The Renowned Maing

Minister of State Maing Sa-song once upon a time, dressed in plain clothes, started south on a long journey. On the way he was overtaken by rain, and turned into a side pavilion for rest and shelter. There was a young scholar already in the pavilion by the name of Whang Eui-hon, who with his two hands behind his back was reading the pavilion inscription board, on which verses were written. Long he read and long he looked about as though no one else were there. At last he turned to the old man, and said, "Well, grand-dad, do you know the flavour of verses like these?" The famous Minister, pretending ignorance, arose and said, "An old countryman like myself, could you expect him to know? Please tell me the meaning."

右議政の孟思誠(メン・サソン)は、あるとき平服を着て、南への長い旅に出た。途中で雨に降られ、休んで雨宿りしようと道ばたの東屋に立ち寄った。東屋には、ファン・ウィホンという名の若い儒者がすでにいて、両手を背中に回して、詩の書かれた東屋の扁額を読んでいた。長いこと読み、ほかには誰もいないかのように長いこと見まわしていた。とうとう若者は老人のほうを向いて言った。「どうだい、じいさん、こういう詩の味がわかるかね。」名高い大臣は知らないふりをして立ち上がって言った。「わしのような田舎の年寄りに、わかるはずがありましょうか。どうか意味を教えてくだされ。」

Whang said, "These verses were written by the great men of the past. What they saw and experienced they wrote down to inspire the souls of those who were to come after them. They are like pictures of sea and land, for there are living pictures in poetry, you know."

ファンは言った。「この詩は昔の偉い人たちが書いたものだ。見たり経験したりしたことを、あとに続く者たちの魂を奮い立たせるために書き記したのさ。海や陸の絵のようなものだ。詩のなかには生きた絵があるんだからね。」

The Minister said, "Indeed, that's wonderful; but if it were not for men like yourself how should I ever come to know these things?"

大臣は言った。「なるほど、それはすばらしい。ですが、あなたのような方がいなかったら、わしはどうしてそんなことを知ることができましょう。」

A little later came pack-horses loaded with all sorts of things; servants and retainers, too, a great company of them, tent poles, canvas packs and other equipment, a long procession.

少しすると、あらゆる品を積んだ荷馬がやって来た。召し使いや家来も大勢いて、天幕の柱や帆布の包みやそのほかの道具を持った、長い行列だった。

Whang, surprised by this, made inquiry, when, to his amazement, he learned that the old man was none other than Maing Sa-song. Unconsciously he dropped on to his knees in a deep and long obeisance. The Minister laughed and said, "That will do; there is no difference in the value of mere men, they are high or low according to the thoughts that prompt them, but unfortunately all are born with a proud heart. You are not a common scholar, why, therefore, should you be so proud to begin with and so humble now?" The Minister took him by the hand, led him to his mat, made him sit down, comforted him and sent him away.

ファンはこれに驚いて尋ねてみると、驚いたことに、その老人がほかならぬ孟思誠だとわかった。ファンは思わずひざまずいて、深く長いお辞儀をした。大臣は笑って言った。「もうよい。人の値打ちにただの人としての違いはない。人を促す思いによって高くも低くもなるのだ。だがあいにく、人はみな驕る心を持って生まれてくる。そなたはありきたりの儒者ではない。それなのに、どうして初めはあれほど驕り、今はこれほどへりくだるのだ。」大臣はファンの手を取って自分の敷物のところへ連れていき、座らせ、慰めて送り出した。

Yi Ryuk.

李陸(イ・リュク)