6
彼が背を向けるが早いか、紡ぎ車もリールもヘッケルも、その忠実な働きにもかかわらず、無用の長物として材木庫に追放されてしまった。メラが教会から戻ると、居間の突然の変化に驚いた。まるで教会の三大祭の一つでもやるかのように、あらゆるものが整頓されていた。普段は勤勉な母親が、平日にのんびりと座り、悪いことなど何もなかったように微笑んでいるに至っては、さらに驚きを覚えた。
しかし、彼女がこの家の変化について尋ねる前に、母はこの奇跡について説明した。その心には一つの確信があり、唇からは女性ならではの奔流が迸る。これから待っているに違いない幸福を、想像の及ぶ限り思いつく最も輝かしい色で描いてみせた。
彼女は娘に、愛の前触れ即ち処女の謙虚な顔を赤らめさせること、自分の意志に完全に従うことを期待したのである。当時、娘たちの結婚事情は現在の王女とまったく同じであった。娘たちの意向が聞かれることはなく、夫の選択に関しても、祭壇の前で承諾する以外、口を挟めるところはなかった。
He had scarcely turned his back, when the spinning-wheel, the reel and heckel, in spite of their faithful services, were banished as useless articles to the lumber room. When Mela returned from church, she was astonished at observing this sudden alteration in their parlour, where every thing had been put in order, as if it were one of the three high festivals of the church. But she was still more astonished at observing her mother, who was usually industrious, sitting idle on a week-day, and smiling in such a way as to shew she had not met with any disaster. Before she could ask her, however, about this change in the house, the latter gave an explanation of the miracle. Conviction was in her own heart, and a stream of female eloquence flowed from her lips, as she described, in the most glowing colours she could find in the range of her imagination, the happiness which awaited them. She expected from her daughter, the gentle blush of virgin modesty, the forerunner of love, and then, a complete resignation to her will. For, in those times, daughters were exactly in the same situation as to marriage, as princesses at present. Their inclinations were never consulted, and they had nothing further to say in the choice of their husbands, than to give their assent at the altar.
しかし、母ブリギッタの予想は大きく外れた。美しいメラはこの予期せぬ知らせにバラのように赤くなるどころか、死人のように青ざめ、母の腕の中に倒れこんでしまったのだ。冷たい水で意識を取り戻して後、彼女の目は、大きな不幸が降りかかってきたかのように、涙を溜めていた。経験豊富な母は、金持ちの醸造家の申し出が、娘に歓迎されなかったことをすぐに確信し、そのことに大いに驚かされた。そして、メラが金持ちの夫を得るこの機会を逃してはいけないと説得するために、祈りも助言も惜しまなかった。メラにしてみれば、自分の心が拒むような結婚で、自分の幸せがやってくるなどとは到底聞き入れられない。
この件に関する議論は数日間、朝も夜もなく続き、答えを出す時期が近づいてきた。
聖クリストファーに捧げるはずの、バサンの王が結婚式で使ったとしたら自慢できるような、色とりどりの花で美しく彩られた巨大なろうそくが出来上がっていた。
聖人は依頼人の問題を完全に無視したか、美しいメラの心は彼に対し閉ざされ、閂をかけたままであったのに。
Mother Brigitta, however, was much mistaken in her expectations; the fair Mela, far from blushing like a rose at this unexpected piece of news, grew pale as death, and fell fainting into her mother's arms. After she had been recalled to life and consciousness by the application of cold water, her eyes were suffused with tears, as if a great misfortune had befallen her. The experienced matron was soon convinced that the offer of the rich brewer was not received with a willing heart by her daughter, of which she was much astonished, and spared neither prayers nor advice in her endeavours to persuade Mela not to neglect this opportunity of acquiring a rich husband. But Mela was not to be persuaded that her happiness depended upon a match, to which her heart denied its assent. Their debates on this subject continued for several days, both early and late; the time for giving an answer approached; the gigantic candle intended for St.Christopher, of which, the king of Basan might have been proud, had it been used at his wedding, was ready, and beautifully painted with many coloured flowers, although the saint had so completely neglected the affairs of his client, that the heart of the fair Mela remained shut up and barred against him.
この間、母の願いと説得は、彼女に強い影響を与えた。目が見えなくなるまで泣き続け、枯れた花のように色あせてしまった。悲しみは心をむしばみ、3日間食べ物を口にすることもなく、乾いた唇を一滴の水で濡らすことさえしなかった。眠りは身体を鎮めも癒しもせず、遂には危篤に陥り、司祭に告白して秘跡を授けてくれるよう求めた。かくて優しい母親は、希望の柱が折れてしまうのを目の当たりにし、娘と成功の可能性を失うかもしれないと考え、熟慮の末、娘を早死にさせる危険を冒すよりは、現在の喜ばしい見通しを諦める方が賢明であると判断し、娘の願いをかなえるために自分の願いはあきらめることにした。このような有利な縁談を断るのは実につらい思いをしたが、結局は良き母として、愛する子供の言うことを聞くようにし、責めもしなかった。
天の仲介者が万事解決してくれると信じていた男やもめが、約束の日に現れたところ、驚いたことには、丁寧過ぎる態度で、まるでヨモギに砂糖をまぶしたような断り文句を言われてしまった。彼はすぐに自分の運命を受け入れ、麦芽の取引が打ち切られた時のような醜態は晒さなかった。実際、彼が絶望する理由はなかった。彼の生まれ故郷では、ソロモンの説明に合う、優れた妻になる資格を持った愛すべき乙女たちに不自由したことがなかったからだ。この失敗にもかかわらず、彼は守護聖人の助けを大いに信頼し、実際、聖人は彼をよく助け、その月の終わりには、聖クリストファーの祭壇に約束の贈り物を華々しく飾ったのである。
Her mother's wishes and persuasions in the meantime affected her so powerfully, that she became almost blind from continually weeping, and faded away like a blighted flower. Grief gnawed at her heart, and for three days she had tasted no food, nor wetted her parched lips even with a drop of water. Sleep came not to quiet and to sooth her; she fell dangerously ill, and demanded the priest to confess her, and give her the sacrament. The tender mother thus saw the pillar of her hope give way; she reflected that she might lose her daughter, and with her the possibility of success, and resolved, after a mature consideration, that it would be wiser to resign the present flattering prospect than run the risk of hurrying her daughter to an early grave; she kindly, therefore, gave up her own wishes to gratify those of her daughter. It cost her many a severe pang to decline such an advantageous alliance; but she at length submitted, like a good mother, to the superior authority of the dear child, and even gave up reproaching her. When the ready widower appeared on the appointed day firmly believing that his heavenly mediator had settled every thing in his favour, to his astonishment he met with a refusal, sweetened however, with so much politeness, that it was like wormwood covered with sugar. He soon resigned himself to his fate, and was no more affected than if a bargain for malt had been broken off. Indeed, he had no reason to despair; his native city has never experienced any want of amiable maidens, answering to Solomon's description, and well qualified to make excellent wives; in spite also of this failure, he relied with great confidence on the assistance of his patron saint, who, indeed, served him so well, that, before the end of the month, he placed with great pomp the promised gift on the altar of St. Christopher.
母ブリギッタは、追放していた糸車を取り戻し、再び活躍させなければならなくなった。すべてのものは、すぐに元に戻った。
メラは健康、花、明るさを取り戻し、仕事にも精力的に取り組み、定期的にミサに行った。しかし、彼女の母親は、お気に入りの計画の破綻と、最高の希望の喪失に、悲しみを隠さない。憤慨し、不満足で、憂鬱になった。
ホップの王が結婚を祝う日、彼女は特に調子が悪く、大きな痛みと不安に襲われた。祭りの列車が街の笛吹きやラッパ吹きを従えて教会に向かって進むと、彼女はため息をついてうめき、荒れ狂う波が夫とその財産をすべて飲み込んだと初めて聞いた時のような気持ちになった。
メラは、この花嫁の祝宴を至って冷静に見ていた。花嫁の冠にある美しい宝石、首の周りにある9列の大きな真珠でさえ、彼女の静けさを破れはしなかった。パリから届いた新しい帽子や、その他の流行のささいなことでさえ、時には家庭全体の平和を乱すのに十分なのだから、これは驚くところだ。彼女の幸福を損なうものは何もなかったが、優しい母親の悲しみは、彼女を非常に不安にさせた。
Mother Brigitta was now obliged to bring back the exiled spinning-wheel, and again to put it into activity. Every thing soon returned into its usual course. Mela recovered her health, her bloom and her cheerfulness; she was active at her work, and went regularly to mass. But her mother would not conceal her grief for the destruction of her favourite plan, and the loss of her best hope. She became peevish, dis contented and melancholy. On the day on which the king of hops celebrated his wedding, she was particularly bad, and suffered great pain and uneasiness. When the festive train moved on towards the church, accompanied by all the pipers and trumpeters of the city, she sighed and groaned, as at the hour when she first heard that the raging waves had swallowed her husband and all his fortune. Mela saw the bridal festivities with great composure; even the beautiful jewels, the precious stones in the bridal crown, and the nine rows of large pearls round the neck of the bride, could not disturb her quiet, which is rather astonishing, as a new bonnet from Paris, or some other fashionable trifle is sufficient, at times, to disturb the domestic peace of whole families. Nothing diminished her happiness, but the grief of her kind mother which made her extremely uneasy.
彼女は、小さな気配り触れ合いを千も重ねて、母の機嫌をなだめようとし、気の毒な母親が少なくとも、話をしようとするまでにはなった。
She tried, by a thousand little attentions and caresses, to coax her into a better humour; and she succeeded so far, that her poor mother be came at least communicative.
夕方になってダンスが始まると、彼女は言った。「我が娘よ、あなたはもう、この踊りをリードできるのですね。このような形で私の苦労が報われるのなら、私はどんなに幸せでしょう。しかしあなたは、幸運が微笑んだ時に、背を向けてしまいました。私はもう、貴女を連れて祭壇に向かおうとは思いません。」
Towards the evening, when the dance began, she said: " Oh my daughter, you might at this moment be leading this dance! What happiness would it be for me, if you rewarded me in this manner for all my care and trouble. But you have turned away from fortune when she smiled on you, and now I shall not live to accompany you to the altar. "
「天に委ね給え、親愛なる母様」メラは答えた。
「祭壇に向かうべく定められたなら、私はそうしなければ。母様に私は花嫁衣裳を着せて貰わないと。まともなお婿さんが来た日には、私の心もすぐ頷くでしょう。」
" Confide in heaven, my dear mother, " answered Mela, " as I must, if it is there ordained that I shall go to the altar, you will live to adorn me with the bridal garment, and, when the right suitor comes, my heart will soon assent. "
「我が娘よ、」慎重な母親は答えた、 「分別のない乙女が求められはしない、分別のある人を受け入れるしかない。この時代の若者は利己的で、自分の都合のいい時だけ結婚し、他人の迷惑など考えもしないのです。
天はあなたに好意的ではない。星を占ってみたが、あなたのように4月に生まれた者に吉と出ることはめったにない。年鑑には何とありましょう？『この月に生まれた乙女は、懇願するような表情をしており、体型は細身である。しかし、天候のように気が変わりやすいので、処女の気分をよく守らなければならない。笑顔の求婚者が来ても、その申し出を後悔しないように。』ご覧なさい、この答え。求婚者は既に来て、今後誰も来ることはない。あなたは彼の申し出を断ったのだから。」
"Child, child," replied the prudent mother, "portionless maidens are not much sought after; they must accept those who will have them. Young men are, in our days, more selfish than otherwise; they only marry when it suits themselves, and never think of the bashfulness of others. The heavens are not favourable to you, the planets have been consulted, and they are seldom auspicious to those born as you were in April. Let us see what says the almanack?
'Maidens born in this month bear kindly plea sant countenances, and are of a slender form, but they are changeable in their inclinations, like the weather, and must guard well the virgin mood. When a smiling suitor comes let them not regret his offer. '
See how well that answers! The suitor has come, and none will come hereafter, for you have rejected his offer. "
「母様、母様、星のお告げがなんと言おうと、私を妻として迎えてくれる人を愛し、敬うべきだと私の心は告げています。もしそのような人がいなければ、またはそのような人に求められないなら、私は生涯独身を貫き、自分の手仕事によって自活するでしょう。また、歓喜の心を持ち、敬虔な娘らしく、母様の老後を援助し、看護します。
でも、もし私の好きな人が現れたら、母様！その人と私を祝福してください。あなたの子が幸せであるように、彼と私を祝福してください。彼が偉大かどうか、名誉かどうか、金持ちかどうか、などとは問わないでください。私を愛し、愛されているかどうかです」
「愛と言っても食料はわずかで、生きていくには十分ではありません」
「しかし、それがあるところには、平和と満足があり、ありきたりな食糧が贅沢品に変わるのですよ、母様。」
" Oh mother! mother! do not mind what the planet says, my heart tells me that I ought to love and honour the man who takes me for his wife, and if I find no such man, or am sought after by none such, I will remain single all my life, and maintain myself by the work of my hands; will keep a joyful heart, and as sist and nurse you in your old age, as becomes a pious daughter. But, if the man of my choice should come, then, oh mother! bless him and me, that your child may be happy: and do not ask whether he be great, honoured, and rich, but whether he loves me and is beloved. "
"Love, my daughter, has but a scanty larder, and is not sufficient to live on. "
"But where it exists, mother, peace and content dwell, and convert into luxuries the meanest food. "
結婚式の晩餐会からバイオリンの音が流れる間も、この尽きせぬ話題で二人の女性は眠れもしなかった。母ブリギッタとしては考えてしまう。若さ美しさに誇りを持ち、富に無頓着なメラの平静さは、初心な心の密かな執着から出たものではないか。そして、その目的についても正しく推測していた。しかしこれまで、狭い通りの糸くず商人が、娘の心の中に居場所を占めているとは思ってもみなかった。目の前の乙女になら誰にでも言い寄る、よくあるナンパ男くらいにしか見ていなかったのだ。そのため、この発見は彼女を喜ばせはしなかったものの、動揺もさせなかった。
彼女の厳しい道徳観によれば、結婚前に恋心を抱く乙女など、外見はよくても内側にウジが涌いたリンゴのようなものでしかない。まだ見かけはよく、マントルピースを飾るのに役立つかもしれないが、最早その価値を失い、崩壊が近いと。
老婦人はこうして、再び故郷の町で以前の地位を取り戻すことに絶望し、自分の運命に身を任せ、修復不可能と思われる事態を黙って耐えていた。
This inexhaustible subject kept the two females awake as long as the fiddles at the marriage feast were heard, and Mother Brigitta could not help suspecting that Mela's equanimity, which, in the pride of youth and beauty, made her indifferent for riches, was supported by some secret inclination of her virgin heart. And she even guessed right as to the object, though hitherto she had never suspected the lint merchant from the narrow street to occupy a place in her daughter's heart. She had looked on him merely as a wild youth, wooing every maiden that came within his view. This discovery, therefore, gave her no pleasure, but she held her peace. According to her strict notions of morality, she thought a maiden who allowed love to enter her heart before marriage, was like a cankered apple, the maggot is within, though it may still look well outside, and serve to adorn a mantle-piece, yet it has lost its value and hastens to destruction. The old lady now despaired of once more regaining her old station in her native city, she resigned herself to her fate, and bore in silence what she thought could not be mended.
