荆(jing)轲者,卫人也。其先乃齐(qi)人。徙于卫,卫人谓(wei)之(zhi)庆卿(qing)(qing);而之(zhi)燕,燕人谓(wei)之(zhi)荆(jing)卿(qing)(qing)。
荆(jing)卿好读书(shu)、击剑,以术(shu)说卫(wei)元(yuan)君(jun),卫(wei)元(yuan)君(jun)不用。其后(hou)秦伐魏,置东郡(jun),徙卫(wei)元(yuan)君(jun)之(zhi)支属于野王(wang)。
荆轲尝游过榆次(ci),与(yu)盖聂论剑,盖聂怒而目(mu)之。荆轲出(chu),人(ren)或言复召荆卿,盖聂曰(yue):「曩(nang)者(zhe)吾与(yu)论剑有不称者(zhe),吾目(mu)之,试(shi)往(wang),是宜去(qu),不敢(gan)留。」使(shi)(shi)使(shi)(shi)往(wang)之主人(ren),荆卿则已(yi)驾而去(qu)榆次(ci)矣。使(shi)(shi)者(zhe)还报,盖聂曰(yue):「固去(qu)也,吾曩(nang)者(zhe)目(mu)摄之。」
荆轲(ke)游于邯郸(dan),鲁(lu)句(ju)践(jian)与(yu)荆轲(ke)博,争道,鲁(lu)句(ju)践(jian)怒而叱之,荆轲(ke)嘿而逃去,遂不复会。
荆(jing)轲既至燕,爱燕之(zhi)狗(gou)屠(tu)及善击筑者高(gao)渐离(li)(li)。荆(jing)轲嗜酒,日与狗(gou)屠(tu)及高(gao)渐离(li)(li)饮(yin)于燕市,酒酣以往,高(gao)渐离(li)(li)击筑,荆(jing)轲和(he)而(er)歌于市中相乐(le)也(ye)。已而(er)相泣,旁(pang)若(ruo)无人(ren)(ren)者。荆(jing)轲虽游于酒人(ren)(ren)乎,然其(qi)(qi)为人(ren)(ren)沈(shen)深好书,其(qi)(qi)所游诸侯(hou),尽(jin)与其(qi)(qi)贤豪长者相结。其(qi)(qi)之(zhi)燕,燕之(zhi)处士田光先(xian)生亦善待之(zhi),知其(qi)(qi)非(fei)庸人(ren)(ren)也(ye)。
居顷(qing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),会燕太子丹(dan)(dan)(dan)质(zhi)秦亡(wang)归燕。燕太子丹(dan)(dan)(dan)者,故尝质(zhi)于(yu)赵(zhao)(zhao),而(er)秦王政生于(yu)赵(zhao)(zhao),其(qi)(qi)少时(shi)与丹(dan)(dan)(dan)欢。及政立为秦王,而(er)丹(dan)(dan)(dan)质(zhi)于(yu)秦,秦王之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)遇燕太子丹(dan)(dan)(dan)不善(shan),故丹(dan)(dan)(dan)怨而(er)亡(wang)归。归而(er)求为报秦王者,国小(xiao)力不能(neng)。其(qi)(qi)后秦日(ri)出(chu)兵山东,以伐(fa)齐楚三(san)晋(jin),稍蚕食诸侯,且至于(yu)燕。燕君臣皆恐(kong)祸之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)至。太子丹(dan)(dan)(dan)患之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),问其(qi)(qi)傅鞠武。武对曰:「秦地(di)遍天(tian)下,威胁韩魏赵(zhao)(zhao)氏,北有(you)甘泉(quan)谷口之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)固(gu),南有(you)泾渭之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)沃(wo),擅巴汉之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)饶,右陇蜀之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)山,左关崤之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)险,民众而(er)士(shi)厉,兵革有(you)余。意有(you)所出(chu),则(ze)长城之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)南,易水之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)北,未有(you)所定也(ye)。奈(nai)何以见陵(ling)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)怨,欲批其(qi)(qi)逆(ni)鳞哉?」丹(dan)(dan)(dan)曰:「然则(ze)何由?」对曰:「请入图之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。」
居有间(jian),秦(qin)(qin)(qin)将樊于(yu)(yu)(yu)期得(de)罪(zui)于(yu)(yu)(yu)秦(qin)(qin)(qin)王,亡之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)燕(yan)(yan),太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)受而(er)(er)舍之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。鞠(ju)武(wu)谏(jian)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「不(bu)可(ke)(ke),夫以秦(qin)(qin)(qin)王之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)暴(bao),而(er)(er)积怒于(yu)(yu)(yu)燕(yan)(yan),足(zu)为(wei)寒心(xin),又况闻(wen)樊将军(jun)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)所在乎(hu)!是(shi)谓(wei)委肉当饿(e)虎之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)蹊也(ye)(ye),祸(huo)必不(bu)振矣,虽有管晏,不(bu)能为(wei)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)谋(mou)也(ye)(ye)。愿(yuan)(yuan)太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)疾遣樊将军(jun)入匈奴以灭(mie)口,请西约三晋,南(nan)连齐楚,北购(gou)于(yu)(yu)(yu)单于(yu)(yu)(yu),其后乃可(ke)(ke)图也(ye)(ye)。」太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「太(tai)(tai)(tai)傅之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)计旷日(ri)弥久,心(xin)惛然,恐不(bu)能须臾。且非(fei)独于(yu)(yu)(yu)此(ci)也(ye)(ye)。夫樊将军(jun)穷困于(yu)(yu)(yu)天下,归身于(yu)(yu)(yu)丹,丹终不(bu)以迫于(yu)(yu)(yu)强秦(qin)(qin)(qin)而(er)(er)弃所哀(ai)怜之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)交(jiao),置之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)匈奴,是(shi)固丹命(ming)卒之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)时(shi)(shi)也(ye)(ye),愿(yuan)(yuan)太(tai)(tai)(tai)傅更虑(lv)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。」鞠(ju)武(wu)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):夫行(xing)危欲求安(an),造祸(huo)而(er)(er)求福(fu),计浅(qian)而(er)(er)怨深,连结(jie)一人之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)后交(jiao),不(bu)顾国(guo)家之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)大(da)害,此(ci)谓(wei)资怨而(er)(er)助祸(huo)矣。夫以鸿毛燎于(yu)(yu)(yu)炉(lu)炭之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)上,必无事矣。且以雕鸷之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)秦(qin)(qin)(qin),行(xing)怨暴(bao)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)怒,岂足(zu)道哉。燕(yan)(yan)有田(tian)(tian)光(guang)(guang)(guang)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng),其为(wei)人智深而(er)(er)勇沈,可(ke)(ke)与(yu)谋(mou)。」太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「愿(yuan)(yuan)因(yin)太(tai)(tai)(tai)傅而(er)(er)得(de)交(jiao)于(yu)(yu)(yu)田(tian)(tian)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)可(ke)(ke)乎(hu)?」鞠(ju)武(wu)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「敬诺。」出见(jian)田(tian)(tian)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng),道太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)愿(yuan)(yuan)图国(guo)事于(yu)(yu)(yu)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)也(ye)(ye)。田(tian)(tian)光(guang)(guang)(guang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「敬奉教。」乃造焉(yan)。太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)逢迎,却行(xing)为(wei)导,跪(gui)而(er)(er)蔽(bi)席。田(tian)(tian)光(guang)(guang)(guang)坐(zuo)定(ding),左(zuo)右无人,太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)避席而(er)(er)请曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「燕(yan)(yan)秦(qin)(qin)(qin)不(bu)两(liang)立(li),愿(yuan)(yuan)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)留(liu)意也(ye)(ye)。」田(tian)(tian)光(guang)(guang)(guang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「臣(chen)闻(wen)骐骥盛壮之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)时(shi)(shi),一日(ri)而(er)(er)驰千里,至(zhi)其衰老,驽马先(xian)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。今太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)闻(wen)光(guang)(guang)(guang)盛壮之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)时(shi)(shi),不(bu)知臣(chen)精已消亡矣。虽然,光(guang)(guang)(guang)不(bu)敢以图国(guo)事,所善(shan)荆卿(qing)可(ke)(ke)使也(ye)(ye)。」太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「愿(yuan)(yuan)因(yin)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)得(de)结(jie)交(jiao)于(yu)(yu)(yu)荆卿(qing)可(ke)(ke)乎(hu)?」田(tian)(tian)光(guang)(guang)(guang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「敬诺。」即起(qi)趋(qu)出,太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)送(song)至(zhi)门,戒曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「丹所报,先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)所言者,国(guo)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)大(da)事也(ye)(ye),愿(yuan)(yuan)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)勿(wu)泄也(ye)(ye)。」田(tian)(tian)光(guang)(guang)(guang)俯而(er)(er)笑曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「诺。」偻行(xing)见(jian)荆卿(qing)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「光(guang)(guang)(guang)与(yu)子(zi)相(xiang)善(shan),燕(yan)(yan)莫(mo)不(bu)知;今太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)闻(wen)光(guang)(guang)(guang)壮盛之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)时(shi)(shi),不(bu)知吾形已不(bu)逮也(ye)(ye),幸而(er)(er)教之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):『燕(yan)(yan)秦(qin)(qin)(qin)不(bu)两(liang)立(li),愿(yuan)(yuan)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)留(liu)意也(ye)(ye)』,光(guang)(guang)(guang)窃不(bu)自(zi)外,言足(zu)下于(yu)(yu)(yu)太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)也(ye)(ye),愿(yuan)(yuan)足(zu)下过太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)于(yu)(yu)(yu)宫。」荆轲曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「谨(jin)奉教。」田(tian)(tian)光(guang)(guang)(guang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「吾闻(wen)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),长者为(wei)行(xing),不(bu)使人疑之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),今太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)告光(guang)(guang)(guang)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):『所言者国(guo)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)大(da)事也(ye)(ye),愿(yuan)(yuan)先(xian)生(sheng)(sheng)勿(wu)泄』,是(shi)太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)疑光(guang)(guang)(guang)也(ye)(ye)。夫为(wei)行(xing)而(er)(er)使人疑之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),非(fei)节(jie)侠也(ye)(ye)。」欲自(zi)杀以激(ji)荆卿(qing),曰(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue)(yue):「愿(yuan)(yuan)足(zu)下急过太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi),言光(guang)(guang)(guang)已死,明不(bu)言也(ye)(ye)。」因(yin)遂自(zi)刎而(er)(er)死。
荆(jing)(jing)(jing)轲遂见太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi),言(yan)田光已死(si),致光之(zhi)(zhi)言(yan)。太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)再(zai)拜(bai)而(er)跪,膝行流涕,有顷而(er)后(hou)(hou)言(yan)曰:「丹(dan)所(suo)以(yi)(yi)诫田先生(sheng)毋言(yan)者(zhe),欲以(yi)(yi)成(cheng)大(da)(da)事之(zhi)(zhi)谋也(ye)。今田先生(sheng)以(yi)(yi)死(si)明不言(yan),岂丹(dan)之(zhi)(zhi)心哉!」荆(jing)(jing)(jing)轲坐(zuo)定,太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)避席顿(dun)首(shou)曰:「田先生(sheng)不知丹(dan)之(zhi)(zhi)不肖,使(shi)得(de)(de)至前敢(gan)有所(suo)道,此天之(zhi)(zhi)所(suo)以(yi)(yi)哀燕而(er)不弃其(qi)(qi)孤也(ye)。今秦(qin)有贪(tan)利之(zhi)(zhi)心,而(er)欲不可(ke)足(zu)也(ye),非尽(jin)天下(xia)(xia)(xia)之(zhi)(zhi)地,臣海内之(zhi)(zhi)王(wang)(wang)者(zhe),其(qi)(qi)意不厌(yan)。今秦(qin)已虏韩王(wang)(wang),尽(jin)纳其(qi)(qi)地,又举兵南伐楚,北临(lin)赵,王(wang)(wang)翦将数十(shi)万(wan)之(zhi)(zhi)众距(ju)漳、邺,而(er)李信(xin)出(chu)太(tai)(tai)(tai)原、云中。赵不能支秦(qin),必入(ru)臣,入(ru)臣则祸(huo)至燕。燕小弱,数困于兵,今计举国不足(zu)以(yi)(yi)当秦(qin)。诸(zhu)(zhu)侯(hou)(hou)服(fu)秦(qin),莫敢(gan)合从(cong)。丹(dan)之(zhi)(zhi)私(si)计,愚以(yi)(yi)为诚(cheng)得(de)(de)天下(xia)(xia)(xia)之(zhi)(zhi)勇士,使(shi)于秦(qin),窥(kui)以(yi)(yi)重利,秦(qin)王(wang)(wang)贪(tan),其(qi)(qi)势(shi)必得(de)(de)所(suo)愿矣(yi)。诚(cheng)得(de)(de)劫秦(qin)王(wang)(wang),使(shi)悉反诸(zhu)(zhu)侯(hou)(hou)侵地,若(ruo)曹沫之(zhi)(zhi)与齐桓(huan)公,则大(da)(da)善矣(yi)。则不可(ke),因而(er)刺杀之(zhi)(zhi)。彼(bi)秦(qin)大(da)(da)将擅兵于外,而(er)内有乱,则君臣相(xiang)疑;以(yi)(yi)其(qi)(qi)间(jian)(jian),诸(zhu)(zhu)侯(hou)(hou)得(de)(de)合从(cong),其(qi)(qi)破秦(qin)必矣(yi)。此丹(dan)之(zhi)(zhi)上(shang)愿,而(er)不知所(suo)委(wei)命,唯荆(jing)(jing)(jing)卿留意焉。」久之(zhi)(zhi),荆(jing)(jing)(jing)轲曰:「此国之(zhi)(zhi)大(da)(da)事也(ye),臣驽下(xia)(xia)(xia),恐不足(zu)任使(shi)。」太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)前顿(dun)首(shou),固请毋让(rang),然后(hou)(hou)许诺。于是(shi)尊荆(jing)(jing)(jing)轲为上(shang)卿,舍(she)上(shang)舍(she),太(tai)(tai)(tai)子(zi)(zi)日造(zao)门下(xia)(xia)(xia),供太(tai)(tai)(tai)牢,具异物,间(jian)(jian)进车骑美女(nv),恣荆(jing)(jing)(jing)轲所(suo)欲,以(yi)(yi)顺适(shi)其(qi)(qi)意。
久之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),荆(jing)轲(ke)(ke)未有行(xing)意(yi)。秦将王(wang)(wang)翦破赵(zhao),虏赵(zhao)王(wang)(wang),尽(jin)收其地(di)(di),进兵北(bei)略地(di)(di),至燕(yan)南界(jie)。太(tai)子丹恐惧(ju),乃(nai)请荆(jing)轲(ke)(ke)曰:「秦兵旦暮渡易水(shui),则虽欲长侍足下,岂可得哉!」荆(jing)轲(ke)(ke)曰:「微(wei)太(tai)子言,臣(chen)愿谒(ye)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),今(jin)行(xing)而(er)毋信(xin),则秦未可亲(qin)也(ye)。夫樊将军(jun),秦王(wang)(wang)购之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)金千斤,邑万家(jia)。诚得樊将军(jun)首,与燕(yan)督亢(kang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)地(di)(di)图,奉献秦王(wang)(wang),秦王(wang)(wang)必(bi)说见臣(chen),臣(chen)乃(nai)得有以报。」太(tai)子曰:「樊将军(jun)穷困来归丹,丹不忍(ren)以己之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)私而(er)伤长者之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)意(yi),愿足下更(geng)虑之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)。」
荆(jing)轲知太(tai)子不忍,乃(nai)遂(sui)(sui)私(si)见(jian)樊于(yu)(yu)(yu)期(qi)(qi)曰(yue)(yue):「秦之(zhi)(zhi)遇(yu)将军(jun)(jun)可谓深矣,父母宗族(zu)皆为戮(lu)没,今闻(wen)购将军(jun)(jun)首(shou)金千斤(jin),邑万家,将奈何?」于(yu)(yu)(yu)期(qi)(qi)仰(yang)天太(tai)息,流涕曰(yue)(yue):「于(yu)(yu)(yu)期(qi)(qi)每念之(zhi)(zhi),常(chang)痛于(yu)(yu)(yu)骨(gu)髓,顾(gu)计不知所出耳。」荆(jing)轲曰(yue)(yue):「今有(you)(you)一言可以解燕国之(zhi)(zhi)患,报将军(jun)(jun)之(zhi)(zhi)仇者何如?」于(yu)(yu)(yu)期(qi)(qi)乃(nai)前曰(yue)(yue):「为之(zhi)(zhi)奈何?」荆(jing)轲曰(yue)(yue):「愿(yuan)得将军(jun)(jun)之(zhi)(zhi)首(shou)以献秦王,秦王必喜(xi)而(er)见(jian)臣(chen)。臣(chen)左手(shou)把其(qi)袖,右手(shou)揕其(qi)胸;然(ran)则(ze)将军(jun)(jun)之(zhi)(zhi)仇报而(er)燕见(jian)陵之(zhi)(zhi)愧除(chu)矣。将军(jun)(jun)岂有(you)(you)意乎?」樊于(yu)(yu)(yu)期(qi)(qi)偏袒扼(e)腕(wan)而(er)进曰(yue)(yue):「此(ci)臣(chen)之(zhi)(zhi)日夜(ye)切(qie)齿腐(fu)心也。乃(nai)今得闻(wen)教(jiao)。」遂(sui)(sui)自刭。太(tai)子闻(wen)之(zhi)(zhi),驰(chi)往伏尸而(er)哭,极哀。既已不可奈何,乃(nai)遂(sui)(sui)盛樊于(yu)(yu)(yu)期(qi)(qi)首(shou)函封之(zhi)(zhi)。
于是太(tai)子(zi)豫(yu)求天下之(zhi)(zhi)利匕(bi)首,得(de)赵人(ren)徐夫人(ren)匕(bi)首,取之(zhi)(zhi)百金。使(shi)工以(yi)药錊之(zhi)(zhi),以(yi)试人(ren),血濡缕(lv),人(ren)无不(bu)立死者(zhe)。乃装(zhuang)为遣荆(jing)卿(qing)。燕(yan)国有(you)勇士秦舞(wu)(wu)阳(yang),年十三杀人(ren),人(ren)不(bu)敢忤视(shi),乃令秦舞(wu)(wu)阳(yang)为副。荆(jing)轲有(you)所(suo)待,欲与俱;其人(ren)居远未来,而(er)为治行,顷(qing)之(zhi)(zhi),未发(fa),太(tai)子(zi)迟(chi)之(zhi)(zhi),疑(yi)其改悔,乃复请曰:「日已尽矣,荆(jing)卿(qing)岂有(you)意哉?丹(dan)请得(de)先(xian)遣秦舞(wu)(wu)阳(yang)。」荆(jing)轲怒叱(chi)太(tai)子(zi)曰:「何太(tai)子(zi)之(zhi)(zhi)遣?往(wang)而(er)不(bu)反者(zhe)竖子(zi)也。且提一匕(bi)首,入不(bu)测(ce)之(zhi)(zhi)强秦。仆所(suo)以(yi)留者(zhe),待吾客与俱。今太(tai)子(zi)迟(chi)之(zhi)(zhi),请辞决(jue)矣。」遂发(fa)。
太(tai)子及宾客知其事者,皆白衣冠以送之(zhi)(zhi)。至易(yi)水(shui)之(zhi)(zhi)上(shang),既祖,取道,高渐离击筑,荆(jing)轲和(he)而歌(ge),为变徵之(zhi)(zhi)声,士皆垂(chui)泪涕泣。又(you)前而歌(ge)曰:「风萧萧兮(xi)易(yi)水(shui)寒;壮士一去(qu)兮(xi)不复还。」复为羽声慷慨,士皆瞋(chen)目,发尽上(shang)指冠。于是荆(jing)轲就车而去(qu),终(zhong)已不顾。
遂(sui)至秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin),持千金之资币物(wu),厚遗秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)宠臣(chen)中(zhong)庶子蒙嘉。嘉为(wei)先言于秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)曰(yue):「燕王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)诚(cheng)振怖大(da)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)之威,不(bu)(bu)敢(gan)(gan)举(ju)兵以(yi)逆军吏,愿举(ju)国(guo)为(wei)内臣(chen),比(bi)诸侯(hou)之列,给贡(gong)职如郡县,而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)得(de)奉(feng)守先王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)之宗庙。恐(kong)惧不(bu)(bu)敢(gan)(gan)自陈,谨斩樊于期(qi)之头(tou)(tou),及献燕督亢之地(di)图(tu),函封,燕王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)拜送于庭,使(shi)(shi)使(shi)(shi)以(yi)闻(wen)大(da)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)。唯大(da)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)命之。」秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)闻(wen)之大(da)喜,乃(nai)朝服,设九宾,见(jian)燕使(shi)(shi)者(zhe)咸阳宫。荆(jing)轲(ke)奉(feng)樊于期(qi)头(tou)(tou)函,而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)舞(wu)阳奉(feng)地(di)图(tu)匣,以(yi)次进。至陛(bi),秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)舞(wu)阳色变(bian)振恐(kong),群臣(chen)怪之。荆(jing)轲(ke)顾笑(xiao)舞(wu)阳,前谢曰(yue):「北蕃蛮夷之鄙人,未(wei)尝见(jian)天子,故振慑,愿大(da)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)少假借之,使(shi)(shi)得(de)毕使(shi)(shi)于前。」秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)谓轲(ke)曰(yue):「取舞(wu)阳所持地(di)图(tu)。」轲(ke)既取图(tu)奏之,秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)发图(tu),图(tu)穷而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)匕(bi)首(shou)见(jian),因左手(shou)把秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)之袖(xiu),而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)右(you)手(shou)持匕(bi)首(shou)揕(zhen)之。未(wei)至身,秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)惊,自引(yin)而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)起,袖(xiu)绝;拔(ba)(ba)剑,剑长,操其室;时(shi)惶急(ji),剑坚,故不(bu)(bu)可立拔(ba)(ba)。荆(jing)轲(ke)逐秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang),秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)环柱而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)走。群臣(chen)皆(jie)愕(e),卒(zu)起不(bu)(bu)意,尽失其度。而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)法(fa):群臣(chen)侍殿(dian)上者(zhe),不(bu)(bu)得(de)持尺寸之兵,诸郎中(zhong)执兵皆(jie)陈殿(dian)下,非有诏召不(bu)(bu)得(de)上。方急(ji)时(shi),不(bu)(bu)及召下兵。以(yi)故荆(jing)轲(ke)乃(nai)逐秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang),而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)卒(zu)惶急(ji)无(wu)以(yi)击(ji)轲(ke),而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)以(yi)手(shou)共搏之。是时(shi),侍医夏无(wu)且(qie)(qie),以(yi)其所奉(feng)药囊(nang)提(ti)(ti)荆(jing)轲(ke)也。秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)方环柱走,卒(zu)惶急(ji)不(bu)(bu)知(zhi)(zhi)所为(wei),左右(you)乃(nai)曰(yue):「王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)负(fu)剑。」负(fu)剑,遂(sui)拔(ba)(ba),以(yi)击(ji)荆(jing)轲(ke),断其左股(gu)。荆(jing)轲(ke)废(fei),乃(nai)引(yin)其匕(bi)首(shou)以(yi)掷秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang),不(bu)(bu)中(zhong),中(zhong)铜柱。秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)复击(ji)轲(ke),轲(ke)被八创。轲(ke)自知(zhi)(zhi)事(shi)不(bu)(bu)就,倚柱而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)笑(xiao),箕踞以(yi)骂曰(yue):「事(shi)所以(yi)不(bu)(bu)成者(zhe),以(yi)欲(yu)生(sheng)劫之,必得(de)约契以(yi)报(bao)太子也。」于是左右(you)既前杀轲(ke),秦(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)不(bu)(bu)怡(yi)者(zhe)良欠(qian)。已而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)论功赏群臣(chen)及当(dang)坐者(zhe)各有差,而(er)(er)(er)(er)(er)赐夏无(wu)且(qie)(qie)黄(huang)金二百镒(yi),曰(yue):「无(wu)且(qie)(qie)爱我(wo),乃(nai)以(yi)药囊(nang)提(ti)(ti)荆(jing)轲(ke)也。」
于是,秦(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)大(da)怒,益(yi)发兵(bing)诣赵,诏王(wang)(wang)(wang)翦军以(yi)伐(fa)燕(yan)。十(shi)月而(er)拔蓟城,燕(yan)王(wang)(wang)(wang)喜(xi)、太(tai)子(zi)丹(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)等尽率(lv)其精兵(bing)东(dong)保(bao)于辽东(dong)。秦(qin)将李信追击燕(yan)王(wang)(wang)(wang)急,代王(wang)(wang)(wang)嘉乃(nai)遗燕(yan)王(wang)(wang)(wang)喜(xi)书曰:「秦(qin)所(suo)以(yi)尤追燕(yan)急者,以(yi)太(tai)子(zi)丹(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)故(gu)也。今王(wang)(wang)(wang)诚杀丹(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)献之秦(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang),秦(qin)王(wang)(wang)(wang)必解,而(er)社(she)稷(ji)幸(xing)得血食。」其后李信追丹(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan),丹(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)匿(ni)衍水中;燕(yan)王(wang)(wang)(wang)乃(nai)使(shi)使(shi)斩(zhan)太(tai)子(zi)丹(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan)(dan),欲(yu)献之秦(qin);秦(qin)复(fu)进兵(bing)攻(gong)之,后五(wu)年,秦(qin)卒灭燕(yan),虏燕(yan)王(wang)(wang)(wang)喜(xi)。
其(qi)(qi)(qi)明年(nian),秦(qin)并天下,立号为(wei)(wei)皇(huang)帝。于是(shi)(shi)秦(qin)逐太(tai)子(zi)丹荆(jing)轲之(zhi)(zhi)客(ke),皆(jie)亡(wang)。高(gao)(gao)(gao)渐离(li)变名姓为(wei)(wei)人(ren)庸保,匿作(zuo)于宋子(zi)。久之(zhi)(zhi)作(zuo)苦(ku),闻(wen)(wen)其(qi)(qi)(qi)家(jia)堂上客(ke)击(ji)筑(zhu)(zhu),彷徨不(bu)(bu)能(neng)去(qu)。每出(chu)言曰:「彼有善(shan)(shan)(shan)有不(bu)(bu)善(shan)(shan)(shan)。」从者以告其(qi)(qi)(qi)主,曰:「彼庸乃(nai)知(zhi)音,窃(qie)言是(shi)(shi)非。」家(jia)大人(ren)召使(shi)(shi)前击(ji)筑(zhu)(zhu),一坐称善(shan)(shan)(shan),赐酒。而(er)(er)高(gao)(gao)(gao)渐离(li)念久隐畏约无穷(qiong)时,乃(nai)退,出(chu)其(qi)(qi)(qi)装(zhuang)匣中筑(zhu)(zhu)与其(qi)(qi)(qi)善(shan)(shan)(shan)衣(yi),更(geng)容貌(mao)而(er)(er)前。举(ju)坐客(ke)皆(jie)惊,下与抗礼,以为(wei)(wei)上客(ke),使(shi)(shi)击(ji)筑(zhu)(zhu)而(er)(er)歌,客(ke)无不(bu)(bu)流涕而(er)(er)去(qu)者。宋子(zi)传客(ke)之(zhi)(zhi)。闻(wen)(wen)于秦(qin)始皇(huang),秦(qin)始皇(huang)召见。人(ren)有识者,乃(nai)曰:「高(gao)(gao)(gao)渐离(li)也。」秦(qin)皇(huang)帝惜其(qi)(qi)(qi)善(shan)(shan)(shan)击(ji)筑(zhu)(zhu),重(zhong)赦之(zhi)(zhi),乃(nai)矐其(qi)(qi)(qi)目,使(shi)(shi)击(ji)筑(zhu)(zhu),未尝不(bu)(bu)称善(shan)(shan)(shan),稍益近之(zhi)(zhi)。高(gao)(gao)(gao)渐离(li)乃(nai)以铅置筑(zhu)(zhu)中,复(fu)进得近,举(ju)筑(zhu)(zhu)扑秦(qin)皇(huang)帝,不(bu)(bu)中。于是(shi)(shi)遂诛高(gao)(gao)(gao)渐离(li),终身不(bu)(bu)复(fu)近诸侯(hou)之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)。
鲁句践已(yi)闻荆轲之(zhi)刺秦(qin)王,私(si)曰:「嗟乎,惜(xi)哉,其不讲于刺剑之(zhi)术也(ye)!甚矣,吾不知人也(ye)!曩者吾叱之(zhi),彼乃以我为非人也(ye)。」
【校注】此篇(pian)不见于原本(ben)《古(gu)文(wen)观止》。校以《四部(bu)备要》重刊殿本(ben)《史记》卷(juan)八十(shi)六。