7. 悪魔の利用
教会堂、絞首台、十字路などは当然避けるべき場所だが、川の左岸も状況によっては同じように危険になる。
As a matter of course, such places as churchyards, gallow-trees, and cross-roads are to be avoided, but even the left bank of a river may under circumstances become equally dangerous.
つむじ風は常に悪魔が魔女と踊っていることを表し、この危険な輪に近づきすぎた者は身体ごと連れ去られるか、少なくとも頭巾を失うことになる。
A whirlwind always denotes that the devil is dancing with a witch, and whoever approaches too near to this dangerous circle may be carried off bodily, or at the very least will lose his head-covering.
しかし、ルーマニア人は常に邪悪なものを遠ざけようとするのではなく、逆に悪魔の助力を呼び、悪魔と定期的な契約を結ぶこともある。
But the Roumenian does not always endeavour to keep the evil one at arm’s length; sometimes, on the contrary, he invokes the devil’s assistance, and enters into a regular compact with him.
例えば、群れや庭や畑を、泥棒や野獣や悪天候から守ろうと思ったとしよう。十字路に行き、その交差点で、地面に描いた円の中心に立つ。ここで、支払いとして銅貨を預けた後、次の言葉で悪魔を呼び出す。
Supposing, for instance, that he wishes to ensure a flock, garden or field against thieves, wild beasts, or bad weather, the matter is very simple. He has only to repair to a cross-road, at the junction of which he takes up his stand, in the centre of a circle he has traced on the ground. Here, after depositing a copper coin as payment, he summons the demon with the following words:—
「サタンよ、我は汝に我が群れ（庭、畑など）を委ねよう--（かくかくしかじか）、汝は我がためにそれを守り、保護し、この時が過ぎるまで我が僕となるように--。」
’Satan, I give thee over my flock (garden or field) to keep till——(such and such a term), that thou mayest defend and protect it for me, and be my servant till this time has expired——’
しかし、ヤギ、カラス、ヒキガエル、ヘビの姿を選んで現れる可能性が非常に高い悪魔が完全に姿を消すまで、自分が描いた輪の中にとどまるように注意しなければならない。そうでなければ、不幸な哀れな人は取り返しのつかないほど台無しになってしまう。契約期間が過ぎる前に死ねば、魂が失われるのは同じである。
He must, however, be careful to keep within the circle he has traced, until the devil, who may very likely have chosen to appear in the shape of a goat, crow, toad, or serpent, has completely disappeared, otherwise the unfortunate wretch is irretrievably lost. He is equally sure to lose his soul if he die before the time of the contract has elapsed.
この町のある薬屋によると、スピリドゥーシュと呼ばれる魔法の薬をよく注文されるそうだ。つい数週間前、彼は地元の新聞に掲載された次のような手紙を受け取った。これを私が可能な限り文字通りに訳してみた。
An apothecary of this town (Hermanstadt) told me that he was frequently applied to for a magic potion called spiridusch, which is said to have the property of disclosing hidden treasures to its lucky possessor. Only a few weeks ago he received the following letter, published in one of the local papers, and which I have here translated as literally as possible.
閣下、私が他の人から聞いたことでお尋ねしたいことがあります。スピリドゥーシュと呼ばれるものを売りに出されているとのことですが、もっとはっきり言えば、悪魔そのものです。もしこれが本当なら、本当にそうなのか、そしていくらするのか、教えてください。私の貧乏はひどく、悪魔に助けを求めなければならないほどです。このことを私に告げた者たちは、弱く愚かな者たちであり、恐れていた。しかし、私には恐れはなく、これまでの人生で多くのことを見てきた。だから、どうかこの手紙を書いて、無名の男の挨拶を受け取っていただきたい。-N．N.
Worthy Sir,—I wish to ask you of something I have been told by others—that is, that you have got for sale a thing they call spiridusch, but which, to speak more plainly, is the devil himself. And if this be true, I beg you to tell me if it be really true, and how much it costs; for my poverty is so great and has brought me so far that I must ask the devil to help me. Those who told me this were weak, silly fellows, and were afraid, but I have no fear and have seen many things in my life before; therefore I beg you to write me this, and to take the greeting of an unknown man.—N. N.
ここで語られる悪魔の召喚術が『魔弾の射手』のそれとほぼ同一であるのは興味深い。
