Youth Without Age, and Life Without Death

Once upon a time there was a great Emperor and an Empress; both were young and beautiful, and as they would fain have been blessed with offspring they went to all the wise men and all the wise women and bade them read the stars to see if they would have children or not; but all in vain. At last the Emperor heard that in a certain village, hard by, dwelt a wiser old man than all the rest; so he sent and commanded him to appear at court. But the wise old man sent the messengers back with the answer that those who needed him must come to him. So the Emperor and the Empress set out, with their lords and their ladies, and their servants and their soldiers, and came to the house of the wise old man. And when the old man saw them coming from afar he went out to meet them.

むかしむかし、偉大な皇帝と皇后がいた。二人とも若く美しかったが、子宝に恵まれたいと願って、賢い男や賢い女のところへ行っては、子どもが授かるかどうか星を読んでくれと頼んだ。けれどもみなむだだった。とうとう皇帝は、すぐ近くのある村に、ほかの誰よりも賢い老人が住んでいると聞いた。そこで皇帝は使いをやって、宮廷に参上するよう命じた。けれども賢い老人は、わしに用のある者のほうがわしのところへ来るべきだという返事をつけて、使いを追い返した。そこで皇帝と皇后は、貴族や貴婦人、召し使いや兵士を引き連れて出発し、賢い老人の家に着いた。老人は遠くから一行が来るのを見ると、迎えに出てきた。

“Welcome,” cried he; “but I tell thee, oh Emperor! that the wish of thy heart will only work thee woe.”

「ようこそ」と老人は叫んだ。「だが言っておくぞ、おお皇帝よ! そなたの心の願いは、そなたに悲しみをもたらすだけだ。」

“I came not hither to take counsel of thee,” replied the Emperor; “but to know if thou hast herbs by eating whereof we may get us children.”

「わしはそなたの忠告を聞きにここへ来たのではない」と皇帝は答えた。「食べれば子どもが授かるような草を持っているかどうか、知りたいのだ。」

“Such herbs have I,” replied the old man; “but ye will have but one child, and him ye will not be able to keep, though he be never so nice and charming.”

「そういう草なら持っている」と老人は答えた。「だがそなたたちに授かるのはただ一人の子だけで、その子がどれほど愛らしくかわいくても、そなたたちはその子を手もとにとどめておくことはできまい。」

So when the Emperor and the Empress had gotten the wondrous herbs, they returned joyfully back to their palace, and a few days afterwards the Empress felt that she was a mother. But ere the hour of her child’s birth came the child began to scream so loudly that all the enchantments of the magicians could not make him silent. Then the Emperor began to promise him everything in the wide world, but even this would not quiet him.

そこで皇帝と皇后は不思議な草を手に入れると、喜んで宮殿へ帰っていった。そしてそれから数日して、皇后は身ごもったのを感じた。ところが子の生まれる時が来る前に、子があまり大きな声で泣きわめきはじめたので、魔術師たちのどんな魔法でも黙らせることができなかった。そこで皇帝は広い世界のありとあらゆるものを子に約束しはじめたが、それでもおとなしくならなかった。

“Be silent, my heart’s darling,” said he, “and I will give thee all the kingdoms east of the sun and west of the moon! Be silent, my son, and I will give thee a consort more lovely than the Fairy Queen herself.” Then at last, when he perceived that the child still kept on screaming, he said: “Silence, my son, and I will give thee Youth without Age, and Life without Death.”

「泣きやんでおくれ、わが心のいとし子よ」と皇帝は言った。「そうしたら、日の東と月の西にあるすべての国々をおまえにやろう! 泣きやんでおくれ、息子よ、そうしたら妖精の女王よりも美しい妃をおまえにやろう。」それでもまだ子が泣きわめきつづけているのを見て、とうとう皇帝は言った。「静かにしておくれ、息子よ。そうしたら、おまえに不老の若さと不死の命をやろう。」

Then the child ceased to cry and came into the world, and all the courtiers beat the drums and blew the trumpets, and there was great joy in the whole realm for many days.

すると子は泣きやんでこの世に生まれてきた。廷臣たちはみな太鼓を打ち鳴らしラッパを吹き鳴らし、国じゅうが何日も大きな喜びに包まれた。

The older the child grew the more pensive and melancholy he became. He went to school and to the wise men, and there was no learning and wisdom that he did not make his own, so that the Emperor, his father, died and came to life again for sheer joy. And the whole realm was proud that it was going to have so wise and goodly an Emperor, and all men looked up to him as to a second Solomon. But one day, when the child had already completed his fifteenth year, and the Emperor and all his lords and great men were at table diverting themselves, the fair young prince arose and said: “Father, the time has now come when thou must give me what thou didst promise me at my birth!”

子は大きくなればなるほど、物思いにふけり、ふさぎ込むようになった。子は学校へ行き、賢者たちのもとへ通い、自分のものにしなかった学問や知恵はひとつもなかったので、父の皇帝はうれしさのあまり死んではまた生き返るほどだった。そして国じゅうが、こんなに賢くりっぱな皇帝を持つことになるのを誇りに思い、誰もが子を第二のソロモンのように仰いだ。ところがある日、子がもう十五の年を終えたころ、皇帝とその貴族や大臣たちがみな食卓について楽しんでいると、美しい若い王子が立ち上がって言った。「父上、わたしが生まれるときに約束してくださったものを、わたしにくださる時が来ました!」

At these words the Emperor was sorely troubled. “Nay but, my son,” said he, “how can I give thee a thing which the world has never heard of? If I did promise it to thee, it was but to make thee quiet.”

この言葉に皇帝はひどく困った。「だが、息子よ」と皇帝は言った。「世界が一度も聞いたことのないものを、どうしておまえにやれるだろう。わしがそれを約束したとしても、おまえを泣きやませるためにすぎなかったのだ。」

“Then, oh my father, if thou canst not give it me, I must needs go forth into the world, and seek until I find that fair thing for which I was born.”

「では、おお父上、それをくださることができないのなら、わたしは世界へ出ていって、自分がそのために生まれてきたあの美しいものが見つかるまで探さなければなりません。」

Then the Emperor and his nobles all fell down on their knees, and besought him not to leave the empire. “For,” said the nobles, “thy father is now growing old, and we would place thee on the throne, and give thee to wife the most beautiful Empress under the sun.” But they were unable to turn him from his purpose, for he was as steadfast as a rock, so at last his father gave him leave to go forth into the wide world to find what he sought.

すると皇帝と貴族たちはみなひざまずいて、国を去らないでくれと懇願した。「なぜなら」と貴族たちは言った。「お父上はもうお年を召されてきましたし、わたしたちはあなたさまを王座にお据えして、日の下でいちばん美しい皇后を妃にお迎えしたいのです。」けれども貴族たちは王子の決心を変えさせることができなかった。王子は岩のように揺るがなかったのである。そこでとうとう父は、探しているものを見つけに広い世界へ出ていく許しを王子に与えた。

Then Boy Beautiful went into his father’s stables, where were the most beautiful chargers in the whole empire, that he might choose one from among them; but no sooner had he laid his hand on one of them than it fell to the ground trembling, and so it was with all the other stately chargers. At last, just as he was about to leave the stable in despair, he cast his eye over it once more, and there in one corner he beheld a poor knacker, all weak, spavined, and covered with boils and sores. Up to it he went, and laid his hand upon its tail, and then the horse turned its head and said to him: “What are thy commands, my master? God be praised who hath had mercy upon me and sent a warrior to lay his hand over me!”

そこで美少年は、国じゅうでいちばん美しい軍馬がそろっている父の馬小屋に行って、そのなかから一頭を選ぼうとした。けれども一頭に手をかけるやいなや、その馬は震えながら地面に倒れてしまい、ほかのりっぱな軍馬もみな同じだった。とうとう美少年が絶望して馬小屋を出ようとしたとき、もう一度馬小屋を見まわすと、隅に、すっかり弱って飛節がふくれ、できものや傷だらけになった哀れな廃馬がいた。美少年がそのそばへ行ってしっぽに手をかけると、馬は首をめぐらせて言った。「何をお命じですか、ご主人さま。わたしを憐れんで、わたしに手をかけてくれる戦士をよこしてくださった神をたたえよ!」

Then the horse shook itself and became straight in the legs again, and Boy Beautiful asked him what he should do next.

すると馬は身を震わせて、また脚がまっすぐになった。美少年は、次に何をすればいいかと馬に尋ねた。

“In order that thou mayest attain thy heart’s desire,” said the horse, “ask thy father for the sword and lance, the bow, quiver, and armour which he himself wore when he was a youth; but thou must comb and curry me with thine own hand six weeks, and give me barley to eat cooked in milk.”

「あなたが心の望みをかなえるために」と馬は言った。「お父上が若いころに身につけていた剣と槍、弓と矢筒と鎧をお父上にもらってください。けれども六週間のあいだ、あなた自身の手でわたしの毛をすいてブラシをかけ、ミルクで煮た大麦を食べさせてください。」

So the Emperor called the steward of his household, and ordered him to open all the coffers and wardrobes that his son might choose what he would, and Boy Beautiful, after searching for three days and three nights, found at last at the bottom of an old armoury, the arms and armour which his father had worn as a youth, but very rusty were these ancient weapons. But he set to work with his own hands to polish them up and rub off the rust, and at the end of six weeks they shone like mirrors. He also cherished the steed as he had been told. Grievous was the labour, but it came to an end at last.

そこで皇帝は家令を呼んで、息子が好きなものを選べるように、箱や衣装棚をすっかり開けるよう命じた。美少年は三日三晩探しまわったすえ、とうとう古い武器庫の奥に、父が若いころに身につけていた武器と鎧を見つけた。けれどもその古い武器はひどくさびていた。それでも美少年は自分の手でそれを磨き、さびを落としにかかり、六週間たつと鏡のように輝いた。美少年はまた、言われたとおりに馬を大切に世話した。ひどく骨の折れる仕事だったが、とうとうそれも終わった。

When the good steed heard that Boy Beautiful had cleansed and polished his armour, he shook himself once more, and all his boils and sores fell from off him. There he now stood a stout horse, and strong, and with four large wings growing out of his body. Then said Boy Beautiful: “We go hence in three days!”--“Long life to thee, my master!” replied the steed; “I will go wherever thou dost command.”

美少年が鎧を磨き上げたと聞くと、よい馬はもう一度身を震わせ、できものや傷がみな体から落ちた。そこに立っていたのは今や頑丈でたくましい馬で、その体からは四枚の大きな翼が生えていた。そこで美少年は言った。「三日後にここを発つぞ!」——「長生きなさいますように、ご主人さま!」と馬は答えた。「お命じになるところなら、どこへでも参ります。」

When the third day came the Emperor and all his court were full of grief. Boy Beautiful, attired as became a hero, with his sword in his hand, bounded on to his horse, took leave of the Emperor and the Empress, of all the great nobles and all the little nobles, of all the warriors and all the courtiers. With tears in their eyes they besought him not to depart on this quest; but he, giving spurs to his horse, departed like a whirlwind, and after him went sumpter horses with money and provisions, and some hundreds of chosen warriors whom the Emperor had ordered to accompany him on his journey.

三日目が来ると、皇帝と宮廷の人々はみな悲しみでいっぱいだった。美少年は英雄にふさわしい装いをして、剣を手に馬に跳び乗り、皇帝と皇后に、大貴族にも小貴族にも、戦士にも廷臣にもみな別れを告げた。人々は目に涙を浮かべて、この探求に出かけないでくれと頼んだ。けれども美少年は馬に拍車をかけて、つむじ風のように出発していった。そのあとから、お金と食糧を積んだ荷馬と、皇帝が旅のお供を命じた数百人の選り抜きの戦士たちが続いた。

But when he had searched a wilderness on the confines of his father’s realm, Boy Beautiful took leave of the warriors, and sent them back to his father, taking of the provisions only so much as his good steed could carry. Then he pursued his way towards sunrise, and went on and on for three days and three nights till he came to an immense plain covered with the bones of many dead men. Here they stopped to rest, and the horse said to him: “Know, my master, that we are now in the domains of the witch Gheonoea, who is so evil a being that none can set a foot on her domains and live. Once she was a woman like other women, but the curse of her parents, whom she would never obey, fell like a withering blast upon her, and she became what she now is. At this moment she is with her children in the forest, but she will come speedily to seek and destroy thee. Great and terrible is she, yet fear not, but make ready thy bow and arrows, thy sword and lance, that thou mayest make use of them when the time comes.”--Then they rested, and while one slept the other watched.

けれども父の国の境にある荒れ野を探しまわったところで、美少年は戦士たちに別れを告げて父のもとへ帰らせ、食糧はよい馬が運べるだけしか持っていかなかった。それから美少年は日の昇るほうへと道をたどり、三日三晩どんどん進んでいって、たくさんの死人の骨に覆われた広大な平原に着いた。二人はそこで止まって休み、馬が美少年に言った。「ご主人さま、わたしたちは今、魔女ゲオノエアの領地にいるのです。ゲオノエアはとても邪悪な者で、その領地に足を踏み入れて生きていられる者は一人もいません。かつてはほかの女と同じ女でしたが、けっして言うことを聞かなかったので両親ののろいが枯らす風のようにふりかかり、今のような姿になったのです。今は子どもたちと森にいますが、すぐにあなたを探して殺しにやって来るでしょう。大きくて恐ろしい女ですが、恐れることはありません。いざというときに使えるように、弓と矢、剣と槍を支度しておいてください。」——それから二人は休み、一方が眠っているあいだ、もう一方が見張った。

When the day dawned they prepared to traverse the forest; Boy Beautiful bridled and saddled his horse, drew the reins tighter than at other times, and set out. At that moment they heard a terrible racket. Then the horse said: “Beware, my master, Gheonoea is approaching.” The trees of the forest fell to this side and to that as the witch drew nigh like the tempest, but Boy Beautiful struck off one of her feet with an arrow from his bow, and he was about to shoot a second time when she cried: “Stay thy hand, Boy Beautiful, for I’ll do thee no harm!” And seeing he did not believe her, she gave him a promise written in her blood.

夜が明けると、二人は森を越える支度をした。美少年は馬に手綱と鞍をつけ、いつもよりきつく手綱を締めて出発した。そのとき、すさまじい騒ぎが聞こえた。すると馬が言った。「お気をつけください、ご主人さま、ゲオノエアが近づいてきます。」魔女が嵐のように近づいてくると、森の木々があちらこちらへ倒れた。けれども美少年は弓から放った矢で魔女の片足を切り落とし、もう一度射ようとしたとき、魔女が叫んだ。「その手を止めよ、美少年、おまえに害はなさないから!」そして美少年が信じないのを見ると、魔女は自分の血で書いた約束を美少年に与えた。

“Look well to thy horse, Boy Beautiful,” said she, “for he is a greater magician than I. But for him I should have roasted thee, but now thou must dine at my table. Know too that no mortal hath yet succeeded in reaching this spot, though some have got so far as the plain where thou didst see all the bones.”

「おまえの馬をよく見ておくんだね、美少年」と魔女は言った。「その馬はわたしより偉い魔法使いだよ。その馬がいなかったら、わたしはおまえを焼いて食っていたところだ。だが今は、わたしの食卓で食事をしてもらわなくちゃならない。それに言っておくが、ここまでたどり着けた人間はまだ一人もいないんだよ。おまえが骨をみな見たあの平原までなら来た者もいるけれどね。」

Then Gheonoea hospitably entertained Boy Beautiful as men entertain travellers, but now and then, as they conversed together, Gheonoea groaned with pain, but as soon as Boy Beautiful threw her her foot which he had shot off, she put it in its place and immediately it grew fast on to her leg again. Then, in her joy, Gheonoea feasted him for three days and begged him to take for his consort one of her three daughters, who were divinely beautiful, but he would not. Then he asked her concerning his quest. “With such valour and such a good steed as thine,” she answered, “thou must needs succeed.”

それからゲオノエアは、人が旅人をもてなすように美少年を手厚くもてなしたが、二人で話しているあいだ、ときどきゲオノエアは痛みにうめいた。けれども美少年が射落とした足を投げてやると、魔女はそれをもとの場所にはめて、たちまち脚にしっかりくっついた。するとゲオノエアは喜んで三日間美少年をもてなし、神々しいほど美しい三人の娘のうちの一人を妃にしてくれと頼んだが、美少年は承知しなかった。そこで美少年は自分の探求について尋ねた。「そんな武勇とそんなよい馬を持っているなら」と魔女は答えた。「きっと成し遂げられるだろう。」

So after the three days were over they went on their way again. Boy Beautiful went on and on, and the way was very long, but when they had passed the boundaries of Gheonoea they came to a beauteous meadow-land, but on one side the grass was fresh and bright and full of flowers, and on the other side it was burnt to cinders. Then Boy Beautiful asked the horse the meaning of the singed grass, and this is what the horse replied: “We are now in the territories of Scorpia, the sister of Gheonoea. Yet so evil-minded are these two sisters that they cannot live together in one place. The curse of their parents has blasted them, and they have become witches as thou dost see; their hatred of each other is great, and each of them is ever striving to wrest a bit of land from the dominions of the other. And when Scorpia is angry she vomits forth fire and flame, and so when she comes to her sister’s boundaries the grass of the border withers up before her. She is even more dreadful than her sister, and has, besides, three heads; but be of good cheer, my master, and to-morrow morning be ready to meet her.”

そこで三日が過ぎると、二人はまた旅に出た。美少年はどんどん進み、道はとても長かったが、ゲオノエアの領地の境を越えると、美しい牧草地に出た。けれども片側の草は新しく輝いて花がいっぱいに咲いているのに、もう片側の草は燃えて灰になっていた。そこで美少年は焦げた草のわけを馬に尋ねた。すると馬はこう答えた。「わたしたちは今、ゲオノエアの妹スコルピアの領地にいるのです。けれどもこの二人の姉妹はあまりに性悪で、ひとつところに一緒に住むことができません。両親ののろいが二人を枯らして、ごらんのとおり魔女になってしまったのです。二人は互いにひどく憎み合っていて、どちらもいつも相手の領地から少しでも土地を奪い取ろうとしています。そしてスコルピアは怒ると火と炎を吐き出すので、姉の領地の境に来ると、境の草がその前で枯れてしまうのです。スコルピアは姉よりもっと恐ろしく、そのうえ頭が三つあります。けれども元気を出してください、ご主人さま。明日の朝、スコルピアを迎え撃つ支度をしておいてください。」

At dawn, next day, they were preparing to depart when they heard a roaring and a crashing noise, the like of which man has never heard since the world began.

次の日の夜明け、二人が出発の支度をしていると、世界が始まって以来人が聞いたこともないような、うなりとめりめり砕ける音が聞こえた。

“Be ready, my master, for now Scorpia is approaching,” cried the faithful steed.

「お支度を、ご主人さま、スコルピアが近づいてきます」と忠実な馬は叫んだ。

And indeed, Scorpia it was. With jaws reaching from earth to heaven, and spitting forth fire as she approached, Scorpia drew near, and the noise of her coming was like the roar of a whirlwind. But the good steed rose into the air like a dart, and Boy Beautiful shot an arrow which struck off one of the witch’s three heads. He was about to lay another arrow on his bow, when Scorpia begged him to forgive her and she would do him no harm, and by way of assurance she gave him a promise written in her blood.

そしてまさしくそれはスコルピアだった。地から天まで届く顎を持ち、近づきながら火を吐いて、スコルピアは迫ってきた。そのやって来る音はつむじ風のとどろきのようだった。けれどもよい馬は投げ槍のように空に舞い上がり、美少年は矢を放って、魔女の三つの頭のひとつを切り落とした。美少年がもう一本の矢を弓につがえようとすると、スコルピアは許してくれ、害はなさないからと頼み、そのしるしに自分の血で書いた約束を美少年に与えた。

Then she feasted him as her sister had done before, and he gave her back her severed head, which she stuck in its place again, and then, after three days, Boy Beautiful and his faithful steed took to the road again.

それからスコルピアは姉がしたのと同じように美少年をもてなし、美少年は切り落とした頭を返してやった。スコルピアはそれをまたもとの場所にくっつけた。それから三日後、美少年と忠実な馬はまた道に出た。

When they had crossed Scorpia’s borders they went on and on without stopping till they came to a vast meadow covered with nothing but flowers, where Spring reigned eternally. Every flower was wondrously beautiful and full of a fragrance that comforted the soul, and a light zephyr ran continually over the flowery billows. Here then they sat them down to rest, and the good steed said:

スコルピアの領地の境を越えると、二人は休まずどんどん進んでいき、花のほかは何もない広大な牧草地に着いた。そこでは春が永遠に支配していた。どの花も不思議なほど美しく、魂を慰める香りに満ちていて、花の波の上をいつもそよ風が渡っていた。そこで二人は腰を下ろして休み、よい馬が言った。

“Hitherto, oh my master! we have prospered, but now a great danger awaits us, which if by the help of the Lord God we overcome, then shall we be heroes indeed. Not far from here stands the palace of Youth without Age, and Life without Death, but it is surrounded by a high and deep forest, and in this forest are all the savage monsters of the wide world. Day and night they guard it, and if a man can count the grains of sand on the sea-shore, then also can he count the number of these monsters. We cannot fight them, they would tear us to pieces before we were half-way through the forest, so we must try if we can leap clean over it without touching it.”

「これまでのところ、おおご主人さま、わたしたちはうまくやってきました。けれども今、大きな危険が待ち受けています。主なる神のお助けでそれを乗り越えられたら、わたしたちはまことの英雄です。ここから遠くないところに不老の若さと不死の命の宮殿が立っていますが、そのまわりは高く深い森に囲まれていて、この森には広い世界のあらゆる猛獣がいるのです。猛獣たちは昼も夜も宮殿を守っていて、海辺の砂粒を数えられる者なら、この猛獣の数も数えられるでしょう。わたしたちは猛獣と戦うことはできません。森の半分も行かないうちに、ずたずたに引き裂かれてしまうでしょう。ですから、森に触れずにひと跳びで越えられるかどうか、やってみなければなりません。」

So they rested them two days to gather strength, and then the steed drew a long breath and said to Boy Beautiful: “Draw my saddle-girths as tightly as thou art able, and when thou hast mounted me, hold on fast with all thy might to my mane, and press thy feet on my neck instead of on my flanks, that thou mayest not hinder me.”

そこで二人は力をたくわえるために二日休み、それから馬は深く息を吸い込んで美少年に言った。「わたしの腹帯をできるかぎりきつく締めて、わたしに乗ったら、力いっぱいたてがみにしがみつき、わたしのじゃまにならないように、足をわき腹ではなく首に押しつけてください。」

Boy Beautiful arose and did as his steed told him, and the next moment they were close up to the forest.

美少年は立ち上がって馬に言われたとおりにした。すると次の瞬間、二人は森のすぐそばにいた。

“Now is the time, my master,” cried the good steed. “The wild monsters are now being fed, and are gathered together in one place. Now let us spring over!”

「今です、ご主人さま」とよい馬は叫んだ。「猛獣たちは今、餌をもらっていて、一か所に集まっています。さあ、跳び越えましょう!」

“I am with thee, and the Lord have mercy upon us both,” replied Boy Beautiful.

「わたしはおまえと一緒だ。主がわたしたち二人を憐れんでくださいますように」と美少年は答えた。

Then up in the air they flew, and before them lay the palace, and so gloriously bright was it that a man could sooner look into the face of the midday sun than upon the glory of the Palace of Youth without Age, and Life without Death. Right over the forest they flew, and just as they were about to descend at the foot of the palace-staircase, the steed with the tip of his hind leg touched lightly, oh, ever so lightly! a twig on the topmost summit of the tallest tree of the forest. Instantly the whole forest was alive and alert, and the monsters began to howl so awfully that, brave as he was, the hair of Boy Beautiful stood up on his head. Hastily they descended, but had not the mistress of the palace been outside there in order to feed her kittens (for so she called the monsters), Boy Beautiful and his faithful steed would have been torn to pieces. But the mistress of the monsters, for pure joy at the sight of a human being, held the monsters back and sent them back to their places. Fair, tall, and of goodly stature was the Fairy of the Palace, and Boy Beautiful felt his heart die away within him as he beheld her. But she was full of compassion at the sight of him, and said: “Welcome, Boy Beautiful! What dost thou seek?”

それから二人は空に飛び上がった。目の前には宮殿があって、あまりにまばゆく輝いていたので、不老の若さと不死の命の宮殿の輝きを見るより、真昼の太陽の顔を見るほうがまだたやすいほどだった。二人は森の真上を飛んでいき、ちょうど宮殿の階段のふもとに降りようとしたとき、馬が後ろ足の先で、森でいちばん高い木のてっぺんの小枝に軽く、おお、ほんのかすかに触れてしまった。たちまち森じゅうが目を覚まして身構え、猛獣たちがあまりに恐ろしくほえはじめたので、勇敢な美少年でさえ頭の毛が逆立った。二人は急いで降りたが、もし宮殿の女主人がちょうど外に出て子猫たち(女主人は猛獣たちをそう呼んでいた)に餌をやっていなかったら、美少年と忠実な馬はずたずたに引き裂かれていたことだろう。けれども猛獣たちの女主人は、人間を見たうれしさのあまり猛獣たちを押しとどめ、もとの場所へ帰らせた。宮殿の妖精は美しく、背が高く、りっぱな姿をしていて、美少年はそれを見て心臓が止まりそうになった。けれども妖精は美少年を見て憐れみでいっぱいになり、言った。「ようこそ、美少年! 何を探しているのですか。」

“We seek Youth without Age, and Life without Death,” he replied.

「わたしたちは不老の若さと不死の命を探しています」と美少年は答えた。

Then he dismounted from his steed and entered the palace, and there he met two other fair dames of equal beauty; these were the elder sisters of the Fairy of the Palace. They regaled Boy Beautiful with a banquet served on gold plate, and the good steed had leave to graze where he would, and the Fairy made him known to all her monsters, that so he might wander through the woods in peace. Then the fair dames begged Boy Beautiful to abide with them always, and Boy Beautiful did not wait to be asked twice, for to stay with the Fairy of the Palace was his darling desire.

それから美少年は馬から降りて宮殿に入った。するとそこには同じくらい美しい二人の貴婦人がいた。宮殿の妖精の姉たちだった。三人は金の皿で美少年に宴をふるまい、よい馬は好きなところで草を食べることを許された。そして妖精は、馬が森を安心して歩きまわれるように、猛獣たちみなに馬を引き合わせた。それから美しい貴婦人たちは、いつまでもここに一緒にいてくれと美少年に頼んだ。美少年は二度頼まれるまで待たなかった。宮殿の妖精と一緒にいることこそ、美少年のいちばんの望みだったからである。

Then he told them his story, and of all the dangers he had passed through to get there, and so the Fairy of the Palace became his bride, and she gave him leave to roam at will throughout her domains. “Nevertheless,” said she, “there is one valley thou must not enter or it will work thee woe, and the name of that valley is the Vale of Complaint.”

それから美少年は身の上話と、ここにたどり着くまでに切り抜けてきたあらゆる危険のことを話した。こうして宮殿の妖精は美少年の花嫁になり、自分の領地じゅうを好きなようにめぐり歩いてよいと美少年に許した。「けれども」と妖精は言った。「ひとつだけ入ってはならない谷があります。入ればあなたに悲しみがふりかかるでしょう。その谷の名は嘆きの谷です。」

There then Boy Beautiful abode, and he took no count of time, for though many days passed away, he was yet as young and strong as when he first came there. He went through leagues of forest without once feeling weary. He rejoiced in the golden palace, and lived in peace and tranquillity with his bride and her sisters. Oftentimes too he went a-hunting.

そこで美少年はそこに住み、時の数を数えなかった。何日もたったのに、ここへ来たときと同じように若くたくましかったからである。美少年は何里もの森を歩いても一度も疲れを感じなかった。金の宮殿を楽しみ、花嫁とその姉たちと穏やかに静かに暮らした。またたびたび狩りにも出かけた。

One day he was pursuing a hare, and shot an arrow after it and then another, but neither of them hit the hare. Never before had Boy Beautiful missed his prey, and his heart was vexed within him. He pursued the hare still more hotly, and sent another arrow after her. This time he did bring her down, but in his haste the unhappy man had not perceived that in following the hare he had passed through the Vale of Complaint!

ある日、美少年は野うさぎを追って矢を一本射て、もう一本射たが、どちらも野うさぎに当たらなかった。美少年はそれまで一度も獲物を射損じたことがなかったので、心がいらだった。美少年はますます激しく野うさぎを追って、もう一本矢を放った。今度は仕留めたが、あわてていたので、不幸な男は野うさぎを追っているうちに嘆きの谷を通り抜けてしまったことに気づかなかった!

He took up the hare and returned homewards, but while he was still on the way a strange yearning after his father and his mother came over him. He durst not tell his bride of it, but she and her sisters immediately guessed the cause of his heaviness.

美少年は野うさぎを拾い上げて家へ引き返したが、まだ帰り道にいるうちに、父と母への妙な恋しさがこみあげてきた。美少年はそれを花嫁に言う勇気がなかったが、花嫁とその姉たちはすぐに美少年の沈んだ様子のわけを察した。

“Wretched man!” they cried, “thou hast passed through the Vale of Complaint!”

「みじめな人!」と三人は叫んだ。「嘆きの谷を通ってきたのね!」

“I have done so, darling, without meaning it,” he replied; “but now I am perishing with longing for my father and mother. Yet need I desert thee for that? I have now been many days with thee, and am as hale and well as ever. Suffer me then to go and see my parents but once, and then will I return to thee to part no more.”

「そうなんだ、いとしい人、そんなつもりはなかったのに」と美少年は答えた。「けれども今、父と母が恋しくて死にそうなんだ。でも、そのためにあなたを捨てなければならないだろうか。わたしはもう何日もあなたと一緒にいて、前と変わらず元気で達者だ。だから一度だけ両親に会いに行かせてくれ。そうしたらあなたのもとへ戻ってきて、もう二度と離れないから。」

“Forsake us not, oh beloved!” cried his bride and her sisters. “Hundreds of years have passed away since thy parents were alive; and thou also, if thou dost leave us, wilt never return more. Abide with us, or, an evil omen tells us, thou wilt perish!”

「わたしたちを見捨てないで、おおいとしい人!」と花嫁とその姉たちは叫んだ。「あなたのご両親が生きていたのは何百年も前のことです。それにあなたも、ここを去ったら二度と戻ってこないでしょう。ここにとどまってください。さもないと、悪い予感がするのです、あなたは死んでしまうでしょう!」

But the supplications of the three ladies and his faithful steed likewise could not prevail against the gnawing longing to see his parents which consumed him.

けれども三人の貴婦人の懇願も、忠実な馬の懇願も、美少年の身を焦がす、両親に会いたいというさいなむような思いには勝てなかった。

At last the horse said to him: “If thou wilt not listen to me, my master, then ’tis thine own fault alone if evil befall thee. Yet I will promise to bring thee back on one condition.”

とうとう馬が美少年に言った。「わたしの言うことを聞かないのなら、ご主人さま、災いがふりかかっても、それはひとえにあなたのせいです。けれども、ひとつの条件で、あなたをまた連れて帰ると約束しましょう。」

“I consent whatever it may be,” said Boy Beautiful; “speak, and I will listen gratefully.”

「どんな条件でも承知する」と美少年は言った。「言ってくれ、ありがたく聞こう。」

“I will bring thee back to thy father’s palace, but if thou dismount but for a moment, I shall return without thee.”

「あなたをお父上の宮殿まで連れていきましょう。けれども、ほんのひとときでも馬から降りたら、わたしはあなたを置いて戻ってきます。」

“Be it so,” replied Boy Beautiful.

「そうしよう」と美少年は答えた。

So they made them ready for their journey, and Boy Beautiful embraced his bride and departed, but the ladies stood there looking after him, and their eyes were filled with tears.

そこで二人は旅の支度をし、美少年は花嫁を抱きしめて出発した。けれども貴婦人たちはそこに立って美少年を見送り、その目は涙でいっぱいだった。

And now Boy Beautiful and his faithful steed came to the place where the domains of Scorpia had been, but the forests had become fields of corn, and cities stood thickly on what had once been desolate places. Boy Beautiful asked all whom he met concerning Scorpia and her habitations, but they only answered that these were but idle fables which their grandfathers had heard from their great-grandfathers.

さて、美少年と忠実な馬は、スコルピアの領地があった場所に来た。けれども森は麦畑になり、かつては荒れ地だったところに町がびっしりと立っていた。美少年は会う人ごとにスコルピアとその住まいのことを尋ねたが、人々は、それはおじいさんたちがひいおじいさんたちから聞いたただの作り話だと答えるばかりだった。

“But how is that possible?” replied Boy Beautiful; “‘twas but the other day that I passed by----” and he told them all he knew. Then they laughed at him as at one who raves or talks in his sleep; but he rode away wrathfully without noticing that his beard and the hair of his head had grown white.

「だが、そんなことがあるものか」と美少年は答えた。「ついこのあいだ、わたしはそこを通ったばかりなのに——」そして知っていることをすっかり話した。すると人々は、うわごとを言う者か寝言を言う者のように美少年を笑った。けれども美少年は、自分のひげと頭の髪が白くなっていることにも気づかずに、腹を立てて馬を走らせていった。

When he came to the domain of Gheonoea he put the same questions and received the same answers. He could not understand how the whole region could have utterly changed in a few days, and again he rode away, full of anger, with a white beard that now reached down to his girdle and with legs that began to tremble beneath him.

ゲオノエアの領地に来ると、美少年は同じことを尋ねて、同じ答えを受け取った。ほんの数日のうちに、どうしてあたり一帯がすっかり変わってしまったのか、美少年にはわからなかった。そして美少年はまた怒りでいっぱいになって馬を走らせていったが、そのひげはもう帯まで垂れるほど白くなり、脚は震えはじめていた。

At length he came to the empire of his father. Here there were new men and new dwellings, and the old ones had so altered that he scarce knew them.

とうとう美少年は父の国に着いた。ここには新しい人々と新しい住まいがあり、古いものはすっかり変わってしまって、ほとんど見分けがつかなかった。

So he came to the palace where he had first seen the light of day. As he dismounted the horse kissed his hand and said: “Fare thee well, my master! I return from whence I came. But if thou also wouldst return, mount again and we’ll be off instantly.”

そこで美少年は、自分がはじめて日の光を見た宮殿に来た。美少年が馬から降りると、馬は美少年の手に口づけして言った。「さようなら、ご主人さま! わたしは来たところへ帰ります。けれどもあなたも帰りたいのなら、もう一度お乗りください。すぐに出発しましょう。」

“Nay,” he replied, “fare thee well, I also will return soon.”

「いや」と美少年は答えた。「さようなら。わたしもすぐに戻るよ。」

Then the horse flew away like a dart.

すると馬は投げ槍のように飛び去った。

But when Boy Beautiful beheld the palace all in ruins and overgrown with evil weeds, he sighed deeply, and with tears in his eyes he sought to recall the glories of that fallen palace. Round about the place he went, not once nor twice: he searched in every room, in every corner for some vestige of the past; he searched the stable in which he had found his steed, and then he went down into the cellar, the entrance to which was choked up by fallen rubbish.

けれども美少年は、宮殿がすっかり廃墟になって悪い雑草に覆われているのを見ると、深くため息をつき、目に涙を浮かべて、その崩れた宮殿のかつての栄華を思い出そうとした。美少年はそのあたりを一度ならず二度ならずめぐり、過去の名残はないかと部屋という部屋、隅という隅を探し、自分の馬を見つけた馬小屋を探し、それから落ちたがれきで入口がふさがった地下室へ下りていった。

Here and there and everywhere he searched about, and now his long white beard reached below his knee, and his eyelids were so heavy that he had to raise them on high with his hands, and he found he could scarce totter along. All he found there was a huge old coffer which he opened, but inside it there was nothing. Yet he lifted up the cover, and then a voice spoke to him out of the depths of the coffer and said: “Welcome, for hadst thou kept me waiting much longer, I also would have perished.”

あちこちと、いたるところを探しまわるうちに、長い白いひげはもうひざの下まで届き、まぶたはあまりに重くなって手で持ち上げなければならなくなり、よろよろとしか歩けなくなっているのに気づいた。そこで見つかったのは、大きな古い長持ちひとつだけだった。美少年がそれを開けると、なかには何もなかった。それでも美少年がふたを持ち上げると、長持ちの底から声が話しかけてきて、こう言った。「ようこそ。もうこれ以上わしを待たせていたら、わしのほうが死んでいたところだ。」

Then his Death, who was already shrivelled up like a withered leaf at the bottom of the coffer, rose up and laid his hand upon him, and Boy Beautiful instantly fell dead to the ground and crumbled into dust. But had he remained away but a little time longer his Death would have died, and he himself would have been living now. And so I mount my nag and utter an “Our Father” ere I go.

すると、長持ちの底でもう枯れ葉のようにしなびていた美少年の死神が起き上がって、美少年に手をかけた。美少年はたちまち地面に倒れて死に、崩れて塵になった。けれども、もう少しだけ長く離れていたら、美少年の死神のほうが死んでしまい、美少年自身は今も生きていたことだろう。さて、わたしは駄馬にまたがって、行く前に「主の祈り」をひとつ唱えよう。