The Water of Life

Long before you or I were born, there reigned, in a country a great way off, a king who had three sons. This king once fell very ill--so ill that nobody thought he could live. His sons were very much grieved at their father’s sickness; and as they were walking together very mournfully in the garden of the palace, a little old man met them and asked what was the matter. They told him that their father was very ill, and that they were afraid nothing could save him. ‘I know what would,’ said the little old man; ‘it is the Water of Life. If he could have a draught of it he would be well again; but it is very hard to get.’ Then the eldest son said, ‘I will soon find it’: and he went to the sick king, and begged that he might go in search of the Water of Life, as it was the only thing that could save him. ‘No,’ said the king. ‘I had rather die than place you in such great danger as you must meet with in your journey.’ But he begged so hard that the king let him go; and the prince thought to himself, ‘If I bring my father this water, he will make me sole heir to his kingdom.’

あなたやわたしが生まれるずっと前、遠い遠い国に、三人の息子を持つ王が治めていた。この王があるときひどく病んだ——もう生きられまいと誰もが思うほどだった。息子たちは父の病を深く嘆き、宮殿の庭をたいそう悲しげに歩いていると、小さな老人が出会って、どうしたのかと尋ねた。息子たちは、父がひどく病んでいて、もう何も救えないのではないかと恐れていると話した。「救えるものを知っているぞ」と小さな老人は言った。「命の水だ。それを一口飲めばまた元気になる。だがたいそう手に入れにくい。」すると長男が言った。「わたしがすぐに見つけましょう。」そして病んだ王のところへ行き、命の水を探しに行かせてくださいと願った。それだけが父を救えるものだからである。「いかん」と王は言った。「旅で出会うに違いないそのような大きな危険に、おまえを置くくらいなら死んだ方がましだ。」けれども長男があまりに熱心に頼むので、王は行かせた。そして王子は心の中で思った。「この水を父上に持ち帰れば、わたしを王国のただ一人の世継ぎにしてくださるだろう。」

Then he set out: and when he had gone on his way some time he came to a deep valley, overhung with rocks and woods; and as he looked around, he saw standing above him on one of the rocks a little ugly dwarf, with a sugarloaf cap and a scarlet cloak; and the dwarf called to him and said, ‘Prince, whither so fast?’ ‘What is that to thee, you ugly imp?’ said the prince haughtily, and rode on.

そこで長男は旅立った。しばらく行くと、岩と森が覆いかぶさる深い谷に来た。あたりを見回すと、岩の一つの上に、砂糖菓子のような尖り帽子と緋色の外套をまとった、小さな醜い小人が立っているのが見えた。そして小人が呼びかけた。「王子よ、そんなに急いでどこへ?」「おまえに何の関わりがある、この醜い小鬼め」と王子は高慢に言って、馬を進めた。

But the dwarf was enraged at his behaviour, and laid a fairy spell of ill-luck upon him; so that as he rode on the mountain pass became narrower and narrower, and at last the way was so straitened that he could not go to step forward: and when he thought to have turned his horse round and go back the way he came, he heard a loud laugh ringing round him, and found that the path was closed behind him, so that he was shut in all round. He next tried to get off his horse and make his way on foot, but again the laugh rang in his ears, and he found himself unable to move a step, and thus he was forced to abide spellbound.

けれども小人はその振る舞いに腹を立て、不運の魔法をかけた。それで王子が馬を進めるにつれ、山道はだんだん狭くなり、とうとう道はあまりに狭まって、一歩も前へ進めなくなった。そして馬の向きを変えて来た道を戻ろうと思ったとき、大きな笑い声があたりに響き渡り、後ろの道も閉ざされて、四方から閉じ込められたと分かった。次に馬を降りて歩いて行こうとしたが、また笑い声が耳に響き、一歩も動けないと分かった。こうして王子は魔法にかけられたままとどまるほかなかった。

Meantime the old king was lingering on in daily hope of his son’s return, till at last the second son said, ‘Father, I will go in search of the Water of Life.’ For he thought to himself, ‘My brother is surely dead, and the kingdom will fall to me if I find the water.’ The king was at first very unwilling to let him go, but at last yielded to his wish. So he set out and followed the same road which his brother had done, and met with the same elf, who stopped him at the same spot in the mountains, saying, as before, ‘Prince, prince, whither so fast?’ ‘Mind your own affairs, busybody!’ said the prince scornfully, and rode on.

そのあいだ年老いた王は、息子が帰るのを日ごとに待ちわびていた。そしてとうとう次男が言った。「お父さん、わたしが命の水を探しに行きます。」心の中でこう思ったからである。「兄はきっと死んだ。あの水を見つければ、王国はわたしのものになる。」王は初めたいそう行かせたがらなかったが、とうとうその願いに折れた。そこで次男は旅立ち、兄が通ったのと同じ道をたどり、同じ小人に出会った。小人は山の同じ場所で行く手をふさぎ、前と同じように言った。「王子よ、王子よ、そんなに急いでどこへ?」「自分のことだけ気にかけていろ、お節介め!」と王子は侮って言い、馬を進めた。

But the dwarf put the same spell upon him as he put on his elder brother, and he, too, was at last obliged to take up his abode in the heart of the mountains. Thus it is with proud silly people, who think themselves above everyone else, and are too proud to ask or take advice.

けれども小人は、兄にかけたのと同じ魔法をかけ、この王子もとうとう山の奥に住まうはめになった。高慢な愚か者とはこういうもので、自分が誰よりも上だと思い、高慢すぎて知恵を乞うことも受けることもしないのである。

When the second prince had thus been gone a long time, the youngest son said he would go and search for the Water of Life, and trusted he should soon be able to make his father well again. So he set out, and the dwarf met him too at the same spot in the valley, among the mountains, and said, ‘Prince, whither so fast?’ And the prince said, ‘I am going in search of the Water of Life, because my father is ill, and like to die: can you help me? Pray be kind, and aid me if you can!’ ‘Do you know where it is to be found?’ asked the dwarf. ‘No,’ said the prince, ‘I do not. Pray tell me if you know.’ ‘Then as you have spoken to me kindly, and are wise enough to seek for advice, I will tell you how and where to go. The water you seek springs from a well in an enchanted castle; and, that you may be able to reach it in safety, I will give you an iron wand and two little loaves of bread; strike the iron door of the castle three times with the wand, and it will open: two hungry lions will be lying down inside gaping for their prey, but if you throw them the bread they will let you pass; then hasten on to the well, and take some of the Water of Life before the clock strikes twelve; for if you tarry longer the door will shut upon you for ever.’

二番めの王子も出かけたきり長くなったころ、いちばん下の息子が、自分が命の水を探しに行く、そしてきっとじきに父を治してみせると言った。そこで末の王子も旅立ち、小人は山あいの谷の同じ場所で出会って言った。「王子よ、そんなに急いでどこへ?」すると王子は言った。「命の水を探しに行くところです。父が病んで死にかけているので。助けてもらえませんか? どうかご親切に、できるなら力を貸してください!」「どこにあるか知っているのか?」と小人は尋ねた。「いいえ」と王子は言った。「知りません。ご存じならどうか教えてください。」「では、おまえはわたしに親切に話しかけ、知恵を求めるだけの賢さもあるのだから、どこへどう行くか教えてやろう。おまえの求める水は、魔法にかけられた城の井戸から湧いている。そして無事にそこへ行けるように、鉄の杖とパンを二つやろう。城の鉄の扉を杖で三度打て、そうすれば開く。中には腹をすかせた獅子が二頭、獲物を待って口を開けて寝そべっているが、パンを投げてやれば通してくれる。それから井戸へ急いで、十二時が打つ前に命の水を汲むのだ。それより長くぐずぐずすれば、扉は永久に閉じておまえを閉じ込めてしまう。」

Then the prince thanked his little friend with the scarlet cloak for his friendly aid, and took the wand and the bread, and went travelling on and on, over sea and over land, till he came to his journey’s end, and found everything to be as the dwarf had told him. The door flew open at the third stroke of the wand, and when the lions were quieted he went on through the castle and came at length to a beautiful hall. Around it he saw several knights sitting in a trance; then he pulled off their rings and put them on his own fingers. In another room he saw on a table a sword and a loaf of bread, which he also took. Further on he came to a room where a beautiful young lady sat upon a couch; and she welcomed him joyfully, and said, if he would set her free from the spell that bound her, the kingdom should be his, if he would come back in a year and marry her. Then she told him that the well that held the Water of Life was in the palace gardens; and bade him make haste, and draw what he wanted before the clock struck twelve.

そこで王子は、緋色の外套の小さな友に親切な助けを感謝し、杖とパンを取って、海を越え陸を越えてどこまでも旅し、とうとう旅の果てに着いて、何もかも小人の言った通りだと知った。杖の三度目の一打ちで扉はぱっと開き、獅子たちが静まると、王子は城を抜けて進み、とうとう美しい広間に来た。そのまわりには何人もの騎士が昏睡して座っているのが見えた。そこで王子は彼らの指輪を抜き取って自分の指にはめた。別の部屋では卓の上に剣とパンが一斤あるのを見つけ、これも取った。さらに進むと、美しい若い姫が長椅子に座っている部屋に来た。姫は喜んで王子を迎え、自分を縛る魔法から解いてくれるなら王国はあなたのものです、一年後に戻って結婚してくださるなら、と言った。そして命の水を湛える井戸は宮殿の庭にあると教え、十二時が打つ前に急いで汲むようにと言った。

He walked on; and as he walked through beautiful gardens he came to a delightful shady spot in which stood a couch; and he thought to himself, as he felt tired, that he would rest himself for a while, and gaze on the lovely scenes around him. So he laid himself down, and sleep fell upon him unawares, so that he did not wake up till the clock was striking a quarter to twelve. Then he sprang from the couch dreadfully frightened, ran to the well, filled a cup that was standing by him full of water, and hastened to get away in time. Just as he was going out of the iron door it struck twelve, and the door fell so quickly upon him that it snapped off a piece of his heel.

王子は歩いて行った。そして美しい庭を抜けて行くうちに、長椅子の置かれた心地よい木陰に来た。疲れを覚えていたので、しばらく休んで、あたりの美しい眺めを眺めようと思った。そこで身を横たえると、思いがけず眠りが襲い、時計が十二時十五分前を打つまで目が覚めなかった。王子はひどく驚いて長椅子から跳び起き、井戸へ走り、そばにあった杯に水をいっぱい満たし、間に合ううちに急いで出ようとした。鉄の扉を出ようとしたちょうどそのとき十二時が打ち、扉はあまりに速く閉じたので、王子の踵の一片を食いちぎった。

When he found himself safe, he was overjoyed to think that he had got the Water of Life; and as he was going on his way homewards, he passed by the little dwarf, who, when he saw the sword and the loaf, said, ‘You have made a noble prize; with the sword you can at a blow slay whole armies, and the bread will never fail you.’ Then the prince thought to himself, ‘I cannot go home to my father without my brothers’; so he said, ‘My dear friend, cannot you tell me where my two brothers are, who set out in search of the Water of Life before me, and never came back?’ ‘I have shut them up by a charm between two mountains,’ said the dwarf, ‘because they were proud and ill-behaved, and scorned to ask advice.’ The prince begged so hard for his brothers, that the dwarf at last set them free, though unwillingly, saying, ‘Beware of them, for they have bad hearts.’ Their brother, however, was greatly rejoiced to see them, and told them all that had happened to him; how he had found the Water of Life, and had taken a cup full of it; and how he had set a beautiful princess free from a spell that bound her; and how she had engaged to wait a whole year, and then to marry him, and to give him the kingdom.

無事だと分かると、王子は命の水を手に入れたと思って大喜びした。そして家路をたどるうちに、あの小さな小人のそばを通りかかった。小人は剣とパンを見ると言った。「見事な獲物を手に入れたな。その剣があれば一打ちで軍勢をまるごと討てるし、そのパンは決して尽きぬ。」そこで王子は心の中で思った。「兄たちなしに父上のところへは帰れない。」そして言った。「友よ、わたしより先に命の水を探しに出て、帰って来なかった二人の兄が、どこにいるか教えてもらえませんか?」「あの二人なら魔法で二つの山のあいだに閉じ込めた」と小人は言った。「高慢で行儀が悪く、知恵を乞うことを侮ったからだ。」王子が兄たちのためにあまり熱心に頼むので、小人はとうとう気は進まぬながら二人を解き放ち、こう言った。「気をつけろ、あの者たちは心が悪い。」けれども弟は兄たちに会えてたいそう喜び、自分の身に起こったことをみな話した。どうやって命の水を見つけ、杯に一杯汲んだか。どうやって美しい姫を縛る魔法から解いたか。そして姫が丸一年待って、それから自分と結婚し、王国を与えると約束したことを。

Then they all three rode on together, and on their way home came to a country that was laid waste by war and a dreadful famine, so that it was feared all must die for want. But the prince gave the king of the land the bread, and all his kingdom ate of it. And he lent the king the wonderful sword, and he slew the enemy’s army with it; and thus the kingdom was once more in peace and plenty. In the same manner he befriended two other countries through which they passed on their way.

それから三人は一緒に馬を進め、帰る道すがら、戦といまわしい飢饉で荒れ果て、みな餓えて死ぬかと恐れられている国に来た。けれども王子はその国の王にパンを与え、王国じゅうがそれを食べた。そして不思議な剣を王に貸し、王はそれで敵の軍勢を討ち滅ぼした。こうしてその国はふたたび平和と豊かさを取り戻した。王子は道すがら通ったほかの二つの国にも、同じように恵みをもたらした。

When they came to the sea, they got into a ship and during their voyage the two eldest said to themselves, ‘Our brother has got the water which we could not find, therefore our father will forsake us and give him the kingdom, which is our right’; so they were full of envy and revenge, and agreed together how they could ruin him. Then they waited till he was fast asleep, and poured the Water of Life out of the cup, and took it for themselves, giving him bitter sea-water instead.

海に着くと三人は船に乗った。そして航海のあいだ、上の二人は心の中で言った。「弟はおれたちに見つけられなかった水を手に入れた。だから父上はおれたちを見放して、本来おれたちのものである王国をあれにやってしまうだろう。」それで二人は妬みと復讐心でいっぱいになり、どうすれば弟を破滅させられるかを話し合った。そして弟が深く眠り込むのを待って、杯から命の水を注ぎ出して自分たちのものにし、代わりに苦い海の水を入れておいた。

When they came to their journey’s end, the youngest son brought his cup to the sick king, that he might drink and be healed. Scarcely, however, had he tasted the bitter sea-water when he became worse even than he was before; and then both the elder sons came in, and blamed the youngest for what they had done; and said that he wanted to poison their father, but that they had found the Water of Life, and had brought it with them. He no sooner began to drink of what they brought him, than he felt his sickness leave him, and was as strong and well as in his younger days. Then they went to their brother, and laughed at him, and said, ‘Well, brother, you found the Water of Life, did you? You have had the trouble and we shall have the reward. Pray, with all your cleverness, why did not you manage to keep your eyes open? Next year one of us will take away your beautiful princess, if you do not take care. You had better say nothing about this to our father, for he does not believe a word you say; and if you tell tales, you shall lose your life into the bargain: but be quiet, and we will let you off.’

旅の終わりに着くと、末の息子は杯を病んだ王のところへ持って行き、飲んで癒えてほしいと願った。ところが王は苦い海の水を口にするやいなや、前よりもさらに悪くなった。するとそこへ上の二人の息子が入って来て、自分たちのしたことで末の弟を責め、弟は父上を毒殺しようとしたのだ、けれども自分たちが命の水を見つけて持ち帰ったのだと言った。そして王はその水を飲み始めるやいなや、病が去るのを感じ、若い日と同じように強く健やかになった。そこで二人は弟のところへ行って笑い、こう言った。「なあ弟よ、おまえが命の水を見つけたのだったな? 苦労はおまえがして、褒美はおれたちがもらう。それだけ利口なのに、なぜ目を開けておけなかったのだ? 気をつけないと、来年はおれたちのどちらかがおまえの美しい姫を奪うぞ。このことは父上に言わぬ方がいい。父上はおまえの言うことを一言も信じないからな。それに告げ口すれば、おまけに命も失うぞ。だが黙っていれば見逃してやる。」

The old king was still very angry with his youngest son, and thought that he really meant to have taken away his life; so he called his court together, and asked what should be done, and all agreed that he ought to be put to death. The prince knew nothing of what was going on, till one day, when the king’s chief huntsmen went a-hunting with him, and they were alone in the wood together, the huntsman looked so sorrowful that the prince said, ‘My friend, what is the matter with you?’ ‘I cannot and dare not tell you,’ said he. But the prince begged very hard, and said, ‘Only tell me what it is, and do not think I shall be angry, for I will forgive you.’ ‘Alas!’ said the huntsman; ‘the king has ordered me to shoot you.’ The prince started at this, and said, ‘Let me live, and I will change dresses with you; you shall take my royal coat to show to my father, and do you give me your shabby one.’ ‘With all my heart,’ said the huntsman; ‘I am sure I shall be glad to save you, for I could not have shot you.’ Then he took the prince’s coat, and gave him the shabby one, and went away through the wood.

年老いた王はまだ末の息子にひどく腹を立てていて、本当に自分の命を奪おうとしたのだと思っていた。そこで宮廷を召集し、どうすべきかと尋ねると、みな死罪にすべきだと言った。王子はこの成り行きを何も知らなかった。ところがある日、王の狩人頭と二人きりで狩りに出て森にいたとき、狩人があまりに悲しげな顔をしているので、王子は言った。「友よ、どうしたのだ?」「申し上げることはできませんし、その勇気もありません」と狩人は言った。けれども王子はたいそう熱心に頼んで言った。「何であれ言ってくれ。怒るなどと思うな、許してやるから。」「ああ!」と狩人は言った。「王さまがあなたを撃てとお命じになったのです。」王子はこれに驚いて言った。「わたしを生かしてくれ。おまえと着物を取り替えよう。わたしの王子の上着を父上に見せるがいい。おまえのぼろの上着をわたしにくれ。」「喜んで」と狩人は言った。「あなたを救えるのは本当に嬉しい。わたしにはとても撃てませんでした。」そして王子の上着を取り、ぼろの上着を渡して、森を抜けて去った。

Some time after, three grand embassies came to the old king’s court, with rich gifts of gold and precious stones for his youngest son; now all these were sent from the three kings to whom he had lent his sword and loaf of bread, in order to rid them of their enemy and feed their people. This touched the old king’s heart, and he thought his son might still be guiltless, and said to his court, ‘O that my son were still alive! how it grieves me that I had him killed!’ ‘He is still alive,’ said the huntsman; ‘and I am glad that I had pity on him, but let him go in peace, and brought home his royal coat.’ At this the king was overwhelmed with joy, and made it known throughout all his kingdom, that if his son would come back to his court he would forgive him.

しばらくして、三つの立派な使節団が年老いた王の宮廷に来た。末の王子のために、黄金と宝石の豪華な贈り物を携えていた。それはみな、敵を退け民を養うために王子が剣とパンを貸した三人の王から送られたものだった。これが年老いた王の心を打ち、息子はやはり罪がなかったのではないかと思って、宮廷にこう言った。「ああ、息子が生きていてくれたら! 殺させてしまったことが、どれほど悔やまれることか!」「あの方はまだ生きておられます」と狩人は言った。「そしてわたしはあの方を憐れんで、無事に行かせ、王子の上着を持ち帰ったことを喜んでおります。」これを聞いて王は喜びに打ちのめされ、息子が宮廷に戻って来るなら許すと、王国じゅうに触れを出した。

Meanwhile the princess was eagerly waiting till her deliverer should come back; and had a road made leading up to her palace all of shining gold; and told her courtiers that whoever came on horseback, and rode straight up to the gate upon it, was her true lover; and that they must let him in: but whoever rode on one side of it, they must be sure was not the right one; and that they must send him away at once.

そのあいだ姫は、自分を救った人が戻って来るのを熱心に待っていた。そして宮殿まで続く道を、すべて輝く黄金で作らせた。そして廷臣たちに、馬に乗ってその上をまっすぐ門まで来る者こそ自分の本当の恋人だから、必ず中へ入れるように、けれども道の脇を通って来る者は間違いなく違うのだから、すぐに追い返すようにと言いつけた。

The time soon came, when the eldest brother thought that he would make haste to go to the princess, and say that he was the one who had set her free, and that he should have her for his wife, and the kingdom with her. As he came before the palace and saw the golden road, he stopped to look at it, and he thought to himself, ‘It is a pity to ride upon this beautiful road’; so he turned aside and rode on the right-hand side of it. But when he came to the gate, the guards, who had seen the road he took, said to him, he could not be what he said he was, and must go about his business.

やがてその時が来た。いちばん上の兄が、急いで姫のところへ行って、自分こそ姫を自由にした者だ、だから姫を妻にし、それとともに王国も得るべきだと言おうと思い立った。ところが宮殿の前に来て黄金の道を見ると、立ち止まって眺め、心の中で思った。「この美しい道の上を馬で行くのは惜しい。」そこで脇へそれ、道の右側を進んだ。けれども門に来ると、どの道を通ったか見ていた衛兵たちが、あなたは名乗る通りの人ではありえない、自分の用に戻れと言った。

The second prince set out soon afterwards on the same errand; and when he came to the golden road, and his horse had set one foot upon it, he stopped to look at it, and thought it very beautiful, and said to himself, ‘What a pity it is that anything should tread here!’ Then he too turned aside and rode on the left side of it. But when he came to the gate the guards said he was not the true prince, and that he too must go away about his business; and away he went.

二番めの王子もまもなく同じ用事で出かけた。そして黄金の道に来て、馬が片足をそこに載せると、立ち止まって眺め、たいそう美しいと思って心の中で言った。「ここを何かが踏むなど、なんと惜しいことか!」そこでこの王子も脇へそれ、道の左側を進んだ。けれども門に来ると、衛兵たちはあなたは本当の王子ではない、自分の用に戻れと言い、王子は去って行った。

Now when the full year was come round, the third brother left the forest in which he had lain hid for fear of his father’s anger, and set out in search of his betrothed bride. So he journeyed on, thinking of her all the way, and rode so quickly that he did not even see what the road was made of, but went with his horse straight over it; and as he came to the gate it flew open, and the princess welcomed him with joy, and said he was her deliverer, and should now be her husband and lord of the kingdom. When the first joy at their meeting was over, the princess told him she had heard of his father having forgiven him, and of his wish to have him home again: so, before his wedding with the princess, he went to visit his father, taking her with him. Then he told him everything; how his brothers had cheated and robbed him, and yet that he had borne all those wrongs for the love of his father. And the old king was very angry, and wanted to punish his wicked sons; but they made their escape, and got into a ship and sailed away over the wide sea, and where they went to nobody knew and nobody cared.

さて丸一年がめぐって来ると、三番めの弟は、父の怒りを恐れて隠れていた森を出て、許嫁の花嫁を探しに出かけた。そして道々姫のことばかり考えながら旅し、たいそう速く馬を駆ったので、道が何でできているかさえ目に入らず、馬とともにまっすぐその上を行った。そして門に来ると門はぱっと開き、姫は喜んで迎え、この人こそ自分を救った人であり、いまや自分の夫、王国の主となるべき人だと言った。再会の最初の喜びが過ぎると、姫は、父上が王子を許し、また家へ迎えたがっていると聞いたと告げた。そこで王子は姫との婚礼の前に、姫を連れて父を訪ねに行った。そして何もかも話した。兄たちがどうやって自分を欺き奪ったか、それでも父への愛ゆえにその仕打ちをみな耐えたことを。年老いた王はたいそう怒り、邪な息子たちを罰しようとした。けれども二人は逃げ出し、船に乗って広い海を渡って行ってしまい、どこへ行ったかは誰も知らず、誰も気にかけなかった。

And now the old king gathered together his court, and asked all his kingdom to come and celebrate the wedding of his son and the princess. And young and old, noble and squire, gentle and simple, came at once on the summons; and among the rest came the friendly dwarf, with the sugarloaf hat, and a new scarlet cloak.

そして年老いた王は宮廷を集め、息子と姫の婚礼を祝いに来るよう王国じゅうに呼びかけた。すると老いも若きも、貴族も郷士も、身分ある者もない者も、その召しに応じてすぐにやって来た。そしてそのなかに、あの砂糖菓子のような尖り帽子と、新しい緋色の外套をまとった、親切な小人も来ていた。

And the wedding was held, and the merry bells run. And all the good people they danced and they sung, And feasted and frolick’d I can’t tell how long.

そして婚礼は執り行われ、陽気な鐘が鳴り渡った。善き人々はみな踊り歌い、宴を張って浮かれ騒いだ。それがどれほど長く続いたかは、わたしには言えない。