メロスは激怒した。必ず、かの邪智暴虐の王を除かなければならぬと決意した。メロスには政治がわからぬ。メロスは、村の牧人である。笛を吹き、羊と遊んで暮して来た。けれども邪悪に対しては、人一倍に敏感であった。きょう未明メロスは村を出発し、野を越え山越え、十里はなれた此のシラクスの市にやって来た。メロスには父も、母も無い。女房も無い。十六の、内気な妹と二人暮しだ。この妹は、村の或る律気な一牧人を、近々、花婿として迎える事になっていた。結婚式も間近かなのである。メロスは、それゆえ、花嫁の衣裳やら祝宴の御馳走やらを買いに、はるばる市にやって来たのだ。先ず、その品々を買い集め、それから都の大路をぶらぶら歩いた。メロスには竹馬の友があった。セリヌンティウスである。今は此のシラクスの市で、石工をしている。その友を、これから訪ねてみるつもりなのだ。久しく逢わなかったのだから、訪ねて行くのが楽しみである。歩いているうちにメロスは、まちの様子を怪しく思った。ひっそりしている。もう既に日も落ちて、まちの暗いのは当りまえだが、けれども、なんだか、夜のせいばかりでは無く、市全体が、やけに寂しい。のんきなメロスも、だんだん不安になって来た。路で逢った若い衆をつかまえて、何かあったのか、二年まえに此の市に来たときは、夜でも皆が歌をうたって、まちは賑やかであった筈だが、と質問した。若い衆は、首を振って答えなかった。しばらく歩いて老爺に逢い、こんどはもっと、語勢を強くして質問した。老爺は答えなかった。メロスは両手で老爺のからだをゆすぶって質問を重ねた。老爺は、あたりをはばかる低声で、わずか答えた。
Melos was furious. He resolved that the wicked, tyrannical king must be removed, whatever it took. Melos knew nothing of politics. Melos was a shepherd from a village. He had passed his days playing the flute and keeping company with his sheep. But toward evil he was more sensitive than most. Before dawn that day Melos had left his village, crossed the fields and the mountains, and come to this city of Syracuse, ten leagues away. Melos had no father, no mother. No wife either. He lived alone with his shy sixteen-year-old sister. The girl was soon to take a certain honest shepherd of the village as her husband. The wedding was close at hand. That was why Melos had come all this way to the city: to buy the bride's dress and the food for the feast. He gathered his purchases first, and then went wandering along the main street of the capital. Melos had a friend from childhood. His name was Selinuntius. He was now a stonemason here in Syracuse. Melos intended to call on him. They had not met in a long while, and he was looking forward to the visit. As he walked, Melos began to find the look of the town strange. It was hushed. The sun had already set, so of course the streets were dark, but somehow it was not only the night; the whole city seemed terribly desolate. Even easygoing Melos grew gradually uneasy. He caught hold of a young man he met on the road and asked him whether something had happened. When he had come to this city two years ago, he said, everyone had been singing even at night, and the town had been lively. The young man shook his head and would not answer. He walked on a while, met an old man, and this time asked more forcefully. The old man would not answer. Melos took the old man's body in both hands and shook him, pressing the question. In a low voice, glancing warily about, the old man answered, barely.
「王様は、人を殺します。」
"The king kills people."
「なぜ殺すのだ。」
"Why does he kill them?"
「悪心を抱いている、というのですが、誰もそんな、悪心を持っては居りませぬ。」
"He says they harbor evil in their hearts. But no one harbors any such thing."
「たくさんの人を殺したのか。」
"Has he killed many?"
「はい、はじめは王様の妹婿さまを。それから、御自身のお世嗣を。それから、妹さまを。それから、妹さまの御子さまを。それから、皇后さまを。それから、賢臣のアレキス様を。」
"Yes. First his own sister's husband. Then his heir. Then his sister. Then his sister's child. Then the queen. Then Alexis, the wise minister."
「おどろいた。国王は乱心か。」
"Astonishing. Has the king gone mad?"
「いいえ、乱心ではございませぬ。人を、信ずる事が出来ぬ、というのです。このごろは、臣下の心をも、お疑いになり、少しく派手な暮しをしている者には、人質ひとりずつ差し出すことを命じて居ります。御命令を拒めば十字架にかけられて、殺されます。きょうは、六人殺されました。」
"No, he is not mad. He says that he cannot trust people. Lately he has come to doubt even the hearts of his retainers, and he orders anyone who lives a little too grandly to hand over a hostage. Those who refuse are nailed to the cross and killed. Today he killed six."
聞いて、メロスは激怒した。「呆れた王だ。生かして置けぬ。」
Hearing this, Melos was furious. "What an appalling king. He cannot be allowed to live."
メロスは、単純な男であった。買い物を、背負ったままで、のそのそ王城にはいって行った。たちまち彼は、巡邏の警吏に捕縛された。調べられて、メロスの懐中からは短剣が出て来たので、騒ぎが大きくなってしまった。メロスは、王の前に引き出された。
Melos was a simple man. With his purchases still on his back, he ambled straight into the royal castle. He was seized at once by the patrolling guards. When they searched him and found a dagger inside his clothes, the uproar grew. Melos was dragged before the king.
「この短刀で何をするつもりであったか。言え！」暴君ディオニスは静かに、けれども威厳を以て問いつめた。その王の顔は蒼白で、眉間の皺は、刻み込まれたように深かった。
"What did you mean to do with this dagger? Speak!" The tyrant Dionysius questioned him quietly, but with authority. The king's face was pale, and the furrows between his brows were as deep as if they had been carved.
「市を暴君の手から救うのだ。」とメロスは悪びれずに答えた。
"To save the city from a tyrant's hands," Melos answered without flinching.
「おまえがか？」王は、憫笑した。「仕方の無いやつじゃ。おまえには、わしの孤独がわからぬ。」
"You?" The king smiled with pity. "A hopeless fellow. You do not understand my loneliness."
「言うな！」とメロスは、いきり立って反駁した。「人の心を疑うのは、最も恥ずべき悪徳だ。王は、民の忠誠をさえ疑って居られる。」
"Don't say it!" Melos flared up and shot back. "To doubt the hearts of others is the most shameful vice there is. You, a king, doubt even the loyalty of your people."
「疑うのが、正当の心構えなのだと、わしに教えてくれたのは、おまえたちだ。人の心は、あてにならない。人間は、もともと私慾のかたまりさ。信じては、ならぬ。」暴君は落着いて呟き、ほっと溜息をついた。「わしだって、平和を望んでいるのだが。」
"It was all of you who taught me that doubt is the proper frame of mind. The human heart cannot be relied on. Men are, at bottom, lumps of self-interest. They must not be trusted." The tyrant murmured it calmly and let out a sigh. "Even I wish for peace."
「なんの為の平和だ。自分の地位を守る為か。」こんどはメロスが嘲笑した。「罪の無い人を殺して、何が平和だ。」
"Peace for what? To protect your own position?" Now it was Melos who sneered. "Killing the innocent—what kind of peace is that?"
「だまれ、下賤の者。」王は、さっと顔を挙げて報いた。「口では、どんな清らかな事でも言える。わしには、人の腹綿の奥底が見え透いてならぬ。おまえだって、いまに、磔になってから、泣いて詫びたって聞かぬぞ。」
"Silence, lowborn wretch." The king lifted his face sharply and struck back. "With the mouth one can say anything, however pure. I see straight through to the bottom of men's guts. You too—when you are on the cross, weeping and begging forgiveness, I will not listen."
「ああ、王は悧巧だ。自惚れているがよい。私は、ちゃんと死ぬる覚悟で居るのに。命乞いなど決してしない。ただ、——」と言いかけて、メロスは足もとに視線を落し瞬時ためらい、「ただ、私に情をかけたいつもりなら、処刑までに三日間の日限を与えて下さい。たった一人の妹に、亭主を持たせてやりたいのです。三日のうちに、私は村で結婚式を挙げさせ、必ず、ここへ帰って来ます。」
"Ah, the king is clever. Go on being pleased with yourself. I am fully prepared to die. I will never beg for my life. Only—" Melos began, then dropped his eyes to his feet and hesitated an instant. "Only, if you mean to show me any mercy, grant me three days before the execution. I want to see my one and only sister take a husband. Within three days I will hold the wedding in my village, and I will come back here without fail."
「ばかな。」と暴君は、嗄れた声で低く笑った。「とんでもない嘘を言うわい。逃がした小鳥が帰って来るというのか。」
"Absurd." The tyrant laughed low in his hoarse voice. "What an outrageous lie. You say a bird once let loose will come back?"
「そうです。帰って来るのです。」メロスは必死で言い張った。「私は約束を守ります。私を、三日間だけ許して下さい。妹が、私の帰りを待っているのだ。そんなに私を信じられないならば、よろしい、この市にセリヌンティウスという石工がいます。私の無二の友人だ。あれを、人質としてここに置いて行こう。私が逃げてしまって、三日目の日暮まで、ここに帰って来なかったら、あの友人を絞め殺して下さい。たのむ、そうして下さい。」
"Yes. It will come back." Melos insisted desperately. "I keep my word. Release me for three days only. My sister is waiting for me to come home. If you cannot trust me that far, very well—there is a stonemason in this city called Selinuntius. He is a friend without equal. I will leave him here as a hostage. If I run away and have not returned here by sundown on the third day, strangle that friend of mine. I beg you, do that."
それを聞いて王は、残虐な気持で、そっと北叟笑んだ。生意気なことを言うわい。どうせ帰って来ないにきまっている。この嘘つきに騙された振りして、放してやるのも面白い。そうして身代りの男を、三日目に殺してやるのも気味がいい。人は、これだから信じられぬと、わしは悲しい顔して、その身代りの男を磔刑に処してやるのだ。世の中の、正直者とかいう奴輩にうんと見せつけてやりたいものさ。
Hearing this, the king smirked to himself with cruel pleasure. Insolent talk. He is certain not to return. It might be amusing to pretend to be taken in by this liar and let him go. And then to kill the substitute on the third day—that would be satisfying too. This is why men cannot be trusted, I will say, with a sorrowful face, as I nail the substitute to the cross. I would like to show the so-called honest men of this world exactly that.
「願いを、聞いた。その身代りを呼ぶがよい。三日目には日没までに帰って来い。おくれたら、その身代りを、きっと殺すぞ。ちょっとおくれて来るがいい。おまえの罪は、永遠にゆるしてやろうぞ。」
"Your wish is granted. Summon your substitute. Return by sundown on the third day. If you are late, your substitute will surely die. Be a little late. Then I will pardon your crime forever."
「なに、何をおっしゃる。」
"What—what are you saying?"
「はは。いのちが大事だったら、おくれて来い。おまえの心は、わかっているぞ。」
"Ha. If your life is dear to you, come late. I know your heart."
メロスは口惜しく、地団駄踏んだ。ものも言いたくなくなった。
Melos stamped his feet in bitter frustration. He no longer wanted to say another word.
竹馬の友、セリヌンティウスは、深夜、王城に召された。暴君ディオニスの面前で、佳き友と佳き友は、二年ぶりで相逢うた。メロスは、友に一切の事情を語った。セリヌンティウスは無言で首肯き、メロスをひしと抱きしめた。友と友の間は、それでよかった。セリヌンティウスは、縄打たれた。メロスは、すぐに出発した。初夏、満天の星である。
Selinuntius, the friend of his childhood, was summoned to the castle in the dead of night. Before the tyrant Dionysius, the two good friends met again for the first time in two years. Melos told his friend everything. Selinuntius nodded without a word and held Melos tightly in his arms. Between friend and friend, that was enough. Selinuntius was bound. Melos set out at once. It was early summer, and the sky was full of stars.
メロスはその夜、一睡もせず十里の路を急ぎに急いで、村へ到着したのは、翌る日の午前、陽は既に高く昇って、村人たちは野に出て仕事をはじめていた。メロスの十六の妹も、きょうは兄の代りに羊群の番をしていた。よろめいて歩いて来る兄の、疲労困憊の姿を見つけて驚いた。そうして、うるさく兄に質問を浴びせた。
Melos did not sleep a wink that night. He hurried and hurried along the ten leagues of road, and when he reached the village it was the morning of the next day; the sun was already high, and the villagers had gone out to the fields and begun their work. Melos's sixteen-year-old sister was watching the flock that day in her brother's place. She was startled to see him come staggering toward her, worn to exhaustion, and she showered him with questions.
「なんでも無い。」メロスは無理に笑おうと努めた。「市に用事を残して来た。またすぐ市に行かなければならぬ。あす、おまえの結婚式を挙げる。早いほうがよかろう。」
"It's nothing." Melos forced himself to try to smile. "I left some business unfinished in the city. I have to go back there right away. Tomorrow we hold your wedding. The sooner the better, don't you think?"
妹は頬をあからめた。
His sister blushed.
「うれしいか。綺麗な衣裳も買って来た。さあ、これから行って、村の人たちに知らせて来い。結婚式は、あすだと。」
"Are you glad? I bought you a beautiful dress, too. Now go and tell the people of the village. The wedding is tomorrow."
メロスは、また、よろよろと歩き出し、家へ帰って神々の祭壇を飾り、祝宴の席を調え、間もなく床に倒れ伏し、呼吸もせぬくらいの深い眠りに落ちてしまった。
Melos set off again on unsteady legs, went home, decorated the altar of the gods, laid out the seats for the feast, and before long collapsed onto his bed and fell into a sleep so deep he scarcely seemed to breathe.
眼が覚めたのは夜だった。メロスは起きてすぐ、花婿の家を訪れた。そうして、少し事情があるから、結婚式を明日にしてくれ、と頼んだ。婿の牧人は驚き、それはいけない、こちらには未だ何の仕度も出来ていない、葡萄の季節まで待ってくれ、と答えた。メロスは、待つことは出来ぬ、どうか明日にしてくれ給え、と更に押してたのんだ。婿の牧人も頑強であった。なかなか承諾してくれない。夜明けまで議論をつづけて、やっと、どうにか婿をなだめ、すかして、説き伏せた。結婚式は、真昼に行われた。新郎新婦の、神々への宣誓が済んだころ、黒雲が空を覆い、ぽつりぽつり雨が降り出し、やがて車軸を流すような大雨となった。祝宴に列席していた村人たちは、何か不吉なものを感じたが、それでも、めいめい気持を引きたて、狭い家の中で、むんむん蒸し暑いのも怺え、陽気に歌をうたい、手を拍った。メロスも、満面に喜色を湛え、しばらくは、王とのあの約束をさえ忘れていた。祝宴は、夜に入っていよいよ乱れ華やかになり、人々は、外の豪雨を全く気にしなくなった。メロスは、一生このままここにいたい、と思った。この佳い人たちと生涯暮して行きたいと願ったが、いまは、自分のからだで、自分のものでは無い。ままならぬ事である。メロスは、わが身に鞭打ち、ついに出発を決意した。あすの日没までには、まだ十分の時が在る。ちょっと一眠りして、それからすぐに出発しよう、と考えた。その頃には、雨も小降りになっていよう。少しでも永くこの家に愚図愚図とどまっていたかった。メロスほどの男にも、やはり未練の情というものは在る。今宵呆然、歓喜に酔っているらしい花嫁に近寄り、
It was night when he woke. Melos rose and went straight to the bridegroom's house. There he asked that, for certain reasons, the wedding be held tomorrow. The young shepherd was taken aback: that would not do, he said; nothing at all was ready on his side; wait until the season of the grapes. Melos pressed him further: he could not wait; please, let it be tomorrow. The groom was stubborn too. He would not readily consent. They argued until daybreak, and at last, somehow, Melos soothed him, coaxed him, and talked him round. The wedding was held at high noon. Around the time the bride and groom had finished their vows before the gods, black clouds covered the sky, rain began to fall in scattered drops, and soon it was a downpour that came down in sheets. The villagers gathered for the feast felt something ominous in it, but each of them rallied their spirits all the same, and, bearing the stifling heat inside the cramped house, sang merrily and clapped their hands. Melos too was all smiles, and for a while he even forgot that promise to the king. As night came on the feast grew wilder and more brilliant, and no one paid the slightest attention to the storm outside. Melos thought that he would like to stay here like this for the rest of his life. He wished he could live out his days among these good people, but now his body was not his own. It could not be helped. Melos whipped himself on and at last resolved to depart. There was still plenty of time before tomorrow's sunset. He thought he would take a short nap and then set out immediately. By then the rain, too, would have eased. He wanted to linger in this house even a little longer. Even a man like Melos has such a thing as reluctance to leave. He went up to the bride, who seemed dazed that night, drunk with joy, and said:
「おめでとう。私は疲れてしまったから、ちょっとご免こうむって眠りたい。眼が覚めたら、すぐに市に出かける。大切な用事があるのだ。私がいなくても、もうおまえには優しい亭主があるのだから、決して寂しい事は無い。おまえの兄の、一ばんきらいなものは、人を疑う事と、それから、嘘をつく事だ。おまえも、それは、知っているね。亭主との間に、どんな秘密でも作ってはならぬ。おまえに言いたいのは、それだけだ。おまえの兄は、たぶん偉い男なのだから、おまえもその誇りを持っていろ。」
"Congratulations. I am worn out, so forgive me, I want to sleep a little. When I wake I will go straight to the city. I have important business there. Even without me you will not be lonely now, because you have a kind husband. The things your brother hates most in the world are doubting people and telling lies. You know that, don't you. Never keep any secret from your husband. That is all I want to say to you. Your brother is probably a great man, so you carry that pride with you too."
花嫁は、夢見心地で首肯いた。メロスは、それから花婿の肩をたたいて、
The bride nodded as if in a dream. Then Melos clapped the bridegroom on the shoulder and said:
「仕度の無いのはお互さまさ。私の家にも、宝といっては、妹と羊だけだ。他には、何も無い。全部あげよう。もう一つ、メロスの弟になったことを誇ってくれ。」
"Neither of us had anything ready. In my house, too, the only treasures are my sister and the sheep. Nothing else. I give it all to you. One more thing—be proud that you have become Melos's younger brother."
花婿は揉み手して、てれていた。メロスは笑って村人たちにも会釈して、宴席から立ち去り、羊小屋にもぐり込んで、死んだように深く眠った。
The groom rubbed his hands together, embarrassed. Melos laughed, bowed to the villagers as well, left the feast, crept into the sheep shed, and slept as deeply as if he were dead.
眼が覚めたのは翌る日の薄明の頃である。メロスは跳ね起き、南無三、寝過したか、いや、まだまだ大丈夫、これからすぐに出発すれば、約束の刻限までには十分間に合う。きょうは是非とも、あの王に、人の信実の存するところを見せてやろう。そうして笑って磔の台に上ってやる。メロスは、悠々と身仕度をはじめた。雨も、いくぶん小降りになっている様子である。身仕度は出来た。さて、メロスは、ぶるんと両腕を大きく振って、雨中、矢の如く走り出た。
He woke in the half-light of the following morning. Melos sprang up—good heavens, had he overslept?—no, no, it was still all right; if he left right now he would make the appointed hour with time to spare. Today, come what may, he would show that king where the faith of men truly lay. And then he would mount the cross with a smile. Melos began his preparations without hurry. The rain seemed to have eased somewhat. He was ready. And then Melos swung both arms in one great sweep and ran out into the rain like an arrow.
私は、今宵、殺される。殺される為に走るのだ。身代りの友を救う為に走るのだ。王の奸佞邪智を打ち破る為に走るのだ。走らなければならぬ。そうして、私は殺される。若い時から名誉を守れ。さらば、ふるさと。若いメロスは、つらかった。幾度か、立ちどまりそうになった。えい、えいと大声挙げて自身を叱りながら走った。村を出て、野を横切り、森をくぐり抜け、隣村に着いた頃には、雨も止み、日は高く昇って、そろそろ暑くなって来た。メロスは額の汗をこぶしで払い、ここまで来れば大丈夫、もはや故郷への未練は無い。妹たちは、きっと佳い夫婦になるだろう。私には、いま、なんの気がかりも無い筈だ。まっすぐに王城に行き着けば、それでよいのだ。そんなに急ぐ必要も無い。ゆっくり歩こう、と持ちまえの呑気さを取り返し、好きな小歌をいい声で歌い出した。ぶらぶら歩いて二里行き三里行き、そろそろ全里程の半ばに到達した頃、降って湧いた災難、メロスの足は、はたと、とまった。見よ、前方の川を。きのうの豪雨で山の水源地は氾濫し、濁流滔々と下流に集り、猛勢一挙に橋を破壊し、どうどうと響きをあげる激流が、木葉微塵に橋桁を跳ね飛ばしていた。彼は茫然と、立ちすくんだ。あちこちと眺めまわし、また、声を限りに呼びたててみたが、繋舟は残らず浪に浚われて影なく、渡守りの姿も見えない。流れはいよいよ、ふくれ上り、海のようになっている。メロスは川岸にうずくまり、男泣きに泣きながらゼウスに手を挙げて哀願した。「ああ、鎮めたまえ、荒れ狂う流れを！ 時は刻々に過ぎて行きます。太陽も既に真昼時です。あれが沈んでしまわぬうちに、王城に行き着くことが出来なかったら、あの佳い友達が、私のために死ぬのです。」
Tonight I will be killed. I am running in order to be killed. I am running to save the friend who stands in my place. I am running to smash the king's cunning and wickedness. I must run. And then I will be killed. Guard your honor from your youth. Farewell, my home. Young Melos found it hard. Several times he nearly stopped. He ran on, shouting at himself, driving himself. He left the village, crossed the fields, threaded the forest, and by the time he reached the next village the rain had stopped, the sun had climbed high, and it was beginning to grow hot. Melos wiped the sweat from his brow with his fist. Having come this far, all was well; he no longer had any lingering attachment to home. His sister and her husband would surely make a fine couple. He should have nothing at all to worry about now. All he had to do was go straight to the castle. There was no need to hurry so. Let me walk slowly, he thought, recovering his native easiness, and he began to sing a favorite little song in a fine voice. He strolled on two leagues, three, and just as he was reaching the halfway point of his whole journey, calamity fell out of the sky, and Melos's feet stopped dead. Look at the river ahead. Yesterday's downpour had flooded the sources in the mountains, and the muddy torrent, gathering downstream in full spate, had smashed the bridge in a single furious rush; the raging current roared as it flung the beams to splinters. He stood rooted, dumbfounded. He looked this way and that, and shouted at the top of his voice, but every moored boat had been swept off by the waves without a trace, and there was no sign of the ferryman. The flood swelled higher still, until it was like the sea. Melos crouched on the bank and, weeping the wrenching tears of a grown man, lifted his hands to Zeus and pleaded. "Ah, still this raging flood! Moment by moment the time is passing. The sun is already at its noon. If I cannot reach the castle before it sinks, that good friend of mine will die for my sake."
濁流は、メロスの叫びをせせら笑う如く、ますます激しく躍り狂う。浪は浪を呑み、捲き、煽り立て、そうして時は、刻一刻と消えて行く。今はメロスも覚悟した。泳ぎ切るより他に無い。ああ、神々も照覧あれ！ 濁流にも負けぬ愛と誠の偉大な力を、いまこそ発揮して見せる。メロスは、ざんぶと流れに飛び込み、百匹の大蛇のようにのた打ち荒れ狂う浪を相手に、必死の闘争を開始した。満身の力を腕にこめて、押し寄せ渦巻き引きずる流れを、なんのこれしきと掻きわけ掻きわけ、めくらめっぽう獅子奮迅の人の子の姿には、神も哀れと思ったか、ついに憐愍を垂れてくれた。押し流されつつも、見事、対岸の樹木の幹に、すがりつく事が出来たのである。ありがたい。メロスは馬のように大きな胴震いを一つして、すぐにまた先きを急いだ。一刻といえども、むだには出来ない。陽は既に西に傾きかけている。ぜいぜい荒い呼吸をしながら峠をのぼり、のぼり切って、ほっとした時、突然、目の前に一隊の山賊が躍り出た。
As though it were jeering at his cry, the muddy torrent leapt and raged more wildly still. Wave swallowed wave, curled, whipped itself higher, and the time slipped away moment by moment. Now Melos made up his mind. There was nothing for it but to swim across. Ah, gods, bear witness! Now I will show the great power of love and truth, which does not yield even to a flood. Melos plunged into the current with a splash and began a desperate struggle against waves that writhed and raged like a hundred great serpents. Putting the whole strength of his body into his arms, he clawed his way through the surging, whirling, dragging water—what is this to me!—clawing and clawing, and at the sight of a son of man flailing blindly with the fury of a lion, perhaps the gods took pity, for at last they granted their compassion. Though swept along, he managed, splendidly, to seize hold of the trunk of a tree on the far bank. Thank heaven. Melos gave one great shudder, like a horse, and at once hurried on. Not a single moment could be wasted. The sun was already beginning to lean toward the west. Panting harshly, he climbed the pass, and just as he reached the top and breathed a sigh of relief, a band of mountain robbers sprang out before him.
「待て。」
"Halt."
「何をするのだ。私は陽の沈まぬうちに王城へ行かなければならぬ。放せ。」
"What do you want? I have to reach the castle before the sun sets. Let me go."
「どっこい放さぬ。持ちもの全部を置いて行け。」
"Oh no, we won't. Leave everything you have and go."
「私にはいのちの他には何も無い。その、たった一つの命も、これから王にくれてやるのだ。」
"I have nothing but my life. And that one life I am about to give to the king."
「その、いのちが欲しいのだ。」
"It's that life we want."
「さては、王の命令で、ここで私を待ち伏せしていたのだな。」
"So the king ordered you to lie in wait for me here."
山賊たちは、ものも言わず一斉に棍棒を振り挙げた。メロスはひょいと、からだを折り曲げ、飛鳥の如く身近かの一人に襲いかかり、その棍棒を奪い取って、
The robbers, saying nothing, raised their clubs all at once. Melos ducked, bent his body double, sprang like a bird at the nearest of them and snatched away his club.
「気の毒だが正義のためだ！」と猛然一撃、たちまち、三人を殴り倒し、残る者のひるむ隙に、さっさと走って峠を下った。一気に峠を駈け降りたが、流石に疲労し、折から午後の灼熱の太陽がまともに、かっと照って来て、メロスは幾度となく眩暈を感じ、これではならぬ、と気を取り直しては、よろよろ二、三歩あるいて、ついに、がくりと膝を折った。立ち上る事が出来ぬのだ。天を仰いで、くやし泣きに泣き出した。ああ、あ、濁流を泳ぎ切り、山賊を三人も撃ち倒し韋駄天、ここまで突破して来たメロスよ。真の勇者、メロスよ。今、ここで、疲れ切って動けなくなるとは情無い。愛する友は、おまえを信じたばかりに、やがて殺されなければならぬ。おまえは、稀代の不信の人間、まさしく王の思う壺だぞ、と自分を叱ってみるのだが、全身萎えて、もはや芋虫ほどにも前進かなわぬ。路傍の草原にごろりと寝ころがった。身体疲労すれば、精神も共にやられる。もう、どうでもいいという、勇者に不似合いな不貞腐れた根性が、心の隅に巣喰った。私は、これほど努力したのだ。約束を破る心は、みじんも無かった。神も照覧、私は精一ぱいに努めて来たのだ。動けなくなるまで走って来たのだ。私は不信の徒では無い。ああ、できる事なら私の胸を截ち割って、真紅の心臓をお目に掛けたい。愛と信実の血液だけで動いているこの心臓を見せてやりたい。けれども私は、この大事な時に、精も根も尽きたのだ。私は、よくよく不幸な男だ。私は、きっと笑われる。私の一家も笑われる。私は友を欺いた。中途で倒れるのは、はじめから何もしないのと同じ事だ。ああ、もう、どうでもいい。これが、私の定った運命なのかも知れない。セリヌンティウスよ、ゆるしてくれ。君は、いつでも私を信じた。私も君を、欺かなかった。私たちは、本当に佳い友と友であったのだ。いちどだって、暗い疑惑の雲を、お互い胸に宿したことは無かった。いまだって、君は私を無心に待っているだろう。ああ、待っているだろう。ありがとう、セリヌンティウス。よくも私を信じてくれた。それを思えば、たまらない。友と友の間の信実は、この世で一ばん誇るべき宝なのだからな。セリヌンティウス、私は走ったのだ。君を欺くつもりは、みじんも無かった。信じてくれ！ 私は急ぎに急いでここまで来たのだ。濁流を突破した。山賊の囲みからも、するりと抜けて一気に峠を駈け降りて来たのだ。私だから、出来たのだよ。ああ、この上、私に望み給うな。放って置いてくれ。どうでも、いいのだ。私は負けたのだ。だらしが無い。笑ってくれ。王は私に、ちょっとおくれて来い、と耳打ちした。おくれたら、身代りを殺して、私を助けてくれると約束した。私は王の卑劣を憎んだ。けれども、今になってみると、私は王の言うままになっている。私は、おくれて行くだろう。王は、ひとり合点して私を笑い、そうして事も無く私を放免するだろう。そうなったら、私は、死ぬよりつらい。私は、永遠に裏切者だ。地上で最も、不名誉の人種だ。セリヌンティウスよ、私も死ぬぞ。君と一緒に死なせてくれ。君だけは私を信じてくれるにちがい無い。いや、それも私の、ひとりよがりか？ ああ、もういっそ、悪徳者として生き伸びてやろうか。村には私の家が在る。羊も居る。妹夫婦は、まさか私を村から追い出すような事はしないだろう。正義だの、信実だの、愛だの、考えてみれば、くだらない。人を殺して自分が生きる。それが人間世界の定法ではなかったか。ああ、何もかも、ばかばかしい。私は、醜い裏切り者だ。どうとも、勝手にするがよい。やんぬる哉。——四肢を投げ出して、うとうと、まどろんでしまった。
"I'm sorry for you, but this is for justice!" With one fierce blow he knocked three of them down in an instant, and while the rest hung back he ran straight on down the pass. He raced down in a single dash, but he was worn out, as well he might be, and now the scorching afternoon sun beat down full upon him. Again and again Melos felt dizzy; this will not do, he told himself, pulling himself together, and staggered two or three steps, until at last his knees buckled under him. He could not rise. He lifted his face to the sky and wept with vexation. Ah—Melos, who swam the flood, who struck down three robbers, who ran like the wind and broke through all the way here. Melos, true hero. How wretched, to be spent and unable to move now, of all places. Your beloved friend, only because he trusted you, must soon be put to death. You are a faithless man without equal; you are playing right into the king's hands—so he scolded himself, but his whole body had gone slack, and he could no more move forward than a caterpillar. He rolled over into the grass by the roadside. When the body is exhausted, the spirit goes with it. A sulky, spiteful mood unworthy of a hero—let it all go, who cares—nested in a corner of his heart. I tried this hard. There was not a speck of intent in me to break my promise. The gods are my witness: I did everything in my power. I ran until I could not move. I am no faithless man. Ah, if I could, I would split open my chest and show you my crimson heart. I would show you this heart, which runs on nothing but the blood of love and faith. But at this crucial moment I have spent my last drop of strength. I am a truly unlucky man. I will surely be laughed at. My family will be laughed at too. I deceived my friend. To fall by the wayside is the same as having done nothing from the start. Ah, let it all go. Perhaps this is my appointed fate. Selinuntius, forgive me. You always trusted me. And I never deceived you. We were truly good friends, you and I. Not once did either of us let a dark cloud of suspicion settle in his heart. Even now you are surely waiting for me, without a thought of doubt. Ah, you are waiting. Thank you, Selinuntius. How well you trusted me. When I think of that, I cannot bear it. The faith between friend and friend is the treasure a man should be proudest of in all this world. Selinuntius, I ran. I had not the least intention of deceiving you. Believe me! I hurried and hurried to come this far. I broke through the flood. I slipped free of the robbers' ring and raced down the pass in one breath. Only I could have done it. Ah, ask no more of me now. Leave me alone. It doesn't matter. I have lost. I am worthless. Laugh at me. The king whispered in my ear: come a little late. He promised that if I were late, he would kill my substitute and spare me. I hated the king's baseness. But now that it has come to this, I am doing exactly what the king said. I will arrive late. The king will laugh at me, having satisfied himself, and release me as if nothing had happened. If that happens, it will be worse than death. I will be a traitor forever. The most dishonored breed on earth. Selinuntius, I will die too. Let me die together with you. You alone will surely trust me. No—is that too only my conceit? Ah, then shall I just go on living as a wicked man? I have my house in the village. I have sheep. My sister and her husband will hardly drive me out of the village. Justice, faith, love—when you think about it, they are worthless. Kill another and live yourself. Was that not always the rule of the world of men? Ah, everything is absurd. I am an ugly traitor. Do with me what you like. It is all over.—He flung out his limbs and drifted into a doze.
ふと耳に、潺々、水の流れる音が聞えた。そっと頭をもたげ、息を呑んで耳をすました。すぐ足もとで、水が流れているらしい。よろよろ起き上って、見ると、岩の裂目から滾々と、何か小さく囁きながら清水が湧き出ているのである。その泉に吸い込まれるようにメロスは身をかがめた。水を両手で掬って、一くち飲んだ。ほうと長い溜息が出て、夢から覚めたような気がした。歩ける。行こう。肉体の疲労恢復と共に、わずかながら希望が生れた。義務遂行の希望である。わが身を殺して、名誉を守る希望である。斜陽は赤い光を、樹々の葉に投じ、葉も枝も燃えるばかりに輝いている。日没までには、まだ間がある。私を、待っている人があるのだ。少しも疑わず、静かに期待してくれている人があるのだ。私は、信じられている。私の命なぞは、問題ではない。死んでお詫び、などと気のいい事は言って居られぬ。私は、信頼に報いなければならぬ。いまはただその一事だ。走れ！ メロス。
Suddenly his ear caught a murmuring, the sound of running water. He lifted his head softly, caught his breath, and listened. Water seemed to be flowing right at his feet. He staggered up and saw that from a crack in the rock a clear spring was welling out, bubbling, whispering something small. As if drawn into that spring, Melos bent down. He scooped up water in both hands and took one mouthful. A long sigh escaped him, and he felt as though he had woken from a dream. I can walk. Let's go. As his body's fatigue lifted, a little hope was born with it. The hope of fulfilling his duty. The hope of guarding his honor at the cost of his own life. The setting sun cast its red light on the leaves of the trees, and leaves and branches alike shone as if they were burning. There was still time before sunset. There is someone waiting for me. There is someone who, without the slightest doubt, quietly expects me. I am trusted. My own life is not the question. Dying to apologize—there is no room for such easy talk. I must repay that trust. Now there is only that one thing. Run, Melos!
私は信頼されている。私は信頼されている。先刻の、あの悪魔の囁きは、あれは夢だ。悪い夢だ。忘れてしまえ。五臓が疲れているときは、ふいとあんな悪い夢を見るものだ。メロス、おまえの恥ではない。やはり、おまえは真の勇者だ。再び立って走れるようになったではないか。ありがたい！ 私は、正義の士として死ぬ事が出来るぞ。ああ、陽が沈む。ずんずん沈む。待ってくれ、ゼウスよ。私は生れた時から正直な男であった。正直な男のままにして死なせて下さい。
I am trusted. I am trusted. That devil's whisper a while ago—that was a dream. A bad dream. Forget it. When the body is exhausted, one suddenly dreams such evil dreams. Melos, it is not your shame. After all, you are a true hero. Have you not risen and become able to run again? Thank heaven! I can die as a man of justice. Ah, the sun is sinking. Sinking fast. Wait for me, Zeus. I have been an honest man since the day I was born. Let me die an honest man still.
路行く人を押しのけ、跳ねとばし、メロスは黒い風のように走った。野原で酒宴の、その宴席のまっただ中を駈け抜け、酒宴の人たちを仰天させ、犬を蹴とばし、小川を飛び越え、少しずつ沈んでゆく太陽の、十倍も早く走った。一団の旅人と颯っとすれちがった瞬間、不吉な会話を小耳にはさんだ。「いまごろは、あの男も、磔にかかっているよ。」ああ、その男、その男のために私は、いまこんなに走っているのだ。その男を死なせてはならない。急げ、メロス。おくれてはならぬ。愛と誠の力を、いまこそ知らせてやるがよい。風態なんかは、どうでもいい。メロスは、いまは、ほとんど全裸体であった。呼吸も出来ず、二度、三度、口から血が噴き出た。見える。はるか向うに小さく、シラクスの市の塔楼が見える。塔楼は、夕陽を受けてきらきら光っている。
Shoving aside those he met on the road, knocking them flying, Melos ran like a black wind. He ran straight through the middle of a drinking party in a field, to the astonishment of the revelers, kicked a dog aside, leapt a stream, and ran ten times faster than the slowly sinking sun. In the instant he flashed past a band of travelers, he overheard an ominous exchange. "By now that fellow will be on the cross, too." Ah, that man—it is for that man that I am running like this now. That man must not die. Hurry, Melos. You must not be late. Now is the time to make them know the power of love and truth. Never mind how he looked. By now Melos was all but naked. He could not breathe; two, three times, blood spurted from his mouth. He could see it. Far off in the distance, small, the tower of the city of Syracuse. The tower glittered in the evening sun.
「ああ、メロス様。」うめくような声が、風と共に聞えた。
"Ah, Master Melos." A groaning voice came to him with the wind.
「誰だ。」メロスは走りながら尋ねた。
"Who is it?" Melos asked as he ran.
「フィロストラトスでございます。貴方のお友達セリヌンティウス様の弟子でございます。」その若い石工も、メロスの後について走りながら叫んだ。「もう、駄目でございます。むだでございます。走るのは、やめて下さい。もう、あの方をお助けになることは出来ません。」
"It is Philostratus. I am the apprentice of your friend Master Selinuntius." The young stonemason cried out as he ran along behind Melos. "It is no use now. It is useless. Please, stop running. You can no longer save him."
「いや、まだ陽は沈まぬ。」
"No, the sun has not set yet."
「ちょうど今、あの方が死刑になるところです。ああ、あなたは遅かった。おうらみ申します。ほんの少し、もうちょっとでも、早かったなら！」
"Right now, at this very moment, he is being put to death. Ah, you were too late. I resent you for it. If only you had been a little, just a little, faster!"
「いや、まだ陽は沈まぬ。」メロスは胸の張り裂ける思いで、赤く大きい夕陽ばかりを見つめていた。走るより他は無い。
"No, the sun has not set yet." His heart near to bursting, Melos stared only at the great red evening sun. There was nothing to do but run.
「やめて下さい。走るのは、やめて下さい。いまはご自分のお命が大事です。あの方は、あなたを信じて居りました。刑場に引き出されても、平気でいました。王様が、さんざんあの方をからかっても、メロスは来ます、とだけ答え、強い信念を持ちつづけている様子でございました。」
"Please stop. Please, stop running. Now it is your own life that matters. He trusted you. Even when he was dragged out to the place of execution he was calm. When the king mocked him over and over, he answered only, 'Melos will come,' and seemed to hold fast to that strong belief."
「それだから、走るのだ。信じられているから走るのだ。間に合う、間に合わぬは問題でないのだ。人の命も問題でないのだ。私は、なんだか、もっと恐ろしく大きいものの為に走っているのだ。ついて来い！ フィロストラトス。」
"That is why I run. Because I am trusted, I run. Whether I am in time or not is not the question. Even a man's life is not the question. I am running, somehow, for something far more terribly great. Follow me, Philostratus!"
「ああ、あなたは気が狂ったか。それでは、うんと走るがいい。ひょっとしたら、間に合わぬものでもない。走るがいい。」
"Ah, have you gone mad? Then run for all you are worth. Who knows, you may not be too late after all. Run!"
言うにや及ぶ。まだ陽は沈まぬ。最後の死力を尽して、メロスは走った。メロスの頭は、からっぽだ。何一つ考えていない。ただ、わけのわからぬ大きな力にひきずられて走った。陽は、ゆらゆら地平線に没し、まさに最後の一片の残光も、消えようとした時、メロスは疾風の如く刑場に突入した。間に合った。
Need it be said? The sun had not yet set. With the last of his strength Melos ran. Melos's head was empty. He thought of nothing at all. He ran, simply dragged along by some vast power he could not understand. The sun wavered and sank below the horizon, and at the very moment its last sliver of afterglow was about to vanish, Melos burst into the execution ground like a gale. He had made it.
「待て。その人を殺してはならぬ。メロスが帰って来た。約束のとおり、いま、帰って来た。」と大声で刑場の群衆にむかって叫んだつもりであったが、喉がつぶれて嗄れた声が幽かに出たばかり、群衆は、ひとりとして彼の到着に気がつかない。すでに磔の柱が高々と立てられ、縄を打たれたセリヌンティウスは、徐々に釣り上げられてゆく。メロスはそれを目撃して最後の勇、先刻、濁流を泳いだように群衆を掻きわけ、掻きわけ、
"Wait. Do not kill that man. Melos has come back. As I promised, I have come back now." So he meant to shout to the crowd at the execution ground, but his throat was ruined, and only a faint, hoarse voice came out; not one of the crowd noticed his arrival. The post of the cross had already been raised high, and Selinuntius, bound with ropes, was slowly being hoisted up. Melos saw it, and with his last courage he pushed through the crowd, pushed and pushed, as he had swum the flood a while before.
「私だ、刑吏！ 殺されるのは、私だ。メロスだ。彼を人質にした私は、ここにいる！」と、かすれた声で精一ぱいに叫びながら、ついに磔台に昇り、釣り上げられてゆく友の両足に、齧りついた。群衆は、どよめいた。あっぱれ。ゆるせ、と口々にわめいた。セリヌンティウスの縄は、ほどかれたのである。
"It is I, executioner! The one to be killed is I. Melos. The one who made him a hostage is here!" Shouting with all the strength of his broken voice, he climbed at last onto the scaffold and clung to the feet of his friend as they rose. The crowd roared. Well done! Pardon him! they cried out one after another. Selinuntius's ropes were untied.
「セリヌンティウス。」メロスは眼に涙を浮べて言った。「私を殴れ。ちから一ぱいに頬を殴れ。私は、途中で一度、悪い夢を見た。君が若し私を殴ってくれなかったら、私は君と抱擁する資格さえ無いのだ。殴れ。」
"Selinuntius." Melos spoke with tears in his eyes. "Strike me. Strike my cheek with all your strength. On the way, once, I had a bad dream. If you will not strike me, I have not even the right to embrace you. Strike me."
セリヌンティウスは、すべてを察した様子で首肯き、刑場一ぱいに鳴り響くほど音高くメロスの右頬を殴った。殴ってから優しく微笑み、
Selinuntius nodded as if he understood everything, and struck Melos's right cheek with a blow so loud it rang across the whole execution ground. Having struck, he smiled gently and said:
「メロス、私を殴れ。同じくらい音高く私の頬を殴れ。私はこの三日の間、たった一度だけ、ちらと君を疑った。生れて、はじめて君を疑った。君が私を殴ってくれなければ、私は君と抱擁できない。」
"Melos, strike me. Strike my cheek just as loudly. In these three days, once, only once, for an instant, I doubted you. For the first time in my life I doubted you. If you will not strike me, I cannot embrace you."
メロスは腕に唸りをつけてセリヌンティウスの頬を殴った。
Melos struck Selinuntius's cheek with a blow that hummed in his arm.
「ありがとう、友よ。」二人同時に言い、ひしと抱き合い、それから嬉し泣きにおいおい声を放って泣いた。
"Thank you, my friend." They said it at the same moment, held each other tight, and then wept aloud, sobbing for joy.
群衆の中からも、歔欷の声が聞えた。暴君ディオニスは、群衆の背後から二人の様を、まじまじと見つめていたが、やがて静かに二人に近づき、顔をあからめて、こう言った。
From the crowd, too, came the sound of weeping. The tyrant Dionysius had been staring fixedly at the two of them from behind the crowd, but at length he quietly approached them, his face reddening, and said this:
「おまえらの望みは叶ったぞ。おまえらは、わしの心に勝ったのだ。信実とは、決して空虚な妄想ではなかった。どうか、わしをも仲間に入れてくれまいか。どうか、わしの願いを聞き入れて、おまえらの仲間の一人にしてほしい。」
"Your wish is granted. You have won over my heart. Faith was never an empty delusion after all. Will you not let me, too, join you? I beg you, grant my wish and make me one of your company."
どっと群衆の間に、歓声が起った。
A great cheer went up among the crowd.
「万歳、王様万歳。」
"Long live the king! Long live the king!"
ひとりの少女が、緋のマントをメロスに捧げた。メロスは、まごついた。佳き友は、気をきかせて教えてやった。
A girl held out a scarlet cloak to Melos. Melos was flustered. His good friend, with quick tact, told him:
「メロス、君は、まっぱだかじゃないか。早くそのマントを着るがいい。この可愛い娘さんは、メロスの裸体を、皆に見られるのが、たまらなく口惜しいのだ。」
"Melos, you are stark naked, aren't you? Put that cloak on quickly. This sweet girl cannot bear to have everyone see Melos's naked body."
勇者は、ひどく赤面した。
The hero blushed furiously.
（古伝説と、シルレルの詩から。）
(From an old legend, and a poem by Schiller.)