The Wind-demon

There was once upon a time an old Padishah who had three sons and three daughters. One day the old man fell ill, and though they called all the leeches together to help him, his disease would not take a turn for the better. “I already belong to Death,” he thought, and calling to him his sons and daughters, he thus addressed them: “If I die, he among you shall be Padishah who watches three nights at my tomb. As for my daughters, I give them to him who first comes to woo them.” And with that he died, and was buried as became a Padishah.

むかしむかし、三人の息子と三人の娘を持つ年とった王(パーディシャー)がいた。ある日、年とった王は病にかかり、医者をみな呼び集めて手当てさせたが、病はよくならなかった。「わしはもう死神のものだ」と王は思い、息子たちと娘たちを呼び寄せて、こう言った。「わしが死んだら、おまえたちのうち三晩わしの墓の番をした者が王になるのだ。娘たちについては、いちばん先に求婚しに来た者に与える。」そう言うと王は死に、王にふさわしく葬られた。

Now as the realm could have a Padishah in no other way, the eldest son went to his father’s tomb and sat there for half the night, said his prayers upon his carpet, and awaited the dawn. But all at once a horrible din arose in the midst of the darkness, and so frightened was he that he snatched up his slippers and never stopped till he got home. The next night the middling son also went out to the tomb, and he also sat there for half the night, but no sooner did he hear the great din than he too caught up his slippers and hurried off homewards. So it now came to the turn of the third and youngest son.

さて、国はほかに王を持つ方法がなかったので、いちばん上の息子が父の墓へ行って夜半までそこに座り、敷物の上で祈りを唱えて夜明けを待った。ところが突然、暗闇のなかですさまじい騒ぎが起こり、息子はひどくおびえて、スリッパをひっつかむと家に着くまで一度も止まらなかった。次の夜は二番目の息子も墓へ出かけ、やはり夜半までそこに座っていたが、大きな騒ぎを聞くやいなや、やはりスリッパをひっつかんで急いで家へ逃げ帰った。そこで今度は三番目の、いちばん下の息子の番になった。

The third son took his sword, stuck it in his girdle, and went off to the tomb. Sure enough, when he had sat there till midnight, he heard the horrible din, and so horrible was it that the very earth trembled. The youth pulled himself together, went straight towards the spot from whence the noise came loudest, and behold! right in front of him stood a huge dragon. Drawing his sword, the youth fell upon the dragon so furiously that at last the monster had scarcely strength enough left to say: “If thou art a man, put thy heel upon me and strike me with thy sword but once more!”

三番目の息子は剣を取って帯に差し、墓へ出かけた。案の定、真夜中まで座っていると、すさまじい騒ぎが聞こえ、それがあまりに恐ろしくて大地までもが震えた。若者は気を引きしめて、音がいちばん大きく聞こえるほうへまっすぐ向かっていった。すると、なんと! 目の前に巨大な竜が立っていた。若者は剣を抜いて激しく竜に打ちかかったので、とうとう怪物はやっとのことでこう言うだけの力しか残っていなかった。「男なら、わしをかかとで踏みつけて、もう一度剣で打て!」

“Not I,” cried the King’s son, “my mother only bore me into the world once,” whereupon the dragon yielded up its filthy soul. The King’s son would have cut off the beast’s ears and nose, but he could not see very well in the dark, and began groping about for them, when all at once he saw afar off a little shining light. He went straight towards it, and there in the midst of the brightness he saw an old man. Two globes were in his hand, one black and the other white; the black globe he was turning round and round, and from the white globe proceeded the light.

「打つものか」と王の息子は叫んだ。「わたしの母はわたしを一度しかこの世に産まなかったのだから。」すると竜はその汚らわしい魂を吐き出した。王の息子は獣の耳と鼻を切り取ろうとしたが、暗くてよく見えなかったので手さぐりしはじめた。すると突然、遠くに小さな光が輝いているのが見えた。若者がまっすぐそちらへ向かっていくと、その明るさのまんなかに一人の老人がいた。老人の手には玉が二つあって、ひとつは黒く、ひとつは白かった。老人は黒い玉をぐるぐる回していて、白い玉からは光が出ていた。

“What art thou doing, old father?” asked the King’s son.

「何をしているのですか、おじいさん」と王の息子は尋ねた。

“Alas! my son,” replied the old man, “my business is my bane, I hold fast the nights and let go the days.”--“Alas! my father,” replied the King’s son, “my task is even greater than thine.” With that he tied together the old man’s arms, so that he might not let go the days, and went on still further to seek the light. He went on and on till he came to the foot of a castle wall, and forty men were taking counsel together beneath it.

「ああ! 息子よ」と老人は答えた。「わしの仕事はわしの災いだ。わしは夜をしっかりつかまえて、昼を放すのだ。」——「ああ! おじいさん」と王の息子は答えた。「わたしの務めはあなたのよりもっと大きいのです。」そう言うと若者は、昼を放さないように老人の両腕を縛り、光を探してさらに進んでいった。どんどん進んでいって、ある城の塀のふもとに着くと、その下で四十人の男たちが相談していた。

“What’s the matter?” inquired the King’s son.--“We should like to go into the castle to steal the treasure,” said the forty men, “but we don’t know how.”

「どうしたのですか」と王の息子は尋ねた。——「城に入って宝を盗みたいのだが」と四十人の男たちは言った。「どうすればいいかわからないのだ。」

“I would very soon help you if you only gave me a little light,” said the King’s son. This the robbers readily promised to do, and after that he took a packet of nails, knocked them into the castle wall, row after row, right up to the top, clambered up himself, and then shouted down to them: “Now you come up one by one, just as I have done.”

「少し明かりをくれさえすれば、すぐに手伝ってあげよう」と王の息子は言った。盗賊たちは喜んでそうすると約束した。そこで若者は釘の包みを取り出して、城の塀にてっぺんまで一列また一列と打ち込み、自分でよじ登って、それから下に向かって叫んだ。「さあ、おれがやったように、一人ずつ上がってこい。」

So the robbers caught hold of the nails and began to clamber up, one after another, the whole forty of them. But the youth was not idle. He drew his sword, and the moment each one of them reached the top, he chopped off his head and pitched his body into the courtyard, and so he did to the whole forty. Then he leaped down into the courtyard himself, and there right before him was a beautiful palace; and no sooner had he opened the door than a serpent glided past him, and crawled up a column close by the staircase. The youth drew his sword to strike the serpent; he struck and cut the serpent in two, but his sword remained in the stone wall, and he forgot to draw it out again. Then he mounted the staircase and went into a room, and there lay a lovely damsel asleep. So he went out again, closed the door very softly behind him, and ascended to the second flight, and went into a room there, and before him lay a still lovelier damsel on a bed. This door he also closed, and went up to the third and topmost flight, and opened a door there also, and lo! the whole room was piled up with nothing but steel, and such a splendid damsel lay asleep there that if the King’s son had had a thousand hearts, he would have loved her with them all. This door he also closed, remounted the castle wall, re-descended on the other side by means of the nails, which he took out as he descended, and so reached the ground again. Then he went straight up to the old man whose arms he had tied together. “Oh, my son!” cried he from afar, “thou hast remained a long time away. Everybody’s side will be aching from so much lying down.” Then the youth untied his arms, the old man let the white globes of day move round again, and the youth went up to the dragon, cut off its ears and nose, and put them in his knapsack. Then he went back to the palace, and when he drew nigh to it he found that they had made his eldest brother Padishah. However, he let it be and said nothing.

そこで盗賊たちは釘をつかんで、一人また一人と、四十人全員がよじ登りはじめた。けれども若者はぼんやりしてはいなかった。若者は剣を抜いて、盗賊が一人てっぺんに着くたびにその首をはね、体を中庭に投げ落とした。そうして四十人全員をそうした。それから若者は自分も中庭に跳び下りた。するとすぐ目の前に美しい宮殿があった。若者が扉を開けるやいなや、蛇が一匹そばをすり抜けて、階段のすぐそばの柱をよじ登った。若者は剣を抜いて蛇に打ちかかり、蛇をまっぷたつに切ったが、剣は石の壁に刺さったままになり、若者はそれを抜くのを忘れてしまった。それから若者は階段を上ってある部屋に入ると、そこに美しい娘が眠っていた。そこで若者はまた部屋を出て、うしろの扉をそっと閉め、二階へ上がってそこの部屋に入ると、寝台の上にもっと美しい娘が寝ていた。若者はこの扉も閉めて、三階のいちばん上の階へ上がり、そこの扉も開けた。すると、なんと! 部屋じゅうに鋼ばかりが積み上げてあって、そこには、もし王の息子に心臓が千あったら、その千の心臓すべてで愛してしまうほどすばらしい娘が眠っていた。若者はこの扉も閉めて、城の塀にまたよじ登り、反対側を釘をつたって下りながら釘を抜き取り、また地面に下りた。それから若者はまっすぐ、両腕を縛った老人のところへ行った。「おお、息子よ!」と老人は遠くから叫んだ。「ずいぶん長いこと離れていたな。みなあまり長く横になっていたので、わき腹が痛くなっているだろう。」そこで若者が老人の腕をほどいてやると、老人は昼の白い玉をまた回させた。若者は竜のところへ行って耳と鼻を切り取り、背嚢に入れた。それから宮殿に帰ったが、近づいてみると、いちばん上の兄が王にされていた。けれども若者はそのままにして何も言わなかった。

Not very long afterwards a lion came to the palace, and went straight up to the Padishah. “What dost thou want?” asked the Padishah. “I want thy eldest sister to wife,” replied the lion. “I give not my sister to a brute beast,” said the Padishah, and forthwith they began chasing the lion away; but now the King’s son appeared and said: “Such was not our father’s will, but he said we were to give her to whomsoever asked for her.” With that they brought the damsel and gave her to the lion, and he took her and was gone.

それからまもなく、一頭の獅子が宮殿に来て、まっすぐ王のところへ行った。「何の用だ」と王は尋ねた。「おまえのいちばん上の妹を妻にもらいたい」と獅子は答えた。「妹を獣になどやるものか」と王は言い、すぐに一同は獅子を追い払いはじめた。けれどもそこへ王の息子が現れて言った。「それは父上のご遺志ではありません。父上は、求めた者に誰でも与えよとおっしゃったのです。」そこで一同は娘を連れてきて獅子に与え、獅子は娘を連れて去っていった。

The next day came a tiger, and demanded the middling daughter from the Padishah. The two elder brethren would by no means give her up, but again the youngest brother insisted that they should do so, as it was their father’s wish. So they sent for the damsel and gave her to the tiger.

次の日には虎が来て、二番目の娘を王に求めた。上の二人の兄はどうしても娘を渡そうとしなかったが、またいちばん下の弟が、父の望みなのだからそうしなければならないと言い張った。そこで一同は娘を呼び寄せて虎に与えた。

On the third day a bird alighted in the palace, and said that he must have the youngest of the Sultan’s daughters. The Padishah and the second brother were again unwilling to agree to it, but the youngest brother stood them out that the bird ought to be allowed to fly back with his sister. Now this bird was the Padishah of the Peris, the emerald Anka. But now let us see what happened in that castle of which we have before spoken.

三日目には一羽の鳥が宮殿に舞い降りて、スルタンのいちばん下の娘をもらわなければならないと言った。王と二番目の兄はまたも承知しようとしなかったが、いちばん下の弟は、鳥に妹を連れて飛んで帰らせるべきだと言って譲らなかった。さて、この鳥はペリの王、エメラルドのアンカだった。けれどもここで、前に話したあの城で何が起こったか見てみよう。

In this castle there dwelt just about this time a Padishah and his three daughters. Rising one morning and going out, he saw a man walking in the palace. He went out into the courtyard, and saw a serpent cut in two on the staircase, and a sword sticking in the stone column, and going on still further, and searching in all directions, he perceived the bodies of the forty robbers in his castle moat. “Not an enemy, but only the hand of a friend could have done this,” thought he; “and he has saved me from the robbers and the serpent. The sword is my good friend’s, but where is the sword’s master?” And he took counsel with his Vizier.

その城には、ちょうどそのころ、王と三人の娘が住んでいた。ある朝、王が起きて外に出ると、宮殿のなかを男が歩いたあとがあった。王が中庭に出てみると、階段にまっぷたつにされた蛇と、石の柱に刺さった剣があり、さらに進んであちこち探すと、城の堀に四十人の盗賊の死体があるのに気づいた。「これは敵ではなく、友の手でなければできないことだ」と王は思った。「その者がわしを盗賊と蛇から救ってくれたのだ。剣はわしのよき友のものだが、剣の持ち主はどこにいるのだろう。」そして王は大臣と相談した。

“Oh, we’ll soon get to the bottom of that,” said the Vizier. “Let us make a great bath, and invite every one to come and bathe in it for nothing. We will watch carefully each single man, and whosoever has a sheath without a sword will be the man who has saved us.” And the Padishah did so. He made ready a big bath, and the whole realm came and bathed in it.

「おお、それならすぐに突きとめられましょう」と大臣は言った。「大きな浴場をこしらえて、誰でもただで湯浴みに来るよう招きましょう。一人ひとりをよく見張って、剣のない鞘を持っている者が、わたしたちを救ってくれた男です。」王はそのとおりにした。大きな浴場を支度すると、国じゅうの者がやって来て湯浴みした。

Next day the Vizier said to him: “Every one has been here to bathe save only the King’s three sons, they still remain behind.” Then the Padishah sent word to the King’s three sons to come and bathe, and looking closely at their garments, he perceived that the youngest of the three wore a sheath without a sword.

次の日、大臣は王に言った。「王の三人の息子のほかは、みなここへ湯浴みに来ました。三人だけがまだ来ておりません。」そこで王は王の三人の息子に湯浴みに来るよう知らせを送り、その衣服をよく見ると、三人のうちいちばん下の息子が剣のない鞘を身につけているのに気づいた。

Then the Padishah called the King’s son to him and said: “Great is the good thou hast done to me, ask me what thou wilt for it!”--“I ask nought from thee,” replied the King’s son, “but thy youngest daughter.”

そこで王は王の息子を呼び寄せて言った。「そなたはわしに大きな善をなしてくれた。その礼に何なりと望むがよい!」——「何もいりません」と王の息子は答えた。「ただあなたのいちばん下の姫だけをください。」

“Alas! my son, ask me anything but that,” sighed the Padishah. “Ask my crown, my kingdom, and I’ll give them to thee, but my daughter I cannot give thee.”

「ああ! 息子よ、それだけは望まないでくれ」と王はため息をついた。「わしの冠でも、わしの国でも望めば与えよう。だが娘だけはやれぬのだ。」

“If thou givest me thy daughter I will take her,” replied the King’s son, “but nought else will I take from thy hand.”

「姫をくださるならいただきます」と王の息子は答えた。「けれども、あなたの手からほかのものは何も受け取りません。」

“My son,” groaned the Padishah, “I will give thee my eldest daughter, I’ll give thee my second daughter, nay, I’ll give thee the pair of them if thou wilt. But my youngest daughter has a deadly enemy, the Wind-Demon. Because I would not give her to him, I must needs fence her room about with walls of steel, lest any of the devil race draw near to her. For the Wind-Demon is such a terrible monster that eye cannot see nor dart overtake him; like the tempest he flies, and his coming is like the coming of a whirlwind.”

「息子よ」と王はうめいた。「いちばん上の娘をやろう、二番目の娘をやろう、いや、そなたが望むなら二人ともやろう。だがいちばん下の娘には恐ろしい敵がいるのだ、風の魔物という。わしが娘をやらなかったので、悪魔の一族が誰も娘に近づけないよう、娘の部屋を鋼の壁で囲まなければならなかった。風の魔物はあまりに恐ろしい怪物で、目にも見えず矢も追いつけない。嵐のように飛び、その来るさまはつむじ風のようなのだ。」

But whatever the Padishah might say to turn him from seeking after the damsel fell on deaf ears. He begged and pleaded so hard for the damsel that the Padishah was wearied by his much speaking, and promised him the damsel, nay they held the bridal banquet. The two elder brothers received the two elder damsels, and returned to their kingdom, but the youngest brother remained behind to guard his wife against the Wind-Demon.

けれども王が娘を求めるのを思いとどまらせようと何を言っても、王の息子は聞く耳を持たなかった。王の息子があまり熱心に娘を求めて懇願したので、王はその言葉の多さに根負けして娘を与えると約束し、それどころか婚礼の宴まで開いた。上の二人の兄は上の二人の娘をもらって自分たちの国へ帰ったが、いちばん下の弟は妻を風の魔物から守るためにあとに残った。

Time came and went, and the King’s son avoided the light of day for the sake of his lovely Sultana. One day, however, the King’s son said to his wife: “Behold now, my Sultana, all this time I have never moved from thy side, methinks I will go a-hunting, though it only be for a little hour or so.”

時は来ては過ぎ、王の息子は美しい妃のために日の光を避けていた。けれどもある日、王の息子は妻に言った。「ごらん、わが妃よ、このあいだずっとわたしは一度もおまえのそばを離れなかった。ほんの一時間ほどでいいから、狩りに行ってこようと思う。」

“Alas! my King,” replied his wife, “if thou dost depart from me, I know that thou wilt never see me more.” But as he begged her for leave again and again, and promised to be back again immediately, his wife consented. Then he took his weapons and went forth into the forest.

「ああ! わが王さま」と妻は答えた。「あなたがわたしから離れたら、もう二度とわたしに会えないとわかっています。」けれども王の息子が何度も何度も許しを乞い、すぐに帰ってくると約束したので、妻は承知した。そこで王の息子は武器を取って森へ出かけた。

Now the Wind-Demon had been awaiting this chance all along. He feared the famous prince, and durst not snatch his wife from his arms; but as soon as ever the King’s son had put his foot out of doors, the Wind-Demon came in and vanished with the wife of the King’s son.

さて、風の魔物はずっとこの機会を待っていたのである。魔物は名高い王子を恐れていて、王子の腕から妻を奪う勇気がなかった。けれども王の息子が戸口から足を踏み出すやいなや、風の魔物が入ってきて、王の息子の妻を連れて消えてしまった。

Not very long afterwards the King’s son came back, and could find his wife nowhere. He went to the Padishah to seek her, and came back again, for it was certain that the Demon must have taken her, no other living soul could have got near her. Bitterly did he weep, fiercely did he dash himself against the floor, but then he quickly rose up again, took horse, and galloped away into the wide world, determined to find either death or his consort.

それからまもなく王の息子が帰ってきたが、妻はどこにも見つからなかった。王の息子は妻を探しに王のところへ行って、また戻ってきた。魔物が連れ去ったにちがいなかった。ほかの誰も妻に近づけたはずがないからである。王の息子は激しく泣き、床に激しく身を打ちつけたが、すぐにまた起き上がって馬に乗り、死か妃かどちらかを見つけようと決めて、広い世界へ駆け去った。

He went on for days, he went on for weeks, in his trouble and anguish he gave himself no rest. All at once a palace sprang up before him, but it seemed to him like a mirage, which baffles the eye that looks upon it. It was the palace of his eldest sister. The damsel was just then looking out of the window, and lo! she caught sight of a man wandering there where never a bird had flown and never a caravan had travelled. Then she recognized him as her brother, and so great was their mutual joy that they could not come to words for hugging and kissing.

王の息子は何日も何週間も進み、悩みと苦しみのうちに少しも休まなかった。突然、目の前に宮殿が現れたが、それは見る目を惑わす蜃気楼のように思えた。それはいちばん上の姉の宮殿だった。姉はちょうどそのとき窓から外を眺めていて、なんと! 鳥が一度も飛んだことも隊商が一度も通ったこともないところを、男が一人さまよっているのが見えた。そこで姉はそれが弟だとわかり、二人は互いにあまりにうれしくて、抱き合ったり口づけしたりで言葉にならなかった。

Towards evening the damsel said to the King’s son: “The lion will be here shortly, and although he is very good to me, he is only a brute beast for all that, and may do thee a mischief.” And she took her brother and hid him.

夕方近く、姉は王の息子に言った。「もうすぐ獅子が帰ってくるわ。わたしにはとてもやさしいけれど、やはり獣には変わりないから、あなたに害をなすかもしれない。」そして姉は弟を連れていって隠した。

In the evening the lion came home sure enough, and when they had sat down together and begun to talk, the girl asked him what he would do if any of her brothers should chance to come there. “If the eldest were to come,” said the lion, “I would strike him dead with one blow, if the second came I would slay him also, but if the youngest came, I would let him go to sleep on my paws if he liked.”

夕方になると、はたして獅子が帰ってきた。二人が一緒に座って話しはじめると、娘は、もし自分の兄弟の誰かがたまたまここへ来たら、あなたはどうするかと獅子に尋ねた。「いちばん上の兄が来たら」と獅子は言った。「ひと打ちで打ち殺してやる。二番目が来てもやはり殺す。だがいちばん下の弟が来たら、その子が望むならわしの前足の上で眠らせてやろう。」

“Then he has come,” said his wife.

「それなら、その子が来ているのよ」と妻は言った。

“Where is he--where is he? Bring him out, let me see him!” cried the lion; and when the King’s son appeared, the lion did not know what to do with himself for joy. Then they began to talk, and the lion asked him why he had come there, and whither he was going. The youth told him what had happened, and said he was going to seek the Wind-Demon.

「どこだ、どこにいる。連れてきてくれ、会わせてくれ!」と獅子は叫んだ。そして王の息子が現れると、獅子はうれしくてどうしていいかわからなかった。それから二人は話しはじめ、獅子は、どうしてここへ来たのか、どこへ行くのかと尋ねた。若者は起こったことを話して、風の魔物を探しに行くところだと言った。

“I know but the rumour of him,” said the lion; “but take my word for it, thou hadst better have nothing to do with him, for there is none that can cope with the Wind-Demon.” But the King’s son would not listen to reason, remained there that night, and next morning mounted his horse again. The lion accompanied him to show him the right way, and then they parted, one going to the right and the other to the left.

「わしも噂しか知らない」と獅子は言った。「だが、わしの言うことを聞け。あいつにはかかわらないほうがいい。風の魔物に太刀打ちできる者は誰もいないのだから。」けれども王の息子は道理に耳を貸そうとせず、その夜はそこに泊まって、次の朝また馬に乗った。獅子は正しい道を教えようとついてきて、それから二人は別れ、一方は右へ、もう一方は左へ行った。

Again he went on and on, till he saw another palace, and this was the palace of his middling sister. The damsel saw from the window that a man was on the road, and no sooner did she recognize him than she rushed out to meet him, and led him into the palace. Full of joy, they conversed together till the evening, and then the damsel said to the youth: “In a short time my tiger-husband will be here, I’ll hide thee from him, lest a mischief befall thee,” and she took her brother and hid him.

王の息子はまたどんどん進んでいき、別の宮殿が見えた。それは二番目の姉の宮殿だった。姉は窓から道に男がいるのを見て、それが弟だとわかるやいなや迎えに駆け出して、宮殿に連れて入った。二人は喜びでいっぱいになって夕方まで語り合い、それから姉は若者に言った。「もうすぐ虎の夫が帰ってくるわ。あなたに害がないように隠してあげる。」そして姉は弟を連れていって隠した。

In the evening the tiger came home, and while they talked together his wife asked him what he would do if any of her brothers should chance to look in upon them.

夕方になると虎が帰ってきて、二人で話しているうちに、妻は、もし自分の兄弟の誰かがたまたま訪ねてきたら、あなたはどうするかと尋ねた。

“If the elder were to come,” said the tiger, “I would strike them dead, but if the youngest came, I would go down on my knees before him.” Whereupon the damsel called to her youngest brother, the King’s son, to come forth. The tiger was overjoyed to see him, welcomed him as a brother, and asked him whence he came and whither he was going. Then the King’s son told the tiger of all his trouble, and asked him whether he knew the Wind-Demon. “Only by hearsay,” replied the tiger; and then he tried to persuade the King’s son not to go, for the danger was great. But the red dawn had no sooner appeared than the King’s son was ready to set out again. The tiger showed him the way, and the one went back and the other went forward.

「上の兄たちが来たら」と虎は言った。「打ち殺してやる。だがいちばん下の弟が来たら、その前にひざまずこう。」そこで娘はいちばん下の弟の王の息子に出てくるよう呼んだ。虎は弟を見て大喜びし、兄弟として迎えて、どこから来てどこへ行くのかと尋ねた。そこで王の息子は虎に自分の悩みをすっかり話し、風の魔物を知らないかと尋ねた。「噂に聞くだけだ」と虎は答えた。それから虎は、危険は大きいから行くなと王の息子を説き伏せようとした。けれども赤い夜明けが現れるやいなや、王の息子はまた出発する支度ができていた。虎は道を教え、一方は引き返し、もう一方は前へ進んだ。

He pursued his way, and it was endlessly long, but time passes quickly in a fairy tale, and at last a dark object stood out against him. “What can it be?” thought he, but when he drew nearer he saw that it was a palace. It was the abode of his youngest sister. The damsel was just then looking out of the window. “Alas! my brother!” cried she, and very nearly fell out of the window for pure joy. Then she led him into the house. The youth rejoiced that he had found all his sisters so well, but the lack of his wife was still a weight upon his heart.

王の息子は道をたどり、それは果てしなく長かったが、おとぎ話の時はたちまち過ぎるもので、とうとう黒いものが行く手に浮かび上がった。「何だろう」と王の息子は思ったが、近づいてみるとそれは宮殿だった。いちばん下の姉の住まいだった。姉はちょうどそのとき窓から外を眺めていた。「ああ! わたしの弟!」と姉は叫び、うれしさのあまり窓から落ちそうになった。それから姉は弟を家に連れて入った。若者は姉たちがみな元気でいるのを知って喜んだが、妻がいないことがまだ胸に重くのしかかっていた。

Now when evening was drawing nigh the girl said to her brother: “My bird-husband will be here anon; conceal thyself from him, for if he see thee he will tear thy heart out,” and with that she took her brother and hid him.

さて、夕方が近づくと、姉は弟に言った。「わたしの鳥の夫がまもなく帰ってくるわ。夫から隠れていて。あなたを見たら、あなたの心臓を引き裂いてしまうから。」そう言うと姉は弟を連れていって隠した。

And now there was a great clapping of wings, and the Anka had scarce rested a while when his wife asked him what he would do if any of her brothers came to see them.

すると大きな羽ばたきの音がして、アンカがしばらく休むか休まないうちに、妻は、もし自分の兄弟の誰かが訪ねてきたらあなたはどうするかと尋ねた。

“As to the two elder,” said the bird, “I would take them in my mouth, fly up to the sky with them, and cast them down from thence; but if the youngest were to come, I would let him sit down on my wings and go to sleep there if he liked.” Then the girl called forth her youngest brother.

「上の二人なら」と鳥は言った。「くちばしにくわえて空へ飛んでいって、そこから投げ落としてやる。だがいちばん下の弟が来たら、その子が望むなら、わしの翼の上に座らせて眠らせてやろう。」そこで娘はいちばん下の弟を呼び出した。

“Alas! my dear little child,” cried the bird, “how didst thou find thy way hither? Wert thou not afraid of the long journey?”

「ああ! わしのかわいい子よ」と鳥は叫んだ。「どうやってここへ来る道がわかったのだ。長い旅が怖くなかったのか。」

The youth told what had happened to him, and asked the Anka whether he could help him to get to the Wind-Demon.

若者は自分の身に起こったことを話して、風の魔物のところへ行く手助けをしてくれないかとアンカに尋ねた。

“It is no easy matter,” said the bird; “but even if thou couldst get to him, I would counsel thee to let it alone and stay rather among us.”

「たやすいことではない」と鳥は言った。「だが、たとえおまえがあいつのところへ行けたとしても、わしはそんなことはやめて、むしろわしらと一緒にいるよう勧めるね。」

“Not I,” replied the resolute youth; “I will either release my wife or perish there!” Then the Anka saw that he could not turn him from his purpose, and began to explain to him all about the palace of the Wind-Demon. “He is now asleep,” said the Anka, “and thou mayest be able to carry off thy wife; but if he should awake and see thee, he will without doubt grind thee to atoms. Guard against him thou cannot, for eye cannot see and fire cannot harm him, so look well to thyself!”

「いやです」と意志の固い若者は答えた。「妻を救い出すか、そこで死ぬかです!」するとアンカは、若者の決心を変えさせられないと悟って、風の魔物の宮殿のことをすっかり説明しはじめた。「あいつは今眠っている」とアンカは言った。「だからおまえは妻を連れ出せるかもしれない。だがもしあいつが目を覚ましておまえを見たら、まちがいなくおまえを粉々にすりつぶしてしまうだろう。あいつから身を守ることはできない。目にも見えず、火も害をなせないのだから、よくよく気をつけるがよい!」

So next day the youth set out on his journey, and when he had gone on and on for a long, long time, he saw before him a vast palace that had neither door nor chimney, nor length nor breadth. It was the palace of the Wind-Demon. His wife chanced just then to be sitting at the window, and when she saw her husband she leaped clean out of the window to him. The King’s son caught his wife in his arms, and there were no bounds to their joy and their tears, till at last the girl bethought her of the terrible demon.

そこで次の日、若者は旅に出て、長い長いあいだどんどん進んでいくと、戸も煙突もなく、長さも幅もない巨大な宮殿が目の前に見えた。それが風の魔物の宮殿だった。妻はちょうどそのとき窓辺に座っていて、夫を見ると窓から夫のところへまっすぐ跳び降りた。王の息子は妻を腕に受け止め、二人の喜びと涙には限りがなかったが、とうとう娘は恐ろしい魔物のことを思い出した。

“This is now the third day that he has slept,” cried she; “let us hasten away before the fourth day is spent also.” So they mounted, whipped up their horses, and were already well on their way when the Wind-Demon awoke on the fourth day. Then he went to the girl’s door and bade her open, that he might at least see her face for a brief moment. He waited, but he got no answer. Then, auguring some evil, he beat in the door, and lo! the place where the damsel should have lain was cold.

「あいつが眠ってから今日で三日目なの」と娘は叫んだ。「四日目も過ぎてしまわないうちに、急いで逃げましょう。」そこで二人は馬に乗り、鞭を当てて、もうだいぶ道を進んでいたころ、四日目に風の魔物が目を覚ました。魔物は娘の部屋の戸口へ行って、せめてほんのひとときでも顔を見せてくれと戸を開けさせようとした。魔物は待ったが、返事はなかった。そこで何か悪いことを察して戸を打ち破ると、なんと! 娘が寝ているはずの場所は冷たくなっていた。

“So-ho, Prince Mehmed!” cried he, “thou hast come here, eh, and stolen away my Sultana? Well, wait a while! go thy way, whip up thy fleet steed! for I’ll catch thee up in the long run.” And with that he sat down at his ease, drank his coffee, smoked his chibook, and then rose up and went after them.

「ほほう、メフメト王子!」と魔物は叫んだ。「ここへ来て、わしの姫を盗んでいったのだな、え? よし、少し待っていろ! 行くがいい、足の速い馬に鞭を当てるがいい! 結局はわしが追いついてやるからな。」そう言うと魔物はゆったりと腰を下ろして、コーヒーを飲み、チブクをふかしてから、立ち上がって二人を追いかけた。

Meanwhile the King’s son was galloping off with the girl with all his might, when all at once the girl felt the demon’s breath, and cried out in her terror: “Alas, my King, the Wind-Demon is here!” Like a whirlwind the invisible monster was upon them, caught up the youth, tore off his arms and legs, and smashed his skull and all his bones till there was not a bit of him left.

そのあいだ、王の息子は娘を連れて全力で駆けていたが、突然娘は魔物の息を感じて、恐ろしさに叫んだ。「ああ、わが王さま、風の魔物が来たわ!」目に見えない怪物はつむじ風のように二人に襲いかかり、若者をつかみ上げて、腕と脚をもぎ取り、頭蓋と骨をみな砕いて、かけらひとつ残らないほどにしてしまった。

The damsel began to weep bitterly. “Even if thou hast killed him,” sobbed she, “let me at least gather together his bones and pile them up somewhere, for if thou suffer it, I would fain bury him.”--“I care not what thou dost with his bones!” cried the Demon.

娘は激しく泣きはじめた。「たとえこの人を殺したとしても」と娘はすすり泣いた。「せめてこの人の骨を拾い集めて、どこかに積ませてください。許してくれるなら、この人を葬りたいのです。」——「そいつの骨をどうしようと、わしの知ったことか!」と魔物は叫んだ。

So the damsel took the bones of the King’s son, piled them up together, kissed the horse between the eyes, placed the bones on his saddle, and whispered in his ear: “Take these bones, my good steed, take them to the proper place.” Then the Demon took the girl and led her back to the palace, for the power of her beauty was so great that it always kept the Demon close to her. Into her presence, indeed, she never suffered the monster to come. At the door of her chamber he had to stop, but he was allowed to show himself to her now and then.

そこで娘は王の息子の骨を拾い集めて積み重ね、馬の眉間に口づけして、骨を鞍にのせ、耳もとでささやいた。「この骨を持っていっておくれ、わたしのよい馬よ、しかるべきところへ持っていっておくれ。」それから魔物は娘を連れて宮殿に戻った。娘の美しさの力はあまりに大きくて、いつも魔物を娘のそばに引きとめておいたのである。もっとも、娘はけっして怪物を自分のそばに来させなかった。魔物は娘の部屋の戸口で止まらなければならなかったが、ときどき娘の前に姿を見せることは許された。

Meanwhile the good steed galloped away with the youth’s bones till he stopped at the door of the palace of the youngest sister, and then he neighed and neighed till the damsel heard him. She rushed out to the horse, and when she perceived the knapsack, and in the knapsack the bones of her brother, she began to weep bitterly, and dashed herself against the ground as if she would have dashed herself to pieces. She could hardly wait for her lord the Anka to come home. At last there was a sound of mighty wings, and the Padishah of the Birds, the emerald Anka, came home, and when he saw the scattered bones of the King’s son in the basket, he called together all the birds of the air and asked them, saying: “Which of you goes to the Garden of Paradise?”

そのあいだによい馬は若者の骨を持って駆けていき、いちばん下の姉の宮殿の戸口で止まって、姉が聞きつけるまでいなないていななき続けた。姉は馬のところへ駆け出してきて、背嚢と、背嚢のなかの弟の骨に気づくと、激しく泣きはじめ、粉々になってしまいそうなほど地面に身を打ちつけた。姉は夫のアンカが帰ってくるのを待ちきれなかった。とうとう力強い羽ばたきの音がして、鳥たちの王、エメラルドのアンカが帰ってきた。そして籠のなかに散らばった王の息子の骨を見ると、空の鳥たちをみな呼び集めて尋ねた。「おまえたちのうち、楽園の庭へ行く者は誰だ。」

“An old owl is the only one that goes there,” said the birds, “and he has now grown so old that he has no more strength left for such a journey.”

「そこへ行くのは年とったふくろう一羽だけです」と鳥たちは言った。「でも今ではすっかり年をとって、そんな旅をする力はもう残っていません。」

Then the Anka sent a bird to bring the owl on his back. The bird flew away, and in a very short time was back again, with the aged owl on his back.

そこでアンカは、ふくろうを背に乗せて連れてくるよう鳥を一羽送った。鳥は飛んでいき、あっというまに年老いたふくろうを背に乗せて戻ってきた。

“Well, my father,” said the Bird-Padishah, “hast thou ever been in the Garden of Paradise?”

「さて、じいさん」と鳥の王は言った。「楽園の庭へ行ったことはあるかね。」

“Yes, my little son,” croaked the aged owl, “a long, long time ago, twelve years or more, and I haven’t been there since.”

「ええ、坊や」と年老いたふくろうはしわがれ声で言った。「ずっとずっと前、十二年かそこら前にな。それからは行っておらん。」

“Well, if thou hast been there,” said the Anka, “go again now, and bring me from thence a little glass of water.” The old owl kept on saying that it was a long, long way for him to go, and that he would never be able to hold out the whole way. The Anka would not listen to him, but perched him upon a bird’s back, and the twain flew into the Garden of Paradise, drew a glass of water, and returned to the Anka’s palace.

「行ったことがあるのなら」とアンカは言った。「今また行って、そこから水をコップに少し持ってきてくれ。」年とったふくろうは、自分にはあまりに遠い道のりで、とてもずっと持ちこたえられないと言い続けた。アンカは耳を貸さず、ふくろうを鳥の背に乗せ、二羽は楽園の庭へ飛んでいって、水をコップに汲んでアンカの宮殿へ戻ってきた。

Then the Anka took the youth’s bones and began to put them together. The arms, the legs, the head, the thighs, everything he put in its proper place; and when he had sprinkled it all with the water, the youth fell a-gaping, as if he had been asleep and was just coming to himself again. The youth looked all about him, and asked the Anka where he was, and how he came there.

それからアンカは若者の骨を取って組み立てはじめた。腕も脚も頭もももも、何もかももとの場所に置いた。そしてそれにすっかり水をふりかけると、若者は眠っていて今目を覚ますところだったかのように、あくびをしはじめた。若者はあたりを見まわして、ここはどこで、どうやってここへ来たのかとアンカに尋ねた。

“Didn’t I say that the Wind-Demon would twist thee round his little finger?” replied the Anka. “He ground all thy bones and sinews to dust, and we have only just now picked them all out of the basket. But now thou hadst better leave the matter alone, for if thou gettest once more into the clutches of this demon, I know that we shall never be able to put thee together again.”

「風の魔物はおまえを小指の先で手玉にとるだろうと言っただろう」とアンカは答えた。「あいつはおまえの骨も筋もみな粉々にすりつぶしてしまったので、わしらはついさっきやっと籠からそれをみな拾い出したところなのだ。だがもうこんなことはやめておいたほうがいい。もう一度あの魔物の手にかかったら、今度こそおまえを組み立て直すことはできないだろうからな。」

But the youth was not content to do this, but said he would go seek his consort a second time.

けれども若者はそれで満足せず、もう一度妃を探しに行くと言った。

“Well, if thou art bent on going at any price,” counselled the Anka, “go first to thy wife and ask her if she knows the Demon’s talisman. If only thou canst get hold of that, even the Wind-Demon will be in thy power.”

「では、どうしても行くと決めているのなら」とアンカは忠告した。「まず妻のところへ行って、魔物の護符を知っているかどうか尋ねなさい。それさえ手に入れられれば、風の魔物でさえおまえの思いのままになるだろう。」

So again the King’s son took horse, again he went right up to the Demon’s palace, and as the Demon was dreaming dreams just then, the youth was able to find and converse with his wife. After they had rejoiced with a great joy at the sight of each other, the youth told the lady to discover the secret of the Demon’s talisman, and win it by wheedling words and soft caresses if she could get at it no other way. Meanwhile the youth hid himself in the neighbouring mountain, and there awaited the good news.

そこで王の息子はまた馬に乗り、また魔物の宮殿のすぐそばまで行った。魔物はちょうどそのとき夢を見ていたので、若者は妻を見つけて話をすることができた。二人は互いの姿を見て大いに喜んだあと、若者は妻に、魔物の護符の秘密を突きとめて、ほかに手がなければ、甘い言葉とやさしい愛撫でそれを手に入れるよう言った。そのあいだ若者は近くの山に隠れて、よい知らせを待った。

When the Wind-Demon awoke from his forty days’ sleep he again presented himself at the damsel’s door. “Depart from before my eyes,” cried the girl. “Here hast thou been doing nothing but sleep these forty days, so that life has been a loathsome thing to me all the while.”

風の魔物は四十日の眠りから覚めると、また娘の戸口に現れた。「わたしの目の前から消えて」と娘は叫んだ。「この四十日、ここで眠ってばかりいたから、そのあいだずっと生きているのがいやでたまらなかったわ。」

The Demon rejoiced that he was allowed to be in the room along with the damsel, and in his happiness asked her what he should give her to help her to while away the time.

魔物は娘と一緒に部屋にいるのを許されたのを喜び、うれしさのあまり、時間をつぶすために何をあげようかと娘に尋ねた。

“What canst thou give me,” said the girl, “seeing that thou thyself art but wind? Now if at least thou hadst a talisman, that, at any rate, would be something to while away the time with.”

「あなたがわたしに何をくれるっていうの」と娘は言った。「あなた自身がただの風なのに。せめて護符でも持っていれば、少なくともそれで時間がつぶせるでしょうけれど。」

“Alas! my Sultana,” replied the Demon, “my talisman is far away, in the uttermost ends of the earth, and one cannot fetch it hither in a little instant. If only we had some such brave man as thy Mehmed was, he perhaps might be able to go for it.”

「ああ! わが姫よ」と魔物は答えた。「わしの護符は遠く、地の果てにあって、ひとときでここへ取ってこられるものではない。おまえのメフメトのような勇ましい男がいれば、そいつなら取りに行けるかもしれないがな。」

The damsel was now more curious than ever about the talisman, and she coaxed and coaxed till at last she persuaded the Demon to tell her about the talisman, but not till she had granted his request that he might sit down quite close to her. The damsel could not refuse him that happiness, so he sat down beside her, and breathed into her ear the secret of the talisman.

娘は今や護符のことが前にもましてますます知りたくなり、なだめすかしになだめすかして、とうとう魔物を説き伏せて護符のことを話させた。ただし、すぐそばに座らせてくれという魔物の願いを聞き入れてからのことだった。娘は魔物にその幸せを拒めなかったので、魔物は娘のそばに座り、耳もとで護符の秘密をささやいた。

“On the surface of the seventh layer of sea,” began the Demon, “there is an island, on that island an ox is grazing, in the belly of that ox there is a golden cage, and in that cage there is a white dove. That little dove is my talisman.”

「第七の層の海の面に」と魔物は切り出した。「島がひとつある。その島で牛が一頭草を食べていて、その牛の腹のなかに金の鳥かごがあって、その鳥かごのなかに白い鳩がいる。その小さな鳩がわしの護符だ。」

“But how can one get to that island?” inquired the Sultana.

「でも、どうやってその島へ行けるの」と姫は尋ねた。

“I’ll tell thee,” said the Demon. “Opposite to the palace of the emerald Anka is a huge mountain, and on the top of that mountain is a spring. Every morning forty sea-horses come to drink at that spring. If any one can be found to catch one of these horses by the leg (but only while he is drinking the water), bridle him, saddle him, and then leap on his back, he will be able to go wherever he likes. The sea-horse will say to him: ‘What dost thou command, my sweet master?’ and will carry him whithersoever he bids him.”

「教えてやろう」と魔物は言った。「エメラルドのアンカの宮殿の向かいに大きな山があって、その山のてっぺんに泉がある。毎朝四十頭の海馬がその泉に水を飲みに来る。もしその馬の一頭の脚を(ただし水を飲んでいるあいだに)つかまえて、手綱をつけ鞍を置き、その背に跳び乗れる者がいれば、その者はどこへでも好きなところへ行ける。海馬はその者に『何をお命じですか、やさしいご主人さま』と言って、命じたところへどこへでも運んでいくだろう。」

“What good will the talisman be to me if I cannot get near it?” said the girl. With that she drove the Demon from the room, and when the time of his slumber arrived, she hastened with the news to her lord. Then the King’s son made great haste, leaped on his horse, hastened to the palace of his youngest sister, and told the matter to the Anka.

「近づけもしないのに、護符がわたしに何の役に立つっていうの」と娘は言った。そう言うと娘は魔物を部屋から追い出し、魔物の眠る時が来ると、急いで夫に知らせに行った。そこで王の息子は大急ぎで馬に跳び乗り、いちばん下の姉の宮殿へ急いで、アンカにそのことを話した。

Early next morning the Anka arose, called five birds, and said to them: “Lead the King’s son to the spring on the mountain beyond, and wait there till the sea-horses come up. Forty steeds will appear by the running water, and when they begin to drink, seize one of them, bridle and saddle it, and put the King’s son on its back.”

次の朝早くアンカは起き上がって、鳥を五羽呼んで言った。「王の息子をあの向こうの山の泉へ連れていって、海馬が上がってくるまでそこで待っていなさい。流れる水のそばに四十頭の馬が現れるから、水を飲みはじめたら一頭をつかまえて、手綱をつけ鞍を置き、王の息子をその背に乗せなさい。」

So the birds took the King’s son, carried him up to the mountain close by the spring, and as soon as the horses came up, they did to one of them what the Anka had said. The King’s son sat on the horse’s back forthwith, and the first thing the good steed said was: “What dost thou command, my sweet master?”

そこで鳥たちは王の息子を運んで泉のそばの山へ連れていき、馬たちが上がってくるとすぐに、アンカの言ったとおりのことを一頭にした。王の息子はすぐに馬の背にまたがり、よい馬がまず言ったのはこうだった。「何をお命じですか、やさしいご主人さま。」

“There is an island on the surface of the seventh ocean,” cried the King’s son, “there should I like to be!” And the King’s son had flown away before you could shut your eyes; and before you could open them again, there he was on the shore of that island.

「第七の大洋の面に島がある」と王の息子は叫んだ。「そこへ行きたいのだ!」そして目を閉じる間もなく王の息子は飛び去っていて、また目を開ける間もなく、その島の岸辺にいた。

He dismounted from his horse, took off the bridle, stuck it in his pocket, and went off to seek the ox. As he was walking up and down the shore a Jew met him, and asked him what had brought him there.

王の息子は馬から降りて手綱を外し、それをポケットに突っ込んで、牛を探しに出かけた。岸辺を行ったり来たりしていると、一人のユダヤ人に出会い、何の用でここへ来たのかと尋ねられた。

“I have suffered shipwreck,” replied the youth. “My ship and everything I possess have perished, and only with difficulty did I swim ashore.”

「難破したのです」と若者は答えた。「船も持ち物もみな失って、やっとのことで岸まで泳ぎ着いたのです。」

“As for me,” said the Jew, “I am in the service of the Wind-Demon. Thou must know that there is an ox on this island, and I must watch it night and day. Wouldst thou like to enter the service? Thou wilt have nothing else to do all day but watch this beast.”

「わたしはね」とユダヤ人は言った。「風の魔物に仕えている者だ。知ってのとおり、この島には牛が一頭いて、わたしは昼も夜もそれを見張らなければならないのだ。奉公する気はないかね。一日じゅうこの獣を見張るほかは何もしなくていいのだが。」

The King’s son took advantage of the opportunity, and could scarce await the moment when he was to see the ox. At watering-time the Jew brought it along, and no sooner did he find himself alone with the beast than he cut open its belly, took out the golden cage, and hastened with it to the sea-shore. Then he drew the bridle from his pocket, and when he had struck the sea with it, the steed immediately appeared and cried: “What dost thou command, sweet master?”--“I desire to be taken to the palace of the Wind-Demon,” cried the youth.

王の息子はこの機会に乗じ、牛を見る時が待ちきれないほどだった。水を飲ませる時刻になるとユダヤ人が牛を連れてきた。若者は獣と二人きりになるやいなや、その腹を切り開いて金の鳥かごを取り出し、それを持って急いで岸辺へ行った。それからポケットから手綱を取り出して、それで海を打つと、たちまち馬が現れて叫んだ。「何をお命じですか、やさしいご主人さま。」——「風の魔物の宮殿へ連れていってほしい」と若者は叫んだ。

Shut your eyes, open your eyes--and there they were before the palace. Then he took his wife, made her sit down beside him, and when the steed said: “What dost thou command, sweet master?” he bade it fly straight to the emerald Anka.

目を閉じて、目を開けると——一同は宮殿の前にいた。それから若者は妻を連れて自分のそばに座らせ、馬が「何をお命じですか、やさしいご主人さま」と言うと、エメラルドのアンカのところへまっすぐ飛んでいけと命じた。

Away with them flew the steed. It flew right up to the very clouds, and as they were approaching the Anka’s palace the Demon awoke from his sleep. He saw that his wife had again disappeared, and immediately set off in pursuit. Already the Sultana felt the breath of the Demon, and he had all but overtaken them when the steed hastily bade them twist the neck of the white dove in the cage. They had barely time to do so, when the Wind died away and the Demon was destroyed.

馬は二人を乗せて飛び去った。馬は雲の上まで飛び、ちょうどアンカの宮殿に近づいたとき、魔物が眠りから覚めた。魔物は妻がまた消えたのを見て、すぐに追いかけはじめた。もう姫は魔物の息を感じていて、魔物がもう少しで二人に追いつくというとき、馬が急いで、かごのなかの白い鳩の首をひねるよう二人に言った。二人がやっとのことでそうするやいなや、風はやみ、魔物は滅びた。

With great joy they arrived at the Anka’s palace, let the horse go his way, and rested themselves awhile. On the next day they went to their second brother, and on the third day to their third brother, and it was only then that the King’s son discovered that his lion brother-in-law was the King of the Lions, and his tiger brother-in-law the King of the Tigers. At last they reached their home which was the domain of the damsel’s. Here they made a great banquet, and rejoiced their hearts for forty days and forty nights, after which they arose and went to the prince’s own empire. There he showed them the tongue of the dragon and its nose, and as he had thus fulfilled the wishes of his father, they chose him to be their Padishah; and their lives were full of joy till the day of their death, and their end was a happy one.

大喜びで二人はアンカの宮殿に着き、馬を放してやって、しばらく休んだ。次の日二人は二番目の兄のところへ行き、三日目には三番目の兄のところへ行った。そしてそのときになってはじめて、王の息子は、獅子の義兄が獅子の王で、虎の義兄が虎の王だと知ったのである。とうとう二人は、娘の国である自分たちの住まいに着いた。ここで二人は盛大な宴を開き、四十日四十夜心を楽しませ、そのあと起き上がって王子自身の国へ向かった。そこで王子は竜の舌と鼻を人々に見せ、こうして父の望みを果たしたので、人々は王子を王に選んだ。そして二人の暮らしは死ぬ日まで喜びに満ち、その最期は幸せなものだった。