PASSAGE 10 (HT 4.1) Flashcards
有獻不死之藥於荊王者
Someone presented the elixir of immortality to the King of Jing.
謁者操以入
The court usher carried it and entered the palace
中射之士問曰 可食乎？
The palace guard asked him, “May I eat it?”
曰 可
The usher said, “Sure.”
因奪而食之
The guard, accordingly, took it away and ate it.
王大怒
The King is greatly enraged
使人殺中射之士
He ordered someone to kill the guard.
中射之士使人說王曰
The guard sent someone to persuade the King, saying,
“臣問謁者”
“Your humble servant, I, asked the usher.”
“曰‘可食’ 臣故食之”
“The usher said I might eat it. Therefore I ate it.”
“是臣無罪 而罪在謁者也”
“This is why I am not guilty and the blame is on the usher.”
“且客獻不死之藥”
“Furthermore, the guest has presented an elixir of immortality”
“臣食之而王殺臣 是死藥也”
“If I ate it and the King killed me, then this elixir is a mortal drug.”
“夫殺無罪之臣 而明人之欺王也 不如釋臣”
“To kill an innocent servant and illustrate someone’s deception of Your Majesty is not as good as releasing your servant.”
王乃不殺
The King refrained from killing him.
