1
The Spectre-Barber
by Johann Karl August Musäus
translated by Sarah Elizabeth Utterson
Tales of the Dead (1813)
VI. 幽霊床屋 THE SPECTRE-BARBER.
(16世紀の説話 A TALE OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.)
Published in German as "Stumme Liebe" in Volksmärchen der Deutschen (vol. 4, 1786). This is a partial translation from the French (see Advertisement). For other versions, see The Spectre-Barber.
「北ゲールのライエンス殿よく汝を迎えん、
汝に命ずは汝の髭をすぐに彼に贈るべし、
さもなくば汝の顎から引き剥がさるべし。」
“Sir Ryence of North-Gales greeteth well thee,
And bids thee thy beard anon to him send,
Or else from thy jaws he will it off rend.”
-- Percy’s Reliques of Anc. Eng. Poetry.
昔々、ブレーメンの街に、メルキオールという裕福な商人が住んでいた。福音書にある金持ちの話を取り上げた説教を聞く度に、顎を撫でて満足に浸るのが常だった。話に出てくる商人など彼にしてみれば、そこらの使い走りに過ぎなかったからである。何せこのメルキオールと来たら、食堂の床に王冠の破片を敷き詰めるほどの大金持ち。この馬鹿げた贅沢は、メルキオールの同僚や関係者にまで甚だ不快と受け取られた。ところが誰もが虚栄心と虚飾に帰した、その真の動機は理解されないまま、メルキオールの目論見は見事に満たされてしまっていた。というのも、彼らは事あるごとに、この派手な虚栄心への反感を表明したものだから、海外にまで隣人の巨大な富の噂を広め、それ自体が却って信用をいや増したのである。
There formerly lived at Bremen a wealthy merchant named Melchior, who, it was remarked, invariably stroked his chin with complacency, whenever the subject of the sermon was the rich man in the Gospel; who, by the bye, in comparison with him, was only a petty retail dealer. This said Melchior possessed such great riches, that he had caused the floor of his dining-room to be paved with crown-pieces. This ridiculous luxury gave great offence to Melchior’s fellow-citizens and relations. They attributed it to vanity and ostentation, but did not guess its true motive: however, it perfectly answered the end Melchior designed by it; for, by their constantly expressing their disapprobation of this ostentatious species of vanity, they spread abroad the report of their neighbour’s immense riches, and thereby augmented his credit in a most astonishing manner.
メルキオールは晩餐会の席で急逝したため、遺言で財産を処分する暇もなく、年端もいかぬ一人息子のフランシスがすべてを手にすることになった。この青年は、個人的な長所と心の優しさの両方において、特に幸運に恵まれていたが、この膨大な遺産が彼を破滅に追いやった。
これほど大きな財産を手に入れるやいなや、まるでそれが重荷であるかのように浪費してしまったのだ。ありとあらゆる浪費に走り、配慮すべきをおろそかにした。あまりの浪費に資金がかなり減少したことに気づかないまま2、3年が過ぎ、ついに彼の金庫は空っぽになった。ある日、フランシスが銀行家にかなりの額の手形を振り出したところ、銀行家にはそれに応じる資金がなかったため、抗議されて返送されてきた。
この失意は放蕩者を大いに悩ませたが、それも彼の望みを一時的に阻止するだけだった。しかし、その時でさえ、彼はその理由を調べようとはしなかった。
彼はしばらく悪態をついて威張り散らした後、執事に積極的に、しかし饒舌に金を取れと命じた。
Melchior died suddenly while at a corporation dinner, and consequently had not time to make a disposition of his property by will; so that his only son Francis, who was just of age, came into possession of the whole. This young man was particularly favoured by fortune, both with respect to his personal advantages and his goodness of heart; but this immense inheritance caused his ruin. He had no sooner got into the possession of so considerable a fortune, than he squandered it, as if it had been a burthen to him; ran into every possible extravagance, and neglected his concerns. Two or three years passed over without his perceiving, that, owing to his dissipations, his funds were considerably diminished; but at length his coffers were emptied: and one day when Francis had drawn a draft to a very considerable amount on his banker, who had no funds to meet it, it was returned to him protested. This disappointment greatly vexed our prodigal, but only as it caused a temporary check to his wishes; for he did not even then give himself the trouble to inquire into the reason of it. After swearing and blustering for some time, he gave his steward a positive but laconic order to get money.
ブローカー、銀行家、両替商、高利貸しが総動員され、空っぽの金庫はすぐに埋まった。
All the brokers, bankers, money-changers, and usurers, were put in requisition, and the empty coffers were soon filled; for the dining-room floor was in the eyes of the lenders a sufficient security.
この緩和策は、しばらくは効果があった。しかし突然、有名な銀の床が取り払われたという噂が、街中に広まった。その結果、貸し手はその事実を調査し証明するよう主張し、支払いを急がせるようになった。
しかし、フランシスにはその要求に応える手段がなかったので、債鬼は彼のすべての商品と家財を押収した。すべてのものが競売にかけられ、残った彼の遺産は、当分の間は飢えずに済む程度の宝石少々ばかりとなってしまった。
This palliative had its effect for a time: but all at once a report was spread abroad in the city that the celebrated silver floor had been taken up; the consequence of which was, that the lenders insisted on examining into and proving the fact, and then became urgent for payment: but as Francis had not the means to meet their demands, they seized on all his goods and chattels; every thing was sold by auction, and he had nothing left excepting a few jewels which had formed part of his heritage, and which might for a short time keep him from starving.
彼は今、街の最も辺鄙な場所にある小さな通りに住居を構え、そこで苦しい生活を送っている。この状況には何とか順応したものの、倦怠感に圧倒され、対する唯一の手段はリュートの演奏だった。練習で疲れると、窓際に立って天気を眺める。彼の知的な心は、すぐに完全に彼の考えを支配する対象を発見するのに時間をかけなかった。
He now took up his abode in a small street in one of the most remote quarters of the city, where he lived on his straitened means. He, however, accommodated himself to his situation: but the only resource he found against the ennui which overpowered him, was to play on the lute; and when fatigued by this exercise, he used to stand at his window and make observations on the weather; and his intelligent mind was not long in discovering an object which soon entirely engrossed his thoughts.
彼の窓の向かいに、立派な女性が住んでいた。朝から晩まで糸車に向かい、その成果で自分と娘の生計を立てていた。娘のメタは非常に美しく若く魅力的で、幸せな時代を覚えてもいた。その父親は自らが貨物船の所有者で、毎年アントワープまで貿易航海をしていたところが、激しい嵐に父親も船もその貨物も、すべて失われてしまったのだ。未亡人は、この二重の損失を諦めずに耐え抜き、自分の力で自分と娘を養っていこうと決心した。彼女は家と家具を債権者に譲り、フランシスが下宿していた小さな脇道に住居を構え、誰にも借りを作ることなく、勤勉をもって暮らすことにした。娘を紡績などの仕事に就かせ、節約して生活し、その貯蓄で麻布の小さな商売を始めることができた。
Opposite his window there lived a respectable woman, who was at her spinning-wheel from morning till night, and by her industry earned a subsistence for herself and her daughter. Meta was a young girl of great beauty and attraction: she had known happier times; for her father had been the proprietor of a vessel freighted by himself, in which he annually made trading voyages to Antwerp: but he, as well as his ship and all its cargo, was lost in a violent storm. His widow supported this double loss with resignation and firmness, and resolved to support herself and her daughter by her own industry. She made over her house and furniture to the creditors of her husband, and took up her abode in the little bye street in which Francis lodged, where by her assiduity she acquired a subsistence without laying herself under an obligation to any one. She brought up her daughter to spinning and other work, and lived with so much economy, that by her savings she was enabled to set up a little trade in linen.
しかし、マザー・ブリジット(未亡人の呼び名)は、この貧しさで一生を終えようとは考えず、より良い未来への希望が彼女の勇気を支えていた。可能な限りの注意を払って育てた娘の美しさと優れた資質から、いつか有利な話が舞い込んでくるだろうと考えていたのだ。
母親と二人きりで暮らしていたメタは、散歩に出ることもなく、一日に一度ミサに行く以外、外出することもなかった。
Mother Bridget, (which was the appellation given to our widow,) did not, however, calculate on terminating her existence in this penurious situation; and the hope of better prospects sustained her courage. The beauty and excellent qualities of her daughter, whom she brought up with every possible care and attention, led her to think that some advantageous offer would one day present itself. Meta lived tranquilly and lonely with her mother, was never seen in any of the public walks, and indeed never went out but to mass once a day.
ある日、フランシスが窓辺で観天望気に及んでいると、美しいメタが母の目を盗んで教会から帰ってくるのが見えた。フランシスの心はまだ自由だった。過去の騒々しい生活の快楽は、彼に真の愛情を注ぐ余裕を与えなかったからだ。
しかし、五感が静まったこの時、今まで見たこともないような魅惑的な女性の姿に心を奪われ、それ以来、自分の目が発見した愛らしい対象だけを思うようになった。向かいの家に住む二人の女性について大家を問い詰め、以上に述べたような詳細を聞いた。
One day while Francis was making his meteorological observations at the window, he saw the beautiful Meta, who, under her mother’s watchful eye, was returning from church. The heart of Francis was as yet quite free; for the boisterous pleasures of his past life did not leave him leisure for a true affection; but at this time, when all his senses were calm, the appearance of one of the most enchanting female forms he had ever seen, ravished him, and he henceforth thought solely of the adorable object which his eyes had thus discovered. He questioned his landlord respecting the two females who lived in the opposite house, and from him learned the particulars we have just related.
彼は今、自分の経済観念のなさを悔やんでいる。なぜなら、現在の自分の惨めな状態のせいで、魅力的なメタに交際を申し込むことができないからだ。しかし、彼は彼女に会うことを期待して常に窓際におり、それが彼の最大の喜びとなっていた。
母親はすぐに、新しい隣人が頻繁に窓辺に現れることに気がつき、その理由を正しく把握した。その結果、彼女は娘に窓の前に姿を見せないよう厳しく戒め、今では常に窓を閉めている。
He now regretted his want of economy, since his present miserable state prevented him from making an offer to the charming Meta. He was, however, constantly at the window, in hopes of seeing her, and in that consisted his greatest delight. The mother very soon discovered the frequent appearance of her new neighbour at his window, and attributed it to its right cause. In consequence, she rigorously enjoined her daughter not to shew herself at the windows, which were now kept constantly shut.
フランシスは、技巧を凝らすことはあまり得意ではなかったのだが、愛が彼の魂のすべてのエネルギーを目覚めさせた。彼はすぐに、もし窓の前に多く顔を出せば、自分の考えが疑われることを理解し、そのため窓の近くに寄らないようにすることを決意した。
しかし、向かい側の住居で起こっていることを、気づかれないように観察は続けたい。そこで彼は大きな鏡を購入し、それを自分の部屋に置いて、向かいの家の様子がはっきりと見えるようにした。フランシスが窓から姿を見せないので、老婦人は厳しさを緩め、メタの窓は再び開けられるようになった。
フランシスの胸には、これまで以上に愛が勝利者として君臨していたのである。しかし、その愛着をどうやって相手に伝えればいいのだろうか。彼は彼女に話すことも、手紙を書くこともできなかった。
しかし、愛はすぐに伝達方法を提案し、それは成功した。この放蕩者はリュートを手に、自分の情熱を表現できるだけの音色を奏でてやろうとしたのだ。1ヶ月も経たないうちに、その腕前は素晴らしい進歩を遂げた。
やがて彼は、楽器の調律を始めると、メタの美しい手が小さな戸棚を開けるのを見るという喜びに浸るようになった。彼女が姿を現すと、彼は喜びを生き生きとした表情で表現した。しかし、彼女が姿を見せなければ、彼の音色の憂鬱な柔らかさが、彼の経験した失望を物語っていた。
Francis was not much versed in the arts of finesse, but love awakened all the energies of his soul. He soon discovered that if he appeared much at the window, his views would be suspected, and he resolved therefore studiously to refrain from coming near it. He determined, however, to continue his observation of what occurred in the opposite dwelling without being perceived. He accordingly purchased a large mirror, and fixed it in his chamber in such a position that it distinctly presented to his view what passed in the abode of his opposite neighbour. Francis not being seen at the window, the old lady relaxed in her rigour, and Meta’s windows were once more opened. Love more than ever reigned triumphant in the bosom of Francis: but how was he to make known his attachment to its object? he could neither speak nor write to her. Love, however, soon suggested a mode of communication which succeeded. Our prodigal took his lute, and drew from it tones the best adapted to express the subject of his passion; and by perseverance, in less than a month he made a wonderful progress. He soon had the gratification of seeing the fair hand of Meta open the little casement, when he began to tune the instrument. When she made her appearance, he testified his joy by an air lively and gay; but if she did not shew herself, the melancholy softness of his tones discovered the disappointment he experienced.
短時間のうちに、彼は美しい隣人の胸中に大きな関心を抱くようになり、愛が示唆するさまざまな方法で、この放蕩者は、メタと相思相愛になれたとすぐに確信した。
母親が彼の放蕩や過去の不祥事を恨めし気に語ると、娘は彼の破滅を、悪い影響を受けたものだとして、彼の肩を持とうとした。しかし、そうすることによって、老婦人の疑惑を刺激することは慎重に避け、弁明よりも、話を乱さないことに努めるのだった。
In the course of a short time he created a great interest in the bosom of his fair neighbour; and various modes which love suggested shortly convinced our prodigal that Meta shared a mutual attachment. She now endeavoured to justify him, when her mother with acrimony spoke of his prodigality and past misconduct, by attributing his ruin to the effect of bad example. But in so doing, she cautiously avoided exciting the suspicions of the old lady; and seemed less anxious to excuse him, than to take a part in the conversation which was going on.
しかし、ここでは紹介しきれないほどの事情があり、フランシスの生活はますます苦しくなっていった。資金も底をつきかけていた。
然るに近所で「ホップの王」と呼ばれた裕福な醸造家から結婚の申し出があり、メタは母親をがっかりさせたが、これを拒否した。フランシスにしてみれば幸いながら、もっと幸運な求婚者が現れ、永遠に希望が消えてしまわないかと気が気でない。
Circumstances which our limits will not allow us to narrate rendered the situation of Francis more and more difficult to be supported: his funds had now nearly failed him; and an offer of marriage from a wealthy brewer, who was called in the neighbourhood the “King of Hops,” and which Meta, much to her mother’s disappointment, refused, excited still more the apprehensions of poor Francis, lest some more fortunate suitor might yet be received, and blast his hopes for ever.
この豪奢な恋人が、自分のために拒絶されたという知らせを受けたとき、彼は何と苦い思いで自分の過去の愚行を嘆いたことだろう。
When he received the information that this opulent lover had been rejected for his sake, with what bitterness did he lament his past follies!
「寛大な娘よ！」と言わずに居れない
「自分を犠牲にするのか、この惨めな生き物のために
ひたすら貴女を慕う心ばかりで
幸せ与える甲斐性もなく
ただ絶望に打ちひしがれるばかりの」
“Generous girl!” said he, “you sacrifice yourself for a miserable creature, who has nothing but a heart fondly attached to you, and which is riven with despair that its possessor cannot offer you the happiness you so truly merit.”
ホップの王はすぐに別の女性を見つけ、その女性は彼の誓いを優しく聞き入れ、華麗な結婚をした。
The King of Hops soon found another female, who listened more kindly to his vows, and whom he wedded with great splendour.
しかし、愛は仕事を中途半端にはしなかった。その影響は、フランチェスコの心の中に、積極的に自分の能力を発揮し、自分自身を働かせたいという意欲を生み出し、そして、自分の善意を実行に移す勇気をも奮い立たせたのである。
彼はさまざまな計画を立てたが、最も合理的なのは、父親の帳簿を調べて、請求できる債権を計算し、そこから可能な限りのものを得ようとすることであった。
そうすれば、商売を始めるための資金が得られると考えたのだ。そして、その想像力は、このことを地上の最果てにまで拡大することにつながった。この計画を実行するために、彼は父親の遺品をすべて売り払い、そのお金で馬を買い、旅に出た。
Love, however, did not leave his work incomplete; for its influence created in the mind of Francis a desire of exerting his faculties and actively employing himself, in order, if possible, to emerge from the state of nothingness into which he was at present plunged: and it inspired him also with courage to prosecute his good intentions. Among various projects which he formed, the most rational appeared that of overlooking his father’s books, taking an account of the claimable debts, and from that source to get all he possibly could. The produce of this procedure would, he thought, furnish him with the means of beginning in some small way of business; and his imagination led him to extend this to the most remote corners of the earth. In order to equip himself for the prosecution of his plans, he sold all the remainder of his father’s effects, and with the money purchased a horse to commence his travels.
tune the instrument: 当時一般的な楽器であったリュートは、今となってはギターの前身くらいにしか見られず、似たような扱いをされるのであるが。ごく薄い板の寄木細工で仕上げた胴体に、天然素材になる楽弦（6弦〜14弦）を張る楽器の調律は、ギターと異なり緩み易く、極めて厄介で不安定。今なお演奏会でも、演奏時間より調弦時間の方が長いほどである。
原典は短編ながら、それだけで7万字を超え、字数制限に引っ掛かるため分割する。
