《少年维特的烦恼·第一部·1771 年 5 月至 9 月》第21节
"And when the last fatal malady seizes the being whose untimely grave you have prepared, when she lies languid and exhausted before you, her dim eyes raised to heaven, and the damp of death upon her pallid brow, there you stand at her bedside like a condemned criminal, with the bitter feeling that your whole fortune could not save her; and the agonising thought wrings you, that all your efforts are powerless to impart even a moment's strength to the departing soul, or quicken her with a transitory consolation." At these words the remembrance of a similar scene at which I had been once present fell with full force upon my heart. I buried my face in my handkerchief, and hastened from the room, and was only recalled to my recollection by Charlotte's voice, who reminded me that it was time to return home. With what tenderness she chid me on the way for the too eager interest I took in everything! She declared it would do me injury, and that I ought to spare myself. Yes, my angel! I will do so for your sake.
注释摘要
这一段紧接着七月一日晚间在牧师家餐桌上的谈话。维特刚刚就“坏脾气”发表了一番激烈的道德谴责，在他看来，一个人若用自己的阴郁与乖戾去侵蚀他人的快乐，无异于犯下一桩真正的罪。此刻他的语调骤然从论辩转为描绘，仿佛眼前真的出现了那个被折磨致死的女子——面容枯槁，目光涣散，前额沁出死亡的冷汗，而曾经用冷漠和怨毒消耗她生命的人，此刻只能像被定罪的囚犯一般站在床前，承受…