翻刻
拝謝し夫ゟ以来三日之程を経すして
繁々罷越令息令嬢幼児へは手遊菓子や
手土産を程能進して若党僕婢飼
猫迄に心を尽して愛相せし故終に懇意之
出入と成万事之手伝買物迄被頼候も追従
軽薄なく正直実体相働最早志願
之極意可申出時至たりと更に列席之
対面を願ひ発言せるは私義は越前丹生郡
内ノ郡村之ものに御座候処同輩之者三人
友達申合御当所へ罷出抜群之立身
せすんは相互対面せじと契約して別れ
候処跡弐人は如何せしや私義は黒鍬組被入
何卒手筋を以出精之勤向相働申度と
程々心労致候得共素々遠国田舎もの
にて知縁相識之手掛りも無御座に付工夫を以
不得手之酒を過し今度之御仁計に預り候
儀に御座候間尚此上之御慈悲を以右赤心
御汲察被成下乍恐夫々宜御取成之程偏に
奉頼候具に申演候処留守居中殊之外
感服直様其由 御主君公え申上候処
現代語訳
深く拝謝し、それ以来三日ほど経たないうちに頻繁に通って、令息や令嬢、幼児には手遊びのお菓子や手土産をほどよく差し上げ、若党や僕婢、飼い猫にまで心を尽くして愛想よくしたため、ついに懇意の出入りとなり、万事の手伝いや買い物まで頼まれるようになったが、追従や軽薄さはなく正直実直に働いた。もはや志願の本当の目的を申し出る時が来たと、改めて列席での対面を願い、発言したのは「私は越前丹生郡内の郡村の者でございます。同輩の者三人で友達として申し合わせ、こちらへ参って抜群の立身をしなければ相互に顔を合わせまいと契約して別れました。残りの二人はどうしたでしょうか。私は黒鍬組に入れていただき、何卒手筋をもって出精の勤め向きに働かせていただきたいと、しばらく心労いたしましたが、もともと遠国の田舎者で知縁や相識の手がかりもございませんので、工夫をもって不得手の酒を過ごし、今度のご仁愛のお取り計らいに預かることになりました。なおこの上のご慈悲をもって、この赤心をお汲み取りくださり、恐れながらそれぞれよろしくお取りなしのほど、ひとえにお頼み申し上げます」と詳しく申し述べたところ、留守居中は殊の外感服し、すぐにその由を御主君公へ申し上げたところ
英語訳
He deeply expressed his gratitude, and within about three days thereafter, he frequently visited, appropriately offering toys and sweets to the sons, daughters, and young children, and treats as gifts. He devoted himself to being pleasant even to the young retainers, servants, and pet cats, eventually becoming a trusted regular visitor. He was asked to help with all manner of tasks and even shopping, but he worked honestly and faithfully without flattery or superficiality. Believing the time had come to reveal the true purpose of his aspirations, he requested a formal audience with all present and spoke: "I am from a village in Nyu District in Echizen Province. Three of us companions made an agreement as friends when we came here - that unless we achieved outstanding success, we would never face each other again, and then we parted. I wonder what became of the other two. I have been accepted into the kurokuwagumi (construction corps), and I earnestly wish to work diligently in service through proper channels. I have been troubled by this for some time, but being originally from a distant rural area with no connections or acquaintances to rely upon, I devised a plan involving drinking alcohol (which I am poor at), leading to receiving your benevolent consideration this time. I humbly request that through your further mercy, you understand my sincere heart and graciously provide your good offices in various ways." When he explained this in detail, the deputies were extremely impressed and immediately reported this to their lord.