少年维特的烦恼 英文版 The Sorrows of Young Werther
歌德 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
DECEMBER 12.
Dear Wilhelm, I am reduced to the condition of those unfortunatewretches who believe they are pursued by an evil spirit. SometimesI am oppressed, not by apprehension or fear, but by an inexpressibleinternal sensation, which weighs upon my heart, and impedes mybreath! Then I wander forth at night, even in this tempestuousseason, and feel pleasure in surveying the dreadful scenes aroundme.
Yesterday evening I went forth. A rapid thaw had suddenly setin: I had been informed that the river had risen, that the brookshad all overflowed their banks, and that the whole vale of Walheimwas under water! Upon the stroke of twelve I hastened forth. Ibeheld a fearful sight. The foaming torrents rolled from themountains in the moonlight, -- fields and meadows, trees andhedges, were confounded together; and the entire valley wasconverted into a deep lake, which was agitated by the roaringwind! And when the moon shone forth, and tinged the black cloudswith silver, and the impetuous torrent at my feet foamed and resoundedwith awful and grand impetuosity, I was overcome by a mingled sensationof apprehension and delight. With extended arms I looked down intothe yawning abyss, and cried, "Plunge!'" For a moment my sensesforsook me, in the intense delight of ending my sorrows and mysufferings by a plunge into that gulf! And then I felt as if Iwere rooted to the earth, and incapable of seeking an end to mywoes! But my hour is not yet come: I feel it is not. O Wilhelm,how willingly could I abandon my existence to ride the whirlwind,or to embrace the torrent! and then might not rapture perchance bethe portion of this liberated soul?
I turned my sorrowful eyes toward a favourite spot, where I wasaccustomed to sit with Charlotte beneath a willow after a fatiguingwalk. Alas! it was covered with water, and with difficulty I foundeven the meadow. And the fields around the hunting-lodge, thoughtI. Has our dear bower been destroyed by this unpitying storm?And a beam of past happiness streamed upon me, as the mind of acaptive is illumined by dreams of flocks and herds and bygone joysof home! But I am free from blame. I have courage to die! PerhapsI have, -- but I still sit here, like a wretched pauper, who collectsfagots, and begs her bread from door to door, that she may prolongfor a few days a miserable existence which she is unwilling to resign.