《少年维特的烦恼·第一部·1771 年 5 月至 9 月》第36节
AUGUST 10. If I were not a fool, I could spend the happiest and most delightful life here. So many agreeable circumstances, and of a kind to ensure a worthy man's happiness, are seldom united. Alas! I feel it too sensibly,—the heart alone makes our happiness! To be admitted into this most charming family, to be loved by the father as a son, by the children as a father, and by Charlotte! then the noble Albert, who never disturbs my happiness by any appearance of ill-humour, receiving me with the heartiest affection, and loving me, next to Charlotte, better than all the world! Wilhelm, you would be delighted to hear us in our rambles, and conversations about Charlotte. Nothing in the world can be more absurd than our connection, and yet the thought of it often moves me to tears. He tells me sometimes of her excellent mother; how, upon her death-bed, she had committed her house and children to Charlotte, and had given Charlotte herself in charge to him; how, since that time, a new spirit had taken possession of her; how, in care and anxiety for their welfare, she became a real mother to them; how every moment of her time was devoted to some labour of love in their behalf,—and yet her mirth and cheerfulness had never forsaken her. I walk by his side, pluck flowers by the way, arrange them carefully into a nosegay, then fling them into the first stream I pass, and watch them as they float gently away. I forget whether I told you that Albert is to remain here. He has received a government appointment, with a very good salary; and I understand he is in high favour at court. I have met few persons so punctual and methodical in business.
注释摘要
这一节写于八月中旬，维特陷入了一种清醒的痛苦：他完全知道自己本可以幸福，却无法幸福。信的开头就是一句自白——如果我不是傻瓜，我本可以在这里过最幸福的生活。他一一列举自己所拥有的：被这个家庭接纳，被父亲当作儿子、被孩子们当作父亲，被夏绿蒂所爱，而阿尔贝特也待他诚挚友好，甚至称除了夏绿蒂之外最爱他。这些条件放在一起，本该构成一个正直的人所能期望的全部，但维特紧…