Permit me to observe:
the late emperor was taken from us
before he could finish his life's work,
the restoration of the Han.
Today, the empire is still divided in three,
and our very survival is threatened.
臣亮言：先帝創業未半而中道崩殂，
今天下三分，益州疲弊，此誠危急存亡之秋也。

Yet still the officials at court
and the soldiers throughout
the realm remain loyal to you, your majesty.
Because they remember the late emperor,
all of them, and they wish
to repay his kindness in service to you.
然侍衛之臣不懈于內，忠志之士忘身于外者，
蓋追先帝之殊遇，欲報之于陛下也。

This is the moment to extend your divine influence,
to honor the memory of the late Emperor
and strengthen the morale of your officers.
It is not the time to listen to bad advice,
or close your ears to the suggestions of loyal men.
誠宜開張圣聽，以光先帝遺德，恢弘志士之氣，
不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失義，以塞忠諫之路也。

The emperors of the Western Han
chose their courtiers wisely,
and their dynasty flourished.
The emperors of the Eastern Han
chose poorly, and they doomed the empire to ruin.
親賢臣，遠小人，此先漢所以興隆也；
親小人，遠賢臣，此后漢所以傾頹也。

Whenever the late Emperor
discussed this problem with me,
he lamented the failings of Emperors Huan and Ling.
先帝在時，每與臣論此事，
未嘗不嘆息痛恨于桓、靈也。

I began as a common man,
farming in my fields in Nanyang,
doing what I could to
survive in an age of chaos.
I never had any interest in making a name
for myself as a noble.
臣本布衣，躬耕于南陽，
茍全性命于亂世，不求聞達于諸侯。

The late Emperor was not ashamed
to visit my cottage and seek my advice.
Grateful for his regard,
I responded to his appeal
and threw myself into his service.
先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顧臣于草廬之中，
咨臣以當世之事，由是感激，遂許先帝以驅馳。

The late Emperor always appreciated my caution
and, in his final days,
entrusted me with his cause.
先帝知臣謹慎，故臨崩寄臣以大事也。

Since that moment,
I have been tormented day and night by the fear
that I might let him down.
That is why I crossed the Lu river
at the height of summer,
and entered the wastelands beyond.
受命以來，夙夜憂嘆，恐托付不效，
以傷先帝之明，故五月渡瀘，深入不毛。

Now the south has been subdued,
and our forces are fully armed.
I should lead our soldiers
to conquer the northern heartland
and attempt to remove the hateful traitors,
restore the house of Han,
and return it to the former capital.
今南方已定，兵甲已足，
當獎率三軍，北定中原，
庶竭駑鈍，攘除奸兇，
興復漢室，還于舊都。

This is the way I mean to honor my debt
to the late Emperor and fulfill my duty to you.
此臣所以報先帝而忠陛下之職分也。

My only desire is to be permitted
to drive out the traitors
and restore the Han.
If I should let you down,
punish my offense and report it
to the spirit of the late Emperor.
愿陛下托臣以討賊興復之效，
不效，則治臣之罪，以告先帝之靈。

Your Majesty,
consider your course of action carefully.
Seek out good advice,
and never forget the late words of the late Emperor.
I depart now on a long expedition,
and I will be forever grateful
if you heed my advice.
Blinded by my own tears,
I know not what I write.
陛下亦宜自謀，以咨諏善道，察納雅言。
深追先帝遺詔，臣不勝受恩感激。
今當遠離，臨表涕零，不知所言。

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