念思非無錢以買鵠也，惡有為其君使輕易其弊者乎？
Wu Ze lost the swan on the way to Qi and, presenting an empty wicker cage to the marquis of Qi, said, “My ruler ordered me, Wu Ze, to deliver a wild swan to Your Lordship, but the swan grew hungry and thirsty on the way.
When I let it out to eat and drink, it flew off into the sky and never returned.
念思非不能拔劍刎頸、腐肉暴骨於中野也，為吾君貴鵠而賤士也。
After I thought the matter over, it appeared to me that I was not lacking in funds to purchase another wild swan, but how can one who undertakes a mission for his ruler lightly exchange his gift for another?
念思非不敢走陳蔡之間也，惡絕兩君之使。
After I thought the matter over, it appeared to me that there was nothing to keep me from plucking out my sword, cutting my throat, and letting my flesh rot and my bones be exposed on the central plains; but that would have made it appear that my ruler prized wild swans and held his officers in low regard.
After I thought the matter over, it appeared to me that I did not lack the courage to flee to the area around Chen and Cai, but how could I bring myself to cut off communication between our two states?
故不敢愛身逃死，來獻空籠，唯主君斧鑕之誅。」
So I dare not flee from death out of concern for my person but have come to offer up an empty cage.
Let Your Lordship’s executioners proceed with their punishment.