Shortshanks

Once on a time, there was a poor couple who lived in a tumble-down hut, in which there was nothing but black want, so that they hadn’t a morsel to eat, nor a stick to burn. But though they had next to nothing of other things, they had God’s blessing in the way of children, and every year they had another babe. Now, when this story begins, they were just looking out for a new child; and, to tell the truth, the husband was rather cross, and he was always going about grumbling and growling, and saying, “For his part, he thought one might have too many of these God’s gifts.” So when the time came that the babe was to be born, he went off into the wood to fetch fuel, saying, “he didn’t care to stop and see the young squaller; he’d be sure to hear him soon enough, screaming for food.”

むかしむかし、貧しい夫婦が崩れかけた小屋に住んでいた。そこには真っ黒な貧窮のほか何もなく、食べるひと口も、燃やす一本の薪もなかった。だがほかのものはほとんど何一つなくとも、子どもという神の恵みだけは豊かで、毎年また一人赤子が生まれるのだった。さてこの話がはじまるとき、二人はちょうど新しい子を待っているところだった。そして正直に言えば、亭主はいささか機嫌が悪く、いつもぶつぶつ唸りながら歩き回って、「おれに言わせれば、この神の賜り物というやつも多すぎることがある」と言っていた。そこで赤子の生まれる時が来ると、彼は薪を取りに森へ出かけて、こう言った。「残って泣きわめくやつを見る気はない。どうせじきに食い物をねだる声が嫌というほど聞こえるさ。」

Now, when her husband was well out of the house, his wife gave birth to a beautiful boy, who began to look about the room as soon as ever he came into the world.

さて、亭主がすっかり家を出てしまうと、女房は美しい男の子を産んだ。その子はこの世に出てくるやいなや、部屋のなかを見回しはじめた。

“Oh! dear mother”, he said, “give me some of my brother’s cast-off clothes, and a few days’ food, and I’ll go out into the world and try my luck; you have children enough as it is, that I can see.”

「ああ、お母さん」とその子は言った。「兄さんのお下がりの着物と、何日か分の食べ物をください。世に出て運を試してきます。見たところ、うちにはもう十分子どもがいますから。」

“God help you, my son!” answered his mother; “that can never be, you are far too young yet.”

「神さまお助けを、坊や!」と母は答えた。「そんなことはできませんよ。おまえはまだあまりに幼いのですから。」

But the tiny one stuck to what he said, and begged and prayed till his mother was forced to let him have a few old rags, and a little food tied up in a bundle, and off he went right merrily and manfully into the wide world. But he was scarce out of the house before his mother had another boy, and he too looked about him, and said:

だが小さな子は言い張って、母がやむなく古いぼろと少しばかりの食べ物を包んで渡すまで、頼みに頼んだ。そうしてその子は実に陽気に、男らしく広い世界へ出ていった。ところがその子が家を出るか出ないかのうちに、母はもう一人男の子を産んだ。そしてその子もあたりを見回してこう言った。

“Oh, dear mother! give me some of my brother’s old clothes and a few days’ food, and I’ll go out into the world to find my twin-brother; you have children enough already on your hands, that I can see.”

「ああ、お母さん! 兄さんのお古の着物と、何日か分の食べ物をください。世に出て双子の兄を探してきます。見たところ、うちにはもう手いっぱいなほど子どもがいますから。」

“God help you, my poor little fellow!” said his mother; “you are far too little, this will never do.”

「神さまお助けを、かわいそうな坊や!」と母は言った。「おまえはあまりに小さすぎます。そんなことはできません。」

But it was no good; the tiny one begged and prayed so hard, till he got some old tattered rags and a bundle of food; and so he wandered out into the world like a man, to find his twin-brother. Now, when the younger had walked a while, he saw his brother a good bit on before him, so he called out to him to stop.

だが無駄だった。小さな子があまりに熱心に頼み込むので、とうとう古いぼろと食べ物の包みをもらった。そうしてその子も一人前の男のように、双子の兄を探して世に出ていった。さて、弟がしばらく歩くと、兄がだいぶ先を行くのが見えたので、待ってくれと呼びかけた。

“Holloa! can’t you stop? why, you lay legs to the ground as if you were running a race. But you might just as well have stayed to see your youngest, brother before you set off into the world in such a hurry.”

「おおい! 待てないのかい。まるで駆け比べでもしているように脚を動かして。だけど、そんなに急いで世に出る前に、いちばん下の弟に会うくらい待っていてくれてもよかったのに。」

So the elder stopped and looked round; and when the younger had come up to him and told him the whole story, and how he was his brother, he went on to say:

そこで兄は立ち止まって振り返った。そして弟が追いついて一部始終を話し、自分が弟なのだと告げると、弟はこう続けた。

“But let’s sit down here and see what our mother has given us for food.” So they sat down together, and were soon great friends.

「でもここに坐って、お母さんが食べ物に何をくれたか見ようよ。」。そこで二人はいっしょに坐り、たちまち仲よくなった。

Now when they had gone a bit farther on their way, they came to a brook which ran through a green meadow, and the youngest said now the time was come to give one another names, “Since we set off in such a hurry that we hadn’t time to do it at home, we may as well do it here.”

さて道をもう少し行くと、緑の草地を流れる小川に行き当たった。そして弟が、いまこそたがいに名前をつける時だと言った。「あんまり急いで出てきたから家でつける暇がなかった。ここでつけてしまってもいいだろう。」

“Well!” said the elder, “and what shall your name be?”

「そうだな!」と兄は言った。「おまえの名前は何にする。」

“Oh!” said the younger, “my name shall be Shortshanks; and yours, what shall it be?”

「うん!」と弟は言った。「ぼくの名前は短脛(みじかずね)にする。兄さんのは何にする。」

“I will be called King Sturdy”, answered the eldest.

「おれは頑丈王(がんじょうおう)と呼ばれることにしよう」と兄は答えた。

So they christened each other in the brook, and went on; but when they had walked a while they came to a cross road, and agreed they should part there, and each take his own road. So they parted, but they hadn’t gone half a mile before their roads met again. So they parted the second time, and took each a road; but in a little while the same thing happened, and they met again, they scarce knew how; and the same thing happened a third time also. Then they agreed that they should each choose a quarter of the heavens, and one was to go east and the other west; but before they parted, the elder said:

そこで二人は小川でたがいに洗礼を授け合って、また歩いていった。ところがしばらく歩くと辻に出て、ここで別れてそれぞれ自分の道を行こうということになった。そこで二人は別れたが、半マイルも行かぬうちに道がまた出会ってしまった。そこで二度めに別れてそれぞれ道を取ったが、しばらくすると同じことが起こって、どうしたわけか二人はまた出会った。そして三度めも同じことが起こった。そこで二人は、それぞれ天の四分の一を選んで、一人は東へ、一人は西へ行くことに決めた。だが別れる前に、兄がこう言った。

“If you ever fall into misfortune or need, call three times on me, and I will come and help you; but mind you don’t call on me till you are at the last pinch.”

「もし不運や困りごとに陥ったら、おれを三度呼べ。行って助けてやる。だが本当に瀬戸際まで追い詰められるまでは、決して呼ぶなよ。」

“Well!” said Shortshanks, “if that’s to be the rule, I don’t think we shall meet again very soon.”

「そうか!」と短脛は言った。「それが決まりなら、そう早くはまた会えそうにないね。」

After that they bade each other good-bye, and Shortshanks went east, and King Sturdy west.

そのあと二人はたがいに別れを告げ、短脛は東へ、頑丈王は西へ行った。

Now, you must know, when Shortshanks had gone a good bit alone, he met an old, old crook-backed hag, who had only one eye, and Shortshanks snapped it up.

さて知っておいてほしいのだが、短脛が一人でだいぶ歩くと、目が一つしかない、年老いて背の曲がった老婆に出会った。そして短脛はその目をひょいと奪い取った。

“Oh! oh!” screamed the hag, “what has become of my eye?”

「ああ! ああ!」と老婆は叫んだ。「わたしの目はどこへ行った。」

“What will you give me”, asked Shortshanks, “if you get your eye back?”

「目を返してもらえるなら、何をくれる」と短脛は尋ねた。

“I’ll give you a sword, and such a sword! It will put a whole army to flight, be it ever so great”, answered the old woman.

「剣をやろう、それも大した剣だ! どんな大軍だろうと、まるごと敗走させられる剣さ」と老婆は答えた。

“Out with it, then!” said Shortshanks.

「では出してくれ!」と短脛は言った。

So the old hag gave him the sword, and got her eye back again. After that, Shortshanks wandered on a while, and another old, old crook-backed hag met him who had only one eye, which Shortshanks stole before she was aware of him.

そこで老婆は彼に剣を渡し、目を返してもらった。そのあと短脛はしばらくさまよい歩き、また目が一つしかない年老いて背の曲がった老婆に出会った。そして短脛はその老婆が気づく前に目を盗み取った。

“Oh, oh! whatever has become of my eye”, screamed the hag.

「ああ、ああ! わたしの目はいったいどこへ行った」と老婆は叫んだ。

“What will you give me to get your eye back?” asked Shortshanks.

「目を返してもらうのに何をくれる」と短脛は尋ねた。

“I’ll give you a ship”, said the woman, “which can sail over fresh water and salt water, and over high hills and deep dales.”

「船をやろう」と老婆は言った。「真水の上も塩水の上も、高い丘の上も深い谷の上も走れる船さ。」

“Well! out with it”, said Shortshanks.

「よし、出してくれ」と短脛は言った。

So the old woman gave him a little tiny ship, no bigger than he could put in his pocket, and she got her eye back again, and they each went their way. But when he had wandered on a long, long way, he met a third time an old, old crook-backed hag, with only one eye. This eye, too, Shortshanks stole; and when the hag screamed and made a great to-do, bawling out what had become of her eye, Shortshanks said:

そこで老婆は、隠しに入れられるほど小さな船を渡し、目を返してもらった。そして二人はそれぞれの道を行った。ところが長い長い道を歩くと、三度め、また目が一つしかない年老いて背の曲がった老婆に出会った。この目も短脛は盗み取った。そして老婆が叫んで大騒ぎをし、わたしの目はどこへ行ったと喚きたてると、短脛はこう言った。

“What will you give me to get back your eye?”

「目を返してもらうのに何をくれる。」

Then she answered:

すると老婆は答えた。

“I’ll give you the art how to brew a hundred lasts of malt at one strike.”

「ひと仕込みで麦芽百ラストを醸す技を教えてやろう。」

Well! for teaching that art the old hag got back her eye, and they each went their way.

さて! その技を教えて老婆は目を返してもらい、二人はそれぞれの道を行った。

But when Shortshanks had walked a little way, he thought it might be worth while to try his ship; so he took it out of his pocket, and put first one foot into it, and then the other; and as soon as ever he set one foot into it, it began to grow bigger and bigger, and by the time he set the other foot into it, it was as big as other ships that sail on the sea. Then Shortshanks said:

ところが短脛は少し歩くと、船を試してみる値打ちがあるかもしれないと思った。そこで隠しから取り出して、まず片足を、それからもう片足を入れてみた。すると片足を入れるやいなや船はどんどん大きくなりはじめ、もう片足を入れるころには、海を行くほかの船と同じ大きさになっていた。そこで短脛は言った。

“Off and away, over fresh water and salt water, over high hills and deep dales, and don’t stop till you come to the king’s palace.”

「さあ行け、真水の上も塩水の上も、高い丘の上も深い谷の上も越えて。そして王の宮殿に着くまで止まるな。」

And lo! away went the ship as swiftly as a bird through the air, till it came down a little below the king’s palace, and there it stopped. From the palace windows people had stood and seen Shortshanks come sailing along, and they were all so amazed that they ran down to see who it could be that came sailing in a ship through the air. But while they were running down, Shortshanks had stepped out of his ship and put it into his pocket again; for as soon as he stepped out of it, it became as small as it was when he got it from the old woman. So those who had run down from the palace saw no one but a ragged little boy standing down there by the strand. Then the king asked whence he came, but the boy said he didn’t know, nor could he tell them how he had got there. There he was, and that was all they could get out of him; but he begged and prayed so prettily to get a place in the king’s palace; saying, if there was nothing else for him to do, he could carry in wood and water for the kitchen-maid, that their hearts were touched, and he got leave to stay there.

すると見よ! 船は空を行く鳥のように速く飛んでいって、王の宮殿の少し下まで来て止まった。宮殿の窓からは人々が立って、短脛が帆走してくるのを見ていた。そしてみな驚いて、空を船で帆走してくるのは何者かと見に駆け下りてきた。ところがみなが駆け下りてくるあいだに、短脛は船から降りて、それをまた隠しに入れていた。というのも、降りるやいなや船は老婆からもらったときの大きさに戻ったからである。そこで宮殿から駆け下りてきた者たちが見たのは、岸辺に立っているぼろを着た小さな少年だけだった。そこで王がどこから来たのかと尋ねたが、少年は知らないと言い、どうやってここへ来たのかも話せなかった。彼はそこにいる、それが人々に聞き出せるすべてだった。だが少年があまりに可愛らしく、王の宮殿に置いてくださいと頼み、ほかに何もすることがないなら台所女中のために薪や水を運べますと言うので、みなは心を動かされ、少年はそこにいる許しを得た。

Now when Shortshanks came up to the palace, he saw how it was all hung with black, both outside and in, wall and roof; so he asked the kitchen-maid what all that mourning meant?

さて短脛が宮殿に上がってくると、宮殿が外も内も、壁も屋根も黒い布で覆われているのが目に入った。そこで台所女中に、この喪の飾りは何なのかと尋ねた。

“Don’t you know?” said the kitchen-maid; “I’ll soon tell you: the king’s daughter was promised away a long time ago to three ogres, and next Thursday evening one of them is coming to fetch her. Ritter Red, it is true, has given out that he is man enough to set her free, but God knows if he can do it; and now you know why we are all in grief and sorrow.”

「知らないのかい」と台所女中は言った。「すぐに話してあげよう。王さまの姫さまは、ずっと前に三人の鬼に約束されてしまってね、今度の木曜の晩にその一人が迎えに来るんだよ。赤のリッテルさまは、自分が姫さまを救い出せる男だと触れ出しているけれど、できるかどうかは神さまだけがご存じさ。これでわたしたちがみな嘆き悲しんでいるわけがわかったろう。」

So when Thursday evening came, Ritter Red led the Princess down to the strand, for there it was she was to meet the Ogre, and he was to stay by her there and watch; but he wasn’t likely to do the Ogre much harm, I reckon, for as soon as ever the Princess had sat down on the strand, Ritter Red climbed up into a great tree that stood there, and hid himself as well as he could among the boughs. The Princess begged and prayed him not to leave her, but Ritter Red turned a deaf ear to her, and all he said was:

そこで木曜の晩が来ると、赤のリッテルは姫を岸辺へ連れていった。そこが姫が鬼に会う場所で、彼はそこに留まって見張ることになっていた。だが鬼に大した害を与えそうにはなかった、とわたしは思う。というのも、姫が岸辺に坐るやいなや、赤のリッテルはそこに立っていた大きな木に登って、枝のあいだにできるかぎり身を隠したからである。姫は置いていかないでと頼み込んだが、赤のリッテルは聞く耳を持たず、こう言うだけだった。

“Tis better for one to lose life than for two.”

「二人が命を失うより、一人が失うほうがましだ。」

That was what Ritter Red said.

それが赤のリッテルの言ったことだった。

Meantime Shortshanks went to the kitchen-maid, and asked her so prettily if he mightn’t go down to the strand for a bit?

そのあいだに短脛は台所女中のところへ行って、少し岸辺へ下りていってもよいかとそれは可愛らしく尋ねた。

“And what should take you down to the strand?” asked the kitchen-maid. “You know you’ve no business there.”

「岸辺へ下りて何をしようというんだい」と台所女中は尋ねた。「あそこにおまえの用はないだろう。」

“Oh, dear friend”, said Shortshanks, “do let me go? I should so like to run down there and play a while with the other children; that I should.”

「ねえ、お願いだよ」と短脛は言った。「行かせておくれよ。あそこへ駆けていって、ほかの子たちとしばらく遊びたいんだ、そうしたいんだよ。」

“Well, well!” said the kitchen-maid, “off with you; but don’t let me catch you staying there a bit over the time when the brose for supper must be set on the fire, and the roast put on the spit; and let me see; when you come back, mind you bring a good armful of wood with you.”

「まあまあ!」と台所女中は言った。「お行き。だけど夕餉の粥を火にかけて焼き肉を串に刺す時分を少しでも過ぎてあそこにいるところを見つけたら承知しないよ。それから、いいかい、帰ってくるときには薪をひと抱えたっぷり持っておいで。」

Yes! Shortshanks would mind all that; so off he ran down to the strand.

はい! 短脛はみな心得ましょうと言って、岸辺へ駆け下りていった。

But just as he reached the spot where the Princess sat, what should come but the Ogre tearing along in his ship, so that the wind roared and howled after him. He was so tall and stout it was awful to look on him, and he had five heads of his own.

ところが姫の坐っている場所に着いたちょうどそのとき、やって来たのは何だったか。鬼が船に乗って突進してきて、そのあとを風が唸り吠えた。その背丈と頑丈さは見るも恐ろしいほどで、頭が五つついていた。

“Fire and flame!” screamed the Ogre.

「火と炎!」と鬼は叫んだ。

“Fire and flame yourself!” said Shortshanks.

「そっちこそ火と炎だ!」と短脛は言った。

“Can you fight?” roared the Ogre.

「戦えるか」と鬼は吠えた。

“If I can’t, I can learn”, said Shortshanks.

「できなければ習うまでだ」と短脛は言った。

So the Ogre struck at him with a great thick iron club which he had in his fist, and the earth and stones flew up five yards into the air after the stroke.

そこで鬼は拳に握った大きく太い鉄の棍棒で殴りかかった。するとその一撃のあと、土と石が五ヤードも空へ舞い上がった。

“My!” said Shortshanks, “that was something like a blow, but now you shall see a stroke of mine.”

「へえ!」と短脛は言った。「なかなかの一撃だ。だが今度はおれの一撃を見せてやろう。」

Then he grasped the sword he had got from the old crook-backed hag, and cut at the Ogre; and away went all his five heads flying over the sand. So when the Princess saw she was saved, she was so glad that she scarce knew what to do, and she jumped and danced for joy. “Come, lie down, and sleep a little in my lap”, she said to Shortshanks, and as he slept she threw over him a tinsel robe.

そう言って背の曲がった老婆からもらった剣をつかみ、鬼に斬りつけた。すると五つの頭がみな砂の上へ飛んでいった。そこで姫は自分が救われたのを見て、どうしてよいかわからぬほど喜んで、飛び跳ねて踊った。「さあ、わたしの膝に横になって少しお眠りなさい」と姫は短脛に言った。そして彼が眠ると、姫は金銀の糸を織り込んだ衣を掛けてやった。

Now you must know, it wasn’t long before Ritter Red crept down from the tree, as soon as he saw there was nothing to fear in the way, and he went up to the Princess and threatened her until she promised to say it was he who had saved her life; for if she wouldn’t say so, he said he would kill her on the spot. After that he cut out the Ogre’s lungs and tongue, and wrapped them up in his handkerchief, and so led the Princess back to the palace, and whatever honours he had not before, he got then, for the king did not know how to find honour enough for him, and made him sit every day on his right hand at dinner.

さて知っておいてほしいのだが、まもなく赤のリッテルは、もう恐れるものがないと見て取るやいなや木から這い下りてきた。そして姫のところへ行って、命を救ったのは自分だと言えと脅した。そう言わなければその場で殺すというのである。そのあと彼は鬼の肺と舌を切り取って手巾に包み、姫を宮殿へ連れ帰った。そしてそれまで受けていなかったどんな栄誉も、このとき彼のものになった。王は彼にどれほどの栄誉を与えればよいかわからぬほどで、毎日食事のときに自分の右手に坐らせた。

As for Shortshanks, he went first of all on board the Ogre’s ship, and took a whole heap of gold and silver rings, as large as hoops, and trotted off with them as hard as he could to the palace. When the kitchen-maid set her eyes on all that gold and silver, she was quite scared, and asked him:

短脛はといえば、まず何より鬼の船に乗り込んで、箍ほども大きな金銀の輪をどっさり取り、それを抱えてできるかぎり急いで宮殿へとことこ帰った。台所女中はその金銀をすっかり見ると、すっかり驚いて彼に尋ねた。

“But dear, good, Shortshanks, wherever did you get all this from?” for she was rather afraid he hadn’t come rightly by it.

「まあ、短脛や、いったいどこからこんなものを手に入れたんだい。」。彼が正当な手立てで手に入れたのではないのではないかと、いささか心配だったのである。

“Oh!” answered Shortshanks, “I went home for a bit, and there I found these hoops, which had fallen off some old pails of ours, so I laid hands on them for you, if you must know.”

「なに!」と短脛は答えた。「ちょっと家へ帰ったら、うちの古い手桶から外れた箍がこれだけ落ちていたんだ。それで、どうしても知りたいなら、あんたのために失敬してきたのさ。」

Well! when the kitchen-maid heard they were for her, she said nothing more about the matter, but thanked Shortshanks, and they were good friends again.

さて! 台所女中はそれが自分のためだと聞くと、それきりその話を持ち出さず、短脛に礼を言って、二人はまた仲よしになった。

The next Thursday evening it was the same story over again; all were in grief and trouble, but Ritter Red said, as he had saved the Princess from one Ogre, it was hard if he couldn’t save her from another; and down he led her to the strand as brave as a lion. But he didn’t do this Ogre much harm either, for when the time came that they looked for the Ogre, he said, as he had said before:

次の木曜の晩も同じことの繰り返しだった。みなが嘆き悲しんでいたが、赤のリッテルは、一人の鬼から姫を救ったのだから、もう一人から救えぬはずがないと言って、獅子のように勇ましく姫を岸辺へ連れていった。だがこの鬼にも大した害は与えなかった。鬼が来る時分になると、前に言ったとおりにこう言ったのである。

“’Tis better one should lose life than two”, and crept up into his tree again. But Shortshanks begged the kitchen-maid to let him go down to the strand for a little.

「二人が命を失うより、一人が失うほうがましだ。」。そしてまた木に這い上がった。だが短脛は台所女中に、少し岸辺へ下りていかせてくれと頼んだ。

“Oh!” asked the kitchen-maid, “and what business have you down there?”

「まあ!」と台所女中は尋ねた。「あそこへ下りて何の用があるんだい。」

“Dear friend”, said Shortshanks. “do pray let me go. I long so to run down and play a while with the other children.”

「ねえお願いだよ」と短脛は言った。「どうか行かせておくれ。あそこへ駆けていって、ほかの子たちとしばらく遊びたくてたまらないんだ。」

Well! the kitchen-maid gave him leave to go, but he must promise to be back by the time the roast was turned, and he was to mind and bring a big bundle of wood with him. So Shortshanks had scarce got down to the strand, when the Ogre came tearing along in his ship, so that the wind howled and roared around him; he was twice as big as the other Ogre, and he had ten heads on his shoulders.

さて! 台所女中は行く許しを与えたが、焼き肉をひっくり返す時分までには帰ると約束させ、それから薪の束を大きく抱えて帰るように言いつけた。そこで短脛が岸辺へ下りるかどうかというときに、鬼が船で突進してきて、そのあとを風が吠え唸った。その鬼は前の鬼の二倍も大きく、肩には頭が十ついていた。

“Fire and flame!” screamed the Ogre.

「火と炎!」と鬼は叫んだ。

Fire and flame yourself!” answered Shortshanks.

「そっちこそ火と炎だ!」と短脛は答えた。

“Can you fight?” roared the Ogre.

「戦えるか」と鬼は吠えた。

“If I can’t, I can learn”, said Shortshanks.

「できなければ習うまでだ」と短脛は言った。

Then the Ogre struck at him with his iron club; it was even bigger than that which the first Ogre had, and the earth and stones flew up ten yards into the air.

そこで鬼は鉄の棍棒で殴りかかった。それは最初の鬼のものよりさらに大きく、土と石が十ヤードも空へ舞い上がった。

My!” said Shortshanks, “that was something like a blow now you shall see a stroke of mine.” Then he grasped his sword, and cut off all the Ogre’s ten heads at one blow, and sent them dancing away over the sand.

「へえ!」と短脛は言った。「なかなかの一撃だ。今度はおれの一撃を見せてやろう。」。そう言って剣をつかみ、鬼の十の頭を一撃でみな斬り落として、砂の上へ踊るように飛ばした。

Then the Princess said again to him, “Lie down and sleep a little while on my lap”; and while Shortshanks lay there, she threw over him a silver robe. But as soon as Ritter Red marked that there was no more danger in the way, he crept down from the tree, and threatened the Princess, till she was forced to give her word, to say it was he who had set her free; after that, he cut the lungs and tongue out of the Ogre, and wrapped them in his handkerchief, and led the Princess back to the palace. Then you may fancy what mirth and joy there was, and the king was at his wits’ end to know how to show Ritter Red honour and favour enough.

そこで姫はまた彼に言った。「わたしの膝に横になって少しお眠りなさい。」。そして短脛がそこに横たわっているあいだ、姫は銀の衣を掛けてやった。ところが赤のリッテルは、もう危険がないと見て取るやいなや木から這い下りてきて、姫が自分を自由にしてくれたのは彼だと言わざるを得なくなるまで脅した。そのあと鬼の肺と舌を切り取って手巾に包み、姫を宮殿へ連れ帰った。そこでどれほどの賑わいと喜びがあったかはお察しのとおりで、王は赤のリッテルにどう栄誉と恩顧を示せばよいか、知恵の尽きる思いだった。

This time, too, Shortshanks took a whole armful of gold and silver rings from the Ogre’s ship, and when he came back to the palace the kitchen-maid clapped her hands in wonder, asking wherever he got all that gold and silver from. But Shortshanks answered that he had been home a while, and that the hoops had fallen off some old pails, so he had laid his hands on them for his friend the kitchen-maid. So when the third Thursday evening came, everything happened as it had happened twice before; the whole palace was hung with black, and all went about mourning and weeping. But Ritter Red said he couldn’t see what need they had to be so afraid; he had freed the Princess from two Ogres, and he could very well free her from a third; so he led her down to the strand, but when the time drew near for the Ogre to come up, he crept into his tree again, and hid himself. The Princess begged and prayed, but it was no good, for Ritter Red said again:

このときも短脛は鬼の船から金銀の輪をひと抱えたっぷり取ってきた。そして宮殿へ帰ると台所女中は驚いて手を打ち、いったいどこからそんな金銀を手に入れたのかと尋ねた。だが短脛は、しばらく家へ帰っていて、古い手桶から箍が外れていたので友だちの台所女中のために失敬してきたのだと答えた。そこで三度めの木曜の晩が来ると、何もかも前に二度起こったとおりに運んだ。宮殿じゅうが黒い布で覆われ、みなが嘆き泣きながら歩き回った。だが赤のリッテルは、そんなに怖がる必要がどこにあるのかわからない、二人の鬼から姫を救ったのだから三人めからも十分救えると言った。そこで姫を岸辺へ連れていったが、鬼の来る時分が近づくと、また木に這い上がって身を隠した。姫は頼み込んだが無駄で、赤のリッテルはまたこう言った。

“’Tis better that one should lose life than two.”

「二人が命を失うより、一人が失うほうがましだ。」

That evening, too, Shortshanks begged for leave to go down to the strand.

その晩も短脛は岸辺へ下りていく許しを願った。

“Oh!” said the kitchen-maid, “what should take you down there?”

「まあ!」と台所女中は言った。「あそこへ下りて何をしようというんだい。」

But he begged and prayed so, that at last he got leave to go, only he had to promise to be back in the kitchen again when the roast was to be turned. So off he went, but he had scarce reached the strand when the Ogre came with the wind howling and roaring after him. He was much, much bigger than either of the other two, and he had fifteen heads on his shoulders.

だが彼があまりに頼み込むので、とうとう行く許しを得た。ただし焼き肉をひっくり返す時分にはまた台所へ戻ると約束させられた。そこで彼は出かけたが、岸辺に着くか着かないかのうちに、風が吠え唸るのを従えて鬼がやって来た。その鬼はほかの二人よりはるかに、はるかに大きく、肩には頭が十五ついていた。

“Fire and flame!” roared out the Ogre.

「火と炎!」と鬼は吠えた。

“Fire and flame yourself!” said Shortshanks.

「そっちこそ火と炎だ!」と短脛は言った。

“Can you fight?” screamed the Ogre.

「戦えるか」と鬼は叫んだ。

“If I can’t, I can learn”, said Shortshanks.

「できなければ習うまでだ」と短脛は言った。

“I’ll soon teach you”, screamed the Ogre, and struck at him with his iron club, so that the earth and stones flew up fifteen yards into the air.

「すぐに教えてやる」と鬼は叫んで、鉄の棍棒で殴りかかった。すると土と石が十五ヤードも空へ舞い上がった。

“My!” said Shortshanks, “that was something like a blow; but now you shall see a stroke of mine.”

「へえ!」と短脛は言った。「なかなかの一撃だ。だが今度はおれの一撃を見せてやろう。」

As he said that, he grasped his sword, and cut off all the Ogre’s fifteen heads at one blow, and sent them all dancing over the sand.

そう言って剣をつかみ、鬼の十五の頭を一撃でみな斬り落として、砂の上へ踊るように飛ばした。

So the Princess was freed from all the Ogres, and she both blessed and thanked Shortshanks for saving her life.

こうして姫は鬼たちからすっかり解き放たれ、命を救ってくれた短脛を祝福し、感謝した。

“Sleep now a while on my lap”, she said; and he laid his head on her lap, and while he slept, she threw over him a golden robe.

「さあ、わたしの膝でしばらくお眠りなさい」と姫は言った。そして彼が姫の膝に頭を載せて眠っているあいだ、姫は黄金の衣を掛けてやった。

“But how shall we let it be known that it is you that have saved me?” she asked, when he awoke.

「でも、わたしを救ってくれたのがあなただということを、どうやって知らせましょう」と姫は彼が目を覚ますと尋ねた。

“Oh, I’ll soon tell you”, answered Shortshanks. “When Ritter Red has led you home again, and given himself out as the man who has saved you, you know he is to have you to wife, and half the kingdom. Now, when they ask you, on your wedding-day, whom you will have to be your cup-bearer, you must say, ‘I will have the ragged boy who does odd jobs in the kitchen, and carries in wood and water for the kitchen-maid.’ So when I am filling your cups, I will spill a drop on his plate, but none on yours; then he will be wroth, and give me a blow, and the same thing will happen three times. But the third time you must mind and say, ‘Shame on you! to strike my heart’s darling; he it is who set me free, and him will I have!’”

「ああ、すぐに教えてあげます」と短脛は答えた。「赤のリッテルがあなたをまた家へ連れ帰って、自分が救ったのだと名乗り出たら、その者があなたを妻に迎え、王国の半ばを得ることになるでしょう。さて婚礼の日に、誰に酌をさせたいかと尋ねられたら、こう言うのです。『台所で雑用をして、台所女中のために薪と水を運んでいる、あのぼろを着た少年がよい』と。そしてわたしがあなたの杯を満たすとき、あの男の皿には一滴こぼして、あなたの皿にはこぼさない。すると彼は怒ってわたしを殴るでしょう。そして同じことが三度起こります。だが三度めには、いいですか、こう言ってください。『恥を知れ! わたしの心のいとしい人を打つとは。わたしを自由にしたのはこの人です。そしてこの人をこそわたしは迎えます!』」

After that Shortshanks ran back to the palace, as he had done before; but he went first on board the Ogre’s ship, and took a whole heap of gold, silver, and precious stones, and out of them he gave the kitchen-maid another great armful of gold and silver rings.

そのあと短脛は前と同じように宮殿へ駆け戻った。だがまず鬼の船に乗り込んで、黄金と銀と宝石をどっさり取り、そのなかから台所女中にまた金銀の輪をひと抱えたっぷり与えた。

Well! as for Ritter Red, as soon as ever he saw that all risk was over, he crept down from his tree, and threatened the Princess till she was forced to promise she would say it was he who had saved her. After that, he led her back to the palace, and all the honour shown him before was nothing to what he got now, for the king thought of nothing else than how he might best honour the man who had saved his daughter from the three Ogres. As for his marrying her, and having half the kingdom, that was a settled thing, the king said. But-when the wedding-day came, the Princess begged she might have the ragged boy who carried in wood and water for the cook to be her cup-bearer at the bridal-feast.

さて! 赤のリッテルはといえば、危険がすっかり去ったと見るやいなや木から這い下りてきて、姫が自分を救ったのは彼だと言うと約束せざるを得なくなるまで脅した。そのあと姫を宮殿へ連れ帰った。そしてそれまで彼に示されたどんな栄誉も、このとき受けたものに比べれば何でもなかった。王は、娘を三人の鬼から救った男にどうすれば最もよく報いられるか、そのことしか考えなかった。娘と結婚して王国の半ばを得ることについては、もう決まったことだと王は言った。ところが婚礼の日が来ると、姫は、台所のために薪と水を運んでいるぼろを着た少年に婚礼の宴の酌をさせてほしいと願い出た。

“I can’t think why you should want to bring that filthy beggar boy in here”, said Ritter Red; but the Princess had a will of her own, and said she would have him, and no one else, to pour out her wine; so she had her way at last. Now everything went as it had been agreed between Shortshanks and the Princess; he spilled a drop on Ritter Red’s plate, but none on hers, and each time Ritter Red got wroth and struck him. At the first blow Shortshank’s rags fell off which he had worn in the kitchen; at the second the tinsel robe fell off; and at the third the silver robe; and then he stood in his golden robe, all gleaming and glittering in the light. Then the Princess said:

「なぜあの汚らしい物乞いの小僧をここへ入れたがるのか、わけがわからん」と赤のリッテルは言った。だが姫は我を通して、あの者以外には葡萄酒を注がせないと言い、とうとう思いどおりにした。さて何もかも短脛と姫のあいだで決めておいたとおりに運んだ。彼は赤のリッテルの皿には一滴こぼしたが、姫の皿にはこぼさなかった。そしてそのたびに赤のリッテルは怒って彼を殴った。最初の一撃で、短脛が台所で着ていたぼろが落ちた。二度めには金銀の糸の衣が落ちた。そして三度めには銀の衣が落ちた。するとそこに、彼は黄金の衣をまとって、光にきらきらと輝きながら立っていた。そこで姫は言った。

“Shame on you! to strike my heart’s darling! he has saved me, and him will I have!”

「恥を知れ! わたしの心のいとしい人を打つとは! この人がわたしを救ったのです。そしてこの人をこそわたしは迎えます!」

Ritter Red cursed and swore it was he who had set her free; but the king put in his word, and said:

赤のリッテルは、姫を自由にしたのは自分だと呪い罵った。だが王が口を挟んでこう言った。

“The man who saved my daughter must have some token to show for it.”

「わが娘を救った者なら、その証しとなる何かを持っているはずだ。」

Yes! Ritter Red had something to show, and he ran off at once after his handkerchief with the lungs and tongues in it, and Shortshanks fetched all the gold and silver, and precious things, he had taken out of the Ogres’ ships. So each laid his tokens before the king, and the king said:

そうだ! 赤のリッテルには見せるものがあり、すぐに肺と舌を包んだ手巾を取りに走った。そして短脛は、鬼の船から取ってきた黄金と銀と宝物をすっかり持ってきた。そこで二人はそれぞれの証しを王の前に並べ、王はこう言った。

“The man who has such precious stores of gold, and silver, and diamonds, must have slain the Ogre, and spoiled his goods, for such things are not to be had elsewhere.”

「これほど貴重な黄金と銀とダイヤの蓄えを持つ者こそ、鬼を討ってその持ち物を奪ったに違いない。こんなものはほかで手に入るものではないからだ。」

So Ritter Red was thrown into a pit full of snakes, and Shortshanks was to have the Princess and half the kingdom.

そこで赤のリッテルは蛇でいっぱいの穴に投げ込まれ、短脛が姫と王国の半ばを得ることになった。

One day Shortshanks and the king were out walking, and Shortshanks asked the king if he hadn’t any more children?

ある日、短脛と王が外を歩いていて、短脛は王にほかに子はいないのかと尋ねた。

“Yes”, said the king, “I had another daughter; but the Ogre has taken her away, because there was no one who could save her. Now you are going to have one daughter, but if you can set the other free whom the Ogre has carried off, you shall have her too with all my heart, and the other half of my kingdom.”

「ああ」と王は言った。「もう一人娘がいた。だが鬼に連れ去られてしまったのだ。救える者が誰もいなかったのでな。そなたはいま一人の娘を得ようとしているが、鬼が連れ去ったもう一人を自由にできるなら、心からその娘も、そして王国のもう半分もそなたに与えよう。」

“Well”, said Shortshanks, “I may as well try; but I must have an iron cable, five hundred fathoms long, and five hundred men, and food for them to last fifteen weeks, for I have a long voyage before me.”

「なるほど」と短脛は言った。「やってみましょう。ですが五百尋の鉄の綱と、五百人の男と、その者たちの十五週間分の食べ物が要ります。長い航海になりますから。」

Yes! the king said he should have them, but he was afraid there wasn’t a ship in his kingdom big enough to carry such a freight.

そうだ! 王はそれらを与えようと言ったが、そんな荷を積める船がこの国にあるだろうかと心配した。

“Oh! if that’s all”, said Shortshanks, “I have a ship of my own.”

「なに、それだけのことなら」と短脛は言った。「わたしには自分の船があります。」

With that he whipped out of his pocket the ship he had got from the old hag.

そう言って老婆からもらった船を隠しからさっと取り出した。

The king laughed, and thought it was all a joke; but Shortshanks begged him only to give him what he asked, and he should soon see if it was a joke. So they got together what he wanted, and Shortshanks bade him put the cable on board the ship first of all; but there was no one man who could lift it, and there wasn’t room for more than one at a time round the tiny ship. Then Shortshanks took hold of the cable by one end, and laid a link or two into the ship; and as he threw in the links, the ship grew bigger and bigger, till at last it got so big, that there was room enough and to spare in it for the cable, and the five hundred men, and their food, and Shortshanks, and all. Then he said to the ship:

王は笑って、みな冗談だと思った。だが短脛はただ求めたものを与えてくださいと頼み、冗談かどうかすぐにおわかりになりましょうと言った。そこで必要なものがそろえられ、短脛はまず何より綱を船に積み込むように言った。ところが綱を持ち上げられる者は一人もおらず、小さな船のまわりには一度に一人より多くは立てなかった。そこで短脛は綱の端をつかんで、輪を一つ二つ船に入れた。すると輪を投げ入れるにつれて船はどんどん大きくなり、とうとう綱と五百人の男とその食べ物と短脛と、何もかもを入れてなお余るほど大きくなった。そこで彼は船に言った。

“Off and away, over fresh water and salt water, over high hill and deep dale, and don’t stop till you come to where the king’s daughter is.” And away went the ship over land and sea, till the wind whistled after it.

「さあ行け、真水の上も塩水の上も、高い丘の上も深い谷の上も越えて。そして王の娘のいるところに着くまで止まるな。」。すると船は陸と海を越えて走り、そのあとを風が鳴った。

So when they had sailed far, far away, the ship stood stock still in the middle of the sea.

そうして遠く遠くまで走ると、船は海の真ん中でぴたりと止まった。

“Ah!” said Shortshanks, “now we have got so far; but how we are to get back is another story.”

「ああ!」と短脛は言った。「ここまでは来た。だがどうやって戻るかは別の話だ。」

Then he took the cable and tied one end of it round his waist, and said:

それから綱を取ってその一端を自分の腰に結びつけ、こう言った。

“Now, I must go to the bottom, but when I give the cable a good tug, and want to come up again, mind you all hoist away with a will, or your lives will be lost as well as mine”; and with these words overboard he leapt, and dived down, so that the yellow waves rose round him in an eddy.

「さて、わたしは底まで下りねばならない。だが綱を強く引いて上がりたいと合図したら、みな力を合わせて引き上げてくれ。でないとわたしの命だけでなくおまえたちの命もなくなるぞ。」。そう言うと彼は舷から跳び込み、黄色い波が渦を巻いて立ち上がるほどの勢いで潜っていった。

Well, he sank and sank, and at last he came to the bottom, and there he saw a great rock rising up with a door in it, so he opened the door and went in. When he got inside, he saw another Princess, who sat and sewed, but when she saw Shortshanks, she clasped her hands together and cried out:

さて、彼は沈みに沈んで、とうとう底に着いた。するとそこには大きな岩がそびえていて、戸がついていた。そこで戸を開けて入った。なかに入ると、坐って縫い物をしている別の姫が見えた。だが姫は短脛を見ると両手を握り合わせてこう叫んだ。

“Now, God be thanked! you are the first Christian man I’ve set eyes on since I came here.”

「まあ、神さまに感謝を! ここへ来てからはじめて見るキリスト教徒の方です。」

“Very good”, said Shortshanks; “but do you know I’ve come to fetch you?”

「けっこうです」と短脛は言った。「ですがご存じですか、わたしはあなたを迎えに来たのですよ。」

“Oh!” she cried, “you’ll never fetch me; you’ll never have that luck, for if the Ogre sees you, he’ll kill you on the spot.”

「まあ!」と姫は叫んだ。「わたしを連れ出すなんてとてもできません。そんな幸運は決してありません。鬼があなたを見たら、その場で殺してしまいます。」

“I’m glad you spoke of the Ogre”, said Shortshanks; “’twould be fine fun to see him; whereabouts is he?”

「鬼の話が出てよかった」と短脛は言った。「会えたら面白かろう。どのあたりにいるのです。」

Then the Princess told him the Ogre was out looking for some one who could brew a hundred lasts of malt at one strike, for he was going to give a great feast, and less drink wouldn’t do.

そこで姫は、鬼はひと仕込みで麦芽百ラストを醸せる者を探しに出ている、大きな宴を開くつもりで、それより少ない酒では足りないのだと話した。

“Well! I can do that”, said Shortshanks.

「なに! わたしにはそれができます」と短脛は言った。

“Ah!” said the Princess, “if only the Ogre wasn’t so hasty, I might tell him about you; but he’s so cross; I’m afraid he’ll tear you to pieces as soon as he comes in, without waiting to hear my story. Let me see what is to be done. Oh! I have it; just hide yourself in the side-room yonder, and let us take our chance.”

「ああ!」と姫は言った。「鬼があれほど気短でなければ、あなたのことを話せるのですけれど。でもあれはひどく短気で、わたしの話を聞く前に入ってくるなり引き裂いてしまいそうで怖いのです。どうしたものか考えさせてください。ああ、わかりました! あちらの脇部屋に隠れて、運を天にまかせましょう。」

Well! Shortshanks did as she told him, and he had scarce crept into the side-room before the Ogre came in.

さて! 短脛は言われたとおりにした。そして脇部屋に這い込むか込まないかのうちに、鬼が入ってきた。

“HUF!” said the Ogre; “what a horrid smell of Christian man’s blood!”

「フー!」と鬼は言った。「なんとキリスト教徒の血の恐ろしい匂いがすることか!」

“Yes!” said the Princess, “I know there is, for a bird flew over the house with a Christian man’s bone in his bill, and let it fall down the chimney. I made all the haste I could to get it out again, but I dare say it’s that you smell.”

「ええ!」と姫は言った。「そうでしょうとも。鳥がキリスト教徒の骨を嘴にくわえて家の上を飛んで、煙突から落としていったのです。できるかぎり急いでまた取り出しましたけれど、匂うのはたぶんそれでしょう。」

“Ah!” said the Ogre, “like enough.”

「ああ」と鬼は言った。「ありそうなことだ。」

Then the Princess asked the Ogre if he had laid hold of any one who could brew a hundred lasts of malt at one strike?

そこで姫は鬼に、ひと仕込みで麦芽百ラストを醸せる者を誰か見つけたかと尋ねた。

“No”, said the Ogre, “I can’t hear of any one who can do it.”

「いや」と鬼は言った。「そんなことのできる者の噂も聞かん。」

“Well”, she said, “a while ago, there was a chap in here who said he could do it.”

「そうですか」と姫は言った。「少し前にここへ来た男が、自分にはできると言っていましたよ。」

“Just like you, with your wisdom!” said the Ogre; “why did you let him go away then, when you knew he was the very man I wanted?”

「おまえの知恵らしいことだ!」と鬼は言った。「わしが探している当の男だと知っていながら、なぜ行かせてしまった。」

“Well then, I didn’t let him go”, said the Princess; “but father’s temper is a little hot, so I hid him away in the side-room yonder; but if father hasn’t hit upon any one, here he is.”

「いえ、行かせてはいません」と姫は言った。「でもお父さまは少し気が短いので、あちらの脇部屋に隠しておいたのです。でもお父さまが誰も見つけておられないなら、ここにおりますよ。」

“Well”, said the Ogre, “let him come in then.”

「そうか」と鬼は言った。「では入らせろ。」

So Shortshanks came in, and the Ogre asked him if it were true that he could brew a hundred lasts of malt at a strike?

そこで短脛が入ってくると、鬼はひと仕込みで麦芽百ラストを醸せるというのは本当かと尋ねた。

“Yes it is”, said Shortshanks.

「ええ、本当です」と短脛は言った。

“Twas good luck then to lay hands on you”, said the Ogre, “and now fall to work this minute; but heaven help you if you don’t brew the ale strong enough.”

「ではおまえを捕まえたのは幸運だった」と鬼は言った。「さあ今すぐ仕事にかかれ。だが酒が十分に強くなければ、天の助けもないと思え。」

“Oh”, said Shortshanks, “never fear, it shall be stinging stuff”; and with that he began to brew without more fuss, but all at once he cried out:

「なに」と短脛は言った。「ご心配なく、刺すような代物にしてみせます。」。そう言って何のためらいもなく醸しはじめた。ところが突然こう叫んだ。

“I must have more of you Ogres to help in the brewing, for these I have got a’nt half strong enough.”

「醸すのを手伝ってくれる鬼がもっと要る。ここにいるのでは半分も力が足りない。」

Well, he got more—so many, that there was a whole swarm of them, and then the brewing went on bravely. Now when the sweet-wort was ready, they were all eager to taste it, you may guess; first of all the Ogre, and then all his kith and kin. But Shortshanks had brewed the wort so strong that they all fell down dead, one after another, like so many flies, as soon as they had tasted it. At last there wasn’t one of them left alive but one vile old hag, who lay bed-ridden in the chimney-corner.

さて、もっと集まってきた——群れをなすほどたくさん集まって、醸造は見事に進んだ。さて甘い麦汁ができると、みな味わいたくてたまらなくなった、それはお察しのとおりである。まず何より鬼が、それからその縁者がみな味わった。ところが短脛は麦汁をあまりに強く醸してあったので、みな味わうやいなや蠅のように次々と倒れて死んでしまった。とうとう生き残ったのは、炉の隅で寝たきりになっていた汚らしい老婆一人だけになった。

“Oh you poor old wretch”, said Shortshanks, “you may just as well taste the wort along with the rest.”

「まあ、かわいそうな婆さん」と短脛は言った。「あんたもほかの連中といっしょに麦汁を味わうがいい。」

So, he went and scooped up a little from the bottom of the copper in a scoop, and gave her a drink, and so he was rid of the whole pack of them.

そう言って銅釜の底から柄杓で少しすくって飲ませてやり、こうして一味をすっかり片づけた。

As he stood there and looked about him, he cast his eye on a great chest, so he took it and filled it with gold and silver; then he tied the cable round himself and the Princess and the chest, and gave it a good tug, and his men pulled them all up, safe and sound. As soon as ever Shortshanks was well up, he said to the ship,

そこに立ってあたりを見回すと、大きな櫃に目が留まった。そこでそれを取って金銀でいっぱいにした。それから綱を自分と姫と櫃に巻きつけ、強く引いた。すると部下たちがみなを無事に引き上げた。短脛はすっかり上がるやいなや、船にこう言った。

“Off and away, over fresh water and salt water, high hill and deep dale, and don’t stop till you come to the king’s palace”; and straightway the ship held on her course, so that the yellow billows foamed round her. When the people in the palace saw the ship sailing up, they were not slow in meeting them with songs and music, welcoming Shortshanks with great joy; but the gladdest of all was the king, who had now got his other daughter back again.

「さあ行け、真水の上も塩水の上も、高い丘も深い谷も越えて。そして王の宮殿に着くまで止まるな。」。するとたちまち船は進路を取り、黄色いうねりが泡立ってまわりを流れた。宮殿の人々は船が帆走してくるのを見ると、すぐさま歌と楽の音で迎え、大きな喜びをもって短脛を歓迎した。だが誰より喜んだのは王で、もう一人の娘を取り戻したのである。

But now Shortshanks was rather down-hearted, for you must know that both the princesses wanted to have him, and he would have no other than the one he had first saved, and she was the youngest. So he walked up and down, and thought and thought what he should do to get her, and yet do something to please her sister. Well, one day as he was turning the thing over in his mind, it struck him if he only had his brother King Sturdy, who was so like him that no one could tell the one from the other, he would give up to him the other princess and half the kingdom, for he thought one-half was quite enough.

だがいま短脛はいささか気落ちしていた。というのも知っておいてほしいのだが、二人の姫がどちらも彼を望んでいて、彼のほうは最初に救った姫のほかは望まず、その姫は妹のほうだったのである。そこで彼は行ったり来たりしながら、どうすればその姫を得て、しかも姉のほうにも喜んでもらえることができるかと考えに考えた。さてある日、そのことを思案していると、ふと思いついた。自分とあまりによく似ていて誰にも見分けがつかない兄の頑丈王さえいれば、もう一人の姫と王国の半ばを譲れる。半分あれば十分だと思ったのである。

Well, as soon as ever this came into his mind, he went outside the palace and called on King Sturdy, but no one came. So he called a second time a little louder, but still no one came. Then he called out the third time “King Sturdy” with all his might, and there stood his brother before him. “Didn’t I say!” he said to Shortshanks, “didn’t I say you were not to call me except in your utmost need? and here there is not so much as a gnat to do you any harm”, and with that he gave him such a box on the ear that Shortshanks tumbled head over heels on the grass.

さて、これが頭に浮かぶやいなや、彼は宮殿の外へ出て頑丈王を呼んだ。だが誰も来なかった。そこで二度め、少し大きな声で呼んだが、それでも誰も来なかった。そこで三度め、力のかぎり「頑丈王!」と叫んだ。すると兄が目の前に立っていた。「言わなかったか」と兄は短脛に言った。「本当に瀬戸際まで追い詰められるまでは呼ぶなと言わなかったか。ここには蚊一匹おまえに害をなすものがいないではないか。」。そう言って横っ面を張り倒したので、短脛は草の上をもんどり打って転がった。

“Now shame on you to “hit so hard!” said Shortshanks. “First of all I won a princess and half the kingdom, and then I won another princess and the other half of the kingdom; and now I’m thinking to give you one of the princesses and half the kingdom. Is there any rhyme or reason in giving me such a box on the ear?”

「そんなに強く殴るなんてひどいじゃないか!」と短脛は言った。「ぼくはまず姫と王国の半ばを勝ち取って、それからもう一人の姫ともう半分の王国を勝ち取った。そしていま、兄さんに姫の一人と王国の半分をあげようと思っていたんだ。それなのにこんな平手打ちを食らわせるなんて、道理も筋もあったものか。」

When King Sturdy heard that, he begged his brother to forgive him, and they were soon as good friends as ever again.

頑丈王はそれを聞くと弟に許しを乞い、二人はまもなく前と同じくよい兄弟になった。

“Now”, said Shortshanks, “you know, we are so much alike, that no one can tell the one from the other; so just change clothes with me and go into the palace; then the princesses will think it is I that am coming in, and the one that kisses you first you shall have for your wife, and I will have the other for mine.”

「さて」と短脛は言った。「知ってのとおり、ぼくらはあまりによく似ていて誰にも見分けがつかない。だから着物を取り替えて宮殿へ入ってくれ。姫たちはぼくが入ってきたと思うだろう。そして先に口づけしたほうを兄さんの妻にして、もう一人をぼくの妻にしよう。」

And he said this because he knew well enough that the elder king’s daughter was the stronger, and so he could very well guess how things would go. As for King Sturdy, he was willing enough, so he changed clothes with his brother and went into the palace. But when he came into the Princesses’ bower they thought it was Shortshanks, and both ran up to him to kiss him; but the elder, who was stronger and bigger, pushed her sister on one side, and threw her arms round King Sturdy’s neck, and gave him a kiss; and so he got her for his wife, and Shortshanks got the younger Princess. Then they made ready for the wedding, and you may fancy what a grand one it was, when I tell you, that the fame of it was noised abroad over seven kingdoms.

こう言ったのは、姉のほうの王の娘が力が強いのをよく知っていて、どうなるかがよく察しがついたからである。頑丈王のほうも異存はなく、弟と着物を取り替えて宮殿へ入っていった。ところが姫たちの部屋に入ると、二人は短脛だと思って、どちらも駆け寄って口づけしようとした。だが姉のほうが力も体も大きかったので、妹を脇へ押しのけ、頑丈王の首に腕を回して口づけした。こうして頑丈王は姉を妻に得て、短脛は妹の姫を得た。それから婚礼の支度が整えられた。そしてそれがどれほど立派なものだったかは、その評判が七つの王国に鳴り響いたと言えばお察しのとおりである。