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The Awakening of Europe, 11. The Massacre of Bartholomew

11. The Massacre of Bartholomew

" 'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful." —SHAKSPERE.

But the Netherlands was not the only place where persecution for religion was going on. Though Spain and the Netherlands lay paralysed under the heavy hand of the Inquisition, yet France and England were taking part, together with the rest of Europe, in the struggle between Protestants and Roman Catholics. And this very year, when the Protestants seemed to be gaining ground in the Netherlands, France was to be stained with a crime which can never be forgotten, and which historians must always remember, as one of the greatest blots in the annals of mankind. This was the wholesale massacre of the Protestants, or Huguenots as they were called, in France, on a terrible summer night in the year 1572.

Francis, King of France, had left a delicate little brother to succeed him on the throne, and his mother, Catherine de Medici, was to govern the kingdom till the boy Charles was old enough and strong enough to rule it himself. She was a rigid Roman Catholic, and hated the Huguenots with her whole heart. Indeed, like her neighbour Philip over the Pyrenees, she made up her mind to crush them out of the country.

The leaders of the French Huguenots were the young Henry of Navarre and the Prince of Condé, and it was against these two that Catherine de Medici plotted. She planned a marriage between her daughter Margaret and young Henry of Navarre, the former being a Roman Catholic, the latter a Huguenot. It seemed strange to those who looked on, and men grew to suspect the motives of the Queen-Regent.

"We shall marry the two religions," said the young King of France, who was entirely under his mother's control. Still, amid murmurs of discontent, the wedding preparations went forward, until the day arrived for Henry, now King of Navarre, to come to Paris for his bride. Attended by the Prince of Condé, the old warrior Huguenot Admiral Coligny, and 800 distinguished followers, the King of Navarre rode into the French capital, his handsome face and winning smile attracting all alike. Still there were murmurs of disapproval, and the air was heavy with evil rumours.

The wedding-day came. It was the 18th of August, a glorious summer morning. Cannons roared, bells rang out from every steeple, crowds lined the street as King Henry, dressed in pale yellow satin adorned with silver and pearls, led out his young bride. It was a gorgeous sight. Bishops and archbishops led the way in robes of gold, cardinals in scarlet, knights blazing with orders, officers of State—all added to the splendour of the sight.

The next three days were spent in festivities. All seemed peace and goodwill. The young king, Charles IX., was making friends with the Admiral Coligny; he already loved his new brother-in-law, Henry of Navarre. Catherine grew alarmed lest her plot should, after all, fail, and her own power over the young king should wane. She gave orders for the Admiral Coligny to be killed. Her commands were imperfectly carried out. The Admiral was badly wounded, but not killed. When Charles heard the news he was in an agony of surprise and fear. His mother was in a panic. Huguenots gathered in angry crowds and discussed the deed, Henry of Navarre vowed vengeance on the would-be murderer.

It was after dinner on the 23rd of August that Catherine led her son outside into the private gardens of the Tuileries to unfold her plan. The time, she said, was ripe. Eight thousand Huguenots were in Paris breathing revenge. In one hour the whole hated body of them might be put to death. To this the young king's sanction must be obtained. And first of all Coligny must be killed. Charles burst into one of his fits of passion.

"Woe to any one who touches a hair of his head!" he cried. "He is the only friend I have, save my brother of Navarre." But Catherine would not give in. She knew she must conquer at last. And she did. Lashed into a frenzy, the young king started to his feet.

"Kill the Admiral, then, if you like!" he screamed; "but kill all the Huguenots with him—all—all—all, so that not one be left to reproach me with this deed." The word was spoken. There was no time to lose. Hastily through the darkness of the starless summer night preparations went forward.

"Let every true Catholic tie a white band on his arm, put a white cross on his cap, and begin the vengeance of God," went forth the order. The signal was to be given by the great bell of the Palace of Justice at two o'clock in the morning. Soon after midnight Catherine went to her son. He was pacing his room in an agony of passion, swearing the Huguenots should not die.

"It is too late to retreat, even if it were possible," declared Catherine. Feverishly mother and son awaited the signal. As the harsh sound of the bell rang through the silent summer night the uproar began. The sound of clanging bells, crashing doors, musket-shots was followed by the shrieks of the victims and the yells of the crowd, till the stoutest hearts quailed and the strongest trembled. Shaking in every limb, the poor young king shouted for the massacre to be stopped. It was too late. Already beacon-fires had sent the signal through the land of France.

Old men, young girls, helpless children, were alike smitten down. Through the long dark night the slaughter continued, until Paris was such a scene of terror as human eyes have rarely seen.

In vain did Charles order the massacre to be stopped at the end of one day. It was continued for a whole week, till some 80,000 Huguenots had been slain.

And "the heart of Protestant Europe stood still with horror."

11. The Massacre of Bartholomew 11. Das Massaker von Bartholomäus 11. La masacre de Bartolomé 11. Le massacre de Barthélemy 11. Il massacro di Bartolomeo 11.バーソロミューの虐殺 11. O Massacre de Bartolomeu 11. Варфоломеевская резня 11. Bartholomew Katliamı 11. Різанина Варфоломія 11. 巴塞洛缪大屠杀 11. 巴塞洛繆大屠殺

" 'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful." "C'était pitoyable, c'était merveilleusement pitoyable." "Era pietoso, era meravigliosamente pietoso". 「 『哀れだった』、 『不思議な哀れだった』。 «Это было жалко, было чудесно жалко». —SHAKSPERE.

But the Netherlands was not the only place where persecution for religion was going on. Though Spain and the Netherlands lay paralysed under the heavy hand of the Inquisition, yet France and England were taking part, together with the rest of Europe, in the struggle between Protestants and Roman Catholics. And this very year, when the Protestants seemed to be gaining ground in the Netherlands, France was to be stained with a crime which can never be forgotten, and which historians must always remember, as one of the greatest blots in the annals of mankind. Et cette année même, alors que les protestants semblaient gagner du terrain aux Pays-Bas, la France allait être souillée par un crime qui ne pourra jamais être oublié, et dont les historiens se souviendront toujours, comme l'une des plus grandes taches dans les annales de l'humanité. This was the wholesale massacre of the Protestants, or Huguenots as they were called, in France, on a terrible summer night in the year 1572. Il s'agit du massacre des protestants, ou huguenots comme on les appelait, en France, lors d'une terrible nuit d'été de l'année 1572. Este foi o massacre em massa dos protestantes, ou huguenotes como eram chamados, na França, em uma terrível noite de verão no ano de 1572.

Francis, King of France, had left a delicate little brother to succeed him on the throne, and his mother, Catherine de Medici, was to govern the kingdom till the boy Charles was old enough and strong enough to rule it himself. François, roi de France, avait laissé un petit frère délicat pour lui succéder sur le trône, et sa mère, Catherine de Médicis, devait gouverner le royaume jusqu'à ce que le jeune Charles soit assez grand et assez fort pour le gouverner lui-même. She was a rigid Roman Catholic, and hated the Huguenots with her whole heart. Catholique rigide, elle haïssait les huguenots de tout son cœur. Indeed, like her neighbour Philip over the Pyrenees, she made up her mind to crush them out of the country. En effet, à l'instar de son voisin Philip, de l'autre côté des Pyrénées, elle a décidé de les expulser du pays.

The leaders of the French Huguenots were the young Henry of Navarre and the Prince of Condé, and it was against these two that Catherine de Medici plotted. She planned a marriage between her daughter Margaret and young Henry of Navarre, the former being a Roman Catholic, the latter a Huguenot. Elle prévoit un mariage entre sa fille Marguerite et le jeune Henri de Navarre, la première étant catholique, le second huguenot. It seemed strange to those who looked on, and men grew to suspect the motives of the Queen-Regent. Cela paraissait étrange à ceux qui regardaient, et les hommes en vinrent à soupçonner les motifs de la Reine-Régente. 見ている人には奇妙に見え、男性は女王摂政の動機を疑うようになりました。

"We shall marry the two religions," said the young King of France, who was entirely under his mother's control. "Nous marierons les deux religions", dit le jeune roi de France, entièrement soumis à sa mère. Still, amid murmurs of discontent, the wedding preparations went forward, until the day arrived for Henry, now King of Navarre, to come to Paris for his bride. Attended by the Prince of Condé, the old warrior Huguenot Admiral Coligny, and 800 distinguished followers, the King of Navarre rode into the French capital, his handsome face and winning smile attracting all alike. Accompagné du prince de Condé, du vieux guerrier huguenot, l'amiral Coligny, et de 800 partisans distingués, le roi de Navarre entre dans la capitale française, son beau visage et son sourire séduisant attirant tous les regards. Still there were murmurs of disapproval, and the air was heavy with evil rumours. Pourtant, des murmures de désapprobation se font entendre et l'air est lourd de rumeurs malveillantes.

The wedding-day came. It was the 18th of August, a glorious summer morning. Cannons roared, bells rang out from every steeple, crowds lined the street as King Henry, dressed in pale yellow satin adorned with silver and pearls, led out his young bride. It was a gorgeous sight. C'était un spectacle magnifique. Bishops and archbishops led the way in robes of gold, cardinals in scarlet, knights blazing with orders, officers of State—all added to the splendour of the sight. Les évêques et archevêques ouvrent la marche en robe d'or, les cardinaux en écarlate, les chevaliers bardés d'ordres, les officiers d'État, tous ajoutent à la splendeur du spectacle. 身着金色长袍的主教和大主教在前面引路,红衣主教穿着猩红色的长袍,骑士们发出命令,国家官员——所有这些都增添了这一景象的辉煌。

The next three days were spent in festivities. All seemed peace and goodwill. La paix et la bonne volonté semblaient être au rendez-vous. The young king, Charles IX., was making friends with the Admiral Coligny; he already loved his new brother-in-law, Henry of Navarre. Le jeune roi Charles IX se lie d'amitié avec l'amiral Coligny ; il aime déjà son nouveau beau-frère, Henri de Navarre. Catherine grew alarmed lest her plot should, after all, fail, and her own power over the young king should wane. Catherine s'inquiète de l'échec de son complot et de l'affaiblissement de son pouvoir sur le jeune roi. キャサリンは、結局のところ、彼女の陰謀が失敗し、若い王に対する彼女自身の力が衰えないように、警戒を強めました。 Catarina ficou alarmada com receio de que seu plano, afinal de contas, fracassasse, e seu poder sobre o jovem rei diminuísse. She gave orders for the Admiral Coligny to be killed. 彼女はコリニー提督の殺害を命じた。 Her commands were imperfectly carried out. Ses ordres sont imparfaitement exécutés. The Admiral was badly wounded, but not killed. L'amiral est gravement blessé, mais pas tué. When Charles heard the news he was in an agony of surprise and fear. His mother was in a panic. Huguenots gathered in angry crowds and discussed the deed, Henry of Navarre vowed vengeance on the would-be murderer. Les huguenots se rassemblent en foules furieuses et discutent de l'acte, tandis qu'Henri de Navarre jure de se venger du meurtrier en puissance. ユグノーは怒った群衆の中に集まり、その行為について話し合った。アンリ4世は、殺人者になることへの復讐を誓った。 Huguenotes se reuniram em multidões enfurecidas e discutiram a ação, Henrique de Navarra jurou vingar-se do pretenso assassino.

It was after dinner on the 23rd of August that Catherine led her son outside into the private gardens of the Tuileries to unfold her plan. Le 23 août, après le dîner, Catherine emmène son fils dans les jardins privés des Tuileries pour lui exposer son plan. The time, she said, was ripe. Eight thousand Huguenots were in Paris breathing revenge. Huit mille huguenots sont à Paris pour se venger. 8000人のユグノーがパリに復讐を果たしていた。 In one hour the whole hated body of them might be put to death. En une heure, tout ce corps détesté pourrait être mis à mort. 1時間で彼らの嫌われている体全体が死刑にされるかもしれません。 To this the young king's sanction must be obtained. Pour cela, il faut obtenir l'accord du jeune roi. これには、若い王の制裁が必要です。 And first of all Coligny must be killed. そしてまず第一に、コリニーは殺されなければなりません。 Charles burst into one of his fits of passion. Charles entre alors dans une de ses crises de passion. チャールズは彼の情熱の1つに突入しました。 Charles explodiu em um de seus ataques de paixão. Charles tutku nöbetlerinden birine girdi.

"Woe to any one who touches a hair of his head!" "Malheur à celui qui touche à un cheveu de sa tête ! 「頭の毛に触れた人は誰にでも災いを!」 "Onun saçının teline dokunanın vay haline!" “任何碰自己一根头发的人都有祸了!” he cried. "He is the only friend I have, save my brother of Navarre." "C'est mon seul ami, à part mon frère de Navarre." But Catherine would not give in. Mais Catherine ne veut pas céder. しかし、キャサリンは屈服しませんでした。 She knew she must conquer at last. Elle sait qu'elle doit enfin vaincre. And she did. Lashed into a frenzy, the young king started to his feet. Pris de frénésie, le jeune roi se lève. 狂乱に突入した若い王は立ち上がった。 年轻的国王陷入疯狂,站了起来。

"Kill the Admiral, then, if you like!" 「それなら、お望みなら提督を殺せ!」 he screamed; "but kill all the Huguenots with him—all—all—all, so that not one be left to reproach me with this deed." Il s'écria : "Mais tuez tous les huguenots avec lui, tous, tous, pour qu'il n'en reste pas un seul qui puisse me reprocher cet acte". 彼は叫んだ。 「しかし、彼と一緒にすべてのユグノーを殺しなさい。そうすれば、この行為で私を非難するために誰も残されないように。」 The word was spoken. Le mot a été prononcé. There was no time to lose. Hastily through the darkness of the starless summer night preparations went forward. 星のない夏の夜の闇の中を急いで準備が進んだ。

"Let every true Catholic tie a white band on his arm, put a white cross on his cap, and begin the vengeance of God," went forth the order. "Que chaque vrai catholique s'attache un bandeau blanc au bras, mette une croix blanche sur son bonnet et commence la vengeance de Dieu", dit l'ordre. 「すべての真のカトリック教徒が彼の腕に白い帯を結び、彼の帽子に白い十字架を置き、そして神の復讐を始めましょう」と命令が出されました。 The signal was to be given by the great bell of the Palace of Justice at two o'clock in the morning. Soon after midnight Catherine went to her son. He was pacing his room in an agony of passion, swearing the Huguenots should not die. Il arpente sa chambre dans une agonie de passion, jurant que les huguenots ne doivent pas mourir. 彼は、ユグノーが死ぬべきではないと誓って、情熱の苦しみの中で自分の部屋を歩き回っていました。

"It is too late to retreat, even if it were possible," declared Catherine. Feverishly mother and son awaited the signal. 熱狂的に母と息子が合図を待っていた。 As the harsh sound of the bell rang through the silent summer night the uproar began. Alors que le son dur de la cloche retentit dans la nuit d'été silencieuse, le tumulte commence. 静かな夏の夜、鐘の耳障りな音が鳴り響くと、騒ぎが始まりました。 The sound of clanging bells, crashing doors, musket-shots was followed by the shrieks of the victims and the yells of the crowd, till the stoutest hearts quailed and the strongest trembled. Le bruit des cloches qui s'entrechoquent, des portes qui se brisent, des tirs de mousquet est suivi par les cris des victimes et les hurlements de la foule, jusqu'à ce que les cœurs les plus solides s'affolent et que les plus forts tremblent. 鐘を鳴らしたり、ドアを壊したり、マスケット銃を撃ったりした音に続いて、犠牲者の叫び声と群衆の叫び声が、最も強い心がうめき声を上げ、最も強いものが震えるまで続きました。 Shaking in every limb, the poor young king shouted for the massacre to be stopped. Tremblant de tous ses membres, le pauvre jeune roi hurle pour que le massacre cesse. かわいそうな若い王様は、四肢を震わせながら、虐殺をやめるように叫びました。 It was too late. それは遅すぎた。 Already beacon-fires had sent the signal through the land of France. Déjà, des feux de balisage avaient envoyé le signal à travers le territoire français. すでにビーコン火災がフランスの土地を介して信号を送信していました。

Old men, young girls, helpless children, were alike smitten down. Des vieillards, des jeunes filles, des enfants sans défense ont été frappés de la même façon. 老人、若い女の子、無力な子供たちも同様に打ちのめされました。 Velhos, moças, crianças indefesas, eram igualmente feridas. Through the long dark night the slaughter continued, until Paris was such a scene of terror as human eyes have rarely seen. 漫长的黑夜里,屠杀仍在继续,直到巴黎呈现出人类肉眼罕见的恐怖景象。

In vain did Charles order the massacre to be stopped at the end of one day. チャールズは1日の終わりに虐殺をやめるように命じたが無駄だった。 It was continued for a whole week, till some 80,000 Huguenots had been slain.

And "the heart of Protestant Europe stood still with horror." Et "le cœur de l'Europe protestante s'est figé d'horreur". そして「プロテスタントヨーロッパの中心は恐怖でじっと立っていた」。 “欧洲新教的心脏因恐惧而静止不动。”