『橋の上のホラティウス』

昔、ローマの人々と、テヴェレ川の対岸の町に住むエトルリア人との間で戦争があった。エトルリアの王ポルセナは大軍を集め、ローマへと進軍した。町はかつてないほどの大きな危機におちいっていた。

Once there was a war between the Roman people and the Etruscans who lived in the towns on the other side of the Tiber River. Porsena, the King of the Etruscans, raised a great army, and marched toward Rome. The city had never been in so great danger.

当時のローマには兵士があまり多くなかった。そのため、平原での戦いでエトルリア人に立ち向かえるほど強くないことが分かっていた。そこで城壁の内側にとどまり、道路を見張る番兵を置いた。

The Romans did not have very many fighting men at that time, and they knew that they were not strong enough to meet the Etruscans in open battle. So they kept themselves inside of their walls, and set guards to watch the roads.

ある朝、ポルセナの軍が北の丘を越えてやって来るのが見えた。何千もの騎兵と歩兵がいて、ローマの川にかかる木造の橋に向かってまっすぐに行進していた。

One morning the army of Porsena was seen coming over the hills from the north. There were thousands of horsemen and footmen, and they were marching straight toward the wooden bridge which spanned the river at Rome.

ローマ人の法律を作っていた白髪の長老たちは言った。「どうしたらいいのだ。もし敵が橋を奪ったら、渡るのを止めることはできない。そうなれば、町にはどんな希望が残るというのだ」

“What shall we do?” said the white-haired Fathers who made the laws for the Roman people. “If they once gain the bridge, we cannot hinder them from crossing; and then what hope will there be for the town?”

さて、橋の警備兵の中に、ホラティウスという勇敢な男がいた。彼は川の向こう岸にいたが、エトルリア人がすぐ近くまで来ているのを見て、背後のローマ人たちに大声で叫んだ。

Now, among the guards at the bridge, there was a brave man named Horatius. He was on the farther side of the river, and when he saw that the Etruscans were so near, he called out to the Romans who were behind him.

彼は叫んだ。「できる限り速く橋を切り落とせ。私と、ここにいる二人の男で敵を食い止める」

“Hew down the bridge with all the speed that you can!” he cried. “I, with the two men who stand by me, will keep the foe at bay.”

そして三人の勇敢な男たちは、盾を構え、長い槍を手にして道に立った。そして、橋を奪うためにポルセナが送り込んだ騎兵たちを食い止めた。

Then, with their shields before them, and their long spears in their hands, the three brave men stood in the road, and kept back the horsemen whom Porsena had sent to take the bridge.

橋の上では、ローマ人たちが梁や柱を切り倒していた。斧の音が響き、木くずが激しく飛び散った。やがて橋は揺れ始め、今にも崩れ落ちそうになった。

On the bridge the Romans hewed away at the beams and posts. Their axes rang, the chips flew fast; and soon it trembled, and was ready to fall.

彼らはホラティウスと二人の仲間に向かって叫んだ。「戻れ。戻って命を救うんだ」

“Come back! come back, and save your lives!” they cried to Horatius and the two who were with him.

しかしちょうどその時、ポルセナの騎兵たちが再び彼らに向かって突進してきた。

But just then Porsena’s horsemen dashed toward them again.

ホラティウスは仲間に言った。「逃げて命を救え。道は私が守る」

“Run for your lives!” said Horatius to his friends. “I will keep the road.”

二人は向きを変え、橋を走って戻った。向こう岸にたどり着くか着かないかのうちに、木材や梁が砕けるものすごい音がした。橋は片側に傾き、大きな水しぶきを上げて川へと落ちた。

They turned, and ran back across the bridge. They had hardly reached the other side when there was a crashing of beams and timbers. The bridge toppled over to one side, and then fell with a great splash into the water.

その音を聞いた時、ホラティウスは町が救われたことを知った。彼は顔をポルセナの兵に向けたまま、川の岸辺に立つまでゆっくりと後ろへ下がった。

When Horatius heard the sound, he knew that the city was safe. With his face still toward Porsena’s men, he moved slowly backward till he stood on the river’s bank.

ポルセナの兵士の一人が投げた投げ矢が、彼の左目を傷つけた。しかし彼はひるまなかった。先頭の騎兵に槍を投げつけると、すばやく向きを変えた。

A dart thrown by one of Porsena’s soldiers put out his left eye; but he did not falter. He cast his spear at the foremost horseman, and then he turned quickly around.