The black cat

by Edgar Allan Poe

(1843)

FOR the most wild, yet most homely narrative which I am about to pen, I neither expect nor solicit belief. Mad indeed would I be to expect it, in a case where my very senses reject their own evidence. Yet, mad am I not --and very surely do I not dream. But to-morrow I die, and to-day I would unburthen my soul. My immediate purpose is to place before the world, plainly, succinctly, and without comment, a series of mere household events. In their consequences, these events have terrified --have tortured --have destroyed me. Yet I will not attempt to expound them. To me, they have presented little but Horror --to many they will seem less terrible than baroques. Hereafter, perhaps, some intellect may be found which will reduce my phantasm to the common-place --some intellect more calm, more logical, and far less excitable than my own, which will perceive, in the circumstances I detail with awe, nothing more than an ordinary succession of very natural causes and effects.

For the most　狂気じみたwild, しかもyet most　家庭的なhomely 物語narrative
which I am about to 書くpen,
I neither expect nor 懇請するsolicit belief.
Mad indeed ～となろうwould I be ～ならto expect it,
in a case
where my ～さえがvery senses 拒否・否認するreject their own evidence.
それでもYet, mad am I not
-and very surely do I not dream.
But to-morrow I die,
and to-day I would ～を降ろすunburthen my soul.

My　当面のimmediate purpose is to place before 世間the world,
率直にplainly,簡潔にsuccinctly, and without 説明comment,
a series of mere household events.
In their 結果consequences,
these events have 恐怖に陥れるterrified -
have 責め苛むtortured --
have destroyed me.
Yet I will not attempt to 詳述するexpound them.

To me, they have　与えたpresented ～のみをlittle but Horror --
to　多くの人many they will seem less terrible than 怪奇談、荒唐無稽baroques.
(more baroques than terrible)

今後Hereafter, perhaps,
some 知性intellect may be found
which will（解明して）～に帰するreduce my 幻想phantasm to the 平凡事commonplace --
some intellect more calm, more logical, and far less 激情的excitable than my own,
which will 理解する・看取するperceive,
in the　事柄circumstances I 詳述するdetail with 恐怖の念awe,
nothing more than an ordinary 連続succession
of very natural 原因causes and　結果effects.

From my infancy I was noted for the docility and humanity of my disposition. My tenderness of heart was even so conspicuous as to make me the jest of my companions. I was especially fond of animals, and was indulged by my parents with a great variety of pets. With these I spent most of my time, and never was so happy as when feeding and caressing them. This peculiar of character grew with my growth, and in my manhood, I derived from it one of my principal sources of pleasure. To those who have cherished an affection for a faithful and sagacious dog, I need hardly be at the trouble of explaining the nature or the intensity of the gratification thus derivable. There is something in the unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of mere Man.

From my infancy
I was 有名でnoted for the 温順さdocility and 慈愛humanity of my 気質disposition.
My　優しさtenderness of heart was
even so 顕著なconspicuous as to make me the 物笑いの種jest of my companions.
I was especially fond of animals,
and （欲しいままにあてがわれた）was indulged by my parents
with a great variety of pets.
With these I spent most of my time,
and never was so happy as when feeding and 愛撫するcaressing them.

This 特異性peculiarity of character grew with my growth,
and, my manhood,
I 引き出すderived from it,
one of my principal sources of pleasure.
To those who have 抱いたcherished an　愛情affection for a faithful and　利口なsagacious dog,
I わざわざ説明する必要は殆ど無いneed hardly be at the trouble
of explaining the nature or the 強烈さintensity
of the　満足gratification かくしてthus 引き出せるderivable.

There is something
in the unselfish and 献身的なself-sacrificing love of a brute,
which （訴える）goes directly to the heart of him
who has had frequent occasion
to test the 取るに足りないpaltry friendship
and 薄いgossamer 忠実fidelity of mere Man.

   I married early, and was happy to find in my wife a disposition not uncongenial with my own. Observing my partiality for domestic pets, she lost no opportunity of procuring those of the most agreeable kind. We had birds, gold fish, a fine dog, rabbits, a small monkey, and a cat.
  This latter was a remarkably large and beautiful animal, entirely black, and sagacious to an astonishing degree. In speaking of his intelligence, my wife, who at heart was not a little tinctured with superstition, made frequent allusion to the ancient popular notion, which regarded all black cats as witches in disguise. Not that she was ever serious upon this point --and I mention the matter at all for no better reason than that it happens, just now, to be remembered.
  Pluto --this was the cat's name --was my favorite pet and playmate. I alone fed him, and he attended me wherever I went about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.
    Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years, during which my general temperament and character --through the instrumentality of the Fiend Intemperance --had (I blush to confess it) experienced a radical alteration for the worse. I grew, day by day, more moody, more irritable, more regardless of the feelings of others. I suffered myself to use intemperate language to my At length, I even offered her personal violence. My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my disposition. I not only neglected, but ill-used them. For Pluto, however, I still retained sufficient regard to restrain me from maltreating him, as I made no scruple of maltreating the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way. But my disease grew upon me --for what disease is like Alcohol! --and at length even Pluto, who was now becoming old, and consequently somewhat peevish --even Pluto began to experience the effects of my ill temper.

I married early,
and was 幸せにもhappy to find in my wife a 性質disposition
not 性が合わないuncongenial with my own.

Observing my 偏愛partiality for domestic pets,
she 機会ある毎に～してくれたlost no opportunity of　手に入れるprocuring those of the most 快いagreeable kind.
We had birds, gold-fish, a fine dog, rabbits, a small monkey,
and a cat.

This latter was a remarkably large and beautiful animal,entirely black,
and 利口sagacious to an astonishing degree.
In speaking of his intelligence,
my wife, who 内心ではat heart was 少なからずnot a little ～の気味があるtinctured with superstition,
made frequent 言及allusion to the ancient 俗説popular notion,
which regarded all black cats as witches　変装したin disguise.
Not that she was（強）ever　本気serious upon this point --
and I mention the matter そもそもat all ただ単に～の理由でfor no better reason
than that it happens, just now, to be remenbered.

Pluto --this was the cat's name --was my favorite pet and playmate.
I alone fed him, and he 付き添うattened me wherever I went about the house.
It was even with difficulty
that I could prevent him from following me through the streets.

Our friendship lasted, in this manner, for several years,
during which(=several years) my general temperament and character ---
through the 媒介instrumentality of the　悪魔Fiend 飲酒癖Intemperance ---
had (I 赤面するblush to cofess it) experienced a radical 変化alteration for the worse.

I grow, day by day, more 不機嫌なmoody, more 怒りっぽいirritable, more ～にお構いなしregardless
of the feelings of others.
I 許すsuffered myself to use 過度のintemperate language to my wife.
しまいには At length, I even offered her 身体のpersonal violence.

My pets, of course, were made to feel the change in my 気質disposition.
I not only 無視するneglected, but 虐待したill-used them.
For Pluto, however,
I still 保っていたretained sufficient 心づかいregard
to～しないようにするrestrain me from　虐待するmaltreating him,
as(=although) I made no 良心の呵責scruple of maltreating
the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog,
when 偶然にby accident, or through affection, 邪魔になった時they came in my way.

But my disease 募るばかりgrew upon me --
～があるであろうかfor what disease is like Alcohol! --
and ついにat length even Pluto,
who was now becoming old,
and その結果としてconsequently somewhat 怒りっぽいpeevish --
even Pluto began to experience the effects of my ill temper.

One night, returning home, much intoxicated, from one of my haunts about town, I fancied that the cat avoided my presence. I seized him; when, in his fright at my violence, he inflicted a slight wound upon my hand with his teeth. The fury of a demon instantly possessed me. I knew myself no longer. My original soul seemed, at once, to take its flight from my body; and a more than fiendish malevolence, gin-nurtured, thrilled every fibre of my frame. I took from my waistcoat-pocket a pen-knife, opened it, grasped the poor beast by the throat, and deliberately cut one of its eyes from the socket! I blush, I burn, I shudder, while I pen the damnable atrocity.
When reason returned with the morning --when I had slept off the fumes of the night's debauch --I experienced a sentiment half of horror, half of remorse, for the crime of which I had been guilty; but it was, at best, a feeble and equivocal feeling, and the soul remained untouched. I again plunged into excess, and soon drowned in wine all memory of the deed.

One night, returning home, much 酔っ払ってintoxicated, from one of my 行きつけの場所haunts about town,
I 想像したfancied that the cat avoided my presence.
I seized him;
その時when, in his　驚きfright 感情の原因at my violence,
he 負わせたinflicted a slight wound upon my hand with his teeth.
The fury 悪魔のようなof a demon instantly　取りつくpossessed me.
I knew myself no longer.

My original soul seemed, at once, to ～から急に抜け出して行くtake its flight from my body;
and a more than 悪魔のようなfiendish　憎悪malevolence, ジン酒に育まれたgin-nurtured,
ぞくぞくさせたthrilled every 繊維fibre of my 体格・体frame.

I took from my waisntcoat-pocket a 懐中ナイフpenknife, opened it,
grasped the poor beast by the throat,
and 落ち着いてdeliberately cut one of its eyes from the 眼窩socket!
I 赤面するblush, I　顔が火照るburn, I 震えるshudder,
while I pen the 地獄に落ちるべきdamnable　残虐行為atrocity.

When reason returned with the morning --
when I had 寝て覚ましたslept off the 毒気fumes of the night's　放蕩debauch --
I experienced a 情感sentiment 半ばhalf of horror, half of 自責remorse,
for the crime of which I had been guilty;
but it was, せいぜいat best, a 弱々しいfeeble and　あいまいなequivocal feeling,
and the soul 元のままremained untouched.
I again 耽るplunged into（暴飲）excess,
and soon まぎらわせたdrowned in wine all memory of その行為the deed.

４月３日更新
In the meantime the cat slowly recovered. The socket of the lost eye presented, it is true, a frightful appearance, but he no longer appeared to suffer any pain. He went about the house as usual, but, as might be expected, fled in extreme terror at my approach. I had so much of my old heart left, as to be at first grieved by this evident dislike on the part of a creature which had once so loved me. But this feeling soon gave place to irritation. And then came, as if to my final and irrevocable overthrow, the spirit of PERVERSENESS. Of this spirit philosophy takes no account. Yet I am not more sure that my soul lives, than I am that perverseness is one of the primitive impulses of the human heart --one of the indivisible primary faculties, or sentiments, which give direction to the character of Man. Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a vile or a silly action, for no other reason than because he knows he should not? Have we not a perpetual inclination, in the teeth of our best judgment, to violate that which is Law, merely because we understand it to be such? This spirit of perverseness, I say, came to my final overthrow. It was this unfathomable longing of the soul to vex itself --to offer violence to its own nature --to do wrong for the wrong's sake only --that urged me to continue and finally to consummate the injury I had inflicted upon the unoffending brute. One morning, in cool blood, I slipped a noose about its neck and hung it to the limb of a tree; --hung it with the tears streaming from my eyes, and with the bitterest remorse at my heart; --hung it because I knew that it had loved me, and because I felt it had given me no reason of offence; --hung it because I knew that in so doing I was committing a sin --a deadly sin that would so jeopardize my immortal soul as to place it --if such a thing were possible --even beyond the reach of the infinite mercy of the Most Merciful and Most Terrible God.

そうこうするうちにIn the meantime the cat slowly recovered.
The socket of the lost eye 呈したpresented, it is true, a frightful appearance,
but he no longer appeared to suffer any pain.
He went about the house as usual,
but,予期に違わずas might be expected,
逃げたfled(=flee) in extreme terror （感情の原因）私が近付くとat my approach.

I had so much of my 昔の心old heart left,
as to be　最初はat first 悲嘆に暮れるgrieved
by this 明らかなevident dislike ～の側のon the part of a creature
which had once so loved me.
But this feeling soon 変わったgave place to いら立ちirritation.
And then came, as if to my final and 取り返しのつかないirrevocable 転覆overthrow,
the spirit of 片意地Perversenes.

Of this spirit
philosophy　無視するtakes no account.
Yet I am not more 確信してsure that my soul 生きているlives,
than I am (sure)that 片意地perverseness is one of the primitive impulses of the human heart ---
one of the 不可分のindivisible primary faculties, or sentiments,
which gives 指示direction to the character of Man.

Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a 下劣なvile or silly action,
～と言うだけの理由でfor no other reason than because he knows he should not?
Have we not a 永続するperpetual 性癖inclination,
～にもかかわらずin the teeth of our best judgment,
犯そうとするto violate that which is Law,
merely because we understand it to be such?
This spirit of perverseness, I say, came to my final overthrow.
It was this 不可解なunfathomable 切望longing of the soul to 悩ますvex itself ---
to 加えるoffer violence to its own 本性nature ---to do wrong ただ悪の為のみfor the wrong's sake only --
that 駆り立てるurged me to continue and fmally to 完成するconsummate the 傷害injury
I had ～を加えたinflicted upon the 不愉快でないunoffending brute.

One morning, 冷酷にin cool blood,
I そっとはめるslipped a 首つり縄noose about its neck and hung it to the limb of a tree; ---
hung it with the tears streaming from my eyes,
and with the 苦しいbitterest 良心の呵責remorse at my heart; ---
hung it because I knew that it had loved me,
and because I felt it had given me no reason of offence; --
hung it because I knew that そうする事によってin so doing
I was committing a sin ---a 地獄に落ちるようなdeadly sin
that would so 危険にさらすjeopardize my immortal soul as to place it(=put my soul) --
if such a thing were possible --
even～の手の届かぬ所までbeyond the reach of the infinite mercy of 至仁至厳の神the Most Merciful and Most Terrible God.

４月６日更新
On the night of the day on which this cruel deed was done, I was aroused from sleep by the cry of fire. The curtains of my bed were in flames. The whole house was blazing. It was with great difficulty that my wife, a servant, and myself, made our escape from the conflagration. The destruction was complete. My entire worldly wealth was swallowed up, and I resigned myself thenceforward to despair.

I am above the weakness of seeking to establish a sequence of cause and effect, between the disaster and the atrocity. But I am detailing a chain of facts --and wish not to leave even a possible link imperfect. On the day succeeding the fire, I visited the ruins. The walls, with one exception, had fallen in. This exception was found in a compartment wall, not very thick, which stood about the middle of the house, and against which had rested the head of my bed. The plastering had here, in great measure, resisted the action of the fire --a fact which I attributed to its having been recently spread. About this wall a dense crowd were collected, and many persons seemed to be examining a particular portion of it with every minute and eager attention. The words "strange!" "singular!" and other similar expressions, excited my curiosity. I approached and saw, as if graven in bas relief upon the white surface, the figure of a gigantic cat. The impression was given with an accuracy truly marvellous. There was a rope about the animal's neck.

On the night of the day on which this cruel deed was done,
I 起こされたwas aroused from sleep by the cry of fire.
The curtains of my bed were in flames.
The whole house was 炎を上げて燃えるblazing.
It was with great difficulty that my wife, a servant, and myself,
made our escape from the 火事conflagration.

The destruction was complete.
My この世の全財産entire worldly wealth 飲み込まれたwas swallowed up,
and I 絶望に身を任せたresigned myself その時からthenceforward to despair.

I am above the weakness of seeking to establish a 連鎖sequence of cause and effect,
between the disaster and the 残虐行為atrocity.

But I am 詳述するdetailing a chain of facts ---
and wish not to leave even a 可能な（鎖の）輪possible link 不完全にimperfect.

On the day～続くsucceeding the fire, I visited the 焼け跡ruins.
The walls, with one exception, had fallen in.
This exception was found in a 仕切りのcompartment wall,
not very thick, which stood about the middle of the house,
and against which had もたせかけてあったrested the head of my bed.

The 漆喰plastering had here, 大いにin great measure,
（耐えて）resisted the 作用action of the fire ---
a fact which I ～帰するattributed to its having been recently 塗られたspread.
About this wall a 密集したdense crowd were collected,
and many persons seemed to be examining a particular 部分portion of it
with very 細心のminute and eager attention.

The words "strange!" 奇妙な"singular!" and other similar expressions,
掻き立てたexcited my curiosity.
I approached and saw, as if 彫られたgraven in 浅い浮き彫りbas-relief upon the white surfae,
the figure of a gigantic cat.

The 刻印impression was given with an 正確さaccuracy truly ←驚くべきmarvellous.
There was a rope about the animal's neck.

４月８日更新

When I first beheld this apparition --for I could scarcely regard it as less --my wonder and my terror were extreme. But at length reflection came to my aid. The cat, I remembered, had been hung in a garden adjacent to the house. Upon the alarm of fire, this garden had been immediately filled by the crowd --by some one of whom the animal must have been cut from the tree and thrown, through an open window, into my chamber. This had probably been done with the view of arousing me from sleep. The falling of other walls had compressed the victim of my cruelty into the substance of the freshly-spread plaster; the lime of which, had then with the flames, and the ammonia from the carcass, accomplished the portraiture as I saw it.

Although I thus readily accounted to my reason, if not altogether to my conscience, for the startling fact 'just detailed, it did not the less fall to make a deep impression upon my fancy. For months I could not rid myself of the phantasm of the cat; and, during this period, there came back into my spirit a half-sentiment that seemed, but was not, remorse. I went so far as to regret the loss of the animal, and to look about me, among the vile haunts which I now habitually frequented, for another pet of the same species, and of somewhat similar appearance, with which to supply its place.

When I first beheld this 幽霊、幻影apparition --- for I could ほとんどscarcely regard it（それ以下の物とは）as less --
my wonder and my terror were extreme.
But やがてat length 熟考reflection came to my 救助aid.
The cat, I remembered, had been hung in a garden すぐ近くの adjacent to the house.
Upon the alarm of fire,
this garden had been immediately filled by the crowd ---
by 彼らの内の誰かsomeone of whom the animal must have been cut from the tree and thrown,
through an open window, into my 部屋chamber.
This had probably been done 私を起こす目的でwith the view of arousing me from sleep.

The 落下falling of the other walls had 押しつけたcompressed the victim of my cruelty
into the substance of the freshly-spread plaster;
the 石灰lime of which, with the flames, and the ammonia from the 死体carcass,
had then accomplished the portraiture as I saw it.

Although I thus 容易にreadily 説明したaccounted to my 理性reason,
if not altogether to my 良心conscience,
for the 驚くべきstartling fact just 詳述したdetailed,
it did not the less fail to make a deep impression upon my 空想、幻想fancy.

For months, I could not （払いのける）rid myself of the 幻影phantasm of the cat;
and, during this period,
there came back into my spirit a 中途半端な気持ちhalf-sentiment
that 似ているがseemed, but 同じでないwas not,後悔remorse.
I ～するまでに至ったwent so far as to regret the loss of the animal,
and to look about me, among the 良からぬ場所（酒場）vile haunts
which I now habitually 度々通うfrequented, for another pet of the same species,
and of somewhat similar appearance, with which to 埋め合わせるsupply its place.

４月10日更新

One night as I sat, half stupefied, in a den of more than infamy, my attention was suddenly drawn to some black object, reposing upon the head of one of the immense hogsheads of Gin, or of Rum, which constituted the chief furniture of the apartment. I had been looking steadily at the top of this hogshead for some minutes, and what now caused me surprise was the fact that I had not sooner perceived the object thereupon. I approached it, and touched it with my hand. It was a black cat --a very large one --fully as large as Pluto, and closely resembling him in every respect but one. Pluto had not a white hair upon any portion of his body; but this cat had a large, although indefinite splotch of white, covering nearly the whole region of the breast.

Upon my touching him, he immediately arose, purred loudly, rubbed against my hand, and appeared delighted with my notice. This, then, was the very creature of which I was in search. I at once offered to purchase it of the landlord; but this person made no claim to it --knew nothing of it --had never seen it before.

I continued my caresses, and, when I prepared to go home, the animal evinced a disposition to accompany me. I permitted it to do so; occasionally stooping and patting it as I proceeded. When it reached the house it domesticated itself at once, and became immediately a great favorite with my wife.

One night as I sat, half 朦朧としてstupefied,
in a（魔窟）ほら穴・巣den of more than 悪名infamy, （はなはだ良からぬ魔窟）
my attention was suddenly drawn to some black object,
休んでいるreposing upon the head of one of the immense 樽hogsheads of gin, or of rum,
which 構成したconstituted the chief furniture of the 部屋apartment.

I had been looking じっとsteadily at the top of this hogshead for some minutes,
and what now caused me surprise was the fact that
I had not sooner 気が付いたperceived the object thereupon.
I approached it, and touched it with my hand.

It was a black cat --a very large one --fully as large as Pluto,
and closely resembling him in every respect but one.
Pluto had not a white hair upon any portion of his body;
but this cat had a large, although indefinite 班点splotch of white,
covering nearly the whole 局部region of the breast. （胸一面に）

Upon my touching him, he immediately arose, 喉をゴロゴロ鳴らしたpurred loudly,
擦りつけたrubbed against my hand, and appeared delighted 私の目に止まったのをwith my notice.
This, then, was the very creature of which I was in search.
I at once offered to purchase it of the主人landlord;
but this person made no 主張claim to it -- knew nothing of it ---
had never seen it before.

I continued my 愛撫caresses, and, when I prepared to go home,
the animal 明示したevinced a 気質、気配disposition to accompany me,
I permitted it to do so; occasionally 屈むstooping and 軽く叩くpatting it 歩きながらas I proceeded.
When it reached the house it 馴れたdomesticated itself at once,
and became immediately great favorite with my wife.

４月16日更新

For my own part, I soon found a dislike to it arising within me. This was just the reverse of what I had anticipated; but I know not how or why it was --its evident fondness for myself rather disgusted and annoyed. By slow degrees, these feelings of disgust and annoyance rose into the bitterness of hatred. I avoided the creature; a certain sense of shame, and the remembrance of my former deed of cruelty, preventing me from physically abusing it. I did not, for some weeks, strike, or otherwise violently ill use it; but gradually --very gradually --I came to look upon it with unutterable loathing, and to flee silently from its odious presence, as from the breath of a pestilence.

What added, no doubt, to my hatred of the beast, was the discovery, on the morning after I brought it home, that, like Pluto, it also had been deprived of one of its eyes. This circumstance, however, only endeared it to my wife, who, as I have already said, possessed, in a high degree, that humanity of feeling which had once been my distinguishing trait, and the source of many of my simplest and purest pleasures.

私はと言うとFor my own part, I soon found a 嫌悪の情dislike to it arising within me.
This was just the 反対reverse of what I had anticipated;
but --I know not how or why it was ---
its evident 私を好いているfondness for myself
→と言う事が、むしろrather　嫌悪させたdisgusted and 悩ませたannoyed.
By slow degrees, these feelings of disgust and annoyance
高まったrose into the 苦々しさbitterness of hatred.

I avoided the creature;
a certain sence of shame, and the 記憶remenbrance of my 以前のformer deed of cruelty,
preventing me from　肉体的にphysically 虐待するabusing it,
I did not, for some weeks, strike, or otherwise violenntly 虐待するill-use it;
but gradually --very gradually ---
I came to look upon it with 言葉で言えぬunutterable 憎悪の念loathing,
and to 逃げるflee　こっそりsilently from its 忌まわしいodious presence,
as from the 息breath of a 疫病患者pestilence.

What added, 疑いもなくno doubt, to my hatred of the beast,
was the discovery,
on the morning after I brought it home,
that, like Pluto, it also had 奪われていたbeen deprived of one of its eyes.
This 事柄、事情circumstance, however, only～を慕わせるendeared it to my wife,
who, as I have already said, possessed, in a high degree,
that 優しさhumanity of feeling which had once been my 顕著な、性質distinguishing trait,
and the source of many of my simplest and purest pleasures.

４月17日更新

With my aversion to this cat, however, its partiality for myself seemed to increase. It followed my footsteps with a pertinacity which it would be difficult to make the reader comprehend. Whenever I sat, it would crouch beneath my chair, or spring upon my knees, covering me with its loathsome caresses. If I arose to walk it would get between my feet and thus nearly throw me down, or, fastening its long and sharp claws in my dress, clamber, in this manner, to my breast. At such times, although I longed to destroy it with a blow, I was yet withheld from so doing, partly it at by a memory of my former crime, but chiefly --let me confess it at once --by absolute dread of the beast.

This dread was not exactly a dread of physical evil-and yet I should be at a loss how otherwise to define it. I am almost ashamed to own --yes, even in this felon's cell, I am almost ashamed to own --that the terror and horror with which the animal inspired me, had been heightened by one of the merest chimaeras it would be possible to conceive. My wife had called my attention, more than once, to the character of the mark of white hair, of which I have spoken, and which constituted the sole visible difference between the strange beast and the one I had y si destroyed. The reader will remember that this mark, although large, had been originally very indefinite; but, by slow degrees --degrees nearly imperceptible, and which for a long time my Reason struggled to reject as fanciful --it had, at length, assumed a rigorous distinctness of outline. It was now the representation of an object that I shudder to name --and for this, above all, I loathed, and dreaded, and would have rid myself of the monster had I dared --it was now, I say, the image of a hideous --of a ghastly thing --of the GALLOWS! --oh, mournful and terrible engine of Horror and of Crime --of Agony and of Death!

With my 嫌悪aversion to this cat, however,
（その猫の）its 偏愛partiality for myself seemed to increase.
It followed my footsteps with a 執拗さpertinacity
which it would be difficult to make the reader comprehend.
Whenever I sat, it would 蹲るcrouch beneath my chair, or spring upon my knees,
covering me with its　忌まわしいloathsome 愛撫caresses. ←なめ回す
If I　立ち上がるarose(arise) to walk it～しようとするwould （入って来て）get between my feet
and thus nearly 倒すthrow me down,
あるいは or,引っ掛けてfastening its long and sharp claws in my dress, 攀登（ろうとする）clamber, in this manner,
to my 胸breast.

At such times, although I longed to destroy it 一撃のもとにwith a blow,
I was yet 差し控えるwithheld from so doing,
partly by a memory of my former crime, but chiefly --
let me confess it 　直ちにat once -- by absolute 大きな恐怖dread of the beast.

This dread was not exactly a dread of　肉体的physical evil --
and yet I should be 当惑してat a loss how 他にotherwise to　意味を明らかにするdefine it.
I am almost ashamed to 告白するown -- yes, even in this 重罪人felon's 独房cell,
I am almost ashamed to own --- that the 恐怖terror and　戦慄horror
with which the animal 吹き込んだinspired me, had been 高められたheightened
by one of the 極めて詰まらないmerest　妄想chimeras ～である所の it would be possible to　想像するconceive.

My wife had called my attention, 一度ならずmore than once,
to the 特徴character of the mark of white hair, of which I 述べたhave spoken,
and which 構成していたconstituted the 唯一のsole visible difference
between the strange beast and the one I had destroyed.

The reader will remember that this mark, although large, had been originally very　不明確なindefinite;
but, 徐々にby slow degrees -- degrees nearly　感知出来ないimperceptible,
and which for a long time
my Reason 懸命に努力したstruggled to　退けるreject as 空想的fanciful ---
it had, 遂にat length, assumed a 正確なrigorous　明確さdistinctness of 輪郭outline.

It was now the 表出representation of an 物体object that I　慄えるshudder 名前を言う（のに）to name --
and for this, above all, I 忌み嫌ったloathed, and　恐れたdreaded,
and would have 逃れるrid myself of the monster 出来さえしたらhad I dared --
it was now, 実際I say, the image of aぞっとするhideous --
of a　物凄いghastly thing --
of the　絞首台のGallows! ---
oh, 悲しくmournful and terrible （拷問道具）装置engine of Horror and of 犯罪Crime --
of　苦悶Agony and of Death!

4月28日更新

　 And now was I indeed wretched beyond the wretchedness of mere Humanity. And a brute beast --whose fellow I had contemptuously destroyed --a brute beast to work out for me --for me a man, fashioned in the image of the High God --so much of insufferable wo! Alas! neither by day nor by night knew I the blessing of Rest any more! During the former the creature left me no moment alone; and, in the latter, I started, hourly, from dreams of unutterable fear, to find the hot breath of the thing upon my face, and its vast weight --an incarnate Night-Mare that I had no power to shake off --incumbent eternally upon my heart!

Beneath the pressure of torments such as these, the feeble remnant of the good within me succumbed. Evil thoughts became my sole intimates --the darkest and most evil of thoughts. The moodiness of my usual temper increased to hatred of all things and of all mankind; while, from the sudden, frequent, and ungovernable outbursts of a fury to which I now blindly abandoned myself, my uncomplaining wife, alas! was the most usual and the most patient of sufferers.

One day she accompanied me, upon some household errand, into the cellar of the old building which our poverty compelled us to inhabit. The cat followed me down the steep stairs, and, nearly throwing me headlong, exasperated me to madness. Uplifting an axe, and forgetting, in my wrath, the childish dread which had hitherto stayed my hand, I aimed a blow at the animal which, of course, would have proved instantly fatal had it descended as I wished. But this blow was arrested by the hand of my wife. Goaded, by the interference, into a rage more than demoniacal, I withdrew my arm from her grasp and buried the axe in her brain. She fell dead upon the spot, without a groan.

And now was I indeed 惨めなwretched 以上のbeyond the惨めさwretchedness of 普通の人間mere Humanity.
And a 畜生brute beast --
whose 仲間fellow I had 蔑んでcontemptuously destroyed ---
a brute beast
to 作り出すwork out for me --
for me, a man 形作られたfashioned in the image of the High God ---
かくも多くのso much of 絶え難いinsufferable　苦悩woe!

Alas! neither 昼も夜もby day nor by night
knew I the　恵みblessing of 休息rest any more!
During the former the creature left me no moment alone;
and, in the latter,
I started,毎時間hourly, from dreams of　言語に絶するunutterable fear,
（結果）to find the hot breath of the thing upon my face,
and its どっしりしたvast weight -- an　化身incarnate 悪夢Night-Mare
that I had no power to払いのけるshake off -- のしかかるincumbent 永久にeternally upon my heart!

Beneath the pressure of 苦悩torments such as these,
the 微かなfeeble　残りremnant of good within me 屈した（無くなった）succumbed.
Evil thoughts became my sole 友intimates --
the darkest and most evil of thoughts.
The 不機嫌moodiness of my いつものusual temper
increased to 憎悪（にまでなった）hatred of all things and of all mankind;
while, from the sudden,frequent,
and 抑えきれないungovernable　発作outbursts of a fury
to which I now blindly　～に身を任せるabandoned myself,
my uncomplaining wife,
alas! was the （何時も決まって）most usual and the most patient of 受難者sufferers.

One day she 付いて来た accompanied me, upon some 家庭のhousehold 用事errand,
into the　地下室cellar of the old building which our 貧乏poverty 強いたcompelled us to 住むinhabit.
The cat followed me down the steep stairs,
and, nearly throwing me 真っ逆様にheadlong,
激怒させたexasperated me to madness.
振り上げてUplifting an　手斧axe, and forgetting, in my 　激怒wrath,
the 子供じみたchildish dread
which had これまでhitherto　抑制したstayed my hand,
I 狙ったaimed a blow at the animal
which, of course, would have proved 即座にinstantly 致命傷fatal
（仮）had it　打ち下ろされたdescended 思い通りにas I wished.

But this blow 阻まれたwas arrested by the hand of my wife.
刺激されて(Being)Goaded, by the 邪魔立てinterference, into a rage more than 悪魔的demoniacal,
I 振り離したwithdrew my arm from her grasp
and 埋めたburied the axe in her 脳天brain.
She fell dead その場でupon the spot, without a 呻きgroan.

This hideous murder accomplished, I set myself forthwith, and with entire deliberation, to the task of concealing the body. I knew that I could not remove it from the house, either by day or by night, without the risk of being observed by the neighbors. Many projects entered my mind. At one period I thought of cutting the corpse into minute fragments, and destroying them by fire. At another, I resolved to dig a grave for it in the floor of the cellar. Again, I deliberated about casting it in the well in the yard --about packing it in a box, as if merchandize, with the usual arrangements, and so getting a porter to take it from the house. Finally I hit upon what I considered a far better expedient than either of these. I determined to wall it up in the cellar --as the monks of the middle ages are recorded to have walled up their victims.

For a purpose such as this the cellar was well adapted. Its walls were loosely constructed, and had lately been plastered throughout with a rough plaster, which the dampness of the atmosphere had prevented from hardening. Moreover, in one of the walls was a projection, caused by a false chimney, or fireplace, that had been filled up, and made to resemble the rest of the cellar. I made no doubt that I could readily displace the at this point, insert the corpse, and wall the whole up as before, so that no eye could detect anything suspicious.

This 恐ろしいhideous murder　為れてしまうaccomplished,
I 仕事に取り掛かったset myself 直ちにforthwith,
and with entire 慎重にdeliberation, to the task of　隠すconcealing the body.
I knew that I could not remove it from the house,
either by day or by night,
without the risk of being observed by the nieghbors.

Many projects entered my mind.
ある時はAt one period
I thought of cutting the 死体coupse into 細かいminute　断片fragments, and destroying them by fire.
又、ある時はAt another,
I resolved to dig a 墓grave for it in the floor of the cellar.

さらに又ある時はAgain,
I 熟慮したdeliberated about 投げ込むcasting it in the 井戸well in the yard --
～とも考えたabout packing it in a box, as if 商品merchandise, with the usual 手配、準備arrangements,
and so　～して貰うgetting a 運送屋porter to take it from the house.
Finally I 思い付いたhit upon what I considered a far better 手段expedient
than either of these.
I determined to 壁に塗り込めるwall it up in the cellar ---
as the monks of the 　中世middle ages
記録されているare recoreded to have walled up their victims.

For a purpose such as this
the 地下室cellar was well adapted.
Its walls were 雑にloosely 作られてconstructed,
and had lately been plastered throughout with a 粗末なrough plaster,
which the dampness of the atmosphere had prevented from 固まる事hardening.
Moreover, in one of the walls was a 突出物projection,
caused by a 飾り煙突、贋のfalse chimney, or 暖炉fireplace,
that had been 塞がれてfilled up,
and made to 似せるresemble the rest of the cellar.

I made no doubt
that I could 直ちにreadily 取り除くdisplace the　煉瓦bricks at this point,
insert the　死体corpse,
and wall the whole up as before,
so that no eye could 見破るdetect anything suspicious.

5月21日更新

　And in this calculation I was not deceived. By means of a crow-bar I easily dislodged the bricks, and, having carefully deposited the body against the inner wall, I propped it in that position, while, with little trouble, I re-laid the whole structure as it originally stood. Having procured mortar, sand, and hair, with every possible precaution, I prepared a plaster could not every poss be distinguished from the old, and with this I very carefully went over the new brick-work. When I had finished, I felt satisfied that all was right. The wall did not present the slightest appearance of having been disturbed. The rubbish on the floor was picked up with the minutest care. I looked around triumphantly, and said to myself --"Here at least, then, my labor has not been in vain."

My next step was to look for the beast which had been the cause of so much wretchedness; for I had, at length, firmly resolved to put it to death. Had I been able to meet with it, at the moment, there could have been no doubt of its fate; but it appeared that the crafty animal had been alarmed at the violence of my previous anger, and forebore to present itself in my present mood. It is impossible to describe, or to imagine, the deep, the blissful sense of relief which the absence of the detested creature occasioned in my bosom. It did not make its appearance during the night --and thus for one night at least, since its introduction into the house, I soundly and tranquilly slept; aye, slept even with the burden of murder upon my soul !

And in this 目算calculation
I was not 欺かれdeceived.
By means of a 金梃crow-bar
I easily 取りのけたdislodged the bricks;
and, having carefully 置い（てから）deposited the body against the inner wall,
I ～を～の状態にしたpropped it in that position,
while, with little trouble,
I 積み直したre-laid the whole structure as it originally stood.

Having 手に入れてprocurd モルタルmortar, and sand, and 毛屑hair,
with every possible 用心precaution,
I prepared a plaster
which could not be distinguished from the old,
and with this
I very carefully　やり直したwent over the new 煉瓦工事brick-work.

When I had finished,
I felt satisfied that all was right.
The wall did not 外見を呈するpresent the slightest appearance
of having been 掻き乱されたdisturbed.
The 屑rubbish on the floor was picked up with the 細心のminutest care.
I looked around 勝ち誇ってtriumphantly,
and said to myself ---
"Here at last, then, my labor has not been in vain."

My next step was to look for the beast
which had been the cause of so much 惨めさwretchedness;
for I had,　遂にat length, firmly 決心したresolved to put it to death.
Had I been able to meet with it,
at the moment, there could have no doubt of its fate;
but it appeared that the 狡猾なcrafty animal had been alarmed
at the violence of my 以前のprevious anger,
and 差し控えたforebore to 姿を現わすpresent itself
in my 現在のpresent 気分mood.

It is impossible to describe, or to imagine, the deep, the 至福感blissful sense of 安堵relief
which the absence of the 憎いdetested creature もたらしたoccasioned in my　胸bosom.

It did not make its appearance during the night --
and thus for one night at least,
since its 導入introduction into the house,
I soundly and 心安らかにtranquilly slept;
aye,(yes) slept
even with the burden of murder upon my soul!

6月5日更新

The second and the third day passed, and still my tormentor came not. Once again I breathed as a free-man. The monster, in terror, had fled the premises forever! I should behold it no more! My happiness was supreme! The guilt of my dark deed disturbed me but little. Some few inquiries had been made, but these had been readily answered. Even a search had been instituted --but of course nothing was to be discovered. I looked upon my future felicity as secured.

Upon the fourth day of the assassination, a party of the police came, very unexpectedly, into the house, and proceeded again to make rigorous investigation of the premises. Secure, however, in the inscrutability of my place of concealment, I felt no embarrassment whatever. The officers bade me accompany them in their search. They left no nook or corner unexplored. At length, for the third or fourth time, they descended into the cellar. I quivered not in a muscle. My heart beat calmly as that of one who slumbers in innocence. I walked the cellar from end to end. I folded my arms upon my bosom, and roamed easily to and fro. The police were thoroughly satisfied and prepared to depart. The glee at my heart was too strong to be restrained. I burned to say if but one word, by way of triumph, and to render doubly sure their assurance of my guiltlessness.

The second and the third day passed, and still my 苦しめる物tormentor came not.
Once again I（生き返った）breathed as a freeman.
The monster, 恐怖のあまりin terror, had 逃げたfled the 屋敷premises forever!
I should behold it no more!
My happiness was supreme!
The 罪guilt of my dark deed disturbed me but(only) little.

Some few 尋問inquiries had been made,
but these had been 直ちにreadily answered.
Even a search had been　実施されたinstituted ---
but of course nothing was to be discovered.
I looked upon my future 幸福felicity as 確実secured.

Upon the 四日目fourth day of the 殺人assassination,
a party of police came, very 不意にunexpectedly, into the house,
and 取り掛かったproceeded again to make 厳重なrigorous　調査investigations of the 屋敷premises.
安心していたので、(Being)Secure, however,
in the 捜索不能inscrutability of my place of 隠蔽concealment,
I felt no 当惑embarrassment whatever. ←(not at all)
The officers 命じたbade me 付いて来るaccompany them in their search.
They left no 人目に付かぬ隅nook or corner unexplored.

At length, for the third or fourth time,
they descended into the cellar.
I 震え（なかった）quivered not in a muscle.
My heart beat calmly as that of one who 眠っているslumbers in 無邪気にinnocence.
I walked the cellar from end to end.
I folded my arms upon my bosom,
and 歩き回わったroamed easily to and fro.
The police were thoroughly satisfied and prepared to 出発するdepart.
The 歓喜glee at my heart was too strong to 抑えられるbe restrained.
I （言ってみたくてたまらなかった）burned to say
if たった一言でもbut one word, ～の為にby way of triumph,
and to～にするrender　二重にdoubly sure their assurance of my 無実guiltlessness.

6月17日更新

"Gentlemen," I said at last, as the party ascended the steps, "I delight to have allayed your suspicions. I wish you all health, and a little more courtesy. By the bye, gentlemen, this --this is a very well constructed house." (In the rabid desire to say something easily, I scarcely knew what I uttered at all.) --"I may say an excellently well constructed house. These walls --are you going, gentlemen? --these walls are solidly put together"; and here, through the mere phrenzy of bravado, I rapped heavily, with a cane which I held in my hand, upon that very portion of the brick-work behind which stood the corpse of the wife of my bosom.

But may God shield and deliver me from the fangs of the Arch-Fiend! No sooner had the reverberation of my blows sunk into silence than I was answered by a voice from within the tomb! --by a cry, at first muffled and broken, like the sobbing of a child, and then quickly swelling into one long, loud, and continuous scream, utterly anomalous and inhuman --a howl --a wailing shriek, half of horror and half of triumph, such as might have arisen only out of hell, conjointly from the throats of the damned in their agony and of the demons that exult in the damnation.

Of my own thoughts it is folly to speak. Swooning, I staggered to the opposite wall. For one instant the party upon the stairs remained motionless, through extremity of terror and of awe. In the next, a dozen stout arms were tolling at the wall. It fell bodily. The corpse, already greatly decayed and clotted with gore, stood erect before the eyes of the spectators. Upon its head, with red extended mouth and solitary eye of fire, sat the hideous beast whose craft had seduced me into murder, and whose informing voice had consigned me to the hangman. I had walled the monster up within the tomb!

-- THE END --

"Gentlemen," I said at last, as the party 登ったascended the steps,
"I delight to have 和らげるallayed your suspicions.
I wish you all health, and a little more 礼儀正しいcourtesy.
ときにBy the bye, gentlemen,
this --this is a very well 建てられたconstructed house."
(In the 気違いじみたrabid desire to say something easily,
I scarcely knew what I uttered at all.)
"I　こう言えるでしょうmay say an 素晴らしくexcellently well constructed house.
these walls --are you 帰るgo－ing, gentlemen? --
these walls are solidly put together;"
and here,
through the mere 熱狂phrenzy of　空威張りbravado,
I 叩いたrapped heavily, with a cane which I held in my hand,
upon that very portion of the brick-work
behind which stood the corpse of　最愛の妻the wife of my bosom.

But may God 保護するshield and　救い出すdeliver me
from the 毒牙fangs of the　大悪魔Arch-Fiend!
No sooner had the 反響reverberation of my blows sunk into silence,
than I was answered by a voice from within the tomb! --
by a cry,
at first　押し殺したようなmuffled and 断続的なbroken,
like the　啜り泣きsobbing of a child,
and then quickly 高まって行くswelling into one long, 甲高いloud,
and continuous scream, 全くutterly 異様なanomalous and inhuman --
a 長く尾を引く鳴き声howl --- a 慟哭wailing 悲鳴shriek,
half of horror and half of triumph,
such as might have arisen only out of hell,
結合したconjointly from the throats of　地獄に落ちた者共the damned in their agony
and of the demons that　狂喜するexult in 地獄へ落とす事the damnation.

～に就てはOf my own thoughts 語るも愚であるit is folly to speak.
気が遠くなってSwooning, I よろめいたstaggered to the opposite wall.
一瞬の間For one instant the party upon the stairs remained motionless,
through 極みextremity of terror and of　畏怖awe.
In the next, a dozen stout arms were （一生懸命働く）toiling at the wall.
It fell そっくり丸ごとbodily.
The corpse, already greatly 腐敗してdecayed and 塊の多いclotted with　凝固した血gore, stood 直立したerect
before the eyes of the　見物人spectators.
Upon its head, with red 開けられたextended mouth
and たった一つのsolitary eye of fire,
sat the hideous beast whose 狡猾さcraft had 唆して～させたseduced me into murder,
and whose 密告するinforming voice had 引き渡したconsigned me to the 絞首吏hangman.
I had 塗り込めてしまったwalled the monster up within the tomb!