漢書·賈誼傳

文/ 班固 譯注/王之光

賈誼，洛陽人也，年十八，以能誦詩書屬文稱于郡中。河南守吳公聞其秀材，召置門下，甚幸愛。文帝初立，聞河南守吳公治平為天下第一，故與李斯同邑，而嘗學事焉，征以為廷尉。廷尉乃言誼年少，頗通諸家之書。文帝召以為博士。

Jia Yi,born in Luoyang,was known throughout his prefecture at the age of 18 for being able to recite classics and poetry and write essays.The Governor of Henan Mr.Wu heard about his excellent scholarship,and summoned him to his official residence as a protege,thinking very highly of him.On ascending the throne,Emperor Wendi heard that Henan Governor Mr.Wu was ranked No.1 in the empire for the quality of his administration.Wu came from the same area as Li Si and had learned political affairs under him,so the emperor recruited him as Chamberlain of Law Enforcement.Wu,in turn,recommended young Jia Yi as being well versed in the books of various schools of philosophers.The Emperor then summoned Jia Yi as an Erudite.

2 是時，誼年二十余，最為少。每詔令議下，諸老先生未能言，誼盡為之對，人人各如其意所出。諸生于是以為能。文帝說之，超遷，歲中至太中大夫。

2 Jia Yi,in his early twenties at the time,was the youngest of the Erudites.Whenever the Emperor ordered discussion of his edicts,the older Erudites could not say anything,but Jia Yi was able to answer everything,and could put into words what everyone was thinking.The scholars therefore believed that Jia Yi was of exceptional talent.The Emperor was pleased with him,ordering his promotion outside of the norms;within a year he rose to be Superior Grand Master of the Palace.

3 誼以為漢興二十余年，天下和洽，宜當改正朔，易服色制度，定官名，興禮樂。乃草具其儀法，色上黃，數用五，為官名悉更，奏之。文帝謙讓未皇也。然諸法令所更定，及列侯就國，其說皆誼發之。于是天子議以誼任公卿之位。絳、灌、東陽侯、馮敬之屬盡害之，乃毀誼曰：“洛陽之人年少初學，專欲擅權，紛亂諸事。”于是天子后亦疏之，不用其議，以誼為長沙王太傅。

3 It was Jia Yi’s opinion that since 20-plus years had passed since the Han dynasty was established,and that now all was peace and harmony,therefore they should revise the calendar,change the color of clothes,rectify the constitution,determine the official titles and revitalize ritual and music.Then he drafted a system of rites and memorialized the Emperor about his suggested changes to the old system,among them using the color yellow on the Emperor’s carriage,the figure “five” in seals,and determining the official titles.But Wendi modestly declined to assert himself.However,it was by following Jia Yi’s proposal that they revised the laws,and all vassal lords went back to their own fiefs.So the Emperor discussed with his ministers,in an attempt to promote Jia Yi to a top position as a great noble of the realm,or as chief minister of state.The Marquis of Jiang,Marquis Guan Ying,the Marquis of Dongyang,Feng Jing and others were jealous of Jia Yi and slandered him: “This whippersnapper from Luoyang is just a beginner,but bent on power,causing confusion to many things.” Influenced by their animosity,the Emperor later also drew away from Jia Yi,rejecting his advice and sending him away as Grand Mentor of the King of Changsha.

4 誼既以適去，意不自得，及度湘水，為賦以吊屈原。屈原，楚賢臣也，被讒放逐，作《離騷賦》，其終篇曰：“已矣！國亡人，莫我知也。”遂自投江而死。誼追傷之，因以自諭。其辭曰：

4 Banished from the court,Jia Yi was disconsolate.Crossing the Xiang River,he wrote a prose poem in memory of Qu Yuan.Qu Yuan was a worthy courtier of the Kingdom of Chu,a victim of slander and exile,who wrote a prose poem,which ended,“That’s an end to it! My country is unpeopled.No one there to know me.” Then he jumped into the river and died.Yi’s commemoration was sorrowful,identifying with Qu Yuan.He wrote:

5 恭承嘉惠兮，竢罪長沙。仄聞屈原兮，自湛汨羅。造托湘流兮，敬吊先生。遭世罔極兮，乃隕厥身。烏呼哀哉兮，逢時不祥！鸞鳳伏竄兮，鴟鸮翱翔。阘茸尊顯兮，讒諛得志；賢圣逆曳兮，方正倒植。謂隨、夷混兮，謂跖、蹻廉；莫邪為鈍兮，鉛刀為铦。于嗟默默，生之亡故兮！斡棄周鼎，寶康瓠兮。騰駕罷牛，驂蹇驢兮；驥垂兩耳，服鹽車兮。章父薦屨，漸不可久兮；嗟苦先生，獨離此咎兮！ □

5 I humbly accepted the imperial grace,to wait for imperial judgment in office in Changsha.I heard that Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in Miluo River.Today I came to the Xiang River and to commit my verse to water,mourning the master reverently.Having been slandered to the utmost,you had to destroy yourself.Alas!How wretched.You did not encounter a good age! Phoenixes hide or flee,but hawks are soaring in the sky.Mean villains win distinction,and servile flatterers proud success.Virtuous gentlemen are forced to withdraw,the frank and upright are toppled.Hermits Bian Sui and Boyi are besmirched,where the Robbers Zhi and Zhuang Jue are cleaned;the famous sword Moye is blunt,though common knives feign sharpness.Alas! Your silence,no reason for living.Giving up the inherited Zhou Tripod,to treasure broken jars instead.Driving a chariot with tired cattle,with help from lame donkeys; strong horses with hanging ears,to pull overladen salt carts.Formal caps are used as shoe padding: can this chaos last so long! Hai! Suffering Master Qu Yuan! Only you suffered from these disasters.■