少年维特的烦恼 英文版 The Sorrows of Young Werther
歌德 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
JULY 30.
Albert is arrived, and I must take my departure. Were he the bestand noblest of men, and I in every respect his inferior, I couldnot endure to see him in possession of such a perfect being.Possession! -- enough, Wilhelm: her betrothed is here, -- a fine,worthy fellow, whom one cannot help liking. Fortunately I was notpresent at their meeting. It would have broken my heart! And heis so considerate: he has not given Charlotte one kiss in mypresence. Heaven reward him for it! I must love him for therespect with which he treats her. He shows a regard for me, butfor this I suspect I am more indebted to Charlotte than to his ownfancy for me. Women have a delicate tact in such matters, and itshould be so. They cannot always succeed in keeping two rivalson terms with each other; but, when they do, they are the onlygainers.
I cannot help esteeming Albert. The coolness of his temper contrastsstrongly with the impetuosity of mine, which I cannot conceal.He has a great deal of feeling, and is fully sensible of thetreasure he possesses in Charlotte. He is free from ill-humour,which you know is the fault I detest most.
He regards me as a man of sense; and my attachment to Charlotte,and the interest I take in all that concerns her, augment histriumph and his love. I shall not inquire whether he may not attimes tease her with some little jealousies; as I know, that, wereI in his place, I should not be entirely free from such sensations.
But, be that as it may, my pleasure with Charlotte is over. Callit folly or infatuation, what signifies a name? The thing speaksfor itself. Before Albert came, I knew all that I know now. Iknew I could make no pretensions to her, nor did I offer any, thatis, as far as it was possible, in the presence of so much loveliness,not to pant for its enjoyment. And now, behold me like a sillyfellow, staring with astonishment when another comes in, anddeprives me of my love.
I bite my lips, and feel infinite scorn for those who tell me tobe resigned, because there is no help for it. Let me escape fromthe yoke of such silly subterfuges! I ramble through the woods;and when I return to Charlotte, and find Albert sitting by herside in the summer-house in the garden, I am unable to bear it,behave like a fool, and commit a thousand extravagances. "ForHeaven's sake," said Charlotte today, "let us have no more sceneslike those of last night! You terrify me when you are so violent."Between ourselves, I am always away now when he visits her: and Ifeel delighted when I find her alone.