《少年维特的烦恼·编者致读者·维特已不能自己说话》第5节
The excess of his grief at this assurance may be inferred from a note we have found amongst his papers, and which was doubtless written upon this very occasion. "You cannot be saved, unfortunate man! I see clearly that we cannot be saved!" Werther was highly incensed at the observations which Albert had made to the judge in this matter of the prisoner. He thought he could detect therein a little bitterness toward himself personally; and although, upon reflection, it could not escape his sound judgment that their view of the matter was correct, he felt the greatest possible reluctance to make such an admission. A memorandum of Werther's upon this point, expressive of his general feelings toward Albert, has been found amongst his papers. "What is the use of my continually repeating that he is a good and estimable man? He is an inward torment to me, and I am incapable of being just toward him." One fine evening in winter, when the weather seemed inclined to thaw, Charlotte and Albert were returning home together. The former looked from time to time about her, as if she missed Werther's company. Albert began to speak of him, and censured him for his prejudices. He alluded to his unfortunate attachment, and wished it were possible to discontinue his acquaintance. "I desire it on our own account," he added; "and I request you will compel him to alter his deportment toward you, and to visit you less frequently. The world is censorious, and I know that here and there we are spoken of." Charlotte made no reply, and Albert seemed to feel her silence. At least, from that time he never again spoke of Werther; and, when she introduced the subject, he allowed the conversation to die away, or else he directed the discourse into another channel. The vain attempt Werther had made to save the unhappy murderer was the last feeble glimmering of a flame about to be extinguished. He sank almost immediately afterward into a state of gloom and inactivity, until he was at length brought to perfect distraction by learning that he was to be summoned as a witness against the prisoner, who asserted his complete innocence.
注释摘要
这是我们第一次听见一个不同于维特的声音。全书前四分之三都是维特自己写的信，而这一节属于“编者致读者”的部分——编者根据维特遗留的文稿、知情人的口述，把维特已经无法自己叙述的时日拼凑出来。这种转变本身就是书里最要紧的结构信号：维特已经无法为自己说话，我们读到的每一件事都经过了一个整理者、一个后来者的手。编者在这里既交代事实，也给出判断，但那个判断的口吻是克制…