翻刻
拾壱ヶ年首尾能相勤
候之処忠兵衛儀両度之
養子幷嫁娶候旁過分之
物入之上養子共商売体
不行届元手金も追々
相減其上違作等ニ而取続
兼引続類焼いたし
暮方難渋ニ及老衰之
身分可致方も無之処
其方儀主人終日之給物
現代語訳
十一年間首尾よく勤めていたところ、忠兵衛は二度の養子縁組並びに嫁取りなどで過分な出費があった上、養子たちの商売ぶりも行き届かず、元手金も次第に減り、その上凶作などで商売を続けることができなくなり、引き続いて類焼に遭い、暮らし向きが困窮に及び、老衰の身分としてはどうすることもできない状況となったところ、そなたは主人の日々の食事を
英語訳
[Nisaburō] served faithfully for eleven years. However, Chūbei had excessive expenses from twice adopting sons and arranging marriages, and on top of that, the adopted sons' business management was inadequate, causing the capital funds to gradually diminish. Furthermore, due to poor harvests and other difficulties, he could no longer continue his business. Subsequently, he suffered damage from a spreading fire, his livelihood fell into hardship, and in his weakened elderly condition, there was nothing he could do about his situation. At this point, you [Nisaburō] provided your master's daily meals...