Sam-chung and the Water Demon

Sam-chung was one of the most famous men in the history of the Buddhist Church, and had distinguished himself by the earnestness and self-denial with which he had entered on the pursuit of eternal life. His mind had been greatly exercised and distressed at the pains and sorrows which mankind were apparently doomed to endure. Even those, however, terrible as they were, he could have managed to tolerate had they not ended, in the case of every human being, in the crowning calamity which comes upon all at the close of life.

三蔵は仏教の歴史のなかでもっとも名高い人の一人であり、永遠の命を求める道にひたむきに、また己を捨てて踏み入ったことで、ひときわ抜きん出ていた。人類が耐えるよう定められているらしい苦しみと悲しみに、彼の心はひどく悩み乱れていた。とはいえ、それがどれほど恐ろしいものであっても、すべての人間の場合に、生の終わりにだれにでも訪れる最大の災いで締めくくられるのでなければ、まだ耐えることもできただろう。

Death was the great mystery which cast its shadow on every human being. It invaded every home. The sage whose virtues and teachings were the means of uplifting countless generations of men came under its great law. Men of infamous and abandoned character seemed often to outlive the more virtuous of their fellow-beings; but they too, when the gods saw fit, were hurried off without any ceremony. Even the little ones, who had never violated any of the laws of Heaven, came under this universal scourge; and many of them, who had only just commenced to live were driven out into the Land of Shadows by this mysterious force which dominates all human life.

死はあらゆる人間に影を落とす大いなる謎であった。死はどの家にも入り込んだ。徳と教えによって数えきれない世代の人々を高めた聖人でさえ、その大いなる掟の下にあった。悪名高く身を持ち崩した者が、徳の高い仲間より長生きすることもしばしばあるように見えたが、その者たちも、神々がよしとすれば、何の儀礼もなく急き立てられて去っていった。天の掟を一つも破ったことのない幼い者たちでさえ、この遍く及ぶ災いを免れず、生き始めたばかりの多くの子が、人の生のすべてを支配するこの不可思議な力によって影の国へと追いやられた。

Accordingly Sam-Chung wanted to be freed from the power of death, so that its shadow should never darken his life in the years to come.

そこで三蔵は死の力から解き放たれ、その影がこれから先の年月に決して自分の生を暗くしないようにしたいと望んだ。

After careful enquiry, and through friendly hints from men who, he had reason to believe, were fairies in disguise and had been sent by the Goddess of Mercy to help those who aspired after a higher life, he learned that it was possible by the constant pursuit of virtue to arrive at that stage of existence in which death would lose all its power to injure, and men should become immortal. This boon of eternal life could be won by every man or woman who was willing to pay the price for so precious a gift. It could be gained by great self-denial, by willingness to suffer, and especially by the exhibition of profound love and sympathy for those who were in sorrow of any kind. It appeared, indeed, that the one thing most imperatively demanded by the gods from those who aspired to enter their ranks was that they should be possessed of a divine compassion, and that their supreme object should be the succouring of distressed humanity. Without this compassion any personal sacrifice that might be made in the search for immortality would be absolutely useless.

注意深く尋ね求め、また、変装した仙人であり、より高い生を志す者を助けるために観音から遣わされたのだと信ずべき理由のある人々から親切な手がかりを得て、彼は知った。絶えず徳を追い求めることによって、死がもはや害をなす力をすべて失い、人が不死となる境地に達することができるのだと。この永遠の命という恵みは、これほど尊い賜物にふさわしい代価を払う気のある男女ならだれでも手にすることができた。それは大いなる自己犠牲により、苦しみを厭わぬ心により、そしてとりわけ、どんな悲しみのうちにある者にも深い愛と同情を示すことによって得られるのだった。じつのところ、神々の列に加わろうと志す者に神々がもっとも強く求める唯一のものは、神のごとき慈悲を備え、苦しむ人々を救うことを至上の目的とすることであるらしかった。この慈悲がなければ、不死を求めてどれほど身を犠牲にしようと、まったく無益なのであった。

Sam-Chung was already conscious that he was a favourite of the gods, for they had given him two companions, both with supernatural powers, to enable him to contend against the cunning schemes of the evil spirits, who are ever planning how to thwart and destroy those whose hearts are set upon higher things.

三蔵はすでに自分が神々に目をかけられていることを知っていた。というのも、神々は、より高いものに心を向ける者をいかにして妨げ滅ぼすかを絶えずたくらむ悪霊どもの狡猾な企みに立ち向かえるよう、超自然の力を持つ二人の供を彼に与えていたからである。

One day, accompanied by Chiau and Chu, the two attendants commissioned by the Goddess of Mercy to attend upon him, Sam-Chung started on his long journey for the famous Tien-ho river, to cross which is the ambition of every pilgrim on his way to the land of the Immortals. They endured many weeks of painful travelling over high mountains and through deep valleys which lay in constant shadow, and across sandy deserts where men perished of thirst or were struck down by the scorching heat of the sun, before they met any of the infernal foes that they expected to be lying in wait for them.

ある日、三蔵は、観音から付き従うよう命じられた二人の供、チアウとチューを連れて、名高い天河をめざす長い旅に出た。不死の者たちの国へ向かう巡礼ならだれもが渡りたいと願う川である。彼らは高い山々を越え、絶えず影に沈む深い谷を抜け、人が渇きで死に、灼けつく日差しに打ち倒される砂漠を横切って、何週間もつらい旅を続けたが、そのあいだ待ち伏せていると覚悟していた地獄の敵には一度も出会わなかった。

Weary and footsore, they at last arrived one evening on the shores of the mighty Tien-ho, just as the sun was setting. The glory of the clouds in the west streamed on to the waters of the river, and made them sparkle with a beauty which seemed to our wearied travellers to transform them into something more than earthly. The river here was so wide that it looked like an inland sea. There was no sign of land on the distant horizon, nothing but one interminable vista of waters, stretching away as far as the eye could reach.

疲れ果て、足を痛めて、彼らはある夕暮れ、ちょうど日が沈むころ、ついに大いなる天河のほとりにたどり着いた。西の雲の輝きが川面に流れ込み、水をきらめかせ、その美しさは疲れきった旅人たちには、この世ならぬものに変わったかと思えるほどであった。川はここではあまりに広く、内海のように見えた。遠い地平には陸の影もなく、目の届くかぎりはてしなく水が広がっているばかりだった。

One thing, however, greatly disappointed Sam-Chung and his companions, and that was the absence of boats. They had planned to engage one, and by travelling across the river during the night, they hoped to hurry on their way and at the same time to rest and refresh themselves after the fatigues they had been compelled to endure on their long land journey.

けれども一つのことが三蔵と供の者たちをひどく落胆させた。舟が一艘も無かったのである。彼らは舟を雇い、夜のうちに川を渡って道を急ぐと同時に、長い陸路で耐えねばならなかった疲れを休めて癒そうともくろんでいたのだった。

It now became a very serious question with them where they were to spend the night. There was no sign of any human habitation round about. There was the sandy beach along which they were walking, and there was the wide expanse of the river, on which the evening mists were slowly gathering; but no appearance of life. Just as they were wondering what course they should pursue, the faint sound of some musical instruments came floating on the air and caught their ear. Hastening forward in the direction from which the music came, they ascended a piece of rising ground, from the top of which they were delighted to see a village nestling on the hillside, and a small temple standing on the very margin of the river.

さて、どこで夜を明かすかがたいへん深刻な問題になった。あたりには人の住まいのしるしが何もなかった。歩いている砂浜があり、夕霧がゆっくりと立ちこめてくる広い川面があるばかりで、生きものの気配はなかった。どうしたものかと思案していると、かすかな楽の音が風に乗って漂ってきて耳にとまった。音のするほうへ急いで進み、小高い丘に登ってみると、その頂から、山の斜面に寄り添うように村があり、小さな廟が川のすぐ縁に建っているのが見えて、彼らは大喜びした。

With hearts overjoyed at the prospect of gaining some place where they could lodge for the night, they hurried forward to the hamlet in front of them. As they drew nearer, the sounds of music became louder and more distinct. They concluded that some festival was being observed, or that some happy gathering amongst the people had thrown them all into a holiday mood. Entering the village, they made their way to a house which stood out prominently from the rest, and which was better built than any others they could see. Besides, it was the one from which the music issued, and around its doors was gathered a number of people who had evidently been attending some feast inside.

夜の宿が得られそうだと心を躍らせて、彼らは目の前の村へと急いだ。近づくにつれ、楽の音はますます大きく、はっきりしてきた。何かの祭りが行われているのか、村人の楽しい集まりがあってみなが浮かれた気分になっているのだろうと彼らは考えた。村に入ると、ほかの家々から際立って目立ち、見える限りどの家よりも立派に建てられた一軒の家へ向かった。そのうえ、楽の音が聞こえてくるのはその家からで、戸口のまわりには、明らかに中で宴に連なっていた人々が大勢集まっていた。

As the three travellers came up to the door, a venerable-looking old man came out to meet them. Seeing that they were strangers, he courteously invited them to enter; and on Sam-Chung asking whether they could be entertained for the night, he assured them that there was ample room for them in the house, and that he gladly welcomed them to be his guests for as long as it was their pleasure to remain.

三人の旅人が戸口まで来ると、品のある老人が出迎えた。見知らぬ者たちだと見てとると、老人は丁重に中へ招き入れ、三蔵が一晩泊めてもらえるかと尋ねると、家には十分な部屋があり、望むだけ幾日でも客として喜んで迎えると請け合った。

"In the meanwhile you must come in," he said, "and have some food, for you must be tired and hungry after travelling so far, and the tables are still covered with the good things which were prepared for the feast to-day."

「ともかくまずお入りなさい」と老人は言った。「そして何か召し上がりなさい。これほど遠くから旅して来られて、疲れて腹もすいておいででしょう。今日の宴のために用意したご馳走が、まだ卓の上にたっぷり残っておりますから」

After they had finished their meal, they began to talk to the old gentleman who was so kindly entertaining them. They were greatly pleased with his courtesy and with the hearty hospitality which he had pressed upon them. They noticed, however, that he was very absent-minded, and looked as if some unpleasant thought lay heavy on his heart.

食事を終えると、彼らはこれほど親切にもてなしてくれる老人と話しはじめた。その礼儀正しさと、心のこもったもてなしに、彼らはたいそう喜んだ。けれども老人がひどく上の空で、何か嫌な思いが心に重くのしかかっているような様子であることに気がついた。

"May I ask," said Sam-Chung, "what was the reason for the great gathering here to-day? There is no festival in the Chinese calendar falling on this date, so I thought I would take the liberty of enquiring what occasion you were really commemorating."

「お尋ねしてもよろしいでしょうか」と三蔵は言った。「今日ここで大勢の人が集まっていたのはどういうわけですか。暦ではこの日に当たる祭りはありませんので、実のところ何を祝っておられたのか、失礼ながらお伺いしようと思ったのです」

"We were not commemorating anything," the old man replied with a grave face. "It was really a funeral service for two of my grand-children, who, though they are not yet dead, will certainly disappear out of this life before many hours have passed."

「何かを祝っていたのではありません」と老人は沈んだ顔で答えた。「じつは孫二人の弔いをしていたのです。二人はまだ死んではおりませんが、あと何時間もしないうちに、きっとこの世から消えてしまうのです」

"But how can such a ceremony be performed over persons who are still alive?" asked Sam-Chung with a look of wonder in his face.

「けれど、まだ生きている者のためにどうしてそのような儀式ができるのですか」と三蔵は驚きの色を浮かべて尋ねた。

"When I have explained the circumstances to you, you will then be no longer surprised at this unusual service," replied the old man.

「わけをお話しすれば、このような変わった弔いにももう驚かれますまい」と老人は答えた。

"You must know," he continued, "that this region is under the control of a Demon of a most cruel and bloodthirsty disposition. He is not like the ordinary spirits, whose images are enshrined in our temples, and whose main aim is to protect and guard their worshippers. This one has no love for mankind, but on the contrary the bitterest hatred, and his whole life seems to be occupied in scheming how he may inflict sorrow and disaster on them. His greatest cruelty is to insist that every year just about this time two children, one a boy and the other a girl, shall be conveyed to his temple by the river side to be devoured by him. Many attempts have been made to resist this barbarous demand, but they have only resulted in increased suffering to those who have dared to oppose him. The consequence is that the people submit to this cruel murder of their children, though many a heart is broken at the loss of those dearest to them."

「じつは」と老人は続けた。「この土地は、このうえなく残忍で血に飢えた性の魔物に支配されているのです。廟に祀られ、拝む者を守り見張ることを第一とする並の神々とは違います。この魔物は人間を少しも愛さず、それどころか激しく憎んでおり、どうすれば人に悲しみと災いをもたらせるかをたくらむことに一生を費やしているようなのです。何よりも残酷なのは、毎年ちょうどこのころ、男の子と女の子を一人ずつ川辺の廟へ運ばせ、食らうことです。この非道な求めに逆らおうとしたことは何度もありましたが、逆らった者たちの苦しみが増すだけに終わりました。そういうわけで、いちばん愛しい者を失って胸が張り裂ける者は大勢いても、人々は子供たちがこうして惨く殺されるのに甘んじているのです」

"But is there any system by which the unfortunate people may get to know when this terrible sacrifice is going to be demanded from them?" asked Sam-Chung.

「けれど、その恐ろしい生贄がいつ求められるのか、不幸な人々が知る手立てはあるのですか」と三蔵は尋ねた。

"Oh yes," replied the man. "The families are taken in rotation, and when each one's turn comes round, their children are prepared for the sacrifice. Moreover, that there may be no mistake, the Demon himself appears in the home a few days before, and gives a threatening command to have the victims ready on such a date. Only the day before yesterday, this summons came to us to have our children ready by to-morrow morning at break of day. That is why we had a feast to-day, and performed the funeral rites for the dead, so that their spirits may not be held under the control of this merciless Damon, but may in time be permitted to issue from the Land of Shadows, and be born again under happier circumstances into this world, which they are leaving under such tragic circumstances."

「ええ、ありますとも」と老人は答えた。「家々には順番が回ってきて、それぞれの番が来ると、その家の子供たちが生贄の支度をされるのです。そのうえ間違いのないように、魔物みずからが数日前に家に現れ、何日までに生贄を用意しておけと脅すように命じるのです。つい一昨日、明朝の夜明けまでに子供たちを用意しておけという呼び出しが私どもに来ました。それで今日、宴を開き、死者の弔いをしたのです。そうすれば子供たちの魂がこの無慈悲な魔物に縛られず、いつかは影の国から出ることを許されて、こんなむごいいきさつで去っていくこの世に、もっと幸せな境遇で生まれ変われるかもしれませんから」

"But what is the Demon like?" enquired Sam-Chung.

「けれど、その魔物はどんな姿をしているのですか」と三蔵は尋ねた。

"Oh, no one can ever tell what he is like," said the man. "He has no bodily form that one can look upon. His presence is known by a strong blast of wind which fills the place with a peculiar odour, and with an influence so subtle that you feel yourself within the grip of a powerful force, and instinctively bow your head as though you were in the presence of a being who could destroy you in a moment were he so disposed."

「いえ、どんな姿かはだれにもわかりません」と老人は言った。「目で見られるような体を持っていないのです。強い風がひと吹きして、あたりが奇妙な匂いで満たされることで、そこにいるのがわかります。その気配はとても微妙で、自分が強大な力にとらえられているのを感じ、その気になれば一瞬で自分を滅ぼせる者の前にいるかのように、思わず頭を垂れてしまうのです」

"One more question and I have finished," said Sam-Chung. "Where did this Demon come from, and how is it that he has acquired such an overmastering supremacy over the lives of men, that he seems able to defy even Heaven itself, and all the great hosts of kindly gods who are working for the salvation of mankind?"

「もう一つだけお聞きしたら終わりにします」と三蔵は言った。「その魔物はどこから来たのですか。そしてどうして人の命をこれほど思うままにする力を得て、天そのものにも、人類の救いのために働く慈悲深い神々の大軍にも逆らえるように見えるのですか」

"This Demon," the man replied, "was once an inhabitant of the Western Heaven, and under the direct control of the Goddess of Mercy. He must, however, have been filled with evil devices and fiendish instincts from the very beginning, for he seized the first opportunity to escape to earth, and to take up his residence in the grottoes and caverns that lie deep down beneath the waters of the Tien-ho. Other spirits almost as bad as himself have also taken up their abode there, and they combine their forces to bring calamity and disaster upon the people of this region."

「この魔物は」と老人は答えた。「かつては西天に住み、観音様にじかに治められていたのです。けれども初めから悪だくみと鬼のような性に満ちていたにちがいありません。最初の機会をとらえて地上へ逃げ出し、天河の水の深い底にある洞穴や岩屋に住みついたのですから。ほかにも、あれとほとんど変わらぬ悪い霊どもがそこに住みついて、力を合わせてこの土地の人々に災いと禍をもたらしているのです」

Sam-Chung, whose heart was filled with the tenderest feelings of compassion for all living things, so much so that his name was a familiar one even amongst the Immortals in the far-off Western Heaven, felt himself stirred by a mighty indignation when he thought of how innocent childhood had been sacrificed to minister to the unnatural passion of this depraved Demon. Chiau and Chu were as profoundly indignant as he, and a serious consultation ensued as to the best methods to be adopted to save the little ones who were doomed to destruction on the morrow, and at the same time to break the monster's rule so that it should cease for ever.

三蔵の心はあらゆる生きものに対するこのうえなく優しい慈悲の情に満ちていて、その名は遠い西天の不死の者たちのあいだでさえよく知られていたほどであった。汚れない子供たちが、この堕落した魔物の人の道に外れた欲を満たすために生贄にされてきたことを思うと、彼は激しい憤りに揺さぶられた。チアウとチューも彼に劣らず深く憤り、明日滅ぼされる運命にある幼い者たちを救い、同時に魔物の支配を打ち砕いて永久に終わらせるにはどんな方法をとるのがよいか、真剣な相談が始まった。

Chiau, who was the more daring of the two whom I the goddess had deputed to protect Sam-Chung, at length cried out with flashing eyes, "I will personate the boy, Chu shall act the girl, and together we will fight the Demon and overthrow and kill him, and so deliver the people from his dreadful tyranny."

観音が三蔵を守るよう遣わした二人のうち、より大胆なチアウが、ついに目をきらめかせて叫んだ。「わしが男の子に化け、チューが女の子になろう。二人して魔物と戦い、打ち倒して殺し、人々をあの恐ろしい暴虐から救ってやるのだ」

Turning to the old man, he said, "Bring the children here so that we may see them, and make our plans so perfect that the Demon with all his cunning will not be able to detect or frustrate them."

老人のほうを向いて、チアウは言った。「子供たちをここへ連れてきてください。姿をよく見て、魔物がどれほど狡猾でも見破ったり邪魔したりできないように、完璧な計画を立てたいのです」

In a few moments the little ones were led in by their grandfather. The boy was seven and the girl was one year older. They were both of them nervous and shy, and clung timidly to the old man as if for protection.

まもなく幼い二人が祖父に連れられて入ってきた。男の子は七つで、女の子は一つ年上だった。二人ともおどおどと恥ずかしそうにして、守ってもらおうとするかのように老人におずおずとしがみついていた。

They were very interesting-looking children. The boy was a proud, brave-spirited little fellow, as one could see by the poise of his head as he gazed at the strangers. If anything could be predicted from his looks, he would one day turn out to be a man of great power, for he had in his youthful face all the signs which promise a life out of the common. The girl was a shy little thing, with her hair done up in a childlike fashion that well became her. She was a dainty little mortal. Her eyes were almond-shaped, and with the coyness of her sex she kept shooting out glances from the corners of them at the three men who were looking at her. Her cheeks were pale, with just a suspicion of colour painted into them by the deft hand of nature; whilst her lips had been touched with the faintest dash of carmine, evidently just a moment ago, before she left her mother's side.

二人はたいそう人を惹きつける顔立ちの子供だった。男の子は誇り高く勇ましい気性の子で、見知らぬ人々を見つめる頭の構えにそれが表れていた。顔つきから何かを占えるとすれば、いつか大きな力を持つ男になるにちがいなかった。その幼い顔には、並外れた生涯を約束するしるしがすべて備わっていたからである。女の子は恥ずかしがりの小さな子で、髪を子供らしく結い上げ、それがよく似合っていた。愛らしい小さな人間だった。目は切れ長で、女の子らしいはにかみから、自分を見ている三人の男たちにその目尻からちらちらと視線を送っていた。頬は青白く、自然の巧みな手でほんのわずかに色が差されているだけで、唇にはごく淡い紅がさしてあった。明らかに、ほんの少し前、母親のそばを離れる前に塗られたものだった。

"Now, my boy," said Chiau to the little fellow, "keep your eyes fixed on me, and never take them from me for a moment; and you, little sister," addressing the girl, "do the same to the man next to me, and you will see something that will make you both laugh."

「さあ、坊や」とチアウは男の子に言った。「わしから目を離さないで、ちょっとの間もそらすんじゃないよ。それからお嬢ちゃん」と女の子に向かって言った。「わしの隣の人を同じように見ていてごらん。二人とも笑い出すようなものが見られるよ」

The eyes of them both were at once riveted on the two men, and a look of amazement slowly crept into their faces. And no wonder, for as they gazed they saw the two men rapidly changing, and becoming smaller and smaller, until they were the exact size and image of themselves. In their features and dress, and in every minute detail they were the precise pattern of the children, who with staring eyes were held spellbound by the magic change which had taken place in front of them.

二人の目はすぐさま二人の男に釘づけになり、その顔にはしだいに驚きの色が広がっていった。無理もない。見つめているうちに、二人の男はみるみる姿を変え、どんどん小さくなって、ついには子供たちとまったく同じ背丈、同じ姿になったのである。顔立ちも着ているものも、どんな細かいところまでも子供たちに瓜二つで、子供たちは目を見張ったまま、目の前で起こった魔法の変化に呪縛されたようになっていた。

"Now," said Chiau to the old gentleman, "the transformation is complete. Take the children away and hide them in the remotest and most inaccessible room that you have in your house. Let them be seen by no chattering woman or servant who might divulge our secret, so that in some way or other it might reach the ears of the Demon, and put him on his guard. Remember that from this moment these little ones are not supposed to exist, but that we are your grand-children who are to be taken to the temple to-morrow morning at break of day."

「さあ」とチアウは老人に言った。「変身はすみました。子供たちを連れていって、家のなかでいちばん奥の、だれも近づけない部屋に隠してください。秘密を漏らすかもしれないおしゃべりな女や召使いには決して見られないように。何かの拍子に魔物の耳に入って、用心させてしまうかもしれませんから。いいですか、今この時から、この幼い二人はいないことになり、明朝の夜明けに廟へ連れていかれるあなたの孫はわしらなのです」

Just as the eastern sky showed the first touch of colour, two sedan-chairs were brought up to the door to carry the two victims away to be devoured by the Demon. A few frightened-looking neighbours peered through the gloom to catch a last glimpse of the children, but not one of them had the least suspicion that the boy and girl were really fairies who were about to wage a deadly battle with the Demon in order to deliver them from the curse under which they lived.

東の空がほのかに色づきはじめたちょうどそのころ、二人の生贄を魔物に食わせるために運んでいく駕籠が二挺、戸口に運ばれてきた。怯えた顔の近所の者が幾人か、子供たちの最後の姿をひと目見ようと薄暗がりのなかをのぞき込んだが、その男の子と女の子が、じつは自分たちを苦しめてきた呪いから救うために魔物と命がけの戦いを挑もうとしている仙人だとは、だれ一人つゆほども疑わなかった。

No sooner had the children been put into the temple, where a dim rush-light did but serve to disclose the gloom, and the doors had been closed with a bang, than the chair-bearers rushed away in fear for their very lives.

子供たちが廟のなかに入れられ——そこではほの暗い灯心の明かりが闇を浮かび上がらせるばかりだった——扉がばたんと閉められるやいなや、駕籠かきたちは命からがら逃げ去った。

An instant afterwards a hideous, gigantic form emerged from an inner room and advanced towards the children. The Demon was surprised, however, to find that on this occasion the little victims did not exhibit any signs of alarm, as had always been the case hitherto, but seemed to be calmly awaiting his approach. There was no symptom of fear about them, and not a cry of terror broke from their lips; but with a fearless and composed mien they gazed upon him as he advanced.

次の瞬間、奥の部屋から醜悪で巨大な姿が現れ、子供たちのほうへ進んできた。けれども魔物は驚いた。これまでいつもそうだったのとは違い、今度の小さな生贄たちは少しも怯えた様子を見せず、落ち着いて自分が近づくのを待っているようなのである。恐れのしるしは何一つなく、恐怖の叫びも唇から漏れず、魔物が進んでくるのを、恐れを知らぬ落ち着いた面持ちで見つめていた。

Hesitating for a moment, as if to measure the foe which he began to fear might lie concealed beneath the figures of the boy and girl before him, the Demon's great fiery eyes began to flash with deadly passion as he saw the two little ones gradually expand in size, until they were transformed into beings as powerful and as mighty as himself. He knew at once that he had been outwitted, and that he must now battle for his very life; so, drawing a sword which had always stood him in good stead, he rushed upon the two who faced him so calmly and with such apparent confidence in themselves.

目の前の男の子と女の子の姿の下に潜んでいるかもしれないと恐れはじめた敵の力を測るかのように、魔物は一瞬ためらった。そして二人の幼い者がしだいに大きくなり、ついには自分と同じくらい強く大きな存在に変わっていくのを見て、その大きな燃える目は殺気に満ちてぎらぎらと光りはじめた。出し抜かれたこと、そして今こそ自分の命をかけて戦わねばならないことを、魔物はすぐに悟った。そこでこれまでいつも役に立ってきた剣を抜き、落ち着きはらって、いかにも自信ありげに向かい合っている二人に襲いかかった。

Chiau and Chu were all ready for the fray, and with weapons firmly gripped and with hearts made strong by the consciousness of the justice of their cause, they awaited the onslaught of the Demon.

チアウとチューはすっかり戦う構えができていた。武器をしっかりと握り、自分たちの大義の正しさを知って心を強くして、魔物の猛攻を待ち受けた。

And what a battle it was that then ensued in the dim and shadowy temple! It was a conflict of great and deadly significance, waged on one side for the deliverance of helpless childhood, and on the other for the basest schemes that the spirits of evil could devise. It was a battle royal, in which no quarter was either asked or given. The clash of weapons, and sounds unfamiliar to the human ear, and groans and cries which seemed to come from a lost soul, filled the temple with their hideous uproar.

それからほの暗く影深い廟のなかで始まった戦いの、なんとすさまじかったことか。それは大きな、命にかかわる意味を持つ争いであった。一方は無力な子供たちを救うために、もう一方は悪霊どもが考えつくかぎりの卑劣なたくらみのために戦われたのである。慈悲を乞うことも与えることもない、まさに天下分け目の戦いであった。武器の打ち合う音、人の耳には聞き慣れない物音、そして地獄に落ちた魂から出るような呻きと叫びが、廟をおぞましい喧騒で満たした。

At last the Demon, who seemed to have been grievously wounded, though by his magic art he had caused his wounds to be instantly healed, began to see that the day was going against him. One more mighty lunge with his broadsword, and one more furious onset, and his craven heart failed him. With a cry of despair he fled from the temple, and plunged headlong into the river flowing by its walls.

とうとう魔物は、ひどく傷を負ったらしく——魔術によって傷はたちまちふさがったものの——形勢が自分に不利になってきたのを悟りはじめた。大太刀でもうひと突き、もうひと猛攻を加えたところで、その臆病な心はくじけた。絶望の叫びをあげて魔物は廟から逃げ出し、壁のそばを流れる川へまっさかさまに飛び込んだ。

Great were the rejoicings when Chiau and Chu returned to report to Sam-Chung the glorious victory they had gained over the Demon. Laughter and rejoicing were heard in every home, and men and women assembled in front of their doors and at the corners of the narrow alley-ways to congratulate each other on the great deliverance which that day had come to them and to their children. The dread of the Demon had already vanished, and a feeling of freedom so inspired the men of the village that as if by a common impulse, they rushed impetuously down to where the temple stood, and in the course of a few hours every vestige of it had disappeared beneath the waters into which the Demon had plunged.

チアウとチューが戻って、魔物に対して収めた輝かしい勝利を三蔵に報告すると、大いに喜びが湧き起こった。どの家からも笑い声と歓声が聞こえ、男も女も戸口の前や狭い路地の角に集まって、その日自分たちと子供たちに訪れた大いなる救いを互いに祝い合った。魔物への恐れはすでに消え去り、村の男たちは自由の感覚に心を奮い立たされて、まるで皆が同じ衝動に駆られたかのように、廟の立つところまで勢いよく駆け下り、数時間のうちに、魔物が飛び込んだ水の底へ、廟の跡形もなく沈めてしまった。

After his great defeat the baffled spirit made his way to the grotto beneath the waters, where he and the other demons had taken up their abode. A general council was called to devise plans to wipe out the disgrace which had been sustained, and to regain the power that had slipped from the Demon's grasp. They wished also to visit Sam-Chung with condign punishment which would render him helpless for the future.

大敗を喫したあと、しくじった魔物は、自分とほかの魔物どもが住みついていた水底の岩屋へと向かった。受けた恥辱をすすぎ、魔物の手からすべり落ちた力を取り戻す策を練るために、総評定が開かれた。魔物たちはまた、三蔵に相応の罰を下し、この先何もできなくしてやりたいとも望んだ。

"We must capture him," said one wicked-looking imp, who always acted as counsellor to the rest. "I have been told that to devour some of his flesh would ensure the prolongation of life for more than a thousand years."

「あいつをひっとらえねばならん」と、いつも仲間の知恵袋を務める、いかにも悪そうな顔の小鬼が言った。「聞くところでは、あいつの肉を少し食えば、千年を超えて寿命が延びるそうだ」

The suggestion to seize Sam-Chung was unanimously accepted as a very inspiration of genius, and the precise measures which were to be adopted in order to capture him were agreed to after a long discussion.

三蔵をとらえるという案は、まさに天才のひらめきとして満場一致で受け入れられ、彼をとらえるためにとるべき手立ても、長い議論の末に細かく取り決められた。

On the very next morning, a most violent snowstorm set in, so that the face of the river and the hills all round about, and the very heavens themselves were lost in the blinding snow-drifts that flew before the gale. Gradually the cold became so intense that the Ice King laid his grip upon the waters of the Tien-ho, and turned the flowing stream into a crystal highway, along which men might travel with ease and safety. Such a sight had never been seen before by any of the people who lived upon its banks, and many were the speculations as to what such a phenomenon might mean to the welfare of the people of the region. It never occurred to any one that this great snow-storm which had turned into ice a river that had never been known to freeze before, was all the work of demons determined on the destruction of Sam-Chung.

まさに翌朝、すさまじい吹雪が始まり、川面もまわりの山々も、天そのものさえも、強風に吹き飛ばされる目もくらむ雪煙のなかにかき消えてしまった。寒さはしだいに厳しくなり、とうとう氷の王が天河の水をつかみ、流れる川を水晶の大道に変えてしまったので、人はそこをたやすく安全に行き来できるようになった。岸辺に住む人々のだれ一人、これまでそんな光景を見たことがなく、こんな不思議がこの土地の人々の暮らしにとって何を意味するのか、さまざまな憶測が飛び交った。これまで凍ったことのない川を氷に変えたこの大吹雪が、すべて三蔵を滅ぼそうと決めた魔物どものしわざだとは、だれ一人思いもしなかった。

Next day the storm had passed, but the river was one mass of ice which gleamed and glistened in the morning rays. Much to the astonishment of Sam-Chung and his two companions, they caught sight of a number of people, who appeared to be merchants, moving about on the bank of the river, together with several mules laden with merchandise. The whole party seemed intent on their preparations for crossing the river, which they were observed to test in various places to make sure that it was strong enough to bear their weight. This they seemed satisfied about, for in a short time the men and animals set forward on their journey across the ice.

翌日には嵐は過ぎ去っていたが、川は一面の氷となって朝日を浴びてきらきらと輝いていた。三蔵と二人の供がたいそう驚いたことに、商人らしい人々の一団が、荷を積んだ数頭のラバとともに川岸を動き回っているのが目に入った。一行は川を渡る支度に余念がないようで、自分たちの重さに耐えられるほど氷が固いかどうか、あちこちで確かめている様子だった。どうやら納得したらしく、まもなく人もラバも氷の上を渡りはじめた。

Sam-Chung immediately insisted upon following their example, though the plan was vigorously opposed by the villagers, who predicted all kinds of dangers if he entered on such an uncertain and hazardous enterprise. Being exceedingly anxious to proceed on his journey, however, and seeing no prospect of doing so if he did not take advantage of the present remarkable condition of the river, he hastened to follow in the footsteps of the merchants, who by this time had already advanced some distance on the ice.

三蔵はすぐさま彼らにならうと言い張ったが、村人たちは、そんな当てにならない危うい企てに乗り出せばありとあらゆる危険があると言って、強く反対した。けれども三蔵は旅を続けたくてたまらず、川のこの不思議な有様を利用しなければ先へ進める見込みはないと考えて、このときにはもう氷の上をかなり先まで進んでいた商人たちの足跡を急いで追った。

He would have been less anxious to enter on this perilous course, had he known that the innocent-looking traders who preceded him were every one of them demons who had changed themselves into the semblance of men in order to lure him to his destruction.

自分の前を行く無邪気そうな商人たちが、じつは一人残らず、彼を破滅へ誘い込むために人の姿に化けた魔物だと知っていたなら、彼はこの危うい道に踏み出すことをそれほど急ぎはしなかっただろう。

Sam-Chung and his companions had not proceeded more than five or six miles, when ominous symptoms of coming disaster began to manifest themselves. The extreme cold in the air suddenly ceased, and a warm south wind began to blow. The surface of the ice lost its hardness. Streamlets of water trickled here and there, forming great pools which made walking exceedingly difficult.

三蔵と供の者たちが五、六マイルも進まないうちに、迫りくる災いの不吉なしるしが現れはじめた。空気の厳しい寒さがにわかにやみ、暖かい南風が吹きはじめた。氷の表面は固さを失った。あちこちに水がちょろちょろと流れ、大きな水たまりができて、歩くのがたいへん難しくなった。

Chiau, whose mind was a very acute and intelligent one, became terrified at these alarming symptoms of danger, especially as the ice began to crack, and loud and prolonged reports reached them from every direction. Another most suspicious thing was the sudden disappearance of the company of merchants, whom they had all along kept well in sight. There was something wrong, he was fully convinced, and so with all his wits about him, he kept himself alert for any contingency. It was well that he did this, for before they had proceeded another mile, the ice began to grow thinner, and before they could retreat there was a sudden crash and all three were precipitated into the water.

チアウはたいそう鋭く聡い頭の持ち主だったので、こうした危険を告げる不穏なしるしにすっかり怯えた。とくに氷が割れはじめ、あらゆる方向から大きな長い音が響いてくるとなおさらだった。もう一つ、たいそう怪しいのは、ずっと見失わずにいた商人の一行がふいに姿を消したことだった。何かがおかしいとチアウは固く確信し、全身の知恵を働かせて、どんな事態にも備えて油断なく身構えた。そうしておいてよかった。というのも、あと一マイルも進まないうちに氷はしだいに薄くなり、引き返す間もなく、突然めりめりと音がして、三人とも水のなかへ投げ出されたからである。

Hardly had Chiau's feet touched the river, than with a superhuman effort he made a spring into the air, and was soon flying with incredible speed in the direction of the Western Heaven, to invoke the aid of the Goddess of Mercy to deliver Sam-Chung from the hands of an enemy who would show him no quarter.

チアウの足が川に触れたかと思うと、チアウは人間離れした力で宙へ跳び上がり、たちまち信じられないほどの速さで西天の方角へ飛んでいった。容赦というものを知らない敵の手から三蔵を救ってくれるよう、観音に助けを乞うためである。

In the meanwhile Sam-Chung and Chu were borne swiftly by the demons, who were eagerly awaiting their immersion in the water, to the great cave that lay deep down at the bottom of the mighty river. Chu, being an immortal and a special messenger of the Goddess, defied all the arts of the evil spirits to injure him, so that all they could do was to imprison him in one of the inner grottoes and station a guard over him to prevent his escape. Sam-Chung, however, was doomed to death, and the Demon, in revenge for the disgrace he had brought upon him, and in the hope of prolonging his own life by a thousand years, decided that on the morrow he would feast upon his flesh. But he made his plans without taking into consideration the fact that Sam-Chung was an especial favourite with the Goddess.

そのあいだに、三蔵とチューは、二人が水に落ちるのを今か今かと待ち構えていた魔物どもによって、大河の底深くにある大きな洞穴へすばやく運ばれていった。チューは不死の者であり観音の特別な使者だったので、悪霊どものどんな術も彼を傷つけることはできず、魔物たちにできたのは、奥の岩屋の一つに閉じ込め、逃げ出さないよう見張りを置くことだけだった。けれども三蔵は死ぬ定めとされた。魔物は自分にもたらされた恥辱の仕返しに、また自分の命を千年延ばそうと、明日その肉を食らうことに決めた。けれども魔物は、三蔵が観音にとりわけ目をかけられているという事実を勘定に入れずに、その計画を立てたのだった。

During the night a tremendous commotion occurred. The waters of the river fled in every direction as before the blast of a hurricane, and the caverns where the demons were assembled were illuminated with a light so brilliant that their eyes became dazzled, and for a time were blinded by the sudden blaze that flashed from every corner. Screaming with terror, they fled in all directions. Only one remained, and that was the fierce spirit who had wrought such sorrow amongst the people of the land near by. He too would have disappeared with the rest, had not some supernatural power chained him to the spot where he stood.

その夜、ものすごい騒ぎが起こった。川の水は大風に吹き払われるように四方へ逃げ去り、魔物どもが集まっている洞穴は、あまりにまばゆい光に照らされて、その目はくらみ、隅々からひらめく突然の閃光にしばらく何も見えなくなった。恐ろしさに金切り声をあげて、魔物どもは四方へ逃げ散った。残ったのはただ一匹、近くの土地の人々にあれほどの悲しみをもたらしてきたあの猛々しい霊だけだった。何か超自然の力が彼を立っている場所に縛りつけていなければ、あの魔物もほかの者たちと一緒に姿を消していたことだろう。

Soon the noble figure of the Goddess of Mercy appeared, accompanied by a splendid train of Fairies who hovered round her to do her bidding. Her first act was to release Sam-Chung, who lay bound ready for his death, which but for her interposition would have taken place within a few hours. He and his two companions were entrusted to the care of a chosen number of her followers, and conveyed with all speed across the river.

まもなく観音の気高い姿が、その命に従おうとまわりに舞う仙女たちの華やかな行列を従えて現れた。観音がまず行ったのは、縛られて死を待つばかりに横たえられていた三蔵を解き放つことだった。観音のとりなしがなければ、その死は数時間のうちに訪れていたにちがいない。三蔵と二人の供は選ばれた幾人かの従者の手に託され、大急ぎで川の向こうへ送り届けられた。

The Goddess then gave a command to some who stood near her person, and in a moment, as if by a flash of lightning, the cowering, terrified Demon had vanished, carried away to be confined in one of the dungeons where persistent haters of mankind are kept imprisoned, until their hearts are changed by some noble sentiment of compassion and the Goddess sees that they are once more fit for liberty.

それから観音が側近く控える者たちに一言命じると、一瞬のうちに、稲妻がひらめいたかのように、身をすくめて怯えていた魔物は消え失せた。人類を憎み続ける者たちが閉じ込められる牢獄の一つへ連れ去られたのである。そこで彼らは、何か気高い慈悲の心によってその心が変わり、観音がふたたび自由を与えてよいと見るまで、囚われの身となるのだった。

And then the lights died out, and the sounds of fairy voices ceased. The waters of the river, which had been under a divine spell, returned to their course, and the Goddess with her magnificent train of beneficent spirits departed to her kingdom in the far-off Western Heaven.

やがて光は消え、仙女たちの声もやんだ。神の呪文にかけられていた川の水はもとの流れに戻り、観音は慈悲深い霊たちの壮麗な行列を従えて、遠い西天の自らの国へと去っていった。