瓶入り魔物。The Bottle Imp.その2
このように注目されるような形で活動を開始した野生の火花は、毎日のように酒色に耽り、愉快な人々との集まりに興じ続けていた。リヒャルトがいつも一緒にいる勇敢な仲間たちの中に、一人だけ暗い顔をしている人がいたのは、スペイン人の船長で、彼はこのような騒ぎの場に必ず立ち会うにもかかわらず、一行に声をかけることはほとんどなかった。その暗い顔立ちは、目に見える不安のために、いっそう陰鬱なものとなっていた。しかし、彼は地位も財産もあり、毎晩のように友人たちをもてなす費用を軽く考えている人でもあったので、彼の存在は大目に見られた。
Having commenced his affairs in so notable a manner, the wild spark continued daily to indulge in revels, and in the society of mirthful faces. In all the company of brave gallants, with whom Richard now constantly associated, there was but one countenance overcast with gloom. It was that of a Spanish captain, who, though he never failed to be present at these scenes of riot, rarely bestowed a word upon the company, while his dark features were rendered still more gloomy, by the visible uneasiness that sat upon them. Still his presence was endured, as he was a man of rank and wealth, and one too who regarded lightly the expence of treating his friends evening after evening.
一方、リヒャルトは、ヴェニスに到着した最初の晩より財布が軽くなり、財政が急速に悪化していることに気づいた。そして、この陽気で楽しい生活がすぐに終わってしまうことに、少なからぬ悲しみを覚えた。
彼の仲間は、彼の憂鬱な様子を観察し、その原因を探るのに時間がかからなかった。このようなことは、決して彼らの社会で初めて起こったことではなく、彼らはこの機会に嘲笑を惜しまなかったので、勇者は彼の財布の最後の貴重な遺物まで、思い切って連中に突っ込んでしまった。
彼のこれまでになく浮かれた時期に、かのスペイン人は、ある晩、彼を脇に呼び、予想外の礼儀正しさで、場所を変えないかと求め、人の目が届かない場所に連れて行った。
憐れな若者は最初、おっかなびっくり。しかしよく知っている相手であるし、考えてみると自分はもう、価値のあるものを肌身以外にほとんど持っていないしのだからと、その不安を抑え付けた。となると、賛辞も返さないような無礼を働いてはなるまい。
Richard, in the mean while, although less liberal of his purse than on the first evening of his arrival at Venice, found his finances rapidly decreasing; and reflected with no small sorrow, that this gay and joyous kind of life, must quickly terminate. His associates were not slow in observing his melancholy, or in devining the cause of it, this being, by no means, the first instance of the kind, that had occured within their society, neither did they spare their taunts upon the occasion, so that our gallant was fain to venture among them the last precious relics of his purse. At this prosperous period of his history, the Spaniard called him, one evening, aside and, with unexpected courtesy, requesting that he would accompany him abroad, conducted him to a lone and retired spot. The poor youth was, at first, rather alarmed; but, at length, somewhat quieted his apprehensions by reflecting, that his companion well knew ; that he had little about him worth aught, save his skin, and in that he was determined a hole should not be picked without returning the compliment.
ところがスペイン人は、まず古い建物の廃墟に腰を下ろし、相手にもそうさせると、次のように語りかけた。
「親愛なる若い友人よ。儂の見たところでは、君は儂にとって長い間重荷となっていたもの、つまり好きな時に好きなだけ大金を調達する権能が、どうしても要るのではないか？都合により、この権能を僅かな対価でお譲りしよう。」
The Spaniard, however, having first seated himself on the ruins of an old building, and compelled his companion to do the same, ad dressed him as follows: " I cannot help imagining, my dear young friend, that you stand greatly in need of that which has long become a burthen to myself— namely, the power of procuring whatever sum of money you choose, and whenever you please. This power, such as it is, I am willing to dis pose of to you for a triffling consideration, besides some other advantages into the bargain.
リヒャルトは、「お金を得る権能を手放したいとは。どんな機会に稼げるというのでしょう？」と尋ねた。
" What occasion, " enquired Richard, “ can you possibly have for money, if you wish to part with the power of obtaining it yourself ? "
「こんな具合で」船長は答えた。
「ご存知かどうか、瓶入り魔物と呼ばれる霊がある。これは小さな黒い悪魔で、小瓶の中に入っとる。この小瓶を持つ者は誰でも自分が欲しいだけ、この世のあらゆる財産、特に金をたんまりと、この小瓶に命じることができる。その代償として、魔物を所有したまま死んだ者の魂は、魔王ルシファーに捧げられる。処分するには、購入額より安い額で売るのみ。儂は10ドゥカートで買ったから、9ドゥカートで君のものだ」
" The case stands thus, " returned the captain, "I know not, whether you are acquainted with certain little spirits, that are called bottle imps ; they are small black devils, inclosed in a little phial. Whoever possesses one of these, can command from it whatever worldly possession he desires most, especially abundance of gold. In return for these services, the soul of the person who possesses the imp becomes forfeit to Lucifer, in case he die without having previously disposed of him. But this can be done only by receiving a less sum than that which he first paid for the spirit. Mine cost me ten ducats: -for nine it is yours. "
この尋常でない申し出に目を白黒させる青年へ、スペイン人は続けた。「そのつもりなら、好奇心に駆られた誰だかに渡しちまって簡単に処分できたし、儂もそうやって小悪党から押し付けられたしの。じゃが儂は、そんな良心が咎めるような真似はしたくないのでな、至って正直かつ公正にお知らせ、お取引といく訳じゃ。まだ若く活発だから、買ったものを処分する機会はいくらでも有ろうしの。飽きたらいつでも、儂が今しているように。」
While the youth was reflecting on this extraordinary offer, the Spaniard continued, "I could, if I pleased, easily get rid of the thing, by palming it upon some one as a mere curiosity, in which manner a knavish fellow inveigled me to purchase it. But I wish not to have the weight of such an ill-deed upon my conscience, and therefore, very honestly and fairly, acquaint you with the bargain. You are still young and high-spirited, and will not fail to meet with opportunities enough of disposing of your purchase, whenever you may become as weary of, as I am even now. "
「いや、お貴族様」リヒャルトは答えた。「押し売りはご遠慮願います。申し上げてもよろしいか、僕はもうどれくらい、この麗しき街ベニスで巻き上げられたことか。」
" My noble Sir, " replied Richard, “ an you would not take it ill at my hands, so could I inform you, how often I have been imposed upon already, in this good city of Venice. "
「馬鹿が、この小童めが、」 怒ったスペイン人は、「思い出すがいい、儂が昨夜打った大宴会を。その儂がたった9デュカートのために騙すかどうか、考えてもみよ！」 と怒鳴った。
" Why thou foolish varlet, " exclaimed the enraged Spaniard, " thou needest but call to mind the brave entertainment I gave last evening, to judge whether I would cheat thee for the sake of a paltry nine ducats ! "
「多く使う人ほど、多くを欲しがる」若い商人が穏やかに言い聞かせる、「そして、世にある一番長い財布でも、底があるものだし、それが黄金とは限らない。もしあなたが昨日最後の1デュカートを使ったなら、今日あなたは儂の財布を欲しがっているかもしれないのですよ。」
" Who spends much, wants much: " gently observed the young merchant, " and the longest purse we know has a bottom, although not a golden one. If, therefore, you yesterday spent your last ducat, to-day you may be hankering after mine. "
「この横柄な態度、冷酷なる鉄槌にて懲らしめる事無きに於ては、お許しあれだ。……そうしないのも、瓶の悪魔取り払うを助けてくれるものと見込んだに過ぎぬ。儂は懺悔をするつもりだし、そうすればさらに罪が重くなるだけだしの。
" Excuse me if I do not chastise thee with a cold steel for this insolence: -that I do not do it, is because I still hope that you will help to rid me of my bottle-devil. Besides it is my intention to perform penance, which would only be rendered still heavier thereby.
「それではせめて、その能力の例を見せてもらえないかな？」と、用心深い商人は尋ねた。
" Might we not, at least be favoured with some specimen of the thing's abilities ? " enquired the wary merchant.
「何をどうしろと？？」と、もう一人が答えた。「正当に支払い購入した人以外は、誰の手にも残らぬし、誰の言うことも聞かぬよ。」
" How may that be ? " answered the other. " It will neither remain with any one, nor aid any one, save him who has fairly purchased and paid for it. "
スペイン人は強引な手段を用いないと断言したけれど、何しろ座っている場所が場所なもので、多少の警戒心を抱かずにはいられなかった青年だった。しかし胸いっぱいの不安を抱えながら、もしこの小さな精霊を手に入れたら、どんな楽しいことが待っているのだろうと考えてもしまう。それなら、この掘り出し物をもっと安く買えないだろうか。
The youth could not help feeling some alarm, for the place where they were sitting, seemed a particularly lone and gloomy spot, although the Spaniard assured him, that he would not employ compulsive means. Yet, in spite of his fears, his imagination dwelt upon the enjoyments that would be in his power, should he become possessor of the little spirit; he determined, therefore, to try whether he could obtain the bargain at a cheaper rate.
「汝、愚かなる者よ、」スペイン人は笑いながら叫んだ、「汝のため、そして汝の後に続く者たちのためにこそ、できる限り高い金額にしてやるのだ。一番安い硬貨の値段にまで安くなり、それ以上は売払うことも出来なくなり、購入者が悪魔に没収される時はいつか必ずやって来る。それは、できるだけ遅らせてやりたいからの。」
" Witless fellow that thou art, " exclaimed the Spaniard with a laugh, " it is for thy sake, and for the sake of those who shall come after thee, that I demand the highest sum I can, that I may delay, as long as possible, the time when it shall be purchased for the smallest coin possible, and the purchaser thereby become inevitably forfeit to the devil, even because he can not sell it again at a lower price. "
「まあ、」 リヒャルトは喜び混じりに、「お譲り頂きましょうか。僕はせっかく購入したものを、また慌てて抛り出すような男ではないので。そういう訳だから、5デュカートで頂けませんか。」
" Well, " said Richard, with a tone of delight, " let me but have it. I warrant me I shall not be very eager to get quit of my purchase in a hurry. If, therefore, I could have it for five ducats. "
「儂にとっては、何も変わりはないのだが」とスペイン人は答えた。「それなら、覚えておくがいい。お主は、早めてしまったのだと。悪霊が、最後の不幸な持ち主を、自分のものにしようとするその時をだ。」
" It is all one to me, " returned the Spaniard, " but remember you are hastening on the minute when the evil spirit shall claim the last unhappy possessor as his own. "
この言葉とともに、彼は金貨と引き換えに、ガラスの小瓶を仲間に引き渡した。リヒャルトが星の光で、その中に何とか見分けられたのは、何やら暗いものが飛んだり跳ねたり。一つ実験してみようと頭の中で、今しがた費やした金額の倍あれと要求した途端に、右手に10デュカート在るのを感じた。喜々として酒場に戻ると、まだ酒場で騒いでいた他の仲間は、その様子に少なからず驚かされた。最近あれほど憂鬱になっていた男が、今はどれほど明るい顔をしているのかと。
しかしスペイン人は、もう遅い時間になったからか、大盤振る舞いの宴会を待つことなく、すぐに退散した。リヒャルトは準備を命じるに当たり、まずは疑いの眼差しで手を出してくる宿主の要求を満足させた。今やポケットには、願うだけで湧いてくるピカピカのデュカート銀貨が詰まっているから問題はない。
With these words he delivered up to his companion, in return for his gold, a small glass phial, wherein Richard could just discern, by the light of the stars, something dark that kept leaping up and down. By way of making an experiment he demanded, although but mentally, to have double the amount of the sum he had just expended, in his right hand, when he instantly felt ten ducats there. He now returned in glee to the tavern, and the rest of the company, who were still carousing there, were not a little astonished at perceiving what cheerful countenances were now worn by those, who were lately in so melancholy a mood. But the Spaniard quickly retired without awaiting the costly banquet which, late as it was, Richard had ordered to be prepared, having first satisfied the demands of the wary host before hand, for his pockets were now well lined with brave new ducats, which flocked thither merely at his wishing.
