Boy-beautiful, the Golden Apples, and the Were-wolf

Once upon a time, a long while ago, when the very flies wrote upon the walls more beautifully than the mind can picture, there lived an Emperor and an Empress who had three sons, and a very beautiful garden alongside their palace. At the bottom of this garden there grew an apple-tree, entirely of gold from the top to the bottom. The Emperor was wild with joy at the thought that he had in his garden an apple-tree, the like of which was not to be found in the wide world. He used to stand in front of it, and poke his nose into every part of it, and look at it again and again, till his eyes nearly started out of his head. One day he saw this tree bud, blossom, and form its fruit, which began to ripen before him. The Emperor twisted his moustache, and his mouth watered at the thought that the next day he would have a golden apple or two on his table, an unheard-of thing up to that moment since the world began.

むかしむかし、ずっとむかし、蝿でさえ思いも及ばぬほど美しく壁に字を書いていたころ、三人の息子を持つ皇帝と皇后がいて、宮殿のわきにとても美しい庭があった。この庭の奥に、てっぺんから根もとまですっかり金でできたりんごの木が一本生えていた。皇帝は、広い世界に並ぶもののないりんごの木が自分の庭にあると思うと、うれしくてたまらなかった。皇帝はいつもその木の前に立って、隅から隅まで鼻を突っ込み、目が頭から飛び出しそうになるまで何度も何度も眺めた。ある日、皇帝はこの木が芽吹き、花を咲かせ、実をつけて、その実が目の前で熟しはじめるのを見た。皇帝はひげをひねり、明日には食卓に金のりんごがひとつかふたつのるだろうと思うと、よだれが出た。それは世界が始まって以来、そのときまで聞いたこともないことだった。

Day had scarcely begun to dawn next morning, when the Emperor was already in the garden to feast his eyes to the full on the golden apples; but he almost went out of his mind when, instead of the ripened golden apples, he saw that the tree was budding anew, but of apples there was no sign. While he stood there he saw the tree blossom, the blossoms fall off, and the young fruit again appear.

次の朝、夜が明けるか明けないうちに、皇帝はもう金のりんごを心ゆくまで眺めようと庭に出ていた。けれども熟した金のりんごの代わりに、木がまた新しく芽吹いていて、りんごのかげも形もないのを見ると、皇帝は気が狂いそうになった。そこに立っていると、木が花を咲かせ、花が散り、また若い実がつくのが見えた。

At this sight his heart came back to him again, and he joyfully awaited the morrow, but on the morrow also the apples had gone--goodness knows where! The Emperor was very wroth. He commanded that the tree should be strictly guarded, and the thief seized; but, alas! where were they to find him?

これを見ると皇帝はまた元気を取り戻し、喜んで明日を待った。けれども明日もまた、りんごは消えていた——どこへ行ったのか誰にわかろう! 皇帝はひどく腹を立てた。皇帝は木を厳重に見張らせて、泥棒をつかまえるよう命じた。けれども、ああ! どこで泥棒を見つければよいのだろう。

The tree blossomed every day, put forth flowers, formed its fruit, and towards evening the fruit began to ripen. But in the middle of the night somebody always came and took away the fruit, without the Emperor’s watchers being aware of it. It was just as if it were done on purpose. Every night, sure enough, somebody came and took the apples, as if to mock at the Emperor and all his guards! So though this Emperor had the golden apple-tree in his garden, he not only never could have a golden apple on his table, but never even saw it ripen. At last the poor Emperor took it so to heart that he said he would give up his throne to whosoever would catch and bind the thief.

木は毎日花を咲かせ、花をつけ、実を結び、夕方近くになると実が熟しはじめた。けれども真夜中になると、いつも誰かがやって来て、皇帝の見張りたちに気づかれずに実を取っていった。まるでわざとやっているかのようだった。毎晩きまって、皇帝とその衛兵たちをあざけるかのように、誰かがやって来てりんごを取っていくのである! そういうわけで、この皇帝は庭に金のりんごの木を持っていながら、食卓に金のりんごをのせることができないばかりか、それが熟すのを見ることさえなかった。とうとうかわいそうな皇帝はそれをひどく気に病んで、泥棒をつかまえて縛った者には王座を譲ると言った。

Then the sons of the Emperor came to him, and asked him to let them watch also. Great was the joy of the Emperor when he heard from the mouth of his eldest son the vow he made to lay hands upon the thief. So the Emperor gave him leave, and he set to work. The eldest son watched the first night, but he suffered the same disgrace that the other watchers had suffered before him.

すると皇帝の息子たちがやって来て、自分たちにも見張らせてくれと頼んだ。いちばん上の息子の口から、泥棒をつかまえてみせるという誓いを聞いたとき、皇帝の喜びは大きかった。そこで皇帝は許しを与え、息子は仕事に取りかかった。いちばん上の息子が最初の夜に見張ったが、それまでのほかの見張りたちと同じ恥をかいた。

On the second night the second son watched, but he was no cleverer than his brother, and returned to his father with his nose to the earth.

二日目の夜は二番目の息子が見張ったが、兄より賢くはなく、うなだれて父のもとへ戻ってきた。

Both the brothers said that up to midnight they had watched well enough, but after that they could not keep their feet for weariness, but fell down in a deep sleep, and recollected nothing else.

兄弟は二人とも、真夜中までは十分によく見張っていたが、そのあとは疲れて立っていられなくなり、ぐっすり眠り込んでしまって、ほかには何も覚えていないと言った。

The youngest son listened to all this in silence, but when his big brothers had told their story, he begged his father to let him watch too. Now, sad as his father was at being unable to find a valiant warrior to catch the thief, yet he burst out laughing when he heard the request of his youngest son. Nevertheless, he yielded at last, though only after much pressing, and now the youngest son set about guarding the tree.

いちばん下の息子はこれを黙って聞いていたが、大きな兄たちが話し終えると、自分にも見張らせてくれと父に頼んだ。さて、父は泥棒をつかまえる勇ましい戦士が見つからないことを悲しんでいたが、いちばん下の息子の頼みを聞くと、思わず吹き出して笑った。それでもさんざんせがまれたすえに、とうとう父は折れて、今度はいちばん下の息子が木の番に取りかかった。

When the evening had come, he took his bow, and his quiver full of arrows, and his sword, and went down into the garden. Here he chose out a lonely place, quite away from wall and tree, or any other place that he might have been able to lean against, and stood on the trunk of a felled tree, so that if he chanced to doze off, it might slip from under him and awake him. This he did, and when he had fallen two or three times, sleep forsook him, and weariness ceased to torment him.

夕方になると、息子は弓と矢でいっぱいの矢筒と剣を持って庭に下りていった。そこで息子は、塀や木など、もたれかかれるようなものから離れたさびしい場所を選び、切り倒された木の幹の上に立った。うとうとしたら、幹が足の下から滑って目が覚めるようにするためである。息子はそうして、二度三度転ぶと眠気が去り、疲れにも悩まされなくなった。

Just as it was drawing nigh to dawn, at the hour when sleep is sweetest, he heard a fluttering in the air, as if a swarm of birds was approaching. He pricked up his ears, and heard something or other pecking away at the golden apples. He pulled an arrow from his quiver, placed it on his bow, and drew it with all his might--but nothing stirred. He drew his bow again--still there was nothing. When he had drawn it once more, he heard again the fluttering of wings, and was conscious that a flock of birds was flying away. He drew near to the golden apples, and perceived that the thief had not had time to take all of them. He had taken one here, and one there, but most of them still remained. As now he stood there he fancied he saw something shining on the ground. He stooped down and picked up the shining thing, and, lo and behold! it was two feathers entirely of gold.[19]

ちょうど夜明けが近づいたころ、眠りがいちばん甘い時刻に、息子は鳥の群れが近づいてくるような羽ばたきの音を空に聞いた。息子が耳をすますと、何かが金のりんごをつついている音が聞こえた。息子は矢筒から矢を一本抜いて弓につがえ、力いっぱい引きしぼった——けれども何も動かなかった。また弓を引いた——やはり何もなかった。もう一度引くと、また羽ばたきの音が聞こえて、鳥の群れが飛び去っていくのがわかった。息子が金のりんごに近寄ってみると、泥棒はりんごをみな取っていく暇がなかったのがわかった。あちらでひとつ、こちらでひとつ取っていったが、ほとんどはまだ残っていた。そこに立っていると、何かが地面で光っているような気がした。かがんで光るものを拾い上げてみると、なんと! それはすっかり金でできた二枚の羽根だった。[19]

When it was day he plucked the apples, placed them on a golden salver, and with the golden feathers in his hat, went to find his father. The Emperor, when he saw the apples, very nearly went out of his mind for joy; but he controlled himself, and proclaimed throughout the city that his youngest son had succeeded in saving the apples, and that the thief was discovered to be a flock of birds.

朝になると、息子はりんごをもいで金の盆にのせ、金の羽根を帽子にさして父を探しに行った。皇帝はりんごを見ると喜びのあまり気が狂いそうになったが、気を落ち着けて、いちばん下の息子がりんごを守るのに成功した、泥棒は鳥の群れだとわかった、と都じゅうに触れを出した。

Boy-Beautiful now asked his father to let him go and search out the thief; but his father would hear of nothing but the long-desired apples, which he was never tired of feasting his eyes upon.

そこで美少年は、泥棒を探しに行かせてくれと父に頼んだ。けれども父は、待ちに待ったりんごのことしか耳に入らず、それをいつまでも眺めて飽きることがなかった。

But the youngest son of the Emperor was not to be put off, and importuned his father till at last the Emperor, in order to get rid of him, gave him leave to go and seek the thief. So he got ready, and when he was about to depart, he took the golden feathers out of his cap, and gave them to his mother, the Empress, to keep for him till he returned. He took raiment and money for his journey, fastened his quiverful of arrows to his back, and his sword on his right hip, and with his bow in one hand and the reins in the other, and accompanied by a faithful servant, set off on his way. He went on and on, along roads more and more remote, till at last he came to a desert. Here he dismounted, and taking counsel with his faithful servant, hit upon a road that led to the east. They went on a good bit further, till they came to a vast and dense wood. Through this tangle of a wood they had to grope their way (and it was as much as they could do to do that), and presently they saw, a long way off, a great and terrible wolf, with a head of steel. They immediately prepared to defend themselves, and when they were within bow-shot of the wolf, Boy-Beautiful put his bow to his eye.

けれども皇帝のいちばん下の息子はあきらめず、父にしつこくせがんだので、とうとう皇帝は息子を追い払うために、泥棒を探しに行く許しを与えた。そこで息子は支度をして、出発しようというときに帽子から金の羽根を取り出し、自分が帰るまで預かっていてくれと母の皇后に渡した。息子は旅のための衣装とお金を持ち、矢でいっぱいの矢筒を背にくくりつけ、剣を右の腰に帯び、片手に弓、もう片方の手に手綱を持って、忠実な召し使いを連れて出発した。息子はどんどん、ますます人里離れた道を進んでいき、とうとう荒れ野に着いた。ここで息子は馬を降り、忠実な召し使いと相談して、東へ通じる道を見つけた。二人はさらにだいぶ進んで、広大な深い森に着いた。このもつれた森を二人は手さぐりで進まなければならなかった(それだけでも精いっぱいだった)。するとまもなく、ずっと遠くに、鋼の頭をした大きな恐ろしい狼が見えた。二人はすぐに身を守る構えをし、狼が矢の届くところまで来ると、美少年は弓を目に当てた。

The wolf seeing this, cried: “Stay thy hand, Boy-Beautiful, and slay me not, and it will be well for thee one day!” Boy-Beautiful listened to him, and let his bow fall, and the wolf drawing nigh, asked them where they were going, and what they were doing in that wood, untrodden by the foot of man. Then Boy-Beautiful told him the whole story of the golden apples in his father’s garden, and said they were seeking after the thief.

狼はこれを見て叫んだ。「その手を止めてくれ、美少年、わたしを殺さないでくれ。そうすればいつかおまえのためになるだろう!」美少年はその言葉に耳を傾けて弓を下ろした。狼は近寄ってきて、二人がどこへ行くのか、人の足の踏み入れたことのないこの森で何をしているのかと尋ねた。そこで美少年は、父の庭の金のりんごの話をすっかりして、泥棒を探しているのだと言った。

The wolf told him that the thief was the Emperor of the Birds, who, whenever he set out to steal apples, took with him in his train all the birds of swiftest flight, that so they might strip the orchards more rapidly, and that these birds were to be found in the city on the confines of this wood. He also told them that the whole household of the Emperor of the Birds lived by the robbing of gardens and orchards; and he showed them the nearest and easiest way to the city. Then giving them a little apple most lovely to look upon, he said to them: “Accept this apple, Boy-Beautiful! Whenever thou shouldst have need of me, look at it and think of me, and immediately I’ll be with thee!”

狼は、その泥棒は鳥の皇帝で、りんごを盗みに出かけるときはいつも、果樹園をより早く裸にするために、いちばん速く飛べる鳥たちを家来として引き連れていくのだ、そしてその鳥たちはこの森のはずれの都にいるのだと言った。また狼は、鳥の皇帝の一家はみな庭や果樹園を荒らして暮らしているのだと話し、都へのいちばん近くていちばん楽な道を教えてくれた。それから狼は、見るからに美しい小さなりんごを二人に与えて言った。「このりんごを受け取ってくれ、美少年! わたしが入り用になったら、いつでもこれを見てわたしのことを思ってくれ。そうすればすぐにおまえのそばに行こう!」

Boy-Beautiful took the apple, and concealed it in his bosom, and bidding the wolf good-day, struggled onwards with his faithful servant through the thickets of the forest, till he came to the city where the robber-bird dwelt. All through the city he went, asking where it was, and they told him that the Emperor of that realm had it in a gold cage in his garden.

美少年はりんごを受け取って胸もとに隠し、狼に別れの挨拶をすると、忠実な召し使いと一緒に森の茂みをかき分けて進み、とうとう泥棒の鳥の住む都に着いた。美少年は都じゅうを歩いて、その鳥がどこにいるかと尋ねた。すると人々は、この国の皇帝が庭の金の鳥かごに飼っていると教えてくれた。

That was all he wanted to know. He took a turn round the court of the Emperor, and noted in his mind all the ramparts which surrounded the court. When it was evening, he came thither with his faithful servant, and hid himself in a corner, waiting till all the dwellers in the palace had gone to rest. Then the faithful servant gave him a leg-up, and Boy-Beautiful, mounting on his back, scaled the wall, and leaped down into the garden. But the moment he put his hand on the cage, the Emperor of the Birds chirped, and before you could say boo! he was surrounded by a flock of birds, from the smallest to the greatest, all chirping in their own tongues. They made such a noise that they awoke all the servants of the Emperor. They rushed into the garden, and there they found Boy-Beautiful, with the cage in his hand, and all the birds darting at him, and he defending himself as best he could. The servants laid their hands upon him, and led him to the Emperor, who had also got up to see what was the matter.

美少年が知りたかったのはそれだけだった。美少年は皇帝の宮廷のまわりをひとまわりして、宮廷を囲む城壁をみな頭に刻み込んだ。夕方になると、美少年は忠実な召し使いとそこへやって来て隅に隠れ、宮殿に住む者たちがみな寝静まるのを待った。それから忠実な召し使いが足場になり、美少年はその背に乗って塀をよじ登り、庭へ跳び下りた。ところが美少年が鳥かごに手をかけたとたん、鳥の皇帝がさえずった。そして「わっ!」と言う間もなく、美少年はいちばん小さな鳥からいちばん大きな鳥まで、それぞれの言葉でさえずる鳥の群れに取り囲まれた。鳥たちがあまり騒ぎたてたので、皇帝の召し使いたちがみな目を覚ました。召し使いたちが庭に駆け込んでくると、そこには美少年が鳥かごを手に持っていて、鳥たちがみな美少年に襲いかかり、美少年はできるかぎり身を守っていた。召し使いたちは美少年をつかまえて、何事かと起き出してきていた皇帝の前へ連れていった。

“I am sorry to see thee thus, Boy-Beautiful,” cried the Emperor, for he knew him. “If thou hadst come to me with good words, or with entreaties, and asked me for the bird, I might, perhaps, have been persuaded to give it to thee of my own good-will and pleasure; but as thou hast been taken hand-in-sack, as they say, the reward of thy deed according to our laws is death, and thy name will be covered with dishonour.”

「こんな姿のおまえを見るのは残念だ、美少年」と皇帝は叫んだ。皇帝は美少年を知っていたのである。「もしおまえがよい言葉か、あるいは頼みごとをたずさえてわしのところへ来て、この鳥をくれと言ったなら、わしも自分から進んで喜んでくれてやる気になったかもしれない。だがおまえは、いわゆる袋に手を突っ込んだところをつかまったのだから、わが国の法ではその報いは死であり、おまえの名は不名誉に覆われるだろう。」

“Illustrious Emperor,” replied Boy-Beautiful, “these same birds have stolen the golden apples from the apple-tree of my father’s garden, and therefore have I come all this way to lay hands on the thief.”

「高名なる皇帝陛下」と美少年は答えた。「まさにこの鳥たちが、わたしの父の庭のりんごの木から金のりんごを盗んだのです。ですからわたしは、泥棒をつかまえるためにはるばるやって来たのです。」

“What thou dost say may be true, Boy-Beautiful, but I have no power to alter the laws of this land. Only a signal service rendered to our empire can save thee from a shameful death.”

「おまえの言うことは本当かもしれぬ、美少年。だがわしにはこの国の法を変える力はない。わが国に対するめざましい働きだけが、おまえを恥ずべき死から救うことができる。」

“Say what that service is, and I will venture it.”

「その働きとは何か言ってください。やってみます。」

“Listen then! If thou dost succeed in bringing me the saddle-horse in the court of the Emperor my neighbour, thou wilt depart with thy face unblackened, and thou shalt take the bird in its cage along with thee.”

「では聞け! もしおまえが隣国の皇帝の宮廷にある乗馬をわしのところへ連れてこられたら、顔に泥を塗られずに立ち去ることができ、鳥をかごごと持っていってよい。」

Boy-Beautiful agreed to these conditions, and that same day he departed with his faithful servant.

美少年はこの条件を承知して、その日のうちに忠実な召し使いと一緒に出発した。

On reaching the court of the neighbouring Emperor he took note of the horse and of all the environs of the court. Then as evening drew near, he hid with his faithful servant in a corner of the court which seemed to him to be a safe ambuscade. He saw the horse walked out between two servants, and he marvelled at its beauty. It was white, its bridle was of gold set with gems inestimable, and it shone like the sun.

隣国の皇帝の宮廷に着くと、美少年は馬と宮廷のまわりをよく見ておいた。それから夕方近くになると、忠実な召し使いと一緒に、安全な隠れ場所に思える宮廷の隅に身をひそめた。二人の召し使いのあいだにはさまれて馬が引き出されてくるのが見え、美少年はその美しさに感嘆した。馬は白く、その手綱は値のつけられない宝石をちりばめた金でできていて、お日さまのように輝いていた。

In the middle of the night, when sleep is most sweet, Boy-Beautiful bade his faithful servant stoop down, leaped on to his back, and from thence on to the wall, and leaped down into the Emperor’s courtyard. He groped his way along on the tips of his toes till he came to the stable, and opening the door, put his hand on the bridle and drew the horse after him. When the horse got to the door of the stable and sniffed the keen air, it sneezed once with a mighty sneeze that awoke the whole court. In an instant they all rushed out, laid hands on Boy-Beautiful, and led him before the Emperor, who had also been aroused, and who when he saw Boy-Beautiful knew him at once. He reproached him for the cowardly deed he had nearly accomplished, and told him that the laws of the land decreed death to all thieves, and

真夜中、眠りがいちばん甘い時刻に、美少年は忠実な召し使いにかがませて、その背に跳び乗り、そこから塀に跳び移って、皇帝の中庭に跳び下りた。美少年はつま先立ちで手さぐりしながら馬小屋まで行き、戸を開けて手綱に手をかけ、馬を引いてきた。ところが馬は馬小屋の戸口まで来て鋭い夜気をかぐと、宮廷じゅうを起こすほどの大きなくしゃみを一度した。たちまちみなが駆け出してきて美少年をつかまえ、やはり起こされていた皇帝の前へ連れていった。皇帝は美少年を見ると、すぐに誰かわかった。皇帝は、美少年が危うくやり遂げるところだった卑劣なしわざを責め、この国の法はあらゆる盗人に死を定めていて、

that he had no power against those laws. Then Boy-Beautiful told him of the theft of the golden apples by the birds, and of what the neighbouring Emperor had told him to do. Then said the Emperor: “If, Boy-Beautiful, thou canst bring me the divine Craiessa,[20] thou mayest perhaps escape death, and thy name shall remain untarnished.” Boy-Beautiful risked the adventure, and accompanied by his faithful servant set off on his quest. While he was on the road, the thought of the little apple occurred to him. He took it from his bosom, looked at it, and thought of the wolf, and before he could wipe his eyes the wolf was there.

自分にはその法に逆らう力はないと言った。そこで美少年は、鳥たちが金のりんごを盗んだことと、隣国の皇帝に命じられたことを話した。すると皇帝は言った。「美少年、もしおまえが神々しいクライエッサ[20] をわしのところへ連れてこられたら、死を逃れられるかもしれないし、おまえの名は汚されずにすむだろう。」美少年はその冒険に賭けてみることにして、忠実な召し使いを連れて探しに出発した。道中、美少年は小さなりんごのことを思い出した。美少年はそれを胸もとから取り出して眺め、狼のことを思った。すると目をぬぐう間もなく、狼がそこにいた。

“What dost thou desire, Boy-Beautiful?” said he.

「何が望みだ、美少年」と狼は言った。

“What do I desire, indeed!--look here, look here, look here, what has happened to me! Whatever am I to do to get out of this mess with a good conscience?”

「何が望みかだって!——見てくれ、見てくれ、見てくれ、わたしの身に起こったことを! 良心に恥じずにこの窮地を抜け出すには、いったいどうしたらいいのだ。」

“Rely upon me, for I see I must finish this business for thee.” So they all three went on together to seek the divine Craiessa.

「わたしに任せておけ。どうやらこの仕事はおまえのためにわたしが片づけてやらねばならんようだ。」そこで三人はそろって、神々しいクライエッサを探しに出かけた。

When they drew nigh to the land of the divine Craiessa they halted in the midst of a vast forest, where they could see the Craiessa’s dazzling palace, and it was agreed that Boy-Beautiful and his servant should await the return of the wolf by the trunk of a large tree. The proud palace of the divine Craiessa was so grand and beautiful, and the style and arrangement thereof so goodly, that the wolf could scarce take his eyes therefrom. But when he came up to the palace he did what he could, and crept furtively into the garden.

神々しいクライエッサの国に近づくと、三人は広大な森のまんなかで止まった。そこからはクライエッサのまばゆい宮殿が見えた。そして、美少年と召し使いは大きな木の幹のそばで狼が戻るのを待つことに決まった。神々しいクライエッサの誇り高い宮殿はあまりに壮大で美しく、その様式も配置もあまりに見事だったので、狼はほとんど目を離すことができなかった。けれども宮殿のところまで来ると、狼はできることをして、こっそり庭に忍び込んだ。

And what do you think he saw there? Not a single fruit-tree was any longer green. The stems, branches, and twigs stood there as if some one had stripped them naked. The fallen leaves had turned the ground into a crackling carpet. Only a single rose-bush was still covered with leaves and full of buds, some wide open and some half closed. To reach this rose-bush the wolf had to tread very gingerly on the tips of his toes, so as not to make the carpet of dry leaves crackle beneath him; and so he hid himself behind this leafy bush. As now he stood there on the watch, the door of the dazzling palace was opened, and forth came the divine Craiessa, attended by four-and-twenty of her slaves, to take a walk in the garden.

そして狼はそこで何を見たと思う? もう一本の果樹も緑ではなかった。幹も枝も小枝も、まるで誰かが裸にはいでしまったかのように立っていた。落ち葉が地面をぱりぱり鳴る絨毯に変えていた。ただ一本の薔薇の茂みだけが、まだ葉に覆われてつぼみをいっぱいにつけていて、大きく開いたものもあれば半分閉じたものもあった。この薔薇の茂みまで行くのに、狼は乾いた葉の絨毯が足の下でぱりぱり鳴らないように、つま先立ちでとても用心して歩かなければならなかった。そうして狼はこの葉の茂った茂みのうしろに隠れた。狼がそこに立って見張っていると、まばゆい宮殿の扉が開いて、神々しいクライエッサが二十四人の奴隷を連れて、庭を散歩しに出てきた。

When the wolf beheld her he was very near forgetting what he came for and coming out of his lair, though he restrained himself; for she was so lovely that the like of her never had been and never will be seen on the face of the whole earth. Her hair was of nothing less than pure gold, and reached from top to toe. Her long and silken eyelashes seemed almost to put out her eyes. When she looked at you with those large sloe-black eyes of hers, you felt sick with love. She had those beautifully-arched eyebrows which look as if they had been traced with compasses, and her skin was whiter than the froth of milk fresh from the udder.

狼はクライエッサを見ると、何をしに来たのかを忘れて隠れ場所から出ていってしまいそうになったが、なんとかこらえた。クライエッサはあまりに美しくて、地の上にこれほどの人はかつていなかったし、これからも見られないだろうと思われたからである。その髪はまぎれもない純金で、頭のてっぺんからつま先まで届いていた。長い絹のようなまつげは、ほとんど目を隠してしまいそうだった。その大きなすもものように黒い目で見つめられると、恋わずらいで気分が悪くなるほどだった。コンパスで描いたかのような美しい弓なりの眉をしていて、その肌は乳房から搾りたてのミルクの泡よりも白かった。

After taking two or three turns round the garden with her slaves behind her, she came to the rose-bush and plucked one or two flowers, whereupon the wolf who was concealed in the bush darted out, took her in his front paws, and sped down the road. Her servants scattered like a bevy of young partridges, and in an instant the wolf was there, and put her, all senseless as she was, in the arms of Boy-Beautiful. When he saw her he changed colour, but the wolf reminded him that he was a warrior and he came to himself again. Many Emperors had tried to steal her, but they had all been repulsed.

奴隷たちをうしろに従えて庭を二度三度まわったあと、クライエッサは薔薇の茂みのところへ来て、花を一輪二輪摘んだ。すると茂みに隠れていた狼が飛び出して、前足でクライエッサをつかみ、道を駆け去った。召し使いたちはヤマウズラの雛の群れのように散り散りになり、たちまち狼は戻ってきて、すっかり気を失ったクライエッサを美少年の腕に渡した。美少年はクライエッサを見ると顔色を変えたが、狼がおまえは戦士だろうと言ったので、我に返った。多くの皇帝がクライエッサを盗み出そうとしたが、みな追い返されていたのである。

Boy-Beautiful had compassion upon her, and he now made up his mind that nobody else should have her.

美少年はクライエッサを憐れみ、もう誰にもこの人を渡すまいと心を決めた。

When the divine Craiessa awoke from her swoon and found herself in the arms of Boy-Beautiful, she said: “If thou art the wolf that hath stolen me away, I’ll be thine.” Boy-Beautiful replied: “Mine thou shalt be till death do us part.”

神々しいクライエッサが気絶から覚めて、自分が美少年の腕のなかにいるのに気づくと、こう言った。「もしあなたがわたしをさらった狼なら、わたしはあなたのものになりましょう。」美少年は答えた。「死が二人を分かつまで、あなたはわたしのものです。」

So they made a compact of it, and they told each other their stories.

そこで二人は誓いを交わし、互いに身の上を話した。

When the wolf saw the tenderness that had grown up between them he said: “Leave everything to me, and your desires shall be fulfilled!” Then they set out to return from whence they had just come, and, while they were on the road, the wolf turned three somersaults and made himself exactly like the divine Craiessa, for you must know that this wolf was a magician.

狼は二人のあいだに芽生えた愛情を見ると言った。「何もかもわたしに任せておけ。そうすればおまえたちの望みはかなうだろう!」それから一同は来たところへ引き返しはじめた。そして道中、狼は三度とんぼ返りをして、神々しいクライエッサそっくりの姿になった。言っておかなければならないが、この狼は魔法使いだったのである。

Then they arranged among themselves that the faithful servant of Boy-Beautiful should stand by the trunk of a great tree in the forest till Boy-Beautiful returned with the steed. So on reaching the court of the Emperor who had the steed, Boy-Beautiful gave him the made-up divine Craiessa, and when the Emperor saw her his heart died away within him, and he felt a love for her which told in words would be foolishness.

それから一同は、美少年が馬を連れて戻ってくるまで、美少年の忠実な召し使いが森の大きな木の幹のそばに立っていることに取り決めた。そこで馬を持っている皇帝の宮廷に着くと、美少年は皇帝に、こしらえものの神々しいクライエッサを渡した。皇帝はクライエッサを見ると心臓が止まりそうになり、言葉にすれば愚かしくなるほどの恋心を覚えた。

“Thy merits, Boy-Beautiful,” said the Emperor, “have saved thee this time also from a shameful death, and now I’ll pay thee for this by giving thee the steed.” Then Boy-Beautiful put his hand on the steed and leaped into the jewelled saddle, and, reaching the tree, placed the divine Craiessa in front of him and galloped across the boundaries of that empire.

「美少年、おまえの手柄が、今度もおまえを恥ずべき死から救った」と皇帝は言った。「では、その礼に馬をおまえにやろう。」そこで美少年は馬に手をかけて宝石の鞍に跳び乗り、木のところまで来ると、神々しいクライエッサを前に乗せて、その国の境を駆け越えていった。

And now the Emperor called together all his counsellors and went to the cathedral to be married to the divine Craiessa. When they got to the door of the cathedral, the pretended Craiessa turned a somersault three times and became a wolf again, which, gnashing its teeth, rushed straight at the Emperor’s retinue, who were stupefied with terror when they saw it. On coming to themselves a little, they gave chase with hue-and-cry: but the wolf, take my word for it! took such long strides that not one of them could come near him, and joining Boy-Beautiful and his friends went along with them. When they drew nigh to the court of the Emperor with the bird, they played him the same trick they had played on the Emperor with the horse. The wolf changed himself into the horse, and was given to the Emperor, who could not contain himself for joy at the sight of it.

さて、皇帝は顧問官をみな呼び集めて、神々しいクライエッサと結婚しようと大聖堂へ向かった。大聖堂の扉のところまで来ると、偽物のクライエッサは三度とんぼ返りをしてまた狼に戻り、歯をむき出して皇帝の供の者たちにまっすぐ飛びかかった。供の者たちはそれを見て恐怖で呆然とした。少し我に返ると、一同は大声をあげて追いかけたが、狼は、ほんとうに! ものすごい大股で走ったので、誰一人近寄ることもできず、狼は美少年とその仲間たちに追いついて一緒に行った。鳥を持っている皇帝の宮廷に近づくと、一同は馬を持っていた皇帝にしたのと同じいたずらをその皇帝にもした。狼は馬に姿を変えて皇帝に渡され、皇帝はそれを見て喜びを抑えられなかった。

After entertaining Boy-Beautiful with great honour, the Emperor said to him: “Boy-Beautiful, thou hast escaped a shameful death. I will keep my imperial word and my blessing shall always follow thee.” Then he commanded them to give him the bird in the golden cage, and Boy-Beautiful took it, wished him good-day, and departed. Arriving in the wood where he had left the divine Craiessa, his horse, and his faithful servant, he set off with them for the court of his father.

美少年をたいそう丁重にもてなしたあと、皇帝は美少年に言った。「美少年、おまえは恥ずべき死を逃れた。わしは皇帝としての約束を守り、わしの祝福がいつもおまえについていくようにしよう。」それから皇帝は金のかごに入った鳥を美少年に与えるよう命じ、美少年はそれを受け取って、別れの挨拶をして立ち去った。神々しいクライエッサと馬と忠実な召し使いを残してきた森に着くと、美少年は一同を連れて父の宮廷へ向かった。

But the Emperor who had received the horse commanded that his whole host and all the grandees of his empire should assemble in the plain to see him mount his richly-caparisoned goodly steed. And when the soldiers saw him they all cried: “Long live the Emperor who hath won such a goodly steed, and long live the steed that doth the Emperor so much honour!”

けれども馬を受け取った皇帝は、皇帝が豪華に飾りたてたりっぱな馬に乗るところを見せようと、全軍と国じゅうの大貴族たちを平原に集めるよう命じた。兵士たちは皇帝を見るとみな叫んだ。「このようなりっぱな馬を手に入れた皇帝万歳、そして皇帝にこれほどの誉れをもたらす馬万歳!」

And, indeed, there was the Emperor mounting on the back of the horse, but no sooner did it put its foot to the ground than it flew right away. They all set off in pursuit, but there was never the slightest chance of any of them catching it, for it left them far behind from the first. When it had got a good way ahead the pretended horse threw the Emperor to the ground, turned head over heels three times and became a wolf, and set off again in full flight, and ran and ran till it overtook Boy-Beautiful. Then said the wolf to him: “I have now fulfilled all thy demands. Look to thyself better in future, and strive not after things beyond thy power, or it will not go well with thee.” Then their roads parted, and each of them went his own way.

そして実際、皇帝はその馬の背にまたがったが、馬は足を地面につけるやいなや、飛ぶように駆け去ってしまった。みなが追いかけたが、誰にもつかまえる見込みはまったくなかった。馬ははじめから一同をはるかに引き離していたからである。だいぶ先まで行くと、偽物の馬は皇帝を地面に振り落とし、三度とんぼ返りをして狼に戻り、また全速力で駆けだして、走りに走って美少年に追いついた。そこで狼は美少年に言った。「これでおまえの望みはみな果たした。これからはもっと自分の身に気をつけて、力に余ることを求めないようにしろ。さもないとひどい目にあうぞ。」それから二人の道は分かれ、めいめい自分の道を行った。

When he arrived at the empire of his father the old Emperor came out to meet his youngest son with small and great as he had agreed. Great was the public joy when they saw him with a consort the like of whom is no longer to be found on the face of the earth, and with a steed the excellence whereof lives only in the tales of the aged. When he got home Boy-Beautiful ordered a splendid stable to be made for his good steed, and put the bird-cage in the terrace of the garden. Then his father prepared for the wedding, and after not many days Boy-Beautiful and the divine Craiessa were married; the tables were spread for good and bad, and they made merry for three days and three nights. After that they lived in perfect happiness, for Boy-Beautiful had now nothing more to desire. And they are living to this day, if they have not died in the meantime.

美少年が父の国に着くと、年とった皇帝は取り決めどおり、身分の高い者も低い者も引き連れていちばん下の息子を迎えに出てきた。息子が、もはや地の上には見つからないほどの妃と、そのすばらしさが年寄りの昔話のなかにしか生きていない馬を連れているのを見て、人々の喜びは大きかった。家に帰ると、美少年はりっぱな馬のために見事な馬小屋をこしらえさせ、鳥かごを庭の露台に置いた。それから父が婚礼の支度をして、いく日もたたないうちに美少年と神々しいクライエッサは結婚した。善い者にも悪い者にも食卓が用意され、三日三晩、みなは浮かれ騒いだ。そのあと二人はこの上なく幸せに暮らした。美少年にはもう望むものが何もなかったからである。そしてそのあいだに死んでいなければ、二人は今日まで生きている。

And now I’ll mount my steed again and say an “Our Father” before I go.

さあ、わたしはまた馬にまたがって、行く前に「主の祈り」をひとつ唱えよう。