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Chinese Text Project
Translation setting:[None] [English]
-> -> -> -> Stone Stele Before the Tomb

《墳前石碑 - Stone Stele Before the Tomb 》

English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] Library Resources
1 墳前石碑:
維漢二十一世延熹六年,粵四月丁巳,文忠公益州太守朱君名穆字公叔,卒于京師,其五月丙申葬于宛邑北萬歲亭之陽,舊兆域之南。其孤野受顧命曰:「古者不崇墳,不封墓,祭服雖三年,無不于寢。今則易之,吾不取也。爾其無拘于俗,無廢予誡。」野欽率遺意,不敢有違,封墳三板。不起棟宇,乃作祠堂于邑中南舊陽里,備器鑄鼎,銘功載德。懼墳封彌久,夷于平壤。于是依德像,緣雅則,設茲方石,鎮表靈域。用慰其孤罔極之懷。乃申詞曰:「歆惟忠文,時惟朱父。實天生德,丕承洪緒,彌綸典術,允迪聖矩,好是貞厲,疾彼彊禦,斷剛若讎。柔亦不茹,仍用明夷,遘難受侮。帝曰休哉!朕嘉乃功,命汝納言,胤汝祖蹤。父拜稽首,翼翼惟恭。篤棐不忘,夙夜在公,昊天不弔,降茲殘殃。不遺一父,俾屏我皇。我皇悼心,錫詔孔傷,位以益州,贈之服章,用刊彝器,宣昭遺光。子子孫孫,永載寶藏。」
In the twenty-first year of Emperor Weizhao's reign, during the sixth year of Yuanxi (163 AD), on the Dingsi day of the fourth lunar month, Zhū Mù, courtesy name Gongshu, a native of Yizhou and former governor of Yizhou, died in the capital. On the Bingshen day of the fifth lunar month he was buried at the southern side of the old burial ground on the south bank of Wansui Ting in Wanyi, north of the city. His son Yeshou received his last instructions saying: "In ancient times, mounds were not raised over graves and tombs were not marked. Although mourning clothes are worn for three years, there is no instance where the rites are not performed in the ancestral hall." "Nowadays people have changed this practice; I do not approve of it." "You must not be bound by custom, nor neglect my admonitions." Yeshou sincerely followed the late master's wishes and dared not deviate from them; he built a mound three planks high. He did not construct any roofed buildings, but instead built a shrine hall in the old Nanyang Li area of the county. He prepared ritual vessels and cast a tripod, inscribing it with records of his achievements and virtues. He feared that after many years the mound would erode and become level with the surrounding fields. Therefore, following virtue's image and adhering to elegant principles, he placed this square stone here to mark and honor the sacred burial ground. This was done to console his son's boundless sorrow. He then composed an inscription, saying: "Revered for loyalty and literature, he is the father Zhu." He was born with virtue, and greatly carried on the great legacy. He thoroughly mastered classical learning and rites, faithfully following the model of sages. He cherished integrity and firmness, detesting those who were strong but tyrannical, cutting off such adversaries as if they were enemies. He did not yield to softness either; he still chose clarity over darkness and encountered hardship and humiliation. The emperor said, "How admirable!" "I commend your achievements; I appoint you as a minister of words, continuing the footsteps of your ancestors." The father bowed and kowtowed, showing utmost reverence and humility. He remained loyal and never forgot his duties, devoting himself to public affairs day and night. But the vast heavens were unkind, bringing this tragic misfortune upon him. Not leaving behind a single father, he became a shield for our emperor. Our emperor grieved deeply and issued an imperial decree full of sorrow, bestowing the position of Yizhou Governor posthumously and granting ceremonial robes and insignia. He ordered these honors to be inscribed on ritual vessels, so as to proclaim and preserve his legacy for posterity. "May his descendants, generation after generation, forever cherish and safeguard this treasure."

URN: ctp:n648430