《少年维特的烦恼·第二部·1771 年 10 月至 1772 年 12 月》第11节
MARCH 24. I have tendered my resignation to the court. I hope it will be accepted, and you will forgive me for not having previously consulted you. It is necessary I should leave this place. I know all you will urge me to stay, and therefore I beg you will soften this news to my mother. I am unable to do anything for myself: how, then, should I be competent to assist others? It will afflict her that I should have interrupted that career which would have made me first a privy councillor, and then minister, and that I should look behind me, in place of advancing. Argue as you will, combine all the reasons which should have induced me to remain, I am going: that is sufficient. But, that you may not be ignorant of my destination, I may mention that the Prince of —— is here. He is much pleased with my company; and, having heard of my intention to resign, he has invited me to his country house, to pass the spring months with him. I shall be left completely my own master; and, as we agree on all subjects but one, I shall try my fortune, and accompany him.
注释摘要
这封信写于三月二十四日，维特向威廉通报了一个决定：他已经向宫廷递交了辞呈。做出这个决定之前，他没有征求任何人的意见，甚至没有先写信给威廉商量——他知道这位朋友会劝阻他，所以干脆把结果直接摆出来。这封信的语气带着一种不耐烦的果断，几乎是在说：不必再讨论，事情就这么定了。可恰恰是这种急切地要切断讨论的姿态，流露出来的远不是决断之后的平静，而是一种饱受折磨之后的…