Ch`in attacked and defeated Wei.[2]
One of the younger sons[3]
[of the ruling house of Wei] escaped and was not taken. An order
was issued to the state of Wei that read, "Anyone who takes the
kung-tzŭ will be rewarded with a thousand chin of gold. Anyone
who conceals him will be punished along with his relatives to the
tenth degree."
The kung-tzŭ's nurse had escaped with him, and someone said
to her, "Whoever gets the kung-tzŭ will be very richly rewarded.
His nurse should know where the kung-tzŭ is, [and if so, should]
tell it."
The nurse replied, "I do not know where he is, and even if
I did know, I would die sooner than tell. When you have brought
up a child for someone, you cannot tell where you have hidden
him (?). That would be to betray one's master and to [show]
fear [of] death. I have heard that a loyal person does not betray
his master, nor does a brave one fear death. The rule is that one
who brings up another's child has the duty of[4]
keeping him alive,
not that of killing him. It would not be right to violate what is
proper (i) and to practice deceit out of fear of punishment and
with an eye to gain. I cannot go on living and let the kung-tzŭ
die alone." And she fled with the kung-tzŭ into a marsh. Catching
sight of them, some soldiers of Ch`in shot at them. The nurse
shielded [the boy] with her own body and received twelve arrows,
not one of which did she let strike the kung-tzŭ.[5]
When the King
of Ch`in heard of it, he performed the Great Sacrifice[6]
to her,
and further gave her elder brother the rank of Great Officer.
The Ode says,[7]
My mind is not a stone—
It cannot be rolled about.
