3
夜は更けていったが、騎士は眠そうな様子も見せず、ヴェネチア戦争の話題になると、本領を発揮した。そのうちにフランシスは、この話が自分が主役となる悲劇の序章であることを理解し始め、このまま城で夜を明かすのか、それとも追い出されるのか知りたくなり、よく眠れるようにと最後の一杯を頼んだ。
このままワイン浸しにされるのでないかと恐れつつ、あるいはもし飲み続けなければ口実をつけて城から追い出し、いつものように折檻に及ぶのではないかと。
Though the night wore away, the chevalier did not manifest any desire to sleep; for he was quite in his element, whenever he got on the topic of the Venetian war. Each succeeding glass added to the heat of his imagination as he proceeded in his narration, till at length Francis began to apprehend that it was the prologue to the tragedy in which he was to play the principal part; and feeling anxious to learn whether he was to pass the night in the castle, or to be turned out, he asked for a last glass of wine to enable him to sleep well.
He feared that they would commence by filling him with wine, and that if he did not consent to continue drinking, a pretext would be laid hold of for driving him out of the castle with the usual chastisement.
しかし予想に反して、城主はその語りの糸を断ち切り、彼に言った。
「友よ、すべてのものを元の場所に戻し給え。話は明日、改めよう。」
However, contrary to his expectation, the lord of the castle broke the thread of his narration, and said to him: “Good friend, every thing in its place: to-morrow we will resume our discourse.”
「失礼ですが」とフランシスは答えた
「明日、夜明け前に私は旅に出ます。ここからブラバントまではかなりの距離があり、これ以上ここに留まることはできません。ですから、明日の朝、あなたの邪魔にならないように、今、あなたと別れることをお許しください。」
“Excuse me, sir knight,” replied Francis; “to-morrow, before sun-rise, I shall be on my road. The distance from hence to Brabant is very considerable, and I cannot tarry here longer, therefore permit me to take leave of you now, that I may not disturb you in the morning.”
「それはお好きなように。ですが、私が起きるまで、お城を発たれませんよう。
一緒に朝食を摂り、外門まで一緒に行って、お別れにしましょう」
“Just as you please about that: but you will not leave the castle before I am up; we will breakfast together, and I shall accompany you to the outer gate, and take leave of you according to my usual custom.”
フランシスはこの言葉を理解するために、何のコメントも必要としなかった。騎士は普段の習慣から逸脱する気はまったくないようだった。彼は召使に命じて、見知らぬ人が服を脱ぐのを手伝わせ、ベッドに入るまで彼の世話をさせた。
Francis needed no comment to render these words intelligible. Most willingly would he have dispensed with the chevalier’s company to the gate; but the latter did not appear at all inclined to deviate from his usual custom. He ordered his servants to assist the stranger in undressing, and to take care of him till he was in bed.
フランシスは自分のベッドが素晴らしいものであることに気づき、眠りにつく前に、これほど素晴らしいもてなしは、わずかな打撃の代償としては惜しくはないと思った。騎士の賑やかな声と拍車に起こされなければ、彼は昼まで夢を見続けていたことだろう。
Francis found his bed an excellent one; and ere he went to sleep, he owned that so handsome a reception was not dearly bought at the expense of a trifling beating. The most delightful dreams (in which Meta bore the sway) occupied him the whole night; and he would have gone on (thus dreaming) till mid-day, if the sonorous voice of the chevalier and the clanking of his spurs had not disturbed him.
フランシスは、快適で安全だとわかっていたこの楽しいベッドを離れるには、あらゆる努力が必要だった。数人の召使が着替えを手伝い、騎士は小さいながらも十分に用意されたテーブルで彼を待ったが、フランシスは試練の時が迫っていることを知っていたので、あまりご馳走を食べる気になれなかった。騎士は、朝の霧と湿気を防ぐには食事が一番だと言って、彼を説得しようとした。
It needed all Francis’s efforts to quit this delightful bed, in which he was so comfortable, and where he knew himself to be in safety: he turned from side to side; but the chevalier’s tremendous voice was like a death-stroke to him, and at length he resolved to get up. Several servants assisted him in dressing, and the chevalier waited for him at a small but well-served table; but Francis, knowing the moment of trial was at hand, had no great inclination to feast. The chevalier tried to persuade him to eat, telling him it was the best thing to keep out the fog and damp air of the morning.
「騎士様」フランシスは答えた 「昨夕の素晴らしいお食事で 胃袋は満たされているのです。しかし、私のポケットは空っぽでして。考え得る将来の欲求へ備えるために、そちらに突っ込んでおきたいのです。」
“Sir knight,” replied Francis, “my stomach is still loaded from your excellent supper of last evening; but my pockets are empty, and I should much like to fill them, in order to provide against future wants.”
騎士は彼の率直さを喜んで、ポケットに入りきらないほど詰め込んだ。馬が運ばれてくると、彼は馬の手入れと食事が行き届いていることに気づき、最後の一杯を飲んで別れを告げた。
しかし、驚いたことに、騎士は到着したときと同じように、心から握手をすることで満足し、門が開くとすぐに、フランシスは無事に走り去ったのだった。
The chevalier evinced his pleasure at his frankness by filling his pockets with as much as they could contain. As soon as they brought him his horse, which he discovered had been well groomed and fed, he drank the last glass of wine to say Adieu, expecting that at that signal the chevalier would take him by the collar and make him pay his welcome. But, to his no small surprise, the chevalier contented himself with heartily shaking him by the hand as on his arrival: and as soon as the gate was opened, Francis rode off safe and sound.
しかし、この旅人は、主人が通常の報酬を払わずに出発することを許したことに、どう考えても説明がつかない。やがて彼は、この農夫が自分を脅すためにこの話をしたのだと思い始め、その話が事実かどうかを知りたくなって、城に戻った。
騎士はまだ門を出ておらず、フランシスの馬の歩調を見ながら召使たちと会話していたが、その馬は非常に荒っぽく、旅人が戻ってくるのを見て、何かを忘れたと思い、その様子から召使たちの過失を責めているようだった。
In no way could our traveller account for his host permitting him thus to depart without paying the usual score. At length he began to imagine that the peasant had simply told him the story to frighten him; and feeling a curiosity to learn whether or not it had any foundation in fact, he rode back to the castle. The chevalier had not yet quitted the gate, and was conversing with his servants on the pace of Francis’s horse, who appeared to trot very roughly: and seeing the traveller return, he supposed that he had forgotten something, and by his looks seemed to accuse his servants of negligence.
「お若いの、如何した？」と彼は言った。「時間に追われていた君がなぜ戻ってきた？」
“What do you want, young man?” demanded he: “Why do you, who were so much pressed for time, return?”
「御無礼の段、どうか平にお許しを」フランシスは答えた。
「1つ質問させてください。外には閣下を中傷するかのような噂があります。見知らぬ人をもてなした後、出発するときに、自分の腕の重さを感じさせるというのだ。
私はこの噂を信じたものの、あなたの好意を示すこの印を受ける資格がありそうなことは、何一つ漏らしていないのです。
しかし、不思議なことに、閣下は、力を少しも示すことなく、私を平穏に去らせることを許しました。
私の驚きはお分かりでしょうから、どうかこの噂に根拠があるのか、それとも私に嘘の話をした不謹慎な語り部を懲らしめるのか、教えてください」。
“Allow me, most noble sir,” replied Francis, “to ask you one question, for there are reports abroad which tend to vilify you: It is said, that, after having hospitably received and entertained strangers, you make them at their departure feel the weight of your arm. And although I gave credence to this rumour, I have omitted nothing which might have entitled me to this mark of your favour. But, strange to say, you have permitted me to depart in peace, without even the slightest mark of your strength. You see my surprise; therefore do pray inform me whether there is any foundation for the report, or whether I shall chastise the impudent story-teller who related the false tale to me.”
「若者よ」ブロンコストが答えた。「君が聞いた話は本当だ。しかし、それには少々、説明を要する。
--私はすべての見知らぬ人にドアを開け、キリスト教の慈善心を以て私のテーブルの場所を提供する。但し、私は見かけの取り繕いを嫌う人間だ。思ったことをすべて口にし、その見返りとして、客が望むものをすべて堂々と求めることを望むのみ。
しかし残念なことに、卑屈な気遣いや腹の探り合いに来る連中があってな。欺瞞によって私を疲弊させ、分別のない提案によって私を唖然とさせ、あるいは食事の間、礼儀をわきまえない連中には、天誅だ。城の主人としての私の権利を行使し、奴等の襟首を掴んで、門から追い出す前に、かなり厳しい懲罰をくれてやるのだ。
-しかし、私の若い友人、君のような人は、私の屋根の下で歓迎される。君は、大胆かつ率直に、必要なものを求め、思ったことを言うので、そのような人こそ気が合うのだ。もし帰りにこの州を通ることがあれば、また訪ねてきてくれると約束してくれ。
さようなら。注意しておくと、耳にしたことを鵜呑みにしないように。その話の中に一粒の真実があるかもしれないということだけを考え、常に率直であること、そうすれば君は人生において成功を収めるであろう。天の祝福あらん事を」。
“Young man,” replied Bronkhorst, “you have heard nothing but the truth: but it needs some explanations.——I open my door hospitably to every stranger, and in Christian charity I give them a place at my table; but I am a man who hates form or disguise; I say all I think, and only wish in return that my guests openly and undisguisedly ask for all they want. There are unfortunately, however, a tribe of people who fatigue by their mean complaisance and ceremonies without end; who wear me out by their dissimulation, and stun me by propositions devoid of sense, or who do not conduct themselves with decency during the repast. Gracious heavens! I lose all patience when they carry their fooleries to such excesses, and I exert my right as master of the castle, by taking hold of their collars, and giving them tolerably severe chastisement ere I turn them out of my gates.—But a man of your sort, my young friend, will ever be welcome under my roof; for you boldly and openly ask for what you require, and say what you think; and such are the persons I admire. If in your way back you pass through this canton, promise me you will pay me another visit. Good bye! Let me caution you never to place implicit confidence in any thing you hear; believe only that there may be a single grain of truth in the whole story: be always frank, and you will succeed through life. Heaven’s blessings attend you.”
アンヴェルスに向かって陽気に旅を続けるフランシスは、どこででもブロンコストの家のように、良いもてなしを受けられたらなと願ったものである。
Francis continued his journey towards Anvers most gaily, wishing, as he went, that he might every where meet with as good a reception as at the chevalier Bronkhorst’s.
その後の旅では特に問題もなく、彼は心躍るような希望と期待に満ちて街に入った。どの通りでも、彼の想像上の富が彼の顔を見つめていた。
「どうやら父の借金のかたが商売を成功させたようだ。…名誉ある借金の返済のために私が必要なだけだろう」。
Nothing remarkable occurred during the rest of his journey: and he entered the city full of the most sanguine hopes and expectations. In every street his fancied riches stared him in the face. “It appears to me,” said he, “that some of my father’s debtors must have succeeded in business, and that they will only require my presence to repay their debts with honour.”
旅の疲れを癒した後、彼は債務者達に関するあらゆる事柄を知り、その大部分が金持ちになり、非常にうまくいっていることを知った。この知らせに希望を抱き、書類を整理し、自分に借金のある人を一人一人訪ねた。しかし、その成果は決して期待したようなものではなかった。ある債務者はすべて支払ったことにし、別の債務者はブレーメンのメルキオールの話は聞いたことがないと言い、残りの債務者は彼が持っているものとはまったく矛盾する、債務者ではなく債権者であることを証明するような説明を行った。
結局、3日も経たないうちに、フランシスは債務者の牢屋に入れられ、父親の借金をすべて返すまで、そこから解放される見込みはないのである。
After having rested from the fatigue of his journey, he made himself acquainted with every particular relative to the debtors, and learnt that the greater part had become rich, and were doing extremely well. This intelligence reanimated his hopes: he arranged his papers, and paid a visit to each of the persons who owed him any thing. But his success was by no means what he had expected: some of the debtors pretended that they had paid every thing; others, that they had never heard mention of Melchior of Bremen; and the rest produced accounts precisely contradictory to those he had, and which tended to prove they were creditors instead of debtors. In fine, ere three days had elapsed, Francis found himself in the debtors-prison, from whence he stood no chance of being released till he had paid the uttermost farthing of his father’s debts.
この若者の惨状は、なんと哀れなことだろう。牢獄の恐怖は、メタのことを思い出すと、さらに増した。いや、彼は絶望の淵に立たされ、飢え死にすら覚悟した。
しかし幸いなことに、27歳にもなれば分別もあり、そのような決断を実行するまでもない。
How pitiable was this poor young man’s condition! Even the horrors of the prison were augmented by the remembrance of Meta:—nay, to such a pitch of desperation was he carried, that he resolved to starve himself. Fortunately, however, at twenty-seven years of age such determinations are more easily formed than practised.
彼を監禁した者たちの意図は、有りもしない借金の支払いを要求することよりも、彼に支払うべき金額を支払わないことにあった。ブレーメンで憐れなフランシスのために捧げられた祈りが効果的であったのか、それとも債権者と称する者たちが彼の面倒を生涯かけて見る気がなかったのかはわからないが、3ヶ月の拘留後、彼らはフランシスを刑務所から解放し、アンヴェルスの領地を420時間以内に離れ、二度とこの町に足を踏み入れないようにという命令を下した。想像に難くないが、彼の馬と荷物は、この手続きにかかる費用を賄うために売られたのである。
The intention of those who put him into confinement was not merely with a view of exacting payment of his pretended debts, but to avoid paying him his due: so, whether the prayers put up for poor Francis at Bremen were effectual, or that the pretended creditors were not disposed to maintain him during his life, I know not; but after a detention of three months they liberated Francis from prison, with a particular injunction to quit the territories of Anvers within four-and-twenty hours, and never to set his foot within that city again:—They gave him at the same time five florins to defray his expenses on the road. As one may well imagine, his horse and baggage had been sold to defray the costs incident to the proceedings.
悲しみで胸がいっぱいになった彼は、アンヴェールを後にしたが、その時の心境は、アンヴェールに入った時とはまったく違っていた。
落胆と動揺の中で、たまたま入った道を機械的に歩くばかり。空腹や渇きに顔を上げ、尖塔や人が住んでいることを示すものに気がつくまでは、旅人たちにも、道ばたの物にも目もくれず。
このような心境で、彼は数日間絶え間なく旅を続けた。しかし秘密の本能が、彼を自分の国に通じる道へと駆り立てたのである。
With a heart overloaded with grief he quitted Anvers, in a very different frame of mind to what he experienced at entering it. Discouraged and irresolute, he mechanically followed the road which chance directed: he paid no attention to the various travellers, or indeed to any object on the road, till hunger or thirst caused him to lift his eyes to discover a steeple or some other token announcing the habitation of human beings. In this state of mind did he continue journeying on for several days incessantly; nevertheless a secret instinct impelled him to take the road leading to his own country.
突然、彼は深い眠りから覚めたかのように目を覚まし、自分がいる場所を思い出した。彼は一瞬立ち止まって、自分が今いる道を進むべきか、それとも戻るべきかを考えた。かつて自分が最も裕福な住民と対等に感じていたあの街に、どうしてこうして戻ってこられるのか。メタの前に乞食の自分が現れて、彼女が自分のした選択を恥じないようにするにはどうしたらいいのだろう。この惨めな絵を想像する暇もなく、彼は瞬時に引き返した。まるでブレーメンの門の前で、子供たちの叫び声に続いて、すでに自分がいたかのように。
低地の港のひとつに行き、そこでスペイン船に水夫として乗り込み、新しく発見された世界に行くことを決意した。かつて軽率に浪費したのと同じだけの富を築くまでは、祖国に帰らないという訳だ。この計画では、メタは計り知れないほど遠い存在としてしか考えられそうにない。しかしフランシスは、彼女を自分の将来の計画と結びつけて考えることに満足し、急げばすぐにも彼女を手に入れられるとばかりに、ぐいぐいと歩みを進めた。
All on a sudden he roused as if from a profound sleep, and recollected the place in which he was: he stopped an instant to consider whether he should continue the road he was then in, or return; “For,” said he, “what a shame to return to my native city a beggar!” How could he thus return to that city in which he formerly felt equal to the richest of its inhabitants? How could he as a beggar present himself before Meta, without causing her to blush for the choice she had made? He did not allow time for his imagination to complete this miserable picture, for he instantly turned back, as if already he had found himself before the gates of Bremen, followed by the shouts of the children. His mind was soon made up as to what he should do: he resolved to go to one of the ports of the Low-Countries, there to engage himself as sailor on board a Spanish vessel, to go to the newly discovered world; and not to return to his native country till he had amassed as much wealth as he had formerly so thoughtlessly squandered. In the whole of this project, Meta was only thought of at an immeasurable distance: but Francis contented himself with connecting her in idea with his future plans, and walked, or rather strode along, as if by hurrying his pace he should sooner gain possession of her.
