少年维特的烦恼 英文版 The Sorrows of Young Werther
歌德 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
MARCH 15.
I have just had a sad adventure, which will drive me away fromhere. I lose all patience! -- Death! -- It is not to be remedied;and you alone are to blame, for you urged and impelled me to filla post for which I was by no means suited. I have now reason tobe satisfied, and so have you! But, that you may not again attributethis fatality to my impetuous temper, I send you, my dear sir, aplain and simple narration of the affair, as a mere chronicler offacts would describe it.
The Count of O-- likes and distinguishes me. It is well known,and I have mentioned this to you a hundred times. Yesterday Idined with him. It is the day on which the nobility are accustomedto assemble at his house in the evening. I never once thought ofthe assembly, nor that we subalterns did not belong to such society.Well, I dined with the count; and, after dinner, we adjourned tothe large hall. We walked up and down together: and I conversedwith him, and with Colonel B--, who joined us; and in this mannerthe hour for the assembly approached. God knows, I was thinkingof nothing, when who should enter but the honourable Lady accompaniedby her noble husband and their silly, scheming daughter, with hersmall waist and flat neck; and, with disdainful looks and a haughtyair they passed me by. As I heartily detest the whole race, Idetermined upon going away; and only waited till the count haddisengaged himself from their impertinent prattle, to take leave,when the agreeable Miss B-- came in. As I never meet her withoutexperiencing a heartfelt pleasure, I stayed and talked to her,leaning over the back of her chair, and did not perceive, tillafter some time, that she seemed a little confused, and ceased toanswer me with her usual ease of manner. I was struck with it."Heavens!" I said to myself, "can she, too, be like the rest?" Ifelt annoyed, and was about to withdraw; but I remained,notwithstanding, forming excuses for her conduct, fancying she didnot mean it, and still hoping to receive some friendly recognition.The rest of the company now arrived. There was the Baron F --, inan entire suit that dated from the coronation of Francis I.; theChancellor N--, with his deaf wife; the shabbily-dressed I--, whoseold-fashioned coat bore evidence of modern repairs: this crownedthe whole. I conversed with some of my acquaintances, but theyanswered me laconically. I was engaged in observing Miss B--, anddid not notice that the women were whispering at the end of theroom, that the murmur extended by degrees to the men, that MadameS-- addressed the count with much warmth (this was all related tome subsequently by Miss B--); till at length the count came up tome, and took me to the window. "You know our ridiculous customs,"he said. "I perceive the company is rather displeased at yourbeing here. I would not on any account--" "I beg your excellency'spardon!" I exclaimed. "I ought to have thought of this before,but I know you will forgive this little inattention. I was going,"I added, "some time ago, but my evil genius detained me." And Ismiled and bowed, to take my leave. He shook me by the hand, ina manner which expressed everything. I hastened at once from theillustrious assembly, sprang into a carriage, and drove to M--.I contemplated the setting sun from the top of the hill, and readthat beautiful passage in Homer, where Ulysses is entertained bythe hospitable herdsmen. This was indeed delightful.
I returned home to supper in the evening. But few persons wereassembled in the room. They had turned up a corner of the table-cloth,and were playing at dice. The good-natured A-- came in. He laiddown his hat when he saw me, approached me, and said in a low tone,"You have met with a disagreeable adventure." "I!" I exclaimed."The count obliged you to withdraw from the assembly!" "Deucetake the assembly!" said I. "I was very glad to be gone." "I amdelighted," he added, "that you take it so lightly. I am onlysorry that it is already so much spoken of." The circumstancethen began to pain me. I fancied that every one who sat down, andeven looked at me, was thinking of this incident; and my heartbecame embittered.
And now I could plunge a dagger into my bosom, when I hear myselfeverywhere pitied, and observe the triumph of my enemies, who saythat this is always the case with vain persons, whose heads areturned with conceit, who affect to despise forms and such petty,idle nonsense.
Say what you will of fortitude, but show me the man who can patientlyendure the laughter of fools, when they have obtained an advantageover him. 'Tis only when their nonsense is without foundationthat one can suffer it without complaint.