Cunning Ileane

Once upon a time something happened. If it had not happened, it would not be told.

むかしむかし、あることが起こった。それが起こらなかったなら、こうして語られることもなかっただろう。

There was once an emperor who had three daughters; the oldest was beautiful, the middle one more beautiful, but the youngest, Ileane, was so fair that even the sun stopped to gaze at her and admire her charms.

むかし、三人の娘を持つ皇帝がいた。いちばん上の娘は美しく、真ん中の娘はもっと美しかったが、いちばん下のイレアーネはあまりに美しかったので、太陽までもが立ち止まってその姿を眺め、その愛らしさに見とれたほどだった。

One day the emperor received the news that his neighbor, a mighty monarch, was no longer friendly, but wanted to fight with him on account of a great imperial feud. The emperor consulted the old men of the country, and, seeing there was nothing else to be done, he commanded his valiant soldiers to mount their horses, take their weapons, and prepare for the terrible battle which was to be fought.

ある日、皇帝は、隣国の強大な君主がもう友好の間柄ではなく、大きな帝位争いのために戦を仕掛けようとしているという知らせを受けた。皇帝は国の長老たちと相談し、ほかにどうしようもないと見て、勇ましい兵たちに馬に乗り武器を取って、これから戦われる恐ろしい戦の支度をするよう命じた。

Before mounting himself, the emperor called his daughters, addressed a few fatherly, touching words to them, and gave each one a beautiful flower, a merry little bird, and a rosy-cheeked apple.

自分が馬に乗る前に、皇帝は娘たちを呼んで、父親らしい心に沁みる言葉を少しかけ、めいめいに美しい花と陽気な小鳥とばら色の頬をしたりんごを与えた。

"Whoever has her flower wither, her bird mope or her apple rot, I shall know has not kept her faith," said the wise emperor; then mounting his steed he wished them "Good-health" and set off with his brave soldiers on their toilsome way.

「花が枯れた者、小鳥が元気をなくした者、りんごが腐った者は、誠を守らなかったのだとわしにはわかるぞ」と賢い皇帝は言った。それから馬にまたがって「息災でな」と娘たちに言い、勇ましい兵たちとともに苦しい道へと出発した。

When the neighboring emperor's three sons heard the news that the emperor had quitted his home and gone to the war, they made an agreement among themselves and sprang on their horses to ride to the palace and vex the monarch by making his three daughters faithless to his trust. The oldest prince, a brave, spirited, handsome fellow, went first to see how matters stood and bring tidings afterward to the others.

隣国の皇帝の三人の息子は、皇帝が家を離れて戦に行ったという知らせを聞くと、互いに申し合わせて馬に跳び乗り、宮殿へ行って三人の娘に父の信頼を裏切らせ、君主を悔しがらせてやろうとした。まずいちばん上の王子が、勇ましく気概のある美しい若者で、様子を見に行って、あとで兄弟たちに知らせることになった。

Three days and three nights the champion stood under the wall, but not one of the girls had appeared at the windows. In the gray dawn of the fourth day he lost patience, plucked up his courage, and tapped on the oldest princess's window.

三日三晩、この勇士は塀の下に立っていたが、娘は一人も窓に姿を見せなかった。四日目の薄明かりのなかで、王子は辛抱しきれなくなり、勇気をふるって、いちばん上の姫の窓を叩いた。

"What is it--what is it? What is wanted?" asked the royal maiden, roused from her sleep.

「何です、何です? 何の用です」と、眠りから覚めた王家の娘は尋ねた。

"It is I, little sister," said the prince, "I, an emperor's son, who have stood under your window three days for love of you."

「わたしです、妹さん」と王子は言った。「あなたを恋い慕って三日もあなたの窓の下に立っていた、皇帝の息子です。」

The princess did not even approach the window, but replied in a prudent tone:

姫は窓に近寄りもせず、慎み深い口調で答えた。

"Go back home by the way you came; may flowers spring up before you and thorns remain behind."

「来た道を通ってお帰りなさい。あなたの前に花が咲き、うしろにいばらが残りますように。」

After three more days and nights the prince again knocked on the girl's window. This time the princess approached it, and said in a more gentle voice:

さらに三日三晩たって、王子はまた娘の窓を叩いた。今度は姫が窓に近寄って、もう少しやさしい声で言った。

"I told you to go back home by the way you came; may thorns spring up before you and flowers remain behind."

「来た道を通ってお帰りなさいと申しました。あなたの前にいばらが生え、うしろに花が残りますように。」

Once more the prince waited three days and three nights under the maiden's window. In the gray dawn of the tenth day, that is after thrice three days and thrice three nights had passed, he smoothed his hair and for the third time tapped on the window.

王子はもう一度、三日三晩娘の窓の下で待った。十日目の薄明かりのなか、つまり三たびの三日と三たびの三晩が過ぎたところで、王子は髪をなでつけて、三度目に窓を叩いた。

"What is it? Who is it? What is wanted?" asked the princess, this time somewhat more sternly than before.

「何です? 誰です? 何の用です」と姫は、今度は前よりいくらか厳しく尋ねた。

"It is I, little sister," said the prince. "For thrice three days I have stood longingly under your window. I would like to see your face, gaze into your eyes, and watch the words flow from your lips!"

「わたしです、妹さん」と王子は言った。「三たびの三日のあいだ、恋い焦がれてあなたの窓の下に立っていました。あなたの顔を見て、その目をのぞき込み、そのくちびるから言葉がこぼれるのを見たいのです!」

The princess opened the window, glanced angrily at the handsome youth, and said in a scarcely audible voice:

姫は窓を開けて、美しい若者を怒った目で見て、やっと聞こえるほどの声で言った。

"I would willingly look into your face and say a word or two to you, but first go to my younger sister--then come to me."

「わたしもあなたの顔を見て、ひと言ふた言お話ししたいのですが、まず妹のところへいらっしゃい——それからわたしのところへ。」

"I'll send my younger brother," replied the prince. "But give me one kiss to make my way home pleasanter."

「では弟をよこしましょう」と王子は答えた。「けれども帰り道が楽しくなるように、口づけをひとつください。」

And almost before he had spoken, he snatched a kiss from the beautiful girl.

そう言い終わるか終わらないうちに、王子は美しい娘から口づけを奪った。

"May no second one fall to your lot," said the princess, wiping her mouth with her embroidered sleeve. "Go back home by the way you came; may flowers spring up before you and flowers remain behind."

「二度目があなたの身に降りかかりませんように」と姫は、刺繍をした袖で口をぬぐって言った。「来た道を通ってお帰りなさい。あなたの前に花が咲き、うしろに花が残りますように。」

The prince went back to his brothers and told them all that had happened, and the second took his departure.

王子は兄弟のところへ帰って、起こったことをすっかり話し、二番目の王子が出発した。

After this prince had stood under the second princess's window nine times nine days and nine times nine nights and tapped for the ninth time at her window, she opened it and said to him kindly:

この王子が二番目の姫の窓の下に九たびの九日と九たびの九晩立って、九度目に窓を叩くと、姫は窓を開けてやさしく言った。

"I would like to look at you and say a word or two to you, but first go to my youngest sister, then come to me."

「あなたを見て、ひと言ふた言お話ししたいのですが、まず末の妹のところへいらっしゃい。それからわたしのところへ。」

"I'll send my youngest brother," said the prince. "But give me one kiss, that I may hurry the faster."

「では末の弟をよこしましょう」と王子は言った。「けれども早く急げるように、口づけをひとつください。」

He had scarcely said it, when he stole a kiss.

そう言うか言わないかのうちに、王子は口づけを盗んだ。

"May no second one fall to your lot," said this royal maiden too. "Go back home by the way you came, may flowers spring up before you and flowers remain behind!"

「二度目があなたの身に降りかかりませんように」と、この王家の娘も言った。「来た道を通ってお帰りなさい。あなたの前に花が咲き、うしろに花が残りますように!」

The prince returned to his brothers, told them all that had happened, and--for the third time--a hero departed, the youngest son. When he reached the palace where the three sisters lived Ileane was standing at the window, and when she saw him, said merrily:

王子は兄弟のところへ帰って起こったことをすっかり話し、そして——三度目に——末の息子である勇士が出発した。三人姉妹の住む宮殿に着くと、イレアーネが窓辺に立っていて、王子を見ると陽気に言った。

"You handsome champion with the royal face, where are you hurrying, that you urge on your steed so hotly?"

「王家の顔立ちをした美しい勇士さま、そんなに馬を急かせて、どこへ急いでいらっしゃるの。」

When the prince saw Ileane's face and heard Ileane's words, he stopped, gazed at her, and answered boldly:

王子はイレアーネの顔を見、イレアーネの言葉を聞くと、馬を止めて娘を見つめ、大胆に答えた。

"I'm hurrying to the sun to steal one of its rays, to give to its sister and take her home, where she shall become my bride. Now, little sister, I will stop on my way to look at you, gaze at the radiance of your face, say a word to you and steal a word in reply."

「太陽のところへ急いでいるのです。その光をひと筋盗んで、太陽の妹に与え、その人を連れ帰って花嫁にするために。さあ、妹さん、道すがら立ち止まって、あなたを見て、その顔の輝きに見とれて、ひと言かけて、その返事をひと言盗んでいきましょう。」

Ileane cleverly answered: "If your nature is like your words, if your soul is like your face, proud and beautiful, and mild and gentle, I will gladly call you into the house, seat you at a banquet, give you food and drink and kisses."

イレアーネは賢く答えた。「もしあなたの心根がそのお言葉のようで、その魂がそのお顔のように、誇り高く美しく、穏やかでやさしいのなら、喜んであなたを家にお招きして、宴の席に着かせ、食べ物と飲み物と口づけを差し上げましょう。」

The prince sprang from his horse as he heard these words, and answered boldly:

王子はこの言葉を聞くと馬から跳び下りて、大胆に答えた。

"My nature will be like my speech, my heart like my face; let me in, seat me at the banquet, you shall never repent it from dawn till nightfall."

「わたしの心根は言葉のとおり、心は顔のとおりです。中に入れて、宴の席に着かせてください。夜明けから日暮れまで、けっして後悔はさせません。」

He had scarcely uttered the words when he leaped upon the window-sill, jumped through the window into the room, went through the room to the table, and took his place at the very top, where the emperor had sat when he was a bridegroom.

そう言い終わるか終わらないうちに、王子は窓の敷居に跳び乗り、窓から部屋に跳び込み、部屋を抜けて食卓へ行き、皇帝が花婿だったときに座ったいちばんの上座に腰を下ろした。

"Stop, stop!" said Ileane. "First let me see whether you are what you ought to be, and then we'll talk and begin our love-making. Can you make roses grow on burdocks?"

「お待ちなさい、お待ちなさい!」とイレアーネは言った。「まず、あなたがしかるべき方かどうか見せていただいて、それからお話しして恋の語らいを始めましょう。ごぼうに薔薇を咲かせられますか。」

"No!" said the prince.

「いや!」と王子は言った。

"Then the thistle is your flower," said clever Ileane. "Can you make the bat sing in a sweet voice?"

「では、あざみがあなたの花です」と賢いイレアーネは言った。「こうもりに甘い声で歌わせられますか。」

"No!" said the prince.

「いや!」と王子は言った。

"Then night is your day," said clever Ileane. "Can you make apples grow on wolf's-bane?"

「では、夜があなたの昼です」と賢いイレアーネは言った。「とりかぶとにりんごを実らせられますか。」

"That I can!" said the prince.

「それならできる!」と王子は言った。

"Then that shall be your fruit!" replied the beautiful and cunning Ileane. "Sit down at the table."

「では、それがあなたの実です!」と美しくずる賢いイレアーネは答えた。「食卓にお着きなさい。」

The prince took his place. Ah! but Ileane was indeed cunning Ileane. Ere he had fairly seated himself, he dropped, chair and all, into the deep cellar where the emperor's treasures were kept.

王子は席に着いた。ああ! けれどもイレアーネはまさにずる賢いイレアーネだった。王子が腰を落ち着ける間もなく、椅子もろとも、皇帝の宝物をしまってある深い地下室へ落ちてしまったのである。

Ileane now began to scream: "Help!" and when all the servants came rushing in to see what had happened, she told them she had heard a noise and was afraid that some one had got into the cellar to rob the emperor of his treasures. The servants did not waste many words, but instantly opened the iron door and went into the cellar, where they found the prince and brought him in disgrace to be sentenced.

イレアーネはそこで「助けて!」と叫びはじめた。そして召し使いたちがみな何事かと駆けつけてくると、物音が聞こえたので、誰かが地下室に入り込んで皇帝の宝を盗もうとしているのではないかと心配なのだと言った。召し使いたちは言葉を費やさずにすぐ鉄の扉を開けて地下室に入り、そこで王子を見つけて、辱めのうちに裁きを受けさせようと連れてきた。

Ileane pronounced judgment.

イレアーネが判決を下した。

Twelve girls under punishment for some offense were to carry him out of the country, and when they had reached the frontier with him, each one was to give him a kiss.

何か罪を犯して罰を受けている十二人の娘がこの男を国の外へ運び出し、国境に着いたら、めいめいが口づけをひとつずつ与えること。

The order was obeyed. When the prince reached home and joined his brothers, he told them the whole story, and after every thing had been related their hearts were filled with rage. So they sent word to the two older princesses that they must arrange to have Ileane go to the three princes' court, so that they might revenge themselves upon her for the insult she had offered them. When the oldest daughter received this message from the prince she pretended to be sick, called Ileane to her bedside, and told her that she could not get well unless Ileane brought her something to eat from the princes' kitchen.

命令は実行された。王子が家に帰って兄弟たちのところへ戻ると、事の次第をすっかり話した。何もかも話し終えると、三人の胸は怒りでいっぱいになった。そこで三人は上の二人の姫に、自分たちが受けた侮辱の仕返しができるように、イレアーネを三人の王子の宮廷へ来させるよう取り計らえと言伝てを送った。いちばん上の娘は王子からこの言伝てを受け取ると、病気のふりをしてイレアーネを枕もとに呼び、王子たちの台所から何か食べ物を持ってきてくれなければ治らないと言った。

Ileane would have done any thing for her sister's sake, so she took a little jug and set off for the court of the three princes, to beg or steal. When she reached the palace, she rushed breathlessly into the kitchen and said to the head-cook:

イレアーネは姉のためなら何でもしただろうから、小さな壺を持って、もらうか盗むかしようと三人の王子の宮廷へ出かけた。宮殿に着くと、イレアーネは息せき切って台所へ駆け込み、料理長に言った。

"For heaven's sake, don't you hear the emperor calling you? Make haste, and see what is the matter."

「まあ大変、皇帝さまがお呼びなのが聞こえないのですか。急いで何のご用か見にいらっしゃい。」

The cook took to his heels and ran as fast as he could, as though he had received an imperial command. Ileane, left alone in the kitchen, filled her jug with food, emptied all the dainty dishes that were on the fire upon the floor, and went away.

料理長は、皇帝の命令を受けたかのように、一目散にできるかぎりの速さで走っていった。台所に一人残されたイレアーネは、壺に食べ物を詰め、火にかかっていたごちそうを残らず床にぶちまけて、立ち去った。

When the princes heard of this insult they were still more enraged than before, sent another message to the two sisters and again prepared a revenge. As soon as the second sister received the news, she, too, pretended to be ill, called Ileane to her bed, and told her that she could not get well unless she tasted the wine in the princes' cellar. Ileane would have done any thing for her sister, so she took the little jug and prepared to go again.

王子たちはこの侮辱を聞くと、前よりもっと怒り狂って、二人の姉にまた言伝てを送り、また仕返しの支度をした。二番目の姉は知らせを受け取るやいなや、やはり病気のふりをしてイレアーネを枕もとに呼び、王子たちの地下室のぶどう酒を味わわなければ治らないと言った。イレアーネは姉のためなら何でもしただろうから、小さな壺を持ってまた出かける支度をした。

When she reached the court she rushed into the cellar, and, panting for breath, said to the head-butler:

宮廷に着くと、イレアーネは地下室に駆け込み、息を切らして酒庫番の長に言った。

"For heaven's sake, don't you hear the emperor calling you? Make haste and see what is the matter." The butler took to his heels and ran as if he had received an imperial command. Ileane filled her jug with wine, poured out the rest on the cellar floor, and then hurried home.

「まあ大変、皇帝さまがお呼びなのが聞こえないのですか。急いで何のご用か見にいらっしゃい。」酒庫番は、皇帝の命令を受けたかのように一目散に走っていった。イレアーネは壺にぶどう酒を詰め、残りを地下室の床にぶちまけて、急いで家に帰った。

The princes sent a third message to the two princesses and told them they must send Ileane in a different way from what they had done before. This time both the princesses feigned illness, called their sister to them, and told her that they could not get well unless Ileane brought them two of the princes' apples.

王子たちは二人の姫に三度目の言伝てを送り、今度は前とはちがうやり方でイレアーネをよこすようにと言った。今度は二人の姫がそろって仮病を使い、妹を呼んで、王子たちのりんごを二つ持ってきてくれなければ治らないと言った。

"My dear sisters," replied Ileane, "I would go through fire and water for you, how much more willingly to the princes." Taking the little jug she set off to find, seize, and bring back the fruit and save her dear sisters' lives.

「いとしいお姉さまたち」とイレアーネは答えた。「あなたがたのためなら火の中も水の中もくぐります。まして王子たちのところへなら、喜んで行きます。」そして小さな壺を持って、実を見つけて取って帰り、いとしい姉たちの命を救おうと出かけていった。

When the youngest prince learned that Ileane was coming to the garden to steal the golden apples, he gave orders that, if groans were heard there, nobody must dare go in, but let the person who was wailing, moan in peace. Then he hid huge knives, swords, spears, and many other things in the earth under the tree that bore the golden apples, concealing them so that only the sharp points rose out of the ground. After he had finished, he hid himself in a clump of bushes and waited for Ileane. She came to the gate, and seeing the two huge lions that kept guard there flung each of them a piece of meat; the lions began to tear it, and the princess went to the apple tree, stepped cautiously between the knives, swords, spears, and other things, and climbed into it.

末の王子は、イレアーネが金のりんごを盗みに庭へ来ると知ると、もしそこでうめき声が聞こえても、誰も入ってはならない、嘆いている者は静かに嘆かせておけと命じた。それから王子は、金のりんごの実る木の下の土のなかに、大きな包丁や剣や槍やそのほかいろいろなものを隠し、鋭い先だけが地面から出るようにした。それがすむと、王子は茂みのなかに隠れてイレアーネを待った。イレアーネは門に来て、そこの番をしている二頭の大きな獅子を見ると、めいめいに肉をひと切れ投げてやった。獅子たちがそれを引き裂きはじめると、姫はりんごの木のところへ行き、包丁や剣や槍やそのほかのもののあいだを用心して踏み越え、木に登った。

"May this do you much good, little sister," said the prince. "I'm glad to see you in my garden."

「それはよかったね、妹さん」と王子は言った。「わたしの庭であなたに会えてうれしいよ。」

"The pleasure is mine," replied Ileane, "since I have so brave and handsome a prince for my companion. Come, climb the tree and help me pick some apples for my dear sisters, who are dangerously ill and have asked for them."

「喜びはわたしのほうです」とイレアーネは答えた。「こんなに勇ましく美しい王子さまがお相手なのですから。さあ、木に登って、わたしがいとしい姉たちのためにりんごを摘むのを手伝ってください。姉たちは重い病気で、りんごをほしがっているのです。」

The prince wanted nothing better--he meant to pull Ileane from the tree among the knives.

王子にはそれこそ願ってもないことだった——イレアーネを木から包丁のなかへ引きずり落とすつもりだったのである。

"You are very kind, Ileane," he replied, "be kinder still and give me your hand to help me up into the tree."

「あなたはとてもやさしいね、イレアーネ」と王子は答えた。「もっとやさしくして、木に登れるように手を貸してください。」

"Your plan is wicked," thought Ileane, "but it shall work your own misfortune." She gave him her hand, pulled him up the trunk to the branches, and then let him drop among the knives, swords, spears and other such things, which had been put there for her own destruction.

「よからぬ企みね」とイレアーネは思った。「でも、それはあなた自身の災いになるでしょう。」イレアーネは手を貸して、王子を幹から枝まで引き上げ、それから、自分を滅ぼすために置かれていた包丁や剣や槍やそのほかのものの上に落としてやった。

"There you are," she said, "now you will know what you meant to do."

「そらごらんなさい」とイレアーネは言った。「これで自分が何をするつもりだったかおわかりでしょう。」

The hero with the black soul began to shriek and groan--but nobody came to help him; they left him, according to his own orders, to moan in peace, and he was obliged to bear his terrible sufferings patiently.

黒い魂を持つ勇士は悲鳴をあげてうめきはじめた——けれども誰も助けに来なかった。自分の命令どおり、人々は王子を静かに嘆くにまかせたので、王子は恐ろしい苦しみをじっと耐えるほかなかった。

Ileane took her apples, carried them home, gave them to her sisters, and then went back to the imperial palace and told the servants to go and rescue their master from his great danger.

イレアーネはりんごを取って家に持ち帰り、姉たちに渡し、それから皇帝の宮殿へ戻って、召し使いたちに、大変な目にあっている主人を助けに行くよう告げた。

The prince, who had been so abominably treated, sent for the most skillful witch in the whole country to come and give him a cure for his wounds. But Ileane had gone to the witch first and offered her a great deal of money to let her, Ileane, go to the court in her place. So Ileane went to the palace disguised as the witch. She ordered a buffalo hide to be soaked in vinegar three days and three nights, then taken out and wrapped around the wounded youth. But the prince's cuts only burned the more, and his sufferings became still more unbearable. When he saw that he was in a bad way, he sent for a priest that he might relieve his heart before he died and give him the sacrament. But Ileane was not idle. She went to the priest, offered him a large sum of money, and induced him to let her go to the palace instead. So Ileane arrived at the court disguised as a priest.

ひどい目にあった王子は、国じゅうでいちばん腕のいい魔女を呼んで、傷を治す薬をくれと頼んだ。けれどもイレアーネが先に魔女のところへ行き、大金を出して、自分が魔女の代わりに宮廷へ行かせてくれと申し出た。そこでイレアーネは魔女に化けて宮殿へ行った。イレアーネは水牛の皮を三日三晩酢に浸して、それから取り出して傷ついた若者に巻きつけるよう命じた。けれども王子の切り傷はますます焼けつくように痛み、その苦しみはいっそう耐えがたくなった。王子は自分がひどい状態だと悟ると、死ぬ前に心の重荷を下ろして聖体を授けてもらおうと、司祭を呼びにやった。けれどもイレアーネも手をこまねいてはいなかった。イレアーネは司祭のところへ行って大金を差し出し、自分を代わりに宮殿へ行かせるよう説き伏せた。そこでイレアーネは司祭に化けて宮廷に着いた。

When she approached the prince's bed he was at the point of death, there were scarcely three breaths left in him.

イレアーネが王子の寝床に近づくと、王子は今にも死にそうで、息が三つと残っていないほどだった。

"My son," said the false priest, Ileane, "you have summoned me to confess your sins to me. Think of the hour of death, and tell me all you have on your heart. Are you at variance with any one? Yes, or no?"

「息子よ」と偽りの司祭であるイレアーネは言った。「あなたはわたしに罪を告白しようと呼び寄せました。死の時を思って、心にあることをみな話しなさい。誰かと仲たがいしていますか。いますか、いませんか。」

"With no one," replied the prince, "except Ileane, the youngest daughter of the emperor, our neighbor. And I hate her out of love and longing," he continued. "If I should not die, but recover, I will ask the emperor for her hand in marriage, and if I don't kill her the first night she shall be my faithful wife according to the law." Ileane heard these words, said a few in reply, and then went home. Here she soon understood why her sisters were wailing and lamenting, for they had heard that the emperor was returning home from the great war.

「誰とも」と王子は答えた。「隣国の皇帝の末の娘イレアーネのほかは。わたしはあの娘を、恋と憧れゆえに憎んでいるのです」と王子は続けた。「もし死なずに治ったら、皇帝に妻にくれと頼みます。そして最初の夜に殺さなければ、法にのっとって、あの娘はわたしの忠実な妻になるでしょう。」イレアーネはこの言葉を聞き、二言三言答えてから家に帰った。ここでイレアーネは、姉たちが泣き嘆いているわけをすぐに悟った。姉たちは、皇帝が大きな戦から帰ってくると聞いたのである。

"You ought to rejoice," said Ileane, "when you hear that our kind father is coming home safe and well."

「喜ぶべきですよ」とイレアーネは言った。「やさしいお父さまが無事に元気で帰っていらっしゃると聞いたのですから。」

"We should rejoice," replied the sisters, "if our flowers had not withered, our apples had not rotted, and our birds had not stopped singing; but now we have reason to cry."

「喜べるでしょうとも」と姉たちは答えた。「わたしたちの花が枯れず、りんごが腐らず、小鳥が歌うのをやめていなければね。でも今は泣くしかないの。」

When Ileane heard these words she went to her room, saw the flower sprinkled with dew, the bird hungry, and the apple looking as if it wanted to say: "Eat me, little sister!"

イレアーネはこの言葉を聞くと自分の部屋へ行き、露に濡れた花と、腹をすかせた小鳥と、「食べて、妹さん!」と言いたげなりんごを見た。

So, to help her dear sisters, she gave the flower to one and the bird to the other, keeping only the beautiful apple for herself. So they waited for the arrival of the emperor, who was very stern in his commands.

そこでイレアーネは、いとしい姉たちを助けようと、花を一人に、小鳥をもう一人に与え、美しいりんごだけを自分のために取っておいた。こうして三人は、命令にたいそう厳しい皇帝の到着を待った。

When the monarch reached home, he approached his oldest daughter and asked for the flower, the bird, and the apple. She showed him nothing but the flower, and even that was half withered. The emperor said nothing, but went to his second daughter. She showed him only the little bird, and that, too, looked drooping. Again the emperor did not speak, but silently went up to his youngest daughter, clever Ileane.

君主は家に着くと、いちばん上の娘のところへ行って、花と小鳥とりんごを見せろと言った。娘は花しか見せられず、その花さえ半ば枯れていた。皇帝は何も言わずに二番目の娘のところへ行った。娘は小鳥しか見せられず、その小鳥もうなだれていた。皇帝はまた何も言わず、黙っていちばん下の娘、賢いイレアーネのところへ上がっていった。

When the emperor saw the apple on Ileane's chest of drawers he could almost have devoured it with his eyes, it was so beautiful. "Where did you put the flower, and what have you done with the bird?" he asked Ileane.

皇帝はイレアーネの整理だんすの上のりんごを見ると、あまりに美しいので、目で食べてしまいそうだった。「花はどこへやった。小鳥はどうした」と皇帝はイレアーネに尋ねた。

Ileane did not answer, but hurried to her sisters and brought back a fresh flower and a merry little bird.

イレアーネは答えずに、急いで姉たちのところへ行って、みずみずしい花と陽気な小鳥を持って戻ってきた。

"May you prosper, my little daughter," said the emperor; "I see now that you have kept faith with me."

「栄えるがよい、わが娘よ」と皇帝は言った。「おまえがわしに誠を守ってくれたのが、これでわかった。」

From Ileane the emperor went to his second daughter, and then to the eldest one.

皇帝はイレアーネのところから二番目の娘のところへ行き、それからいちばん上の娘のところへ行った。

When he questioned them about the three things he had trusted to their care, they hastily brought Ileane's flower, bird, and apple. But as God permits no falsehood to succeed, in their hands the flower withered, the bird moped, and only the apple remained fresh, rosy-cheeked, and eatable.

皇帝が、託した三つのものについて問いただすと、二人は急いでイレアーネの花と小鳥とりんごを持ってきた。けれども神は偽りが成功するのをお許しにならないので、二人の手のなかで花は枯れ、小鳥は元気をなくし、りんごだけがみずみずしくばら色の頬をしたまま食べられる姿で残った。

When the emperor saw this he understood every thing, and ordered the two older princesses to be buried to their breasts in the earth, and left there that they might be an example of the severity of an imperial punishment. But Ileane he praised, kissed, spoke to her in kind, fatherly words, and said: "May you have much happiness, my child, for you have been faithful to your duty."

皇帝はこれを見て何もかも悟り、上の二人の姫を胸まで地に埋めて、皇帝の罰の厳しさを示す見せしめとしてそこに置いておくよう命じた。けれどもイレアーネはほめたたえ、口づけし、やさしい父親らしい言葉をかけて言った。「多くの幸せがあるように、わが子よ。おまえは自分の務めに忠実だったのだから。」

After the neighboring emperor's son had recovered, he mounted his horse and set off to ask Ileane to be his wife. The old emperor, Ileane's father, after hearing for what purpose the prince had come, said to him kindly:

隣国の皇帝の息子は治ると、馬に乗ってイレアーネに妻になってくれと頼みに出かけた。イレアーネの父である年とった皇帝は、王子が何のために来たのかを聞くと、やさしく言った。

"Go and ask Ileane, my son and hero; whatever she wishes shall, with God's help, be done."

「行ってイレアーネに尋ねなさい、わが息子、勇士よ。あの子が望むことなら、神の助けによってそのとおりになるだろう。」

Ileane said nothing, but permitted the prince to kiss her. The emperor instantly understood the whole matter and said: "My dear children, I see that you ought to be husband and wife; may it prove for your good."

イレアーネは何も言わずに、王子が口づけするのを許した。皇帝はたちまち事の次第を悟って言った。「いとしい子どもたちよ、おまえたちは夫婦になるべきだと思う。それがよい結果になりますように。」

It was not long before Ileane married the bold, handsome, heroic youth. Her wedding was so magnificent that tidings of it spread through seven countries. Yes indeed! But Ileane had not forgotten the evil the prince had in his mind; she knew that he would try some trick upon her the first night after their marriage. So she ordered a sugar doll to be made exactly the same size as she was herself, with face, eyes, lips, and figure precisely like Ileane's. When it was finished, she hid it in the bed where she was to sleep that night.

まもなくイレアーネは、大胆で美しい英雄的な若者と結婚した。その婚礼はあまりに華やかで、その噂は七つの国に広まった。まったくそのとおり! けれどもイレアーネは、王子が胸に抱いていた悪意を忘れてはいなかった。結婚した最初の夜に、王子が自分に何か仕掛けてくるとわかっていたのである。そこでイレアーネは、自分とまったく同じ大きさで、顔も目もくちびるも姿もイレアーネそっくりの砂糖の人形をこしらえさせた。できあがると、その夜眠ることになっている寝台にそれを隠しておいた。

In the evening, when the relatives and friends had gone to rest and Ileane, too, had been asleep, the prince said to his bride:

夕方、親類や友人たちが休みに行き、イレアーネもすでに眠っていると、王子は花嫁に言った。

"Dear Ileane, wait a little while, I'll come back directly." Then he left the room.

「いとしいイレアーネ、少し待っていておくれ。すぐに戻るから。」そう言って王子は部屋を出ていった。

Ileane did not hesitate long, but jumped out of bed, left the sugar doll in her place, and hid behind a curtain at the head of the bed.

イレアーネは長くためらわずに寝台から跳び起きて、自分の場所に砂糖の人形を置き、寝台の頭のほうの帳のうしろに隠れた。

She had scarcely concealed herself, when the prince returned to the chamber with a sharp sword in his hand.

隠れるやいなや、王子が鋭い剣を手にして部屋に戻ってきた。

"Tell me now, my dear Ileane," he said, "did you throw me into the cellar?"

「さあ言え、いとしいイレアーネ」と王子は言った。「おまえがわたしを地下室へ落としたのか。」

"Yes," said Ileane, behind the curtain. The prince dealt one blow with the sword on the doll's breast.

「ええ」と帳のうしろでイレアーネは言った。王子は剣で人形の胸にひと打ちくらわせた。

"Did you drive me out of the country with scorn and mockery?" he asked again.

「おまえがわたしをあざけり嘲って国から追い出したのか」と王子はまた尋ねた。

"Yes," said Ileane.

「ええ」とイレアーネは言った。

The prince cut the doll across her face.

王子は人形の顔を横に切った。

"Did you empty my dishes of food?" asked the prince the third time.

「おまえがわたしの料理をぶちまけたのか」と王子は三度目に尋ねた。

"Yes," said Ileane.

「ええ」とイレアーネは言った。

The prince slashed the doll from head to foot.

王子は人形を頭から足まで切りつけた。

"Did you pour out my wine?" was the prince's fourth question.

「おまえがわたしのぶどう酒をぶちまけたのか」というのが王子の四つ目の問いだった。

"Yes," said Ileane.

「ええ」とイレアーネは言った。

The prince cut the figure once across. Ileane began to breathe heavily as if in the agony of death.

王子は人形をもうひと太刀横に切った。イレアーネは死の苦しみにあえぐかのように、荒く息をしはじめた。

"Did you throw me among the knives?" he asked for the fifth and last question.

「おまえがわたしを包丁のなかへ落としたのか」と王子は五つ目の、最後の問いを尋ねた。

"Yes," said Ileane.

「ええ」とイレアーネは言った。

The prince now thrust his sword into the figure's heart, slashed, and hacked it in all directions, with all his strength, till the tears ran down in streams. As dawn approached he began to sob bitterly. Suddenly a bit of sugar popped into his mouth.

王子は今度は人形の心臓に剣を突き刺し、力のかぎりあらゆる方向へ切りつけ、切り刻んで、とうとう涙が川のように流れ落ちた。夜明けが近づくころ、王子は激しくむせび泣きはじめた。すると突然、砂糖のかけらがひとつ口のなかに転がり込んだ。

"Ah, Ileane! you were sweet in life, and remain sweet even in death," he said, weeping still more violently.

「ああ、イレアーネ! おまえは生きているときも甘かったが、死んでもなお甘いのだな」と王子は言って、いっそう激しく泣いた。

"Sweet indeed," said Ileane, coming out from behind the curtain, "but from this hour forth I will be a hundred thousand times sweeter."

「たしかに甘いですわ」と帳のうしろから出てきてイレアーネは言った。「でも、この時からさきは十万倍も甘くなりましょう。」

The prince seemed fairly petrified with delight, when he saw Ileane safe and well. He clasped her in his arms, and for many years they lived joyously and ruled the land in peace and happiness.

王子はイレアーネが無事で元気なのを見て、喜びのあまり石になったようだった。王子はイレアーネを腕に抱きしめ、二人は長年楽しく暮らして、国を平和と幸せのうちに治めた。