決闘

解説

付記

決闘は紳士的な悪徳だ―― 私はそう思う。 できることなら、そう信じられている国に生まれ、 人生をそこで終えたかった。 恋敵を魚のように裂き、 夫を芋のように切り刻み、 借金取りを銃で撃ち倒すのが “紳士的”とされる国に。 私は望む―― 刺し殺し、撃ち殺し、そうして下劣な奴らを矯正したい。 彼らは今、目の前にいるかのようだ―― 楽隊を先頭に、旗を掲げ、 陽気に行進しながら、 私に挑みに来たかのように！ ―― ザンバ・Q・ダー

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Original

A formal ceremony preliminary to the reconciliation of two enemies. Great skill is necessary to its satisfactory observance; if awkwardly performed the most unexpected and deplorable consequences sometimes ensue. A long time ago a man lost his life in a duel.

Additional notes

That dueling's a gentlemanly vice I hold; and wish that it had been my lot To live my life out in some favored spot— Some country where it is considered nice To split a rival like a fish, or slice A husband like a spud, or with a shot Bring down a debtor doubled in a knot And ready to be put upon the ice. Some miscreants there are, whom I do long To shoot, to stab, or some such way reclaim The scurvy rogues to better lives and manners, I seem to see them now—a mighty throng. It looks as if to challenge me they came, Jauntily marching with brass bands and banners! Xamba Q. Dar