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ハートの女王と盗まれたパイ (The Queen of Hearts, and the Stolen Tarts)
マザー・グース
ハートの女王がパイを作った とある夏の日一日かけて ハートのジャックがパイを盗んだ そしてすっかり持ち去った
ハートの女王の作ったパイは 大事な方へのおもてなし 棚に置く時おっしゃったのは 「これならきっとご満足」 女王の招いた方々は すべての王様、女王様 赤と黒とのトランプの あのおなじみのお方々
高貴なカップルおいでになると 御馳走ずらりとテーブルに 王様 女王は スープに魚に豪華な料理 やがてすっかり出尽くすと 届けられたはプラムのプリン 今宵はまるでクリスマス
女王がその時、給仕を呼んだ いまだ不幸に気付きもせずに 「これなる料理をすぐに下げ 料理頭に戻しなさい」 皆は何かといぶかしみ ――すると女王はジャックに言った パイを運んでくるように 自ら作ったあのパイを
ジャックは命にて下がったが すぐに戻ってこう述べた 不逞の輩がいたらしく パイは盗まれ、ございませんと 客たちいずれも心を尽くし 機嫌良さげにふるまった 「どうか気にせず我々は 構いませぬよ」と言うように
するとジャックはおごそかに 「女王陛下」と切り出した 「思いまするに盗みし者は 御前の猫にてございます こちらを見ました 一目散と逃げる様 それらがしかと告げますものは 身に覚えある仕業かと」
その時、ハートの王様が 怒気もあらわに席を立つ 「ジャックよ、恥を知るが良い！ スモモのパイを猫がだと？ そのほうこそが 知れるも時間の問題ぞ さあ、召使い等を呼びに行き この場に全員連れてこい」
使用人たち女中たち あわてた様子で集まると 位の順に列をなし きれいな帯に立ち並ぶ 件のジャックは一同の 頭と見なされ先頭に 「指輪にかけて」と王様叫ぶ 「すぐさま盗人見つけよう」
使用人たち女中たち 王様の顔をじっと見る 王様声も厳めしく 「盗みし者が分かったぞ その唇に果肉の染みが いまだ残っておる者じゃ 罪を隠すに己の口と 顎を拭うを忘れてな」
誰かと皆の見る中に 一人ジャックはこっそりと 己の顎を拭いにかかる 染み一つ無きその顎を 王様すっくと立ち上がり 「この嘘つきめ」と声上げる 「今こそここにひざまずき 己の罪を吐くが良い」
女王は辛げに立ち上がり 「陛下よ、私のもてなしは ジャックの為であったのか？ こやつは死するが当然ぞ」 見つめる王様おごそかに 「パイは食べられ戻らぬが 慈悲こそ我が意の 鞭で打たせて済まそうぞ」
The Queen of Hearts once made some tarts, All on a summer's day; The Knave of Hearts he stole those tarts, And took them quite away.
The Queen of Hearts had made those tarts To feast a chosen few; And on the shelf put them herself, Saying“They'll surely do.” For she'd sent out her cards about To every King and Queen, Who in the pack, in red and black, Are always to be seen.
Each noble pair in state came there; The royal board was spread; The King down at the bottom sat, His Queen was at the head. Now soup and fish, with many a dish, Had all been sent away, And now the plum-pudding was come, As though 'twere Christmas day.
The Queen called then her serving men, Unconscious of disaster; “Remove,” said she,“this dish from me, And put it to your master.” All wondered what else she had got To come,―when straight she bade The Knave of Hearts to bring the tarts Which she herself had made.
The Knave then went as he was sent, But soon returned to say Some thief had been the cupboard in, And stole the tarts away. O then each guest did try his best A cheerful look to put on, As if to say,“Don't mind it, pray, We do not care a button.”
Then spoke the Knave in accents grave, “Your Majesty,”said he, “I think I know who is the foe, Your Cat it sure must be. He looked at me quite guiltily, And ran away full speed; Which sure did tell he knew full well, 'Twas he who did the deed.”
When from his seat in anger great, Uprose the King of Hearts. “Oh, Knave, for shame!”he did exclaim, “Do cats eat Damson tarts? It's my belief thou art the thief, So go and call my servants all, And bid them come to me.”
Up bustled then the serving men, Up bustled all the maids; And there they stand, a goodly band, According to their grades. The Knave,'tis said, was at their head, For he was reckoned chief. “Now by this ring,”exclaimed the King, “I'll soon find out the thief.”
The maidens then, and serving-men Stand at the King of Hearts: “I see,”said he, right solemnly, “Who stole the Damson tarts: His lips retain the purple stain Of juice upon them yet; To hide his sin, his mouth and chin To wipe, he did forget.”
All looked to see who it could be, Except the Knave, I wot, Who did begin to wipe his chin, Though it no stain had got. Oh then up starts the King of Hearts, “Deceitful Knave!”cried he; “Now straight confess your wickedness, Upon your bended knee.”
Now rose the Queen with troubled mien, “Oh, sire?”she cried,“Did I Prepare a treat for knaves to eat? He surely ought to die.” The King looked grave at Queen and Knave, Quoth he,“The tarts are eaten; But mercy still shall guide my will, So let the thief be beaten,”
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