少年维特的烦恼-第9部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


one　had　died　from　old　age　，　should　have　wept　with　real　affliction。　But
there　is　some　fort　left，　such　a　thing　is　sentiment，　the　whole　village
murmurs　at　the　misfortune　；　and　I　hope　the　vicar's　wife　will　soon　find，
by　the　cessation　of　the　villagers'　presents　，　how　much　she　has　wounded
the　feelings　of　the　neighborhhood。　It　was　she　who　did　it，　the　wife　of
the　present　incumbent　（our　good　old　man　is　dead），　a　tall　，　sickly
creature　who　is　so　far　right　to　disregard　the　world　，　as　the　world　totally
disregards　her。　The　silly　being　affects　to　be　learned　，　pretends　to　examine
the　canonical　books　，　lends　her　aid　toward　the　new…fashioned　reformation
of　Christendom，　moral　and　critical　，　and　shrugs　up　her　shoulders　at
the　mention　of　Lavater's　enthusiasm。　Her　health　is　destroyed，　on　account
of　which　she　is　prevented　from　having　any　enjoyment　here　below。　Only　such
a　creature　could　have　cut　down　my　walnut　trees！　I　can　never　pardon　it。
Hear　her　reasons。　The　falling　leaves　made　the　court　wet　and　dirty　；　the
branches　obstructed　the　light　；　boys　threw　stones　at　the　nuts　when　they
were　ripe　，　and　the　noise　affected　her　nerves；　and　disturbed　her　profound
meditations　，　when　she　was　weighing　the　diffculties　of　Kennicot，　Semler，
and　Michaelis。　Finding　that　all　the　parish，　particularly　the　old　people，
were　displeased　，　I　asked　〃why　they　allowed　it　？〃　〃Ah　，　sir！〃　they
replied　，　〃when　the　steward　orders　，　what　can　we　poor　peasants　do　？
〃　But　one　thing　has　happened　well。　The　steward　and　the　vicar（who　，　for
once，　thought　to　reap　some　advantage　from　the　caprices　of　his　wife　）
intended　to　divide　the　trees　between　them。　The　revenue…office　，　being
informed　of　it，　revived　an　old　claim　to　the　ground　where　the　trees　had
stood　，　and　sold　them　to　the　best　bidder。　There　they　still　lie　on　the
ground。　If　I　were　the　sovereign　，　I　should　know　how　to　deal　with　them
all　，　vicar，　steward，　and　revenue…office。　Sovereign，　did　I　say？　I
should，　in　that　case　，　care　little　about　the　trees　that　grew　in　the
country。

　　OCTOBER　10。　Only　to　gaze　upon　her　dark　eyes　is　to　me　a　source　of　happiness！
And　what　grieves　me　，　is　，　that　Albert　does　not　seem　so　happy　as　he
——　hoped　to　be——　as　I　should　have　been——　if　——　I　am　no　friend
to　these　pauses　，　but　here　I　cannot　express　it　otherwise　；　and　probably
I　am　explicit　enough。

　　OCTOBER　12。　Ossian　has　superseded　Homer　in　my　heart。　To　what　a　world
does　the　illustrious　bard　carry　me！　To　wander　over　pathless　wilds，　surrounded
by　impetuous　whirlwinds　，　where，　by　the　feeble　light　of　the　moon，　we
see　the　spirits　of　our　ancestors；　to　hear　from　the　mountain…tops　，　mid
the　roar　of　torrents，　their　plaintive　sounds　issuing　from　deep　caverns，
and　the　sorrowful　lamentations　of　a　maiden　who　sighs　and　expires　on　the
mossy　tomb　of　the　warrior　by　whom　she　was　adored。　I　meet　this　bard　with
silver　hair　；　he　wanders　in　the　valley　；　he　seeks　the　footsteps　of　his
fathers　，　and，　alas　！　he　finds　only　their　tombs。　Then，　contemplating
the　pale　moon　，　as　she　sinks　beneath　the　waves　of　the　rolling　sea，　the
memory　of　bygone　days　strikes　the　mind　of　the　hero，　days　when　approaching
danger　invigorated　the　brave，　and　the　moon　shone　upon　his　bark　laden
with　spoils　，　and　returning　in　triumph。　When　I　read　in　his　countenance
deep　sorrow　，　when　I　see　his　dying　glory　sink　exhausted　into　the　grave，
as　he　inhales　new　and　heart…thrilling　delight　from　his　approaching　union
with　his　beloved，　and　he　casts　a　look　on　the　cold　earth　and　the　tall
grass　which　is　so　soon　to　cover　him　，　and　then　exclaims，　〃The　traveller
will　e　，——　he　will　e　who　has　seen　my　beauty，　and　he　will　ask，
'Where　is　the　bard，　where　is　the　illustrious　son　of　Fingal　？'　He　will
walk　over　my　tomb　，　and　will　seek　me　in　vain　！〃　Then，　O　my　friend，
I　could　instantly　，　like　a　true　and　noble　knight　，　draw　my　sword，　and
deliver　my　prince　from　the　long　and　painful　languor　of　a　living　death　，
and　dismiss　my　own　soul　to　follow　the　demigod　whom　my　hand　had　set　free！

　　OCTOBER　19。　Alas！　the　void　the　fearful　void，　which　I　feel　in　my
bosom　！　Sometimes　I　think，　if　I　could　only　once　but　once，　press　her
to　my　heart　，　this　dreadful　void　would　be　filled。

　　OCTOBER　26。　Yes　，　I　feel　certain　，　Wilhelm，　and　every　day　I　bee
more　certain，　that　the　existence　of　any　being　whatever　is　of　very　little
consequence。　A　friend　of　Charlotte's　called　to　see　her　just　now。　I　withdrew
into　a　neighbouring　apartment　，　and　took　up　a　book　；　but，　finding　I
could　not　read，　I　sat　down　to　write。　I　heard　them　converse　in　an　undertone
：　they　spoke　upon　indifferent　topics　，　and　retailed　the　news　of　the
town。　One　was　going　to　be　married　；　another　was　ill，　very　ill　，　she
had　a　dry　cough　，　her　face　was　growing　thinner　daily　，　and　she　had　occasional
fits。　〃N——　is　very　unwell　too　，〃　said　Charlotte。　〃His　limbs　begin　to
swell　already　，〃　answered　the　other；　and　my　lively　imagination　carried
me　at　once　to　the　beds　of　the　infirm。　There　I　see　them　struggling　against
death　，　with　all　the　agonies　of　pain　and　horror；　and　these　women，　Wilhelm，
talk　of　all　this　with　as　much　indifference　as　one　would　mention　the　death
of　a　stranger。　And　when　I　look　around　the　apartment　where　I　now　am——
when　I　see　Charlotte's　apparel　lying　before　me，　and　Albert's　writings，
and　all　those　articles　of　furniture　which　are　so　familiar　to　me　，　even
to　the　very　inkstand　which　I　am　using　，——　when　I　think　what　I　am　to
this　family　——　everything。　My　friends　esteem　me　；　I　often　contribute
to　their　happiness，　and　my　heart　seems　as　if　it　could　not　beat　without
them；　and　yet——　if　I　were　to　die　，　if　I　were　to　be　summoned　from　the
midst　of　this　circle，　would　they　feel——　or　how　long　would　they　feel
the　void　which　my　loss　would　make　in　their　existence？　How　long　！　Yes，
such　is　the　frailty　of　man，　that　even　there，　where　he　has　the　greatest
consciousness　of　his　own　being，　where　he　makes　the　strongest　and　most
forcible　impression　，　even　in　the　memory　，　in　the　heart　，　of　his　beloved，
there　also　he　must　perish　，——　vanish　，——　and　that　quickly。

　　OCTOBER　27。　I　could　tear　open　my　bosom　with　vexation　to　think　how
little　we　are　capable　of　influencing　the　feelings　of　each　other。　No　one
can　municate　to　me　those　sensations　of　love，　joy，　rapture，　and　delight
which　I　do　not　naturally　possess；　and，　though　my　heart　may　glow　with
the　most　lively　affection　，　I　cannot　make　the　happiness　of　one　in　whom
the　same　warmth　is　not　inherent。

　　OCTOBER　27：　Evening。　I　possess　so　much　，　but　my　love　for　her　absorbs
it　all。　I　possess　so　much　，　but　without　her　I　have　nothing。

　　OCTOBER　30。　One　hundred　times　have　I　been　on　the　point　of　embracing
her。　Heavens！　what　a　torment　it　is　to　see　so　much　loveliness　passing
and　repassing　before　us　，　and　yet　not　dare　to　lay　hold　of　it　！　And　laying
hold　is　the　most　natural　of　human　instincts。　Do　not　children　touch　everything
they　see？　And　I！

　　NOVEMBER　3。　Witness　，　Heaven　，　how　often　I　lie　down　in　my　bed　with
a　wish，　and　even　a　hope，　that　I　may　never　awaken　again。　And　in　the　morning，
when　I　open　my　eyes　，　I　behold　the　sun　once　more　，　and　am　wretched。
If　I　were　whimsical　，　I　might　blame　the　weather，　or　an　acquaintance　，
or　some　personal　disappointment　，　for　my　discontented　mind　；　and　then
this　insupportable　load　of　trouble　would　not　rest　entirely　upon　myself。
But　，　alas　！　I　feel　it　too　sadly。　I　am　alone　the　cause　of　my　own　woe，
am　I　not？　Truly，　my　own　bosom　contains　the　source　of　all　my　sorrow，
as　it　previously　contained　the　source　of　all　my　pleasure。　Am　I　not　the
same　being　who　once　enjoyed　an　excess　of　happiness，　who，　at　every　step，
saw　paradise　open　before　him，　and　whose　heart　was　ever　expanded　toward
the　whole　world　？　And　this　heart　is　now　dead　，　no　sentiment　can　revive
it；　my　eyes　are　dry；　and　my　senses，　no　more　refreshed　by　the　influence
of　soft　tears　，　wither　and　consume　my　brain。　I　suffer　much　，　for　I　have
lost　the　only　charm　of　life　：　that　active，　sacred　power　which　created
worlds　around　me，——　it　is　no　more。　When　I　look　from　my　window　at　the
distant　hills　，　and　behold　the　morning　sun　breaking　through　the　mists，
and　illuminating　the　country　around　，　which　is　still　wrapped　in　silence，
whilst　the　soft　stream　winds　gently　through　the　willows　，　which　have
shed　their　leaves　；　when　glorious　nature　displays　all　her　beauties　before
me，　and　her　wondrous　prospects　are　ineffectual　to　extract　one　tear　of
joy　from　my　withered　heart，　I　feel　that　in　such　a　moment　I　stand　like
a　reprobate　before　heaven　，　hardened　，　insensible　，　and　unmoved。　Oftentimes
do　I　then　bend　my　knee　to　the　earth　，　and　implore　God　for　the　blessing
of　tears，　as　the　desponding　labourer　in　some　scorching　climate　prays
for　the　dews　of　heaven　to　moisten　his　parched　corn。　But　I　feel　that　God
does　not　grant　sunshine　or　rain　to　our　importunate　entreaties。　And　oh　，
those　bygone　days　，　whose　memory　now　torments　me　！　why　were　they　so
fortunate　？　Because　I　then　waited　with　patience　for　the　blessings　of
the　Eternal　，　and　received　his　gifts　with　the　grateful　feelings　of　a
thankful　heart。

　　NOVEMBER　8。　Charlotte　has　reproved　me　for　my　excesses　，　with　so　much
tenderness　and　goodness　！　I　have　lately　been　in　the　habit　of　drinking
more　wine　than　heretofore。　〃Don't　do　it　，〃　she　said。　〃Think　of　Charlotte！
〃　〃Think　of　you　！〃　I　answered；　〃need　you　bid　me　do　so　？　Think　of　you
——　I　do　not　think　of　you：　you　are　ever　before　my　soul！　This　very　morning
I　sat　on　the　spot　where　，　a　few　days　ago　，　you　descended　from　the　carriage，
and　——〃　She　immediately　changed　the　subject　to　prevent　me　from　pursuing
it　farther。　My　dear　friend，　my　energies　are　all　prostrated　：　she　can
do　with　me　what　she　pleases。

　　NOVEMBER　15。　I　thank　you，　Wilhelm，　for　your　cordial　sympathy，　for
your　excellent　advice　；　and　I　implore　you　to　be　quiet。　Leave　me　to　my
sufferings。　In　spite　of　my　wretchedness　，　I　have　still　strength　enough
for　endurance。　I　revere　religion——　you　know　I　do。　I　feel　that　it　can
impart　strength　to　the　feeble　and　fort　to　the　afflicted，　but　does
it　affect　all　men　equally　？　Consider　this　vast　universe：　you　will　see
thousands　for　whom　it　has　never　existed　，　thousands　for　whom　it　will
never　exist　，　whether　it　be　preached　to　them　，　or　not　；　and　must　it，
then，　necessarily　exist　for　me　？　Does　not　the　Son　of　God　himself　say
that　they　are　his　whom　the　Father　has　given　to　him？　Have　I　been　given
to　him？　What　if　the　Father　will　retain　me　for　himself，　as　my　heart　sometimes
suggests？　I　pray　you　，　do　not　misinterpret　this。　Do　not　extract　derision
from　my　harmless　words。　I　pour　out　my　whole　soul　before　you。　Silence　were
otherwise　preferable　to　me，　but　I　need　not　shrink　from　a　subject　of　which
few　know　more　than　I　do　myself。　What　is　the　destiny　of　man，　but　to　fill
up　the　measure　of　his　sufferings，　and　to　drink　his　allotted　cup　of　bitterness？
And　if　that　same　cup　proved　bitter　to　the　God　of　heaven　，　under　a　human
form，　why　should　I　affect　a　foolish　pride，　and　call　it　sweet？　Why　should
I　be　ashamed　of　shrinking　at　that　fearful　moment，　when　my　whole　being
will　tremble　between　existence　and　annihilation　，　when　a　remembrance
of　the　past　，　like　a　flash　of　lightning，　will　illuminate　the　dark　gulf
of　futurity　，　when　everything　shall　dissolve　around　me　，　and　the　whole
world　vanish　away　？　Is　not　this　the　voice　of　a　creature　oppressed　beyond
all　resource，　self…deficient　，　about　to　plunge　into　inevitable　destruction，
and　groaning　deeply　at　its　inadequate　strength，　〃My　God！　my　God　！　why
hast　thou　forsaken　me　？〃　And　should　I　feel　ashamed　to　utter　the　same
expression？　Should　I　not　shudder　at　a　prospect　which　had　its　fears　，
even　for　him　who　folds　up　the　heavens　like　a　garment？

　　NOVEMBER　21。　She　does　not　feel，　she　does　not　know，　that　she　is　preparing
a　poison　which　will　destroy　us　both　；　and　I　drink　deeply　of　the　draught
which　is　to　prove　my　destruction。　What　mean　those　looks　of　kindness　with
which　she　often　——　often？　no　，　not　often，　but　sometimes，　regards
me，　that　placency　with　which　she　hears　the　involuntary　sentiments
which　frequently　escape　me，　and　the　tender　pity　for　my　sufferings　which
appears　in　her　countenance？

　　Yesterday　，　when　I　took　leave　she　seized　me　by　the　hand，　and　said，
〃Adieu，　dear　Werther。〃　Dear　Werther！　It　was　the　first　time　she　ever
called　me　dear：　the　sound　sunk　deep　into　my　heart。　I　have　repeated　it
a　hundred　times　；　and　last　night　，　on　going　to　bed，　and　talking　to
myself　of　various　things，　I　suddenly　said，　〃Good　night，　dear　Werther
！〃　and　then　could　not　but　laugh　at　myself。

　　NOVEMBER　22。　I　cannot　pray，　〃Leave　her　to　me　！〃　and　yet　she　often
seems　to　belong　to　me。　I　cannot　pray，　〃Give　her　to　me！〃　for　she　is　another's。
In　this　way　I　affect　mirth　over　my　troubles　；　and，　if　I　had　time，　I
could　pose　a　whole　litany　of　antitheses。

　　NOVEMBER　24。　She　is　sensible　of　my　sufferings。　This　morning　her　look
pierced　my　very　soul。　I　found　her　alone　，　and　she　was　silent　：　she　steadfastly
surveyed　me。　I　no　longer　saw　in　her　face　the　charms　of　beauty　or　the　fire
of　genius　：　these　had　disappeared。　But　I　was　affected　by　an　expression
much　more　touching，　a　look　of　the　deepest　sympathy　and　of　the　softest
pity。　Why　was　I　afraid　to　throw　myself　at　her　feet？　Why　did　I　not　dare
to　take　her　in　my　arms，　and　answer　her　by　a　thousand　kisses？　She　had
recourse　to　her　piano　for　relief，　and　in　a　low　and　sweet　voice　acpanied
the　music　with　delicious　sounds。　Her　lips　never　appeared　so　lovely：　they
seemed　but　just　to　open　，　that　they　might　imbibe　the　sweet　tones　which
issued　from　the　instrument，　and　return　the　heavenly　vibration　from　her
lovely　mouth。　Oh！　who　can　express　my　sensations？　I　was　quite　overe，
and　，　bending　down　，　pronounced　this　vow：　〃Beautiful　lips，　which　the
angels　guard，　never　will　I　seek　to　profane　your　purity　with　a　kiss。〃
And　yet　，　my　friend，　oh　，　I　wish　——　but　my　heart　is　darkened　by　doubt
and　indecision——　could　I　but　taste　felicity　，　and　then　die　to　expiate
the　sin　！　What　sin　？

　　NOVEMBER　26。　Oftentimes　I　say　to　myself　，　〃Thou　alone　art　wretched
：　all　other　mortals　are　happy，　none　are　distressed　like　thee！〃　Then
I　read　a　passage　in　an　ancient　poet　，　and　I　seem　to　understand　my　own
heart。　I　have　so　much　to　endure　！　Have　men　before　me　ever　been　so　wretched？

　　NOVEMBER　30。　I　shall　never　be　myself　again！　Wherever　I　go，　some
fatality　occurs　to　distract　me。　Even　to…day　alas——　for　our　destiny！
alas　for　human　nature　！

　　About　dinner…time　I　went　to　walk　by　the　river…side，　for　I　had　no
appetite。　Everything　around　seemed　gloomy　：　a　cold　and　damp　easterly
wind　blew　from　the　mountains，　and　black，　heavy　clouds　spread　over　the
plain。　I　observed　at　a　distance　a　man　in　a　tattered　coat：　he　was　wandering
among　the　rocks　，　and　seemed　to　be　looking　for　plants。　When　I　approached，
he　turned　round　at　the　noise；　and　I　saw　that　he　had　an　interesting　countenance
in　which　a　settled　melancholy　，　strongly　marked　by　benevolence　，　formed
the　principal　feature。　His　long　black　hair　was　divided，　and　flowed　over
his　shoulders。　As　his　garb　betokened　a　person　of　the　lower　order，　I　thought
he　would　not　take　it　ill　if　I　inquired　about　his　business　；　and　I　therefore
asked　what　he　was　seeking。　He　replied　，　with　a　deep　sigh　，　that　he　was
looking　for　flowers　，　and　could　find　none。　〃But　it　is　not　the　season　，
〃　I　observed，　with　a　smile。　〃Oh，　there　are　so　many　flowers！〃　he　answered，
as　he　came　nearer　to　me。　〃In　my　garden　there　are　roses　and　honeysuckles
of　two　sorts：　one　sort　was　given　to　me　by　my　father！　they　grow　as　plentifully
as　weeds；　I　have　been　looking　for　them　these　two　days，　and　cannot　find
them。　There　are　flowers　out　there　，　yellow　，　blue　，　and　red；　and　that
centaury　has　a　very　pretty　blossom：　but　I　can　find　none　of　them。〃　I　observed
his　peculiarity　，　and　therefore　asked　him，　with　an　air　of　indifference，
what　he　intended　to　do　with　his　flowers。　A　strange　smile　overspread　his
countenance。　Holding　his　finger　to　his　mouth，　he　expressed　a　hope　that
I　would　not　betray　him；　and　he　then　informed　me　that　he　had　promised
to　gather　a　nosegay　for　his　mistress。　〃That　is　right，〃　said　I。　〃Oh　！
〃　he　replied，　〃she　possesses　many　other　things　as　well　：　she　is　very
rich。〃　〃And　yet　，〃　I　continued　，　〃she　likes　your　nosegays。〃　〃Oh　，　she
has　jewels　and　crowns　！〃　he　exclaimed。　I　asked　who　she　was。　〃If　the　states…general
would　but　pay　me，〃　he　added，　〃I　should　be　quite　another　man。　Alas　！
there　was　a　time　when　I　was　so　happy；　but　that　is　past　，　and　I　am　now
——〃　He　raised　his　swimming　eyes　to　heaven。　〃And　you　were　happy　once　？
〃　I　observed。　〃Ah　，　would　I　were　so　still！〃　was　his　reply。　〃I　was　then
as　gay　and　contented　as　a　man　can　be。〃　An　old　woman　，　who　was　ing
toward　us　，　now　called　out　，　〃Henry　，　Henry！　where　are　you？　We　have
been　looking　for　you　everywhere　：　e　to　dinner。〃　〃Is　he　your　son　？
〃　I　inquired，　as　I　went　toward　her。　〃Yes　，〃　she　said：　〃he　is　my　poor，
unfortunate　son。　The　Lord　has　sent　me　a　heavy　affliction。〃　I　asked　whether
he　had　been　long　in　this　state。　She　answered，　〃He　has　been　as　calm　as
he　is　at　present　for　about　six　months。　I　thank　Heaven　that　he　has　so　far
recovered　：　he　was　for　one　whole　year　quite　raving　，　and　chained　down
in　a　madhouse。　Now　he　injures　no　one，　but　talks　of　nothing　else　than
kings　and　queens。　He　used　to　be　a　very　good　，　quiet　youth，　and　helped
to　maintain　me；　he　wrote　a　very　fine　hand；　but　all　at　once　he　became
melancholy，　was　seized　with　a　violent　fever，　grew　distracted，　and　is
now　as　you　see。　If　I　were　only　to　tell　you，　sir——〃　I　interrupted　her
by　asking　what　period　it　was　in　which　he　boasted　of　having　been　so　happy。
〃Poor　boy　！〃　she　exclaimed　，　with　a　smile　of　cormpassion，　〃he　means
the　time　when　he　was　pletely　deranged，　a　time　he　never　ceases　to　regret，
when　he　was　in　the　madhouse　，　and　unconscious　of　everything。〃　I　was　thunderstruck
：　I　placed　a　piece　of　money　in　her　hand，　and　hastened　away。

　　〃You　were　happy　！〃　I　exclaimed　，　as　I　returned　quickly　to　the　town，
〃'as　gay　and　contented　as　a　man　can　be！'〃　God　of　heaven！　and　is　this
the　destiny　of　man？　Is　he　only　happy　before　he　has　acquired　his　reason，
or　after　he　has　lost　it　？　Unfortunate　being！　And　yet　I　envy　your　fate
：　I　envy　the　delusion　to　which　you　are　a　victim。　You　go　forth　with　joy
to　gather　flowers　for　your　princess　，——　in　winter，——　and　grieve
when　you　can　find　none，　and　cannot　understand　why　they　do　not　grow。　But
I　wander　forth　without　joy，　without　hope　，　without　design　；　and　I　return
as　I　came。　You　fancy　what　a　man　you　would　be　if　the　states　general　paid
you。　Happy　mortal　，　who　can　ascribe　your　wretchedness　to　an　earthly　cause！
You　do　not　know　，　you　do　not　feel，　that　in　your　own　distracted　heart
and　disordered　brain　dwells　the　source　of　that　unhappiness　which　all　the
potentates　on　earth　cannot　relieve。

　　Let　that　man　die　unconsoled　who　can　deride　the　invalid　for　undertaking
a　journey　to　distant，　healthful　springs，　where　he　often　finds　only　a
heavier　disease　and　a　more　painful　death，　or　who　can　exult　over　the　despairing
mind　of