少年维特的烦恼 英文版 The Sorrows of Young Werther
歌德 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
DECEMBER 15.
What is the matter with me, dear Wilhelm? I am afraid of myself!Is not my love for her of the purest, most holy, and most brotherlynature? Has my soul ever been sullied by a single sensual desire?but I will make no protestations. And now, ye nightly visions,how truly have those mortals understood you, who ascribe yourvarious contradictory effects to some invincible power! This nightI tremble at the avowal -- I held her in my arms, locked in a closeembrace: I pressed her to my bosom, and covered with countlesskisses those dear lips which murmured in reply soft protestationsof love. My sight became confused by the delicious intoxicationof her eyes. Heavens! is it sinful to revel again in such happiness,to recall once more those rapturous moments with intense delight?Charlotte! Charlotte! I am lost! My senses are bewildered, myrecollection is confused, mine eyes are bathed in tears -- I amill; and yet I am well -- I wish for nothing -- I have no desires-- it were better I were gone.
Under the circumstances narrated above, a determination to quitthis world had now taken fixed possession of Werther's soul. SinceCharlotte's return, this thought had been the final object of allhis hopes and wishes; but he had resolved that such a step shouldnot be taken with precipitation, but with calmness and tranquillity,and with the most perfect deliberation.
His troubles and internal struggles may be understood from thefollowing fragment, which was found, without any date, amongsthis papers, and appears to have formed the beginning of a letterto Wilhelm.
"Her presence, her fate, her sympathy for me, have power still toextract tears from my withered brain.
"One lifts up the curtain, and passes to the other side, -- thatis all! And why all these doubts and delays? Because we know notwhat is behind -- because there is no returning -- and because ourmind infers that all is darkness and confusion, where we havenothing but uncertainty."
His appearance at length became quite altered by the effect ofhis melancholy thoughts; and his resolution was now finally andirrevocably taken, of which the following ambiguous letter, whichhe addressed to his friend, may appear to afford some proof.