占星術師の予言、あるいは狂人の運命。The Astrologer's Prediction, or the Maniac's Fate.
ヘイニング Great British Tales Of Terror でも
The Astrologers Prediction, or The Maniac's Fate Anonymous
とされ、本書と違いはない。本作自体が珍しく、外に掲載したものは THE STANLEY TALES, ORIGINAL AND SELECT.vol.6(Edinburgh, 1827) p.303 THE MANIAC. くらいしか見当たらない。
と思ったら、Oxford Book of Gothic Tales the 19th century(1992) に収録され、その翻訳が春風社『ゴシック短編小説集』として出ていた。意外。
しかし結局、作者不明のままなのは、作品の出来が怖いだけに残念。
占星術師の予言、あるいは狂人の運命。
THE ASTROLOGER'S PREDICTION;
OR, THE MANIAC'S FATE!
18世紀初頭、イルミナティと呼ばれる占星術師の一派が大陸で大きな反響を呼んでいた。熱狂的に哲学をブレンドし、すべての化学プロセスの知識に天文学との深い知人を結合し、同胞の迷信的な感情の上に、その影響は驚異的であった。しかし、以下の物語ほど恐ろしい結果に至ったものはなかった……
At the commencement of the eighteenth century, the Illuminati, or sect of Astrologers, had excited considerable sensation on the continent. Blendiug philosophy with enthusiasm, and uniting to a knowledge of every chemical process a profound acquaint ance with astronomy, their influence over the superstitious feelings of their countrymen was prodigious. In one or two instances the infatuation was attended with fatal consequences; but in no case was the result so dreadful as in the subsequent narrative :
ディ・ヴェノーニ家唯一の跡取りであるレジナルドは、幼少の頃から野性的で情熱的な性格が際立っていた。彼の父親は、遺伝性の狂気で死んだと言われている。彼の友人たちは、よく主張したものだった。彼の野性的で神秘的な眼差しや、決然としたエネルギーに注目すると、その恐ろしい病気がまだ若いレジナルドの血管の中に生き残っていると。
REGINALD, sole heir of the illustrious family of Di Venoni, was remarkable, from his earliest infancy, for a wild enthusiastic disposition. His father, it was currently reported, had died of an hereditary insanity; and his friends, when they marked the wild mysterious intelligency of his eye, and the determined energy of his aspect, would often assert that the dreadful malady still lingered in the veins of young Reginald.
それが事実かどうかは別として、彼の生活様式が、狂気の兆候を根絶するのに不向きであったことは確かである。幼い頃から、夫の死後、厳格な隠遁生活を送っていた母親の指導のもとに置かれた彼は、気を紛らわせたり、注意を喚起したりするような様々な経験をほとんどしていない。
住んでいた陰気なシャトーは、黒い森の境界線にあるプアビアにあった。ゴシック建築の様式で建てられた、荒涼とした孤立した邸宅は神秘的であった。遠くにはかつて有名だったルドシュタイン城の廃墟があり、現在は塔が残っているのみである。その向こうには、黒い森の深い影と見透せない窪みが広がっていた。
Whether such was the case or not, certain it is, that his mode of existence was but ill calculated to eradicate any symptoms of insanity. Left at an early age to the guidances of his mother, who since the death of her husband had lived in the strictest seclusion, he experienced but little variety to divert or enliven his attention. The gloomy chateau in which he resided was situated in Puabia on the borders of the Black Forest. It was mysterious a wild isolated mansion, built after the of Gothic architecture. At a distance rose the ruins of the once celebrated Castle of Rudstein, of which at present but a mouldering tower remained; and, beyond, the landscape was terminated by the deep shades and impenetrable recesses of the Black Forest.such was the case or not, certain it is, that his mode of existence was but ill calculated to eradicate any symptoms of insanity. Left at an early age to the guidance of his mother, who since the death of her husband had lived in the strictest seclusion, he experienced but little variety to divert or enliven his attention. The gloomy chateau in which he resided was situated on the borders of the Black Forest. It was a wild isolated mansion, built after the fashion of the day, in the gloomiest style of Gothic architecture. At a distance rose the ruins of the once celebrated Castle of Rudstein, of which at present but a mouldering tower remained; and, beyond, the landscape was terminated by the deep shades and impenetrable recesses of the Black Forest.
そんな場所に、レジナルドの青春は封じられた訳である。しかし、彼の孤独は、思いがけない住人の到着によって、すぐに解消されることになった。18歳の誕生日に、明らかに老いと病気で衰えた老人が、廃墟となったルドシュタインの塔に住み着いたのである。日中ほとんど出歩かず、塔の中で常にランプを灯しているという奇妙な状況から、村人たちは当然のように彼を悪魔の使者だと考えた。この噂はすぐに有名になり、ついには噂好きの庭師を通じてレジナルドの耳にも入り、好奇心を刺激された彼は、賢者の前に姿を現し、その特異な隠遁生活の動機を確かめようと決心した。
この決意を胸に、いきなり母のシャトーを出て、領地からわずかな距離にある廃墟の塔へと歩みを進めた。その日は陰鬱な夜で、嵐の気配が風の翼に乗って漂っているようだった。村の教会の時計が12時を告げたとき、その廃墟にたどり着き、一歩一歩よろめきながら、年季の入った階段を上り、やや苦労して哲学者の居室にたどり着いた。
Such was the spot in which the youth of Reginald was immured. But his solitude was soon to be relieved by the arrival of an unexpected resident. On the anuiversary of his eighteenth year, an old man, apparently worn down with age and infirmity, took up his abode at the ruined tower of Rudstein. He seldom stirred out during the day; and from the singular circumstance of his perpetually burning a lamp in the tower, the villagers naturally enough concluded that he was an emissary of the devil. This report soon acquired considerable notoriety; and having at last reached the ears of Reginald, through the medium of a gossiping gardener, his curiosity was awakened, and he resolved to introduce himself into the presence of the sage, and ascertain the motives of his singular seclusion. Impressed with this resolution he abruptly quitted the chateau of his mother, and bent his steps towards the ruined tower which was situated at a trifling distance from his estate. It was a gloomy night, and the spirit of the storm seemed abroad on the wings of the wind. As the clock from the village church struck twelve, he gained the ruin; and ascending the time worn stair - case, that tottered at each step he took, reached with some labour the apartment of the philosopher.
扉を開けると、老人が一人、格子戸の脇に座っていた。その姿はひどく印象的だった。顎から長い白髭を生やし、天を仰ぐ天宮図を弱々しい体で苦労して支えている。床には未知の文字で書かれた本が乱雑に散乱し、テーブルの上には星座が刻まれ、謎の文字で囲まれたアラバスターの花瓶が置かれていた。占星術師の身形も同様に印象的だった。金の刺繍が施された黒いベルベットの服を着ており、銀のバンドで締めていた。細い髪を風になびかせ、右手には黒檀の杖を握っている。見知らぬ人が入ってくると、彼は席を立ち、レジナルドの不安げな表情に眇めた視線を向けた。
The door was thrown open, and the old man was seated by the grated casement. His appearance was awfully impressive. A long white beard depended from his chin, and his feeble frame with difficulty sustained a horoscope that was directed to the heavens. Books written in unknown characters of cabalism, were promiscuously strewed about the floor; and an alabaster vase, engraved with the signs of the Zodiac, and circled by mysterious letters, was stationed on the table. The appearance of the astrologer was equally impressive. He was habited in a suit of black velvet, fancifully embroidered with gold, and belted with a band of silver. His thin locks hung streaming in the wind, and his right hand grasped a wand of ebony. On the entrance of a stranger he rose from his seat, and bent a scrutinising glance on the anxious countenance of Reginald.
「不幸な運命の子よ！」虚ろな口調でそう叫んだ。
「未来の秘密を詮索しに来たのか？汝の命、あるいは永遠の幸福のために、我を避けよ。
汝に告ぐ、レジナルド・ディ・ヴェノーニ。汝は生まれぬ方がよかった、汝の破滅を封印することを許されるよりは。後年には没落の目撃者となるであろうこの場所に。」
"Child of ill - starred fortunes!"he exclaimed, in a hollow tone,"art thou come to pry into the secrets of futurity ? Avoid me, for thy life, or what is dearer still, thine eternal happiness! for I say unto thee, Reginald Di Venoni, it is better thou hadst never been born, than been permitted to seal thy ruin in a spot which, in after years, shall be the witness of thy fall."
占星術師は異様に表情を険しくしてこの言葉を発し、それがレジナルドの耳には弔鐘のように響いた。
The countenance of the astrologer was singularly terrific, as he uttered these words, and they rung in the ears of Reginald like his death - knell.
「親父さん、僕は無実だ」と、おどおど答えて「僕の性格からして、あなたの言うような罪を犯すことは有り得ない。」
"I am innocent, father,"he falteringly replied- "nor will my disposition suffer me to perpetrate the sins you speak of."
「はあ、そうか」予言者は宣べる。
「人は天罰が下るその瞬間まで、確かに無垢である。しかし、汝が運命の星は既に天に衰え、誇り高きヴェノーニ家の運勢も共に衰えるしかない。
西を見よ。夜空に明るく輝くこの星こそ、汝が生誕の星。それが今度、半球を流星のごとく下降していくのを見たら、預言者の言葉を思い、震えるがいい。血の業が行われ、汝はそを行える者ならん!」
"Hah!"resumed the prophet, "man is indeed innocent, till the express moment of his damnation; but the star of thy destiny already wanes in the heaven, and the fortunes of the proud house of Venoni must decline with it. Look to the west: yon planet that shines so brightly in the night sky is the star of thy nativity. When next thou shalt behold it, shooting downward like a meteor through the hemisphere, think on the words of the prophet, and tremble. A deed of blood will be done, and thou art he that shalt perpetrate it!"
その時、大空をゆっくり流れる薄雲から月が顔を出し、大地に穏やかな光を放った。西の方角には、明るい星が一つ見えていた。レジナルド生誕の星……彼は目を凝らして息を呑むような期待に胸を膨らませ、過ぎ行く雲がその輝きを見えなくなるまでそれを眺めていた。その間に、占星術師は窓際の席に戻った。天宮図を天に向けて掲げた。身体は痙攣して震えているように見えた。二度ほど眉間に手をやり、天の様相を眺めては震えていた。
At this instant the moon peeped forth from the dun clouds that lagged slowly in the firmament, and shed a mild radiance upon the earth. To the west, a single bright star was visible. It was the star of Reginald's nativity. He gazed with eyes fixed with breathless intensity of expectation, and watched it till the passing clouds concealed its radiance from his view. The astrologer, in the mean time, had resumed his station at the window. He raised the horoscope to heaven. His frame seemed trembling with convulsions. Twice he passed his hand across his brow, and shuddered as he beheld the aspect of the heavens.
「この世に在るも、あと数日。墓の永遠なる安息、わが魂の覚えん。わが生誕の星、おぼろげに青白く。二度と明るくなること有るまじく、老える者の安らぎ知ること有るまじく。行け！」
と言って、レジナルドを視界から遠ざけ、「死にゆく者の最期を邪魔するなかれ。3日後に戻れば、この廃墟の土台の下に、死体が埋まっているのが見つかるであろう。行け！」
"But a few days," he said,"are yet left me on earth, and then shall my spirit know the eternal repose of the grave. The star of my nativity is dim and pale. It will never be bright again, and the aged one will never know comfort more. Away!" he continued, motioning Reginald from his sight, "disturb not the last moments of a dying man. In three days return, and under the base of this ruin inter the corpse that you will find mouldering within. Away!"
奇妙な畏怖の念にかられ、レジナルドは何も答えることができなかった。数分後、彼は塔を飛び出し、不穏な空気の中、母の暗いシャトーに戻った。それから3日が経ち、レジナルドは命令に忠実に塔へ向かった。夜の帷が落ちて塔に着き、震えながら必死の居室に入った。
Impressed with a strange awe, Reginald could make no reply. He remained as it were entranced; and, after the lapse of a few minutes, rushed from the tower, and returned in a state of disquietude to the gloomy chateau of his mother. The three days had now elapsed and, faithful to the injunction, Reginald pursued his route back to the tower. He reached it at night - fall, and tremblingly entered the fatal apartment.
全ては静寂の中にあった。ただ彼の足取りが、ひたひたと空虚な響きを返してくる。風が廃墟の周りでため息をつき、屋根のない櫓からカラスがすでに死の歌を歌い始めていた。
中に入った。占星術師は以前と同じように窓際に座り、深い瞑想にふけっているようで、その傍らには天宮図が置かれていた。彼の安眠を妨げることを恐れて、レジナルドは慎重に近づいた。しかし、老人は微動だにしない。あまりに思いがけない沈黙に勇気づけられ、彼は前進して占星術師の顔を覗きこんだ。彼が見つめたそれは死体であり、かつての人生の遺物であった。その光景に恐怖で石化し、老人の命令の記憶が抜け落ちた。苦悶の表情で居室から駆け出した。
All within was silent - but his steps returned a hollow echo as he passed. The wind sighed around the ruin, and the raven, from the roofless turrets, had already commenced his death - song. He entered. The astrologer, as before, was seated by the window, apparently in profound abstraction, and the horoscope was placed by his side. Fearful of disturbing his repose, Reginald approached with caution. The old man stirred not. Emboldened by so unexpected a silence, he advanced and looked at the face of the astrologer. It was a corpse he gazed on - the relic of what had once been life. Petrified with horror at the sight, the memory of the old man's command escaped him, and he rushed in agony from the apartment.
何日も彼の心の熱は冷めやらぬままであった。しばしば錯乱状態に陥り、その時には、眠りの中に訪れる悪霊のことを話すのが常であった。
彼の母親は、このように明らかな精神錯乱の症状に動揺した。彼女は夫の運命を思い起こし、レジナルドに、自分を思いやるなら、幼い頃からの故郷を離れて旅行に行き、気持ちを上向かせるようにと説得した。しかし彼は中々、そんな気にはなれなかった。伯爵夫人の説得がついに実を結び、彼はヴェノーニ城を後にし、陽光降り注ぐイタリアへと旅立った。
For many days the fever of his mind continued unabated. He frequently became delirious, and in the hour of his lunacy was accustomed to talk of an evil spirit that visited him in slumber. His mother was shocked at such evident symptoms of derangement. She remembered the fate of her husband; and implored Reginald, as he valued her affection, to recruit the agitation of his spirits by travel. With some difficulty he was induced to quit the home of his infancy.
The expostulations of the Countess at last prevailed, and he left the Chateau Di Venoni for the sunny clime of Italy.
時は流れ、新しさの連続は、かつての神秘的で情熱的なヴェノーニの面影をほとんど残さないほど、有益な効果をもたらした。時折、彼の心は乱れ、陰鬱になることもあった。
しかし、絶え間なく繰り返される娯楽が過去の記憶の影響をそらし、少なくとも彼の性格が許す限り、彼を平穏にした。
何年も外国に滞在し、その間もディ・ヴェノニ城にいる母に頻繁に手紙を書いた。そしてついに、ヴェニスに居を構えることを宣言した。
Time rolled on - and a constant succession of novelties had produced so beneficial an effect, that scarcely any traces remained of the once mysterious and enthusiastic Venoni. Occasionally his mind was disturbed and gloomy; but a perpetual recurrence of amusement diverted the influence of past recollections, and rendered him at least as tranquil as it was in the power of his nature to permit. He continued for years abroad, during which time he wrote frequently to his mother, who still continued at the Chateau Di Venoni; at last he announced his intention of settling finally at Venice.
彼がこの街に滞在してまだ数ヶ月しか経っていなかった頃、カーニバルの楽しい時期に、彼は外国の貴族としてドージェの美しい娘に紹介された。彼女は愛想がよく、優秀で、永続的な幸福を保証するあらゆる必要条件を備えていた。
He had remained but a few months in the city, when, at the gay period of the carnival, he was introduced, as a foreign nobleman, to the beautiful daughter of the Doge. She was amiable, accomplished, and endowed with every requisite to ensure permanent felicity. Reginald was charmed with her beauty, and infatuated with the excelling qualities of her mind. He confessed his attachment, and was informed with a blush, that the affection was mutual. Nothing, therefore, remained but application to the Doge; who was instantly addressed on the subject, and implored to consummate the felicity of the young couple. The request was attended with success, and the happiness of the lovers was complete.
結婚式が行われた日、サン・マルコ公爵邸には美女が勢ぞろいした。イタリアで最も華やかな貴族の面々の前で、レジナルド・ディ・ヴェノーニ伯爵は、羨望の的であるドージェの娘マルセリアの手を取り、結婚式に出た。夜には宮殿で仮面劇の祭典が開かれたが、若いカップルは二人だけになりたくて、その場を逃れ、二人を迎えるために用意されたゴンドラでシャトーに急いだ。その日は素晴らしい月明かりの夜だった。惑星の穏やかな光がアドリア海の銀色の胸に輝き、音楽の軽やかな音色が「距離によってより甘くなる」西の強風に乗って漂ってきた。街の広場から灯された1000個のランプが波間に輝きを放ち、オールの水しぶきに合わせてゴンドラの船頭たちのまろやかなおしゃべりが響く。恋人たちの心は満たされ、この時間の魔法のような気分が、その愛らしさとともに魂に流れ込んできた。
On the day fixed for the wedding, a brilliant assemblage of beauty thronged the ducal palace of St Mark. All Venice crowded to the festival; and, in the presence of the gayest noblemen of Italy, Reginald Count Di Venoni received the hand of Marcelia, the envied daughter of the Doge. In the evening, a masqued festival was given at the palace; but the young couple, anxious to be alone, escaped the scene of revelry, and hurried in their gondola to the chateau that was prepared for their reception. It was a fine moonlight night. The mild beams of the planets sparkled on the silver bosom of the Adriatic, and the light tones of music,"by distance made more sweet,"came wafted on the western gale. A thousand lamps, from the illuminated squares of the city, reflected their burnished hues along the wave, and the mellow chaunt of the gondoliers kept time to the gentle splashing of their oars. The hearts of the lovers were full, and the witching spirit of the hour passed with all its loveliness into their souls.
突然、レジナルドの高ぶった心臓から深いうめき声が漏れた。西半球を眺めていたが、その時、地平線に明るく輝く星が、ルドシュタインの塔で見た恐ろしい光景を思い起こさせたのだ。彼の目は錯乱したように輝き、もし涙の雨が降ってこなかったら、その結果は致命的なものになっていたかもしれない。しかし、若い花嫁の愛情深い愛撫は、とりあえず彼の動揺を和らげ、心を元の静穏な状態に戻すことに成功した。
結婚から数カ月が経ち、レジナルドの心は幸せだった。彼はマルセリアを愛し、そのお返しに優しく愛されていた。したがって、彼の幸福を完成させるものは、母親である伯爵夫人の存在以外に何も残っていない。
On a sudden, a deep groan escaped the overcharged heart of Reginald. He had looked to the western hemisphere; and the star which, at that moment, flashed, brightly in the horizon, reminded him of the awful scene which he had witnessed at the tower of Rudstein. His eye sparkled with delirious brilliancy; and had not a shower of tears come opportunely to his relief, the consequence might have been fatal. But the affectionate caresses of his young bride, succeeded, for the present, in soothing his agitation, and restoring his mind to its former tranquil temperament. A few months had now elapsed from the period of his marriage, and the heart of Reginald was happy. He loved Marcelia, and was tenderly beloved in return. Nothing, therefore, remained to complete his felicity, but the presence of his mother, the Countess.
そこで彼は、伯爵夫人がヴェネチアに来て一緒に暮らすよう懇願する手紙を出したところが、その返事によると、伯爵夫人は危篤状態にあり、息子は至急戻れとの要請だった。
この悲報を受け、彼はマルセリアを伴いヴェノーニ城に急ぐと、伯爵夫人はまだ生きており、愛情に満ちた抱擁で彼を迎え入れた。しかし、息子との予期せぬ再会に、舞い上がった伯爵夫人の心臓は限界を超え、息子を腕に抱く途中で息絶えた。
He wrote accordingly to entreat that she would come and reside with him at Venice, but was informed by her confessor in reply, that she was dangerously ill, and requested the immediate attendance of her son. On the receipt of this afflicting intelligence, he hurried with Marcelia to the Chateau Di Venoni; the Countess was still alive when he entered, and received him with an affectionate embrace. But the exertion of so unexpected an interview with her son, was too great for the agitated spirits of the parent, and she expired in the act of folding him to her arms.
このときからレジナルドの心は、目に見えて憂鬱の調子を帯びてきた。母の後を追って墓に向かったのだが、葬儀から帰るとき、言葉にならないほどの意味深長な笑みを浮かべているのが見られた。
ディ・ヴェノニ城は彼の気持ちをさらに落ち込ませ、廃墟と化した塔の姿は彼の眉間に暗い顰め面を刻みつけるに十分だった。何日も家を離れて歩き回った。帰ってくると、その不機嫌そうな表情に妻の愛情が揺さぶられた。
彼の苦悩を和らげようと彼女はあらゆる手を尽くしたが、彼の憂鬱な気分は収まらず、発作が起きると、怒りに任せて妻を拒絶することもあった。しかし穏やかな時には、消えた幸福の甘い幻影を見るように、妻を見つめるのだった。
From this moment, the mind of Reginald assumed a tone of the most confirmed dejection. He followed his mother to the grave, and was observed to smile with unutterable meaning, as he returned home from the funeral. The Chateau Di Venoni increased the depression of his spirits, and the appearance of the ruined tower, failed not to imprint a dark frown upon his brow. He would wander for days from his home; and when he returned, the moody expression of his countenance alarmed the affection of his wife. She did all that in her lay to assuage his anguish, but his melancholy remained unabated. Sometimes, when the fit was on him, he would repulse her with fury; but in his gentler moments, would gaze on her as on a sweet vision of vanished happiness.
ある晩、妻と一緒に村を散策していたとき、彼の会話がいつもより落ち込んだ調子になっていた。太陽がゆっくりと沈み、シャトーへの帰り道は、伯爵夫人の遺灰が眠っている教会の庭を通っていた。レジナルドがマルセリアと一緒に墓のそばに座り、芝生から野の花を摘んで叫んだ。
He was one evening wandering with her through the village, when his conversation assumed a more dejected tone than usual. The sun was slowly setting; and their route back to the chateau lay through the church - yard, where the ashes of the Countess reposed. Reginald seated himself with Marcelia by the grave, and plucking a few wild flowers from the turf, exclaimed-
「母の元に行きたいとは思わないか、可愛い人？母は愛と太陽の国へ旅立った。この世で幸せなら、来世ではどんな幸せが待っているのだろう？翔べば歓喜は満つるぞ」。
"Are you not anxious to join my mother, sweet girl ? She has gone to the land of the blest - to the land of love and sunshine! If we are happy in this world, what will be our state of happiness in the next ? Let us fly to unite our bliss with her's, and the measure of our joy will be full."
この言葉を発したとき、彼の目は錯乱して輝き、その手は武器を探しているようだった。マルセリアは彼の姿を見て警戒し、急いでその場から連れ出すと、彼の手を握りしめ、そっと前に進ませた。そうこうしているうちに太陽は沈み、夕暮れの星々が輝きを放ってきた。燦然と輝くのは運命の西遊星、つまりレジナルドの生誕の星である。彼は恐る恐るそれを観察し、マルセリアの注意を促した。
As he uttered these words, his eye glared with delirium, and his hand seemed searching for a weapon. Marcelia, alarmed at his appearance, hurried him from the spot; and clasping his hands in her's, drew him gently onward. The sun, in the meantime, had sunk, and the stars of evening came out in their glory. Brilliant above all shone the fatal Western Planet - the star of Reginald's nativity. He observed with horror, and pointed it out to the notice of Marcelia.
「天の手がある！」と彼は狂喜し、「ヴェノーニの誇り高き運命は、早くも終わりを告げようとしている」と語った。その時、煌々と輝ける月が、ルドシュタインの廃墟となった塔にかかるのが見えた。
「この場所で血の行いが行われるのだ、そして私はそれを実行する者なのだ！」 と狂人は言い出した。「しかし、恐れる事はない、私の憐れな少女、」
と言いながら、目に涙を浮かべ、穏やかな口調で付け加えた。「レジナルドがあなたを傷つけることはない。悲惨ではあっても、罪を犯しはしない！」
"The hand of heaven is in it!" he madly exclaimed, "and the proud fortunes of Venoni hasten to a close."
At this instant, the ruin tower of Rudstein appeared in sight, with the moon shining full upon it.
"It is the place,"resumed the maniac, "where a deed of blood must be done, and I am he that must perpetrate it! But fear not, my poor girl," he added, in a milder tone, while the tears sprang to his eyes, "thy Reginald cannot harm thee; he may be wretched, but he shall never be guilty!"
この言葉を残してシャトーに到着した彼は、落ち着かない不安の中でソファに身を横たえた。夜が更け、高原の丘に朝が訪れると、レジナルドの心は再び乱れていった。
その日は荒れ模様で、彼の心の荒んだ気持ちと一体になっていた。彼は夜明けからマルセリアのもとを離れ、帰る約束もしなかった。しかし、夕暮れ時に彼女が格子の近くに座り、ハープでお気に入りのヴェネチアンカンツォネットを奏でていると、折戸が開いてレジナルドが姿を現した。彼の目は最も深い、つまり最も致命的な狂気で赤く染まり、体全体が異常に痙攣しているように見えた。
With these words, he reached the chateau, and threw himself on his couch in restless anxiety of mind. Night waned, morning dawned on the upland hills of the scenery, and with it came a renewal of Reginald's disorder. The day was stormy, and in unison with the troubled feelings of his spirit. He had been absent from Marcelia since day - break, and had given her no promise of return. But as she was seated at twilight near the lattice, playing on her harp a favourite Venetian canzonet, the folding doors flew open, and Reginald made his appearance. His eyes were red with the deepest - the deadliest madness; and his whole frame seemed unusually convulsed.
「夢ではなかった」と彼は叫んだ、「彼女を見た……そして彼女は後を追うように手招きした」
「彼女を見た？誰を見たの？」言ってしまってから、彼の狂気を警戒したマルセリア。
「母だよ」と、狂人は答えた。 「聞いてくれ、恐ろしい物語になってしまうが。森をさまよっていると、天のシルフが近づいてきて、私の母の顔を見せたと思った。その時、突然大きな悲鳴が聞こえてきて、シルフは悪魔の姿に変身した。その姿は恐ろしく高くそびえ立ち、汝を嘲笑うように指さした。そう、汝に、我がマルセリアに。怒りに任せて彼女は汝を私の方へ引き寄せた。私は汝を捕らえ、殺害した。真夜中の強風に、空虚なうめき声が響いた。悪魔のような占星術師の声が、まるで納骨堂から叫ぶように聞こえてきた。
『運命は成就した、犠牲者は名誉のうちに退くがよい』
その時、天の美しい前面が見えなくなったかと思うと、西の黒々とした雲から、厚く凝固した、しめった血が滔々と降り注いできた。星が宙を舞い、母の幻影が再び私を手招きした。」
"'Twas not a dream, "he exclaimed, "I have seen her, and she has beckoned us to follow."
"Seen her - seen who ? "said Marcelia, alarmed at his phrensy.
"My mother," replied the maniac, "listen while I repeat the horrid narrative. Methought, as I was wandering in the forest, a sylph of heaven approached, and revealed the countenance of my mother; I flew to join her, but was withheld by a sage, who pointed to the Western Star. On a sudden loud shrieks were heard, and the sylph assumed the guise of a demon. Her figure towered to an awful height, and she pointed in scornful derision to thee; yes, to thee, my Marcelia. With rage she drew thee towards me. I seized - I murdered thee; and hollow groans broke on the midnight gale. The voice of the fiendish astrologer was heard shouting as from a charnel - house, 'the destiny is accomplished, and the victim may retire with honour.’
Then, methought the fair front of heaven was obscured, and thick, clotted, clammy blood was showered down in torrents from the blackened clouds of the west. The star shot through the air; and the phantom of my mother again beckoned me to follow."
狂人は語り終え、苦悶の表情で居室から駆け出した。マルセリアが後を追うと、書斎の羽目板に寄りかかって恍惚としているのを見つけた。最も優しい動作で、彼女は彼の手を引き寄せ、彼を野外に連れ出した。嵐をものともせず、二人はルドシュタインの塔のふもとまで歩き続けた。
- 突然、狂人は立ち止まった。恐ろしい考えが彼の脳裏をよぎり、大きく振りかぶってマルセリアを抱きかかえ、彼女を運命の部屋へと運んだのだ。
助け哀れみを求めても無駄なようだが、叫ばずには居られず、「ねえレジナルド、私よ、マルセリアよ。傷つけることは無いんじゃなかったの？」
The maniac ceased, and rushed in agony from the apartment; Marcelia followed, and discovered him leaning in a trance against the wainscot of the library. With gentlest motion she drew his hand in her's, and led him into the open air; they rambled on, heedless of the gathering storm, until they discovered themselves at the base of the tower of Rudstein. - Suddenly the maniac paused; -a horrid thought seemed flashing across his brain, as with a giant grasp he seized Marcelia in his arms, and bore her to the fatal apartment.- In vain she shrieked for help, for pity-
"Dear Reginald, it is Marcelia who speaks, you cannot surely harm her."
死の部屋に到達するまで、聞いても聞いても、一度もその歩みを止めなかった。突然、その表情は荒々しさを失い、最も恐ろしく、しかし、より落ち着いた、決然たる狂気の表情になった。窓際に進み、天の荒れ狂う顔を見つめた。…暗い雲が地平線を飛び交い、空虚な雷鳴が遠くできつく響いている。西の方角には、運命の星がまだ見えていたが、その輝きは病んでいた。その瞬間、稲妻が部屋全体を照らし、床の上に倒れている骸骨に赤く大きな光を当てた。こわごわ見たレジナルドは、埋葬されていない占星術師を思い出した。マルセリアのもとに進み、昇ってくる月を指差して「暗雲が立ち込める中、そなたは死ぬであろう。吾はそなたの死に同行しよう、そして手を取り合って母の元へ」
He heard he heeded not, nor once staid his steps, till he reached the room of death. On a sudden his countenance lost its wildness, and assumed a most fearful, but more composed look of determined madness. He advanced to the window, and gazed on the stormy face of heaven. - Dark clouds flitted across the horizon, and the hollow thunder echoed awfully in the distance. To the west, the fatal star was still visible, but shone with sickly lustre. At this instant a flash of lightning illumed the whole apartment, and threw a broad red glare upon a skeleton that mouldered upon the floor. Reginald observed with affright, and remembered the unburied astrologer. He advanced to Marcelia, and pointing to the rising moon- "A dark cloud is sailing by - thou shalt die; -I will accompany thee in death, and hand-in-hand will we pass into the presence of our mother."
かわいそうに少女は悲鳴をあげたが、その声は嵐の怒号にかき消された。その間に雲は航行し、接近し、月は暗くなり、ついにはその暗黒の中に埋もれてしまった。狂人は時が来たのを知り、恐ろしい叫び声を上げながら犠牲者に向かって突進した。殺人的な決意で彼は彼女の喉をつかみ、無力な手と半分に絞られた関節が憐れみを懇願していた。最後の格闘の後、空洞の死の音が、生命が絶えたこと、そして殺人者が死体を抱いていることを告げた。
この時、理性の時間が訪れ、彼の心が部分的に回復した時、
レジナルドは自分が、無意識のうちにマルセリアを殺した犯人であることを知った。
またしても狂気が、深い狂気が、彼の能力に君臨したのだ。…彼は笑い、悪魔の耳もつんざくような叫び声をあげ、錯乱の激しさのあまり、塔の頂上から真っ逆さまに身を投げ出した。
The poor girl shrieked for pity, but her voice was lost in the angry ravings of the storm. The cloud in the mean time sailed on, it approached - the moon was dimmed - darkened, and finally buried in its gloom. The maniac marked the hour, and rushed with a fearful cry towards his victim. With murderous resolution he grasped her throat, while the helpless hand and half - strangled articulation, implored his compassion. After one final struggle, the hollow death rattle announced that life was extinct, and that the murderer held a corpse in his arms. An interval of reason now occurred, and on the partial restoration of his mind, Reginald discovered himself the unconscious murderer of Marcelia. Madness, deepest madness, again took possession of his faculties: -he laughed, he shouted aloud with the unearthly yellings of a fiend, and in the raging violence of his delirium, hurled himself headlong from the summit of the tower.
翌朝、若い夫婦の死体が発見され、同じ墓に埋葬された。
ルドシュタインの廃墟は今でも残っているが、今は亡き人の霊が住む場所として一般的に避けられている。日ごとにゆっくりと崩れ落ち、夜のカラスや森の野獣の隠れ家となっている。迷信はこの場所を自分のために奉納し、この国の伝統はこの場所を納骨堂のような恐ろしい付属品で飾っている。
秋の夜長にこの地を訪れる人は、その荒涼とした光景を目にしながら身震いし、通り過ぎるたびにこう叫ぶ。
「ここは罪の意識が芽生える場所だ、偏見の塊が惑わされる場所なんだ！」
In the morning, the bodies of the young couple were discovered, and they were buried in the same tomb. The ruin of Rudstein still exists; but is now commonly avoided as the residence of the spirits of the departed. Day by day it slowly crumbles to earth, and affords a shelter for the night ravens, or the wild brutes of the forest. Superstition has consecrated it to herself, and the tradition of the country has invested it with all the awful appendages of a charnel - house. The wanderer who passes at night - fall, shudders while he surveys its utter desolation, and exclaims as he passes on- "Surely this is a spot where guilt may thrive in safety, or bigotry weave a spell to inthral her misguided votaries ! "
訳注
Castle of Rudstein: THE STANLEY TALES/ THE MANIAC. では、Rudstein が Hernswolf に置き換えられている。いずれも地図になく、架空の地名であろう。Castle of Hernswolf は本書冒頭を飾る The Spectre Bride に出てくるから、重複を避けたのだろうか？しかし時期的に THE STANLEY TALES が後に出た筈…
