Riquet with the Tuft

There was, once upon a time, a Queen, who was brought to bed of a son, so hideously ugly, that it was long disputed, whether he had human form. A Fairy, who was at his birth, affirmed, he would be very lovable for all that, since he should be indowed with abundance of wit. She even added, that it would be in his power, by virtue of a gift she had just then given him, to bestow on the person he most loved as much wit as he pleased. All this somewhat comforted the poor Queen, who was under a grievous affliction for having brought into the world such an ugly brat. It is true, that this child no sooner began to prattle, but he said a thousand pretty things, and that in all his actions there was something so taking, that he charmed every-body. I forgot to tell you, that he came into the world with a little tuft of hair upon his head, which made them call him Riquet with the Tuft, for Riquet was the family name.

むかしむかし、ある王妃が王子を産んだが、その子はあまりに醜かったので、人の姿をしているのかどうかさえ長いあいだ議論されたほどであった。誕生の場に居合わせた妖精は、それでもこの子はたいそう愛される者になるだろう、なぜなら才気をたっぷり授かるのだから、と請け合った。妖精はさらに、いま自分が授けた贈り物の力によって、この子はいちばん愛する人に、望むだけの才気を分け与えることができるだろう、とも言い添えた。こんな醜い子をこの世に産んでしまったとひどく嘆いていた気の毒な王妃は、これでいくらか慰められた。実際、この子は片言をしゃべりはじめるとすぐに気の利いたことを千も言い、そのふるまいのすべてにたいそう人を惹きつけるところがあったので、誰もがこの子に心を奪われた。言い忘れていたが、この子は頭にちょっとした巻き毛の房をつけて生まれてきたので、人々はこの子を「巻き毛のリケ」と呼んだ。リケというのはこの一族の名だったのである。

Seven or eight years after this, the Queen of a neighbouring kingdom was delivered of two daughters at a birth. The first-born of these was beautiful beyond compare, whereat the Queen was so very glad, that those present were afraid that her excess of joy would do her harm. The same Fairy, who had assisted at the birth of little Riquet with the Tuft, was here also; and, to moderate the Queen's gladness, she declared, that this little Princess should have no wit at all, but be as stupid as she was pretty. This mortified the Queen extreamly, but some moments afterwards she had far greater sorrow; for, the second daughter she was delivered of, was very ugly.

それから七、八年たって、隣の王国の王妃が双子の姫を産んだ。先に生まれた姫はたとえようもなく美しかったので、王妃は大喜びし、居合わせた人々はその喜びようがかえって王妃の体に障るのではないかと心配したほどであった。小さな巻き毛のリケの誕生に立ち会ったあの妖精がここにもいて、王妃の喜びを和らげようと、この小さな姫は才気をまったく持たず、美しいのと同じくらい愚かになるだろうと告げた。王妃はこれにひどく落胆したが、しばらくすると、もっと大きな悲しみに見舞われた。二番目に産んだ姫が、たいそう醜かったのである。

"Do not afflict yourself so much, Madam," said the Fairy; "your daughter shall have so great a portion of wit, that her want of beauty will scarcely be perceived."

「そんなにお嘆きにならないでください、お妃さま」と妖精は言った。「この姫には才気をたっぷりと授けますから、器量のよくないことなど、ほとんど気づかれないでしょう」

"God grant it," replied the Queen; "but is there no way to make the eldest, who is so pretty, have some little wit?"

「どうかそうなりますように」と王妃は答えた。「でも、あんなに美しい上の子に、少しでも才気を持たせてやる手立てはないものでしょうか」

"I can do nothing for her, Madam, as to wit," answered the Fairy, "but everything as to beauty; and as there is nothing but what I would do for your satisfaction, I give her for gift, that she shall have the power to make handsome the person who shall best please her."

「才気については、お妃さま、あの姫に何もしてさしあげられません」と妖精は答えた。「けれども美しさについてなら何でもできます。お妃さまのお気に召すためなら何でもいたしますので、あの姫には、いちばん気に入った人を美しくする力を贈り物として授けましょう」

As these Princesses grew up, their perfections grew up with them; all the public talk was of the beauty of the eldest, and the wit of the youngest. It is true also that their defects increased considerably with their age; the youngest visibly grew uglier and uglier, and the eldest became every day more and more stupid; she either made no answer at all to what was asked her, or said something very silly; she was with all this so unhandy, that she could not place four pieces of china upon the mantlepiece, without breaking one of them, nor drink a glass of water without spilling half of it upon her cloaths. Tho' beauty is a very great advantage in young people, yet here the youngest sister bore away the bell, almost always, in all companies from the eldest; people would indeed, go first to the Beauty to look upon, and admire her, but turn aside soon after to the Wit, to hear a thousand most entertaining and agreeable turns, and it was amazing to see, in less than a quarter of an hour's time, the eldest with not a soul with her and the whole company crowding about the youngest. The eldest, tho' she was unaccountably dull, could not but notice it, and would have given all her beauty to have half the wit of her sister. The Queen, prudent as she was, could not help reproaching her several times, which had like to have made this poor Princess die for grief.

姫たちが大きくなるにつれて、その長所も育っていった。世間の噂は、上の姫の美しさと下の姫の才気のことでもちきりであった。けれども、年を重ねるにつれて二人の欠点もずいぶん大きくなっていったのもほんとうである。下の姫は目に見えて醜くなり、上の姫は日ごとに愚かになっていった。尋ねられても何も答えないか、ひどくばかげたことを言うかであった。そのうえたいそう不器用で、暖炉の飾り棚に陶器を四つ並べようとすれば一つは割ってしまい、水を一杯飲もうとすれば半分は服にこぼしてしまうのだった。美しさは若い者にとってたいそう大きな強みではあるが、どこの集まりでも、たいていは下の姫が上の姫よりも人気をさらった。人々はたしかにまず美しい姫のもとへ行って眺め、見とれはするが、すぐに向きを変えて才気ある姫のほうへ行き、千もの楽しく気の利いた言葉に耳を傾けるのだった。十五分もたたないうちに、上の姫のそばには誰もいなくなり、一座の者がみな下の姫のまわりに群がっているのは驚くべき眺めであった。上の姫は、ひどく鈍かったとはいえ、それに気づかずにはいられず、妹の才気の半分でも手に入るなら、自分の美しさをすべて差し出してもよいと思った。王妃は分別のある人だったが、何度か姫を叱らずにはいられず、そのためにこの気の毒な姫は悲しみのあまり死にそうになったほどであった。

One day, as she retired into the wood to bewail her misfortune, she saw, coming to her, a little man, very disagreeable, but most magnificently dressed. This was the young Prince Riquet with the Tuft, who having fallen in love with her, by seeing her picture, many of which went all the world over, had left his father's kingdom, to have the pleasure of seeing and talking with her.

ある日、自分の不幸を嘆こうと森に引きこもっていると、姫は、たいそう見苦しいが実にきらびやかな身なりをした小男が、こちらへやって来るのを見た。それは若い王子の巻き毛のリケであった。世界じゅうに出回っている姫の肖像画を見て恋に落ち、姫に会って話をする喜びを得ようと、父王の国をあとにしてきたのである。

Overjoyed to find her thus all alone, he addressed himself to her with all imaginable politeness and respect. Having observed, after he had made her the ordinary compliments, that she was extremely melancholy, he said to her:

姫がこうして一人きりでいるのを見つけて大喜びしたリケは、考えられるかぎりの礼儀と敬意をもって姫に話しかけた。ひととおりの挨拶を述べたあと、姫がひどくふさぎ込んでいるのに気づいて、リケは言った。

"I cannot comprehend, Madam, how a person so beautiful as you are, can be so sorrowful as you seem to be; for tho' I can boast of having seen infinite numbers of ladies exquisitely charming, I can say that I never beheld any one whose beauty approaches yours."

「わたしにはわかりかねます、姫。あなたほどお美しい方が、どうしてそんなに悲しげにしていらっしゃるのか。わたしはこれまで、この上なく魅力的な貴婦人をそれこそ数えきれないほど見てきたと自慢できますが、あなたのお美しさに近い方には一人としてお目にかかったことがありません」

"You are pleased to say so," answered the Princess, and here she stopped.

「そうおっしゃってくださるのね」と姫は答え、そこで黙ってしまった。

"Beauty," replied Riquet with the Tuft, "is such a great advantage, that it ought to take the place of all things; and since you possess this treasure, I see nothing that can possibly very much afflict you."

「美しさというものは」と巻き毛のリケは続けた。「何ものにも代えがたいほど大きな強みです。その宝をお持ちなのですから、あなたをそれほど悲しませるものがあるとは思えません」

"I had far rather," cried the Princess, "be as ugly as you are, and have wit, than have the beauty I possess, and be so stupid as I am."

「わたしはむしろ」と姫は叫んだ。「あなたのように醜くても才気があるほうが、いまの美しさを持っていてこんなに愚かでいるより、ずっといいのです」

"There is nothing, Madam," returned he, "shews more that we have wit, than to believe we have none; and it is the nature of that excellent quality, that the more people have of it, the more they believe they want it."

「姫」と彼は答えた。「自分には才気がないと思うことほど、才気のある証拠はありません。才気というすばらしい性質は、多く持つ人ほど、自分にはそれが足りないと思うものなのです」

"I do not know that," said the Princess; "but I know, very well, that I am very senseless, and thence proceeds the vexation which almost kills me."

「そんなことはわかりません」と姫は言った。「でも、自分がひどく愚かなことはよくわかっています。それで死ぬほど悔しいのです」

"If that be all, Madam, which troubles you, I can very easily put an end to your affliction."

「お悩みがそれだけでしたら、姫、そのお苦しみはたやすく終わらせてさしあげられます」

"And how will you do that?" cried the Princess.

「どうやって終わらせるというの?」と姫は叫んだ。

"I have the power, Madam," replied Riquet with the Tuft, "to give to that person whom I shall love best, as much wit as can be had; and as you, Madam, are that very person, it will be your fault only, if you have not as great a share of it as any one living, provided you will be pleased to marry me."

「わたしには力があるのです、姫」と巻き毛のリケは答えた。「いちばん愛する人に、手に入るかぎりの才気を与える力が。そして姫、あなたこそがその人なのですから、わたしと結婚すると約束してくださりさえすれば、どなたにも負けないほどの才気をお持ちになれるかどうかは、あなたのお心ひとつなのです」

The Princess remained quite astonished, and answered not a word.

姫はすっかり呆然として、一言も答えなかった。

"I see," replied Riquet with the Tuft, "that this proposal makes you very uneasy, and I do not wonder at it, but I will give you a whole year to consider of it."

「このお申し出にお困りなのはわかります」と巻き毛のリケは言った。「無理もないことです。一年まるごと、お考えになる時間をさしあげましょう」

The Princess had so little wit, and, at the same time, so great a longing to have some, that she imagined the end of that year would never be; therefore she accepted the proposal which was made her. She had no sooner promised Riquet with the Tuft that she would marry him on that day twelvemonth, than she found herself quite otherwise than she was before; she had an incredible facility of speaking whatever she pleased, after a polite, easy, and natural manner; she began that moment a very gallant conversation with Riquet with the Tuft, wherein she tattled at such a rate, that Riquet with the Tuft believed he had given her more wit than he had reserved for himself.

姫は才気がとぼしく、しかも同時に才気がほしくてたまらなかったので、一年の終わりなど永遠に来ないように思えた。そこで姫は申し出を受け入れた。一年後のその日に巻き毛のリケと結婚すると約束したとたん、姫は自分がそれまでとはまるで違っていることに気づいた。思うことを何でも、上品に、くつろいで、自然に話せる驚くほどの力を身につけていたのである。姫はその瞬間から巻き毛のリケと実に洒落た会話を始め、あまりの勢いでしゃべるので、巻き毛のリケは、自分の手元に残したよりも多くの才気を姫に与えてしまったのではないかと思ったほどであった。

When she returned to the palace, the whole Court knew not what to think of such a sudden and extraordinary change; for they heard from her now as much sensible discourse, and as many infinitely witty turns, as they had stupid and silly impertinences before. The whole Court was overjoyed at it beyond imagination; it pleased all but her younger sister; because having no longer the advantage of her in respect of wit, she appeared, in comparison of her, a very disagreeable, homely puss. The King governed himself by her advice, and would even sometimes hold a council in her apartment. The noise of this change spreading every where, all the young Princes of the neighbouring kingdoms strove all they could to gain her favour, and almost all of them asked her in marriage; but she found not one of them had wit enough for her, and she gave them all a hearing, but would not engage herself to any.

姫が宮殿に戻ると、宮廷じゅうの者がこの突然の途方もない変わりように、何と考えてよいかわからなかった。以前は愚かでばかげた無作法ばかり耳にしていたのに、いまでは同じだけ分別のある話と、限りなく気の利いた言葉を姫から聞くのである。宮廷じゅうが想像を絶するほど喜んだ。喜ばなかったのは妹姫だけであった。才気の点でもはや姉にまさるところがなくなり、姉と並ぶと、ひどく見苦しい不器量な娘にしか見えなくなったからである。王は姫の意見に従って政をおこない、ときには姫の部屋で会議を開くことさえあった。この変わりようの噂がいたるところに広まると、近隣の王国の若い王子たちはみな姫の好意を得ようと力を尽くし、ほとんど全員が姫に結婚を申し込んだ。けれども姫には、自分にふさわしいほどの才気を持つ者は一人も見つからず、みなの話を聞きはしたが、誰とも婚約しようとはしなかった。

However, there came one so powerful, rich, witty and handsome, that she could not help having a good inclination for him. Her father perceived it, and told her that she was her own mistress as to the choice of a husband, and that she might declare her intentions. As the more wit we have, the greater difficulty we find to make a firm resolution upon such affairs, this made her desire her father, after having thanked him, to give her time to consider of it.

ところが、あるとき一人の王子がやって来た。たいそう力があり、裕福で、才気にあふれ、美男であったので、姫もその王子にはつい心が傾いてしまった。父王はそれに気づき、夫を選ぶのはおまえの自由だから、心を決めたら言うがよいと姫に言った。才気があればあるほど、このようなことで固く心を決めるのは難しくなるものなので、姫は父に礼を述べたあと、考える時間をくださいと願った。

She went accidentally to walk in the same wood where she met Riquet with the Tuft, to think, the more conveniently, what she ought to do. While she was walking in a profound meditation, she heard a confused noise under her feet, as it were of a great many people who went backwards and forwards, and were very busy. Having listened more attentively, she heard one say:

姫は、どうすべきかをゆっくり考えようと、たまたま、巻き毛のリケに出会ったのと同じ森へ散歩に出かけた。深く考え込みながら歩いていると、足の下から、大勢の人が行ったり来たりして忙しく立ち働いているような、ざわざわした物音が聞こえてきた。耳をすましてよく聞くと、一人がこう言うのが聞こえた。

"Bring me that pot"; another "Give me that kettle"; and a third, "Put some wood upon the fire."

「その鍋をよこせ」。別の者は「そのやかんをくれ」。三人目は「火に薪をくべろ」。

The ground at the same time opened, and she seemingly saw under her feet, a great kitchen full of cooks, scullions, and all sorts of servants necessary for a magnificent entertainment. There came out of it a company of roasters, to the number of twenty, or thirty, who went to plant themselves in a fine alley of wood, about a very long table, with their larding pins in their hands, and skewers in their caps, who began to work, keeping time, to the tune of a very harmonious song.

同時に地面が開き、姫の足の下に、豪勢な宴に必要な料理人や皿洗いや、あらゆる召使いでいっぱいの大きな台所が見えるように思えた。そこから二、三十人ほどの焼き方の一団が出てきて、森の立派な小道にあるとても長い食卓のまわりに陣取った。手には肉に脂を差す針を持ち、帽子には串を挿していて、たいそう調子のよい歌に合わせて拍子をとりながら働きはじめた。

The Princess, all astonished at this sight, asked them who they worked for.

姫はこの光景にすっかり驚き、誰のために働いているのかと尋ねた。

"For Prince Riquet with the Tuft," said the chief of them, "who is to be married to-morrow."

「巻き毛のリケ王子さまのためでございます」と頭が言った。「明日ご結婚なさるのです」

The Princess was more surprised than ever, and recollecting that it was now that day twelvemonth on which she had promised to marry Riquet with the Tuft, she was like to sink into the ground.

姫はこれまでになく驚いた。そして、巻き毛のリケと結婚すると約束してから、ちょうどその日で一年になることを思い出すと、地面に沈み込みそうな心地がした。

What made her forget this was that, when she made this promise, she was very silly, and having obtained that vast stock of wit which the Prince had bestowed on her, she had intirely forgot her stupidity. She continued walking, but had not taken thirty steps before Riquet with the Tuft presented himself to her, bravely and most magnificently dressed, like a Prince who was going to be married.

姫がこのことを忘れていたのは、約束をしたときにはひどく愚かで、王子に授けられたあの莫大な才気を手に入れてからは、自分の愚かさをすっかり忘れてしまっていたからである。姫は歩きつづけたが、三十歩も進まないうちに、巻き毛のリケが、これから結婚する王子のように、りりしく実にきらびやかな身なりで姿を現した。

"You see, Madam," said he, "I am very exact in keeping my word, and doubt not, in the least, but you are come hither to perform yours, and to make me, by giving me your hand, the happiest of men."

「ご覧のとおり、姫」と彼は言った。「わたしは約束を守ることにかけてはたいそう几帳面です。あなたも約束を果たしに、手を与えてわたしを世にも幸せな男にしようとここへいらしたのだと、少しも疑っておりません」

"I shall freely own to you," answered the Princess, "that I have not yet taken any resolution on this affair, and believe I never shall take such a one as you desire."

「正直に申し上げますけれど」と姫は答えた。「わたしはこのことについて、まだ心を決めておりません。そして、あなたのお望みのような決心は、これからも決してしないと思います」

"You astonish me, Madam," said Riquet with the Tuft.

「驚きました、姫」と巻き毛のリケは言った。

"I believe it," said the Princess, "and surely if I had to do with a clown, or a man of no wit, I should find myself very much at a loss. 'A Princess always observes her word,' would he say to me, 'and you must marry me, since you promised to do so.' But as he whom I talk to is the man of the world who is master of the greatest sense and judgment, I am sure he will hear reason. You know, that when I was but a fool, I could, notwithstanding, never come to a resolution to marry you; why will you have me, now I have so much judgment as you gave me, and which makes me a more difficult person than I was at that time, to come to such a resolution, which I could not then determine to agree to? If you sincerely thought to make me your wife, you have been greatly in the wrong to deprive me of my dull simplicity, and make me see things much more clearly than I did."

「そうでしょうね」と姫は言った。「もしわたしの相手が無骨者か、才気のない男だったら、きっとひどく困ったことでしょう。『姫というものは約束を守るものだ』と、その人はわたしに言うでしょうから。『約束したのだから、わたしと結婚しなければならない』と。けれども、わたしがお話ししている方は、この世でいちばん分別と判断力にすぐれた方ですから、きっと道理を聞き入れてくださるはずです。ご存じのとおり、わたしがただの愚か者だったときでさえ、あなたと結婚する決心はどうしてもつきませんでした。あなたが与えてくださった判断力をこんなに持って、あのころよりずっと気むずかしくなったいまになって、どうしてあのとき決められなかった決心をさせようとなさるのでしょう。本気でわたしを妻にするおつもりだったのなら、わたしの鈍い素朴さを取り上げて、ものごとをずっとはっきり見えるようにしてしまったのは、たいへんな間違いでしたわ」

"If a man of no wit and sense," replied Riquet with the Tuft, "would be entitled, as you say, to reproach you for breach of your word, why will you not let me, Madam, do likewise in a matter wherein all the happiness of my life is concerned? Is it reasonable that persons of wit and sense should be in a worse condition than those who have none? Can you pretend this; you who have so great a share, and desired so earnestly to have it? But let us come to fact, if you please. Setting aside my ugliness and deformity, is there any thing in me which displeases you? Are you dissatisfied with my birth, my wit, humour, or manners?"

「才気も分別もない男が」と巻き毛のリケは答えた。「あなたのおっしゃるように、約束を破ったことであなたを責める資格があるのなら、わたしの一生の幸せがかかっていることで、どうしてわたしに同じことをさせてくださらないのですか、姫。才気と分別のある者のほうが、それを持たない者より悪い立場に置かれるのは道理にかなっているでしょうか。あなたがそんなことをおっしゃるのですか。あれほど多く才気を持ち、あれほど熱心にそれを望まれたあなたが。けれども、よろしければ本題に入りましょう。わたしの醜さと不格好さは別として、わたしにあなたのお気に召さないところが何かありますか。わたしの生まれ、才気、気性、ふるまいに、ご不満がおありですか」

"Not at all," answered the Princess; "I love you and respect you in all that you mention." "If it be so," said Riquet with the Tuft, "I am like to be happy, since it is in your power to make me the most lovable of men."

「いいえ、少しも」と姫は答えた。「おっしゃったどの点についても、わたしはあなたを愛し、敬っております」。「それなら」と巻き毛のリケは言った。「わたしは幸せになれそうです。わたしを世にも愛すべき男にするのは、あなたのお力しだいなのですから」

"How can that be?" said the Princess.

「どうしてそんなことができるのでしょう」と姫は言った。

"It will come about," said Riquet with the Tuft; "if you love me enough to wish it to be so; and that you may no ways doubt, Madam, of what I say, know that the same Fairy, who, on my birth-day, gave me for gift the power of making the person who should please me extremely witty and judicious, has, in like manner, given you for gift the power of making him, whom you love, and would grant that favour to, extremely handsome."

「そうなるのです」と巻き毛のリケは言った。「そうなることを望むほどわたしを愛してくださるなら。わたしの言うことを少しもお疑いにならないよう申し上げますが、姫、わたしが生まれた日に、気に入った人をこの上なく才気と分別のある者にする力を贈り物として授けてくれたあの妖精が、あなたにも同じように、愛してその恵みを与えたいと思う人を、この上なく美しくする力を贈り物として授けたのです」

"If it be so," said the Princess, "I wish, with all my heart, that you may be the most lovable Prince in the world, and I bestow it on you, as much as I am able."

「そういうことでしたら」と姫は言った。「あなたが世界でいちばん愛すべき王子になりますように、心から願います。わたしにできるかぎり、その力をあなたに授けます」

The Princess had no sooner pronounced these words, but Riquet with the Tuft appeared to her the finest Prince upon earth; the handsomest and most amiable man she ever saw. Some affirm that it was not the enchantments of the Fairy which worked this change, but that love alone caused the metamorphosis. They say, that the Princess, having made due reflection on the perseverance of her lover, his discretion, and all the good qualities of his mind, his wit and judgment, saw no longer the deformity of his body, nor the ugliness of his face; that his hump seemed to her no more than the homely air of one who has a broad back; and that whereas till then she saw him limp horribly, she found it nothing more than a certain sidling air, which charmed her. They say farther, that his eyes, which were very squinting, seemed to her all the more bright and sparkling; that their irregularity passed in her judgment for a mark of a violent excess of love; and, in short, that his great red nose had, in her opinion, somewhat of the martial and heroic.

姫がこの言葉を言い終えたとたん、巻き毛のリケは姫の目に、この世でいちばんすばらしい王子、これまで見たこともないほど美しく愛すべき男に映った。これは妖精の魔法の力による変化ではなく、恋だけがこの変身を引き起こしたのだと言う者もいる。その人たちによれば、姫は恋人の辛抱強さや慎み深さ、心のあらゆる美点、その才気と判断力をよくよく考えるうちに、もはや体の不格好さも顔の醜さも目に入らなくなったのだという。背中のこぶは、背中の広い人の気取らない風采にしか見えず、それまでひどく足を引きずっていると見えていた歩き方も、ちょっと斜に構えた様子にすぎないと思え、それがかえって姫を魅了したのだという。さらに、ひどいやぶにらみの目も、かえっていっそう明るくきらめいて見え、その目のゆがみは、姫の目には激しい恋心のあらわれと映った。そしてつまりは、大きな赤い鼻さえ、姫にはどこか武人らしく勇ましく思えたのだという。

Howsoever it was, the Princess promised immediately to marry him, on condition he obtained her father's consent. The King being acquainted that his daughter had abundance of esteem for Riquet with the Tuft, whom he knew otherwise for a most sage and judicious Prince, received him for his son-in-law with pleasure; and the next morning their nuptials were celebrated, as Riquet with the Tuft had foreseen, and according to the orders he had a long time before given.

いずれにせよ、姫は、父王の許しが得られるならという条件で、すぐに彼と結婚すると約束した。王は、娘が巻き毛のリケをたいそう尊敬していると知らされ、またリケが知恵と分別にすぐれた王子であることをかねてから知っていたので、喜んで婿として迎え入れた。そして翌朝、巻き毛のリケがかねて予期し、ずっと前から命じておいたとおりに、二人の婚礼がとりおこなわれた。

The Moral

教訓

What in this little Tale we find, Is less a fable than real truth. In those we love appear rare gifts of mind, And body too: wit, judgment, beauty, youth.

この小さな物語に見いだされるのは、作り話というより、まことの真実。愛する人には、心の優れた天分が現れる。そして体にも——才気、判断、美しさ、若さが。

Another

もうひとつ

A countenance whereon, by natures hand, Beauty is trac'd, also the lively stain Of such complexion art can ne'er attain, With all these gifts hath not so much command On hearts, as hath one secret charm alone. Love finds that out, to all besides unknown.

自然の手で美しさが描かれ、どんな技も及ばぬ生き生きとした色つやをたたえた顔も、そうした天分をことごとく備えていながら、ただひとつの秘めた魅力ほどには、人の心を思いのままにはできない。その魅力を見いだすのは恋であり、ほかの誰にも知られることはない。