《少年维特的烦恼·第二部·1771 年 10 月至 1772 年 12 月》第44节
DECEMBER 4. I implore your attention. It is all over with me. I can support this state no longer. To-day I was sitting by Charlotte. She was playing upon her piano a succession of delightful melodies, with such intense expression! Her little sister was dressing her doll upon my lap. The tears came into my eyes. I leaned down, and looked intently at her wedding-ring: my tears fell—immediately she began to play that favourite, that divine, air which has so often enchanted me. I felt comfort from a recollection of the past, of those bygone days when that air was familiar to me; and then I recalled all the sorrows and the disappointments which I had since endured. I paced with hasty strides through the room, my heart became convulsed with painful emotions. At length I went up to her, and exclaimed With eagerness, "For Heaven's sake, play that air no longer!" She stopped, and looked steadfastly at me. She then said, with a smile which sunk deep into my heart, "Werther, you are ill: your dearest food is distasteful to you. But go, I entreat you, and endeavour to compose yourself." I tore myself away. God, thou seest my torments, and wilt end them!
注释摘要
这则书信是全书情绪攀上一个危险新高的时刻。维特劈头就说“我完了”，不再是此前那种虽然悲观但仍与朋友商议的语气，而是一种接近于宣判的口吻。他声称再也无法忍受这种状态，紧接着便记下了刚才在绿蒂身边发生的细节。 他在绿蒂身旁坐下，听她弹琴。她的妹妹坐在维特膝上给娃娃穿衣服——这是一幅表面上安宁、日常的家庭画面。但维特的视线落到了绿蒂的结婚戒指上。这个细节极要命：…