譏議，而通輕俠客。援前在交趾，還書誡之曰：

吾欲汝曹聞人過失，如聞父母之名：耳可得聞，口不可得言也。好論議人長短，妄是非正法，此吾所大惡也；寧死，不愿聞子孫有此行也。汝曹知吾惡之甚矣，所以復言者，施衿結(jié)，申父母之戒，欲使汝曹不忘之耳！

龍伯高敦厚周慎，口無擇言，謙約節(jié)儉，廉公有威。吾愛之重之，愿汝曹效之。杜季良豪俠好義，憂人之憂，樂人之樂，清濁無所失。父喪致客，數(shù)郡畢至。吾愛之重之，不愿汝曹效也。效伯高不得，猶為謹敕之士，所謂刻鵠不成，尚類 者也。效季良不得，陷為天下輕薄子，所謂畫虎不成，反類狗者也。訖今季良尚未可知，郡將下車輒切齒，州郡以為言，吾常為寒心，是以不愿子孫效也。

Ma Yuan's Letter to His Nephews, Yen and Jun

Mr. Ma Yuan had two nephews who were fond of making fun of others and also criticizing other. He liked to be with the smart set. So Mr. Ma wrote them a letter exhorting them to be more serious. The following is his letter.

When you hear of others' faults, I hope you will feel as if you heard the names of your parents: you may listen, but you may not mention them. I dislike people given to criticizing others' conduct and the law of the country. I would rather die than hear of your doing this. You very well know of my intense hatred of such criticism. Here I have mentioned it again because I wanted you to remember it, just as parents often give their last word of advice to their daughter on her wedding-day.

Lung Paik-kao is honest and careful. He does not speak evil of others. He is modest, economical, incorruptible, and upright, and commands respect. I love him and look up to him and hope that will imitate him. Tu Chi-liang is a chivalrous man. He is sad when he finds somebody else sad, and happy when he finds somebody else happy. He keeps company with both good and bad men. People of several countries came to attend his father's funeral. I love him and look up to him. But I do not want you to imitate him. For if you fail in imitating Pai-kao you can still be an honest student. It is like carving the figure of a swan: if it does not look like a swan, people may take it to be at least a wild-duck. Then, if you fail in imitating Chi-liang, you will become a scapegrace. It is like painting a dog. I do not yet know what will become of Chi-liang. Whenever a new governor of his country assumes office, he usually speaks of him as an enemy. I am always afraid lest he should get into trouble. That is why I hope that you will not imitate him.