Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 14, Text 3
Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt
趙且伐燕
The Intention of the Chao State to attack the State of Yen
趙且伐燕。蘇代爲燕謂惠王曰。今者臣來。過易水。蚌方出曝而鷸啄其肉。蚌合而箝其喙。
The Chao State was going to attack the Yen State. Su-tai on behalf of Yen said to prince Hui, “To-day, when coming (here), I crossed the river I, and saw an oyster which had just come out to warm itself in the sun. A kingfisher pecked at it (lit. its flesh). The oyster closed up its shell and jammed its beak.
鷸曰。今日不雨。明日不雨。即有死蚌。
The kingfisher said, “To-day it will not rain; to-morrow it will not rain, and there will be a dead oyster”.
蚌亦謂鷸曰。今日不出。明日不出。即有死鷸。兩者不肯相舍。漁者得而幷擒之。
The oyster said in reply, “To-day you will not get off, tomorrow you will not get off, and there will be a dead kingfisher.” Neither would let go of the other, and a fisherman took (that opportunity) and seized them both together.
今趙且伐燕。燕趙久相支。以弊大眾臣恐强秦之爲漁父也。故願王之熟計之也。
Now Chao intends to attack Yen. After a long fight both peoples will be exhausted (lit. Yen and Chao will fight a long time, so that all will be 'exhausted), and (then) I am afraid the strong State of Ch'in may prove to be the fisherman. I wish therefore that Your Majesty would think it over carefully”.
惠王曰。善。乃止。
“Good”, said the prince, and stopped (his preparations to attack Yen).