哀吊 Lamentation and Condolence
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赋宪之谥，短折曰哀。哀者，依也。悲实依心，故曰哀也。In the posthumous title conferment according to eulogistic law, "Ai" (sorrowful) is bestowed upon those who perish in their youth. The term "Ai" signifies reliance, as grief indeed leans heavily on the heart, hence its nomenclature.
以辞遣哀，盖下流之悼，故不在黄发，必施夭昏。Articulating grief through words constitutes the mourning ritual of the common folk. Consequently, it is reserved for those who die prematurely, rather than the elderly.
昔三良殉秦，百夫莫赎，事均夭枉，《黄鸟》赋哀，抑亦诗人之哀辞乎？Historically, the three virtuous individuals who perished for the state of Qin could not be redeemed by a hundred men. Their deaths were unjust and untimely, echoed in the poem "Yellow Birds," perhaps also a lament of the poets.
暨汉武封禅，而霍嬗暴亡，帝伤而作诗，亦哀辞之类矣。When Emperor Wu of Han performed the Feng and Shan sacrifices, the sudden demise of Huo Shan evoked the emperor's grief, prompting him to compose a poem that exemplifies lamentation.
降及后汉，汝阳主亡，崔瑗哀辞，始变前式。During the later Han Dynasty, Princess Ruyang's demise marked a shift in Cui Yuan's lamentation style.
然履突鬼门，怪而不辞；驾龙乘云，仙而不哀；However, the depiction of abruptly entering the realm of spirits seems bizarre and inadequately articulated. Ascending on dragons and clouds signifies immortality, not sorrow.
又卒章五言，颇似歌谣，亦仿佛乎汉武也。Furthermore, the final chapter, composed in five-character lines, resembles ballads and echoes Emperor Wu's style.
至于苏顺、张升，并述哀文，虽发其情华，而未极其心实。Su Shun and Zhang Sheng also composed lamentations, albeit with emotional grandeur, yet failing to fully convey their innermost sentiments.
建安哀辞，惟伟长差善，《行女》一篇，时有恻怛。及潘岳继作，实锺其美。Among Jian'an period lamentations, Xu Gan (Wei Chang) stood out. His "A Maiden on a Journey" sometimes evokes profound empathy. Pan Yue furthered this tradition, truly capturing its essence.
观其虑赡辞变，情洞悲苦，叙事如传，结言摹诗，促节四言，鲜有缓句；Observing the careful consideration in his words and the transformation of his rhetoric, the profound understanding of sorrow and hardship, the narration akin to a biographical account, the conclusion that emulates poetry, the brisk rhythm of the four-character lines with few slow phrases;
故能义直而文婉，体旧而趣新，《金鹿》、《泽兰》，莫之或继也。Hence, the meaning is direct while the writing is graceful, maintaining the old form while bringing novelty, surpassing the likes of "Golden Deer" and "Marsh Orchid", none can follow in their footsteps.
原夫哀辞大体，情主于痛伤，而辞穷乎爱惜。Essentially, lamentations are dominated by painful emotions, with words exhausted in expressing love and cherishment.
幼未成德，故誉止于察惠；弱不胜务，故悼加乎肤色。For the young who haven't yet developed virtues, praise is limited to their perceptiveness and intelligence. For the weak who cannot shoulder responsibilities, mourning is added to their appearance.
隐心而结文则事惬，观文而属心则体奢。To compose with a concealed heart results in satisfactory content. Conversely, attaching oneself to the text leads to an extravagant style.
奢体为辞，则虽丽不哀；必使情往会悲，文来引泣，乃其贵耳。An extravagant style in lamentation, even if beautiful, lacks sorrowfulness. Emotions must align with grief, and words must elicit tears to be valuable.
吊者，至也。诗云“神之吊矣”，言神至也。"Condolence" signifies arrival. The Book of Songs states, "The gods have come to condole," meaning the gods have descended.
君子令终定谥，事极理哀，故宾之慰主，以至到为言也。When a gentleman passes away naturally and a posthumous title is assigned, the situation is profoundly reasonable and sorrowful. Hence, guests console the bereaved using the term "arrival."
压溺乖道，所以不吊矣。Drowning and crushing are contrary to proper conduct, thus merit no condolence.
又宋水郑火，行人奉辞，国灾民亡，故同吊也。Moreover, during Song's flood and Zheng's fire, envoys offered condolences. When a nation is stricken by disaster and loss, it is also a time for condolence.
及晋筑虒台，齐袭燕城，史赵苏秦，翻贺为吊，虐民构敌，亦亡之道。When Jin constructed the Taisi platform and Qi attacked Yan, Shi Zhao and Su Qin transformed congratulations into condolences. Oppressing the people and making enemies lead to destruction.
凡斯之例，吊之所设也。Such instances necessitate condolence.
或骄贵以殒身，或狷忿以乖道，或有志而无时，或美才而兼累，追而慰之，并名为吊。Some perish due to arrogance and extravagance, while others deviate from the proper path through impatience and anger. Some aspire but lack opportunity, while others possess exceptional talents yet bear burdens. Pursuing and comforting them all constitutes condolence.
自贾谊浮湘，发愤吊屈。体同而事核，辞清而理哀，盖首出之作也。Since Jia Yi crossed the Xiang River to express indignation and condole Qu Yuan, the form has remained consistent, with content verified. His words are clear, and his reasoning is sorrowful, marking a pioneering work.
及相如之吊二世，全为赋体；桓谭以为其言恻怆，读者叹息。及卒章要切，断而能悲也。Sima Xiangru's condolence to the Second Emperor of Qin entirely adopts the fu form. Huan Tan found his words mournful, eliciting sighs from readers. The conclusive chapter is crucial, capable of ending sorrowfully and abruptly.
扬雄吊屈，思积功寡，意深反骚，故辞韵沈膇。Yang Xiong's condolence to Qu Yuan is thoughtful yet unaccomplished. His intention was profound but contrasted with "The Lament," rendering his words and rhymes heavy.
班彪、蔡邕，并敏于致诘。然影附贾氏，难为并驱耳。Ban Biao and Cai Yong were adept at posing questions but struggled to match Jia Yi's prowess.
胡阮之吊夷齐，褒而无间，仲宣所制，讥呵实工。Hu Guang and Ruan Yu's condolence to Boyi and Shuqi is praise without criticism. Wang Can's work, however, excels in ridicule and rebuke.
然则胡阮嘉其清，王子伤其隘，各其志也。Hu Guang and Ruan Yu praised their purity, while Wang Can lamented their narrowness. Each had their own aspirations.
祢衡之吊平子，缛丽而轻清；陆机之吊魏武，序巧而文繁。降斯以下，未有可称者矣。Mi Heng's condolence to Zhang Heng is elaborate and beautiful, yet light and clear. Lu Ji's condolence to Cao Cao is skillful in the preface but verbose in the body. Below this, there is little worthy of praise.
夫吊虽古义，而华辞末造；华过韵缓，则化而为赋。Condolence, an ancient concept, later evolved to incorporate flowery language. Excessive floridity and slow rhythm transform it into a fu.
固宜正义以绳理，昭德而塞违，剖析褒贬，哀而有正，则无夺伦矣！It is fitting to use righteousness to regulate principles, manifest virtues, and criticize violations, analyzing praise and blame. When sorrowful and appropriate, it maintains order.
赞曰: 总结：Conclusion:
辞之所哀，在彼弱弄。苗而不秀，自古斯恸。What is lamented in words is the weakness and innocence of a seedling that fails to blossom, a perpetual cause of grief.
虽有通才，迷方失控。千载可伤，寓言以送。Even those with all-round talents, if they lose their way and control, can be lamented for millennia. Allegories are employed to bid farewell.
