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《左传》所载列国人语言书讯,其辞旨如出一手。说者遂以为皆左氏所作,予疑其不必然,乃若润色整齐,则有之矣。试以《诗》证之:《扬之水》三篇,一《周诗》,一《郑诗》,一《晋诗》,其二篇皆曰“不流束薪”,“不流束楚”。《邶》之《谷风》曰“习习谷风,以阴以雨”,《雅》之《谷风》曰“习习谷风,维风及雨”。“在南山之阳”,“在南山之下”,“在南山之侧”;“在浚之郊”,“在浚之都”,“在浚之城”;“在河之浒”,“在河之漘”,“在河之涘”;“山有枢,隰有榆”,“山有苞亻乐,隰有六驳”,“山有蕨薇,隰有杞桋”;“言秣其马”,“言采其虻”,“言观其旂”,“言醿其弓。”皆杂出于诸诗,而兴致一也。盖先王之泽未远,天下书同文,师无异道,人无异习,出口成言,皆止乎礼义,是以不谋而同尔。