少年维特之烦恼 (外研社双语读库)(txt+pdf+epub+mobi电子书下载)

作者：Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 歌德

出版社：外语教学与研究出版社

格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT

少年维特之烦恼 (外研社双语读库)试读：

BOOK I

第一部

MAY 4.

5月4日

How happy I am that I am gone! My dear friend, what a thing is the heart of man! To leave you, from whom I have been inseparable, whom I love so dearly, and yet to feel happy! I know you will forgive me. Have not other attachments been specially appointed by fate to torment a head like mine? Poor Leonora! and yet I was not to blame. Was it my fault, that, whilst the peculiar charms of her sister afforded me an agreeable entertainment, a passion for me was engendered in her feeble heart? And yet am I wholly blameless? Did I not encourage her emotions? Did I not feel charmed at those truly genuine expressions of nature, which, though but little mirthful in reality, so often amused us? Did I not—but oh! what is man, that he dares so to accuse himself? My dear friend I promise you I will improve; I will no longer, as has ever been my habit, continue to ruminate on every petty vexation which fortune may dispense; I will enjoy the present, and the past shall be for me the past. No doubt you are right, my best of friends, there would be far less suffering amongst mankind, if men—and God knows why they are so fashioned—did not employ their imaginations so assiduously in recalling the memory of past sorrow, instead of bearing their present lot with equanimity. Be kind enough to inform my mother that I shall attend to her business to the best of my ability, and shall give her the earliest information about it. I have seen my aunt, and find that she is very far from being the disagreeable person our friends allege her to be. She is a lively, cheerful woman, with the best of hearts. I explained to her my mother's wrongs with regard to that part of her portion which has been withheld from her. She told me the motives and reasons of her own conduct, and the terms on which she is willing to give up the whole, and to do more than we have asked. In short, I cannot write further upon this subject at present; only assure my mother that all will go on well. And I have again observed, my dear friend, in this trifling affair, that misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than even malice and wickedness. At all events, the two latter are of less frequent occurrence.

我终于走了，心里真高兴！亲爱的朋友，人心真是太奇怪了！离开了你，离开了与我朝夕相伴、如此深爱的你，我竟会这般高兴！我知道你会原谅我的。命运偏偏安排我陷入一些情感纠葛中，不正是来扰乱我的心志吗？可怜的莱奥诺蕾！可是这也不能怪我啊。她妹妹非凡的魅力使我赏心悦目，而她那脆弱的心却对我萌生爱意，这难道是我的错吗？可是，我就一点儿错也没有吗？难道我就不曾助长她的感情吗？她自然流露的真情虽然并没那么好笑，不也常常给我们带来欢乐吗？难道我不是常常被这种真情所迷住吗？难道我不曾——可是，唉！人啊，自己抱怨一阵又有何用呢？亲爱的朋友，我向你保证，我一定会改正，我绝不会再像以前那样，把命运加给我们的那点儿烦恼反复咀嚼回味；我会享受现在，过去的事情就让它过去吧。诚如你所言，我的挚友，人要是不那么执着地追忆往昔的不幸—上帝才知道人为什么这样——而是更多地考虑如何对眼前的处境泰然处之，那么人世间的痛苦就会少得多。请转告我的母亲，我会尽全力料理好她交代的事情，并会尽早把消息告诉她。我已见过婶婶，觉得她根本就不像朋友们所说的那样令人厌恶。她活泼好动、欢快愉悦而又心地善良。我告诉她，母亲对她扣着那份遗产不分颇有意见。她对我说明了这样做的动机和理由，以及她愿意放弃全部遗产的条件，这比我们原本要求的还要多。简言之，我现在不能详细地说这件事，只是想告诉母亲，一切都会好起来的。亲爱的朋友，在这件小事上，我又发现，人世间的误解和怠慢所造成的伤害甚至要比奸诈和恶意带来的伤害更大。不管怎样，奸诈和恶意要更少见一些。

In other respects I am very well off here. Solitude in this terrestrial paradise is a genial balm to my mind, and the young spring cheers with its bounteous promises my oftentimes misgiving heart. Every tree, every bush, is full of flowers; and one might wish himself transformed into a butterfly, to float about in this ocean of perfume, and find his whole existence in it.

此外，我在这里过得很愉快。在这人间天堂般的地方，孤寂是医治我心灵的一剂良药，而这韶华时节正以它明媚的春光温暖着我时刻不安的心。每一棵树，每一丛灌木都花团锦簇，我多想化身为一只蝴蝶，遨游在这芬芳馥郁的花海中，与这花海融为一体。

The town itself is disagreeable; but then, all around, you find an inexpressible beauty of nature. This induced the late Count M to lay out a garden on one of the sloping hills which here intersect each other with the most charming variety, and form the most lovely valleys. The garden is simple; and it is easy to perceive, even upon your first entrance, that the plan was not designed by a scientific gardener, but by a man who wished to give himself up here to the enjoyment of his own sensitive heart. Many a tear have I already shed to the memory of its departed master in a summer-house which is now reduced to ruins, but was his favourite resort, and now is mine. I shall soon be master of the place. The gardener has become attached to me within the last few days, and he will lose nothing thereby.

小城本身并不宜人，但周围的自然风光却有种说不出的美。座座山丘千姿百态，纵横交错，形成了一个个秀丽的山谷。这美景令已故的M伯爵为之心动，便在其中的一座小丘上建了一座花园。花园朴实无华，你一进门就会感觉到，它并非出自某位专业园艺学家之手，而是由一个敏感细腻的人所设计，他渴望在此独享那份幽静与寂寞。我在那已破败的凉亭中曾为已故的主人洒下过不少泪水，那座浓阴遮蔽的凉亭曾是他的心爱之所，现在已成了我流连忘返的地方。不久我便会成为这座花园的主人。才几天的功夫，园丁就已对我颇有好感，而他也会因此得到好处。

MAY 10.

5月10日

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me:when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could O my friend—but it is too much for my strength—I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions!

一种奇妙的静谧充溢着我的整个灵魂，就如同我全身心享受着的那些甜美的春日的清晨。我孑然一身，在这专为像我那样的人所创造的地方感受着生活的无穷魅力。我真幸福啊，我亲爱的朋友，沉醉在这怡人的静谧之中，连自己的艺术才能也忽略了。现在我无法作画，一笔也画不了，但我觉得，与以往相比，现在自己是个更伟大的艺术家。每当这可爱的山谷里的雾气在我身边蒸腾，正午的太阳高悬在茂密的树林上空，只有几束阳光悄悄地射进林阴深处，这时我便会躺倒在潺潺流淌的溪边那茂密的野草中；我紧贴着地面，观赏着千百种叫不上名字的植株：我听着草丛中这个小小世界里的嗡嗡声，慢慢地熟悉那些数不尽的、形形色色的虫蛾。这时我便会感受到用自己的形象创造了人类全能的上帝的存在，感受到上帝无处不在的爱；这爱支撑着我们，将我们带进永恒的幸福之中。我的朋友，当我眼前暮色弥漫，天地仿佛我的爱人一般，憩息在我的灵魂深处，汲取着它的力量。我常常渴望着，哦，我的朋友——可这是我力所不及的事情——在这些恢宏壮丽的景象的神威之下，我定会命断魂消的！

MAY 12.

5月12日

I know not whether some deceitful spirits haunt this spot, or whether it be the warm, celestial fancy in my own heart which makes everything around me seem like paradise.

真不知是附近有蛊惑的精灵出没于此呢，还是因为心中热烈美妙的奇思异想把我周围的一切都变得如天堂般美好。

In front of the house is a fountain,—a fountain to which I am bound by a charm like Melusina and her sisters. Descending a gentle slope, you come to an arch, where, some twenty steps lower down, water of the clearest crystal gushes from the marble rock. The narrow wall which encloses it above, the tall trees which encircle the spot, and the coolness of the place itself,—everything imparts a pleasant but sublime impression. Not a day passes on which I do not spend an hour there. The young maidens come from the town to fetch water,—innocent and necessary employment, and formerly the occupation of the daughters of kings. As I take my rest there, the idea of the old patriarchal life is awakened around me. I see them, our old ancestors, how they formed their friendships and contracted alliances at the fountain-side; and I feel how fountains and streams were guarded by beneficent spirits. He who is a stranger to these sensations has never really enjoyed cool repose at the side of a fountain after the fatigue of a weary summer day.

屋前有一个泉眼，我就像美人鱼梅露西娜和她的姐妹们一样对这个泉眼着了迷。走下一段缓坡，来到一座拱门前，再往下走二十级台阶，便能看见一股至清的泉水从大理石岩缝中喷涌而出。绕泉而砌的矮墙，周围浓郁的高大树木，以及此地原本的阴凉冷清——这一切既令人心旷神怡，又令人叹为观止。每天我都去那儿呆一个小时，天天如此。城里年轻的姑娘们都来这儿打水，这是种普通而必需的家务活，以前就连国王的女儿也要干这种活儿。每当我坐在那儿小憩，古代宗法社会的画面便会浮现在我的眼前。我们的祖先们在泉边结识、联姻，仁慈善良的精灵们守护在清泉和溪流边。令人疲倦的酷暑过后，如果没能在这清凉的泉边小憩一下，便无法与我产生这种共鸣。

MAY 13.

5月13日

You ask if you shall send me books. My dear friend, I beseech you, for the love of God, relieve me from such a yoke! I need no more to be guided, agitated, heated. My heart ferments sufficiently of itself. I want strains to lull me, and I find them to perfection in my Homer. Often do I strive to allay the burning fever of my blood; and you have never witnessed anything so unsteady, so uncertain, as my heart. But need I confess this to you, my dear friend, who have so often endured the anguish of witnessing my sudden transitions from sorrow to immoderate joy, and from sweet melancholy to violent passions? I treat my poor heart like a sick child, and gratify its every fancy. Do not mention this again: there are people who would censure me for it.

你问我是否需要寄书来。我亲爱的朋友，我恳求你看在上帝的份上，千万不要拿这些东西来烦扰我！我已经不再需要什么指导、鼓舞或是激励了。我的心已经很不平静了。我需要诗歌使我安静下来，而且我已在荷马史诗中找到了它们。我常常低声吟诵那些诗歌，试图让我那沸腾的热血冷静下来，因为像我这般变幻莫测、捉摸不定的心，你还从未见过呢。我亲爱的朋友，你看着我从苦闷变为放纵，由甜蜜的忧伤转为澎湃的激情，你忍受着多大的痛苦啊，这还用我向你忏悔吗？我把我那颗可怜的心当成了一个生病的孩子，任其随心所欲。不要跟别人谈起此事了，否则准会有人责怪我的。

MAY 15.

5月15日

The common people of the place know me already, and love me, particularly the children. When at first I associated with them, and inquired in a friendly tone about their various trifles, some fancied that I wished to ridicule them, and turned from me in exceeding ill-humour. I did not allow that circumstance to grieve me: I only felt most keenly what I have often before observed. Persons who can claim a certain rank keep themselves coldly aloof from the common people, as though they feared to lose their importance by the contact; whilst wanton idlers, and such as are prone to bad joking, affect to descend to their level, only to make the poor people feel their impertinence all the more keenly.

当地的老百姓都已经认识我了，并且很喜欢我，尤其是孩子们。记得刚开始接触他们的时候，我友好地向他们问这问那，有些人却以为我是要取笑他们，便极为粗暴地打发我离开。我并未因此事而苦恼，只是对自己以前见过的事有了极其生动的体会。某些稍有地位的人对老百姓总是冷漠地采取疏远的态度，似乎觉得跟百姓接触会有失身份；还有些游手好闲的浅薄之辈，则总摆出一副屈尊降贵的姿态，反而让人觉得更傲慢无礼、俗不可耐。

I know very well that we are not all equal, nor can be so; but it is my opinion that he who avoids the common people, in order not to lose their respect, is as much to blame as a coward who hides himself from his enemy because he fears defeat.

我知道，人与人并不平等，也不可能平等，但我认为，那些为了不失尊严而疏远老百姓的人，同那些怕吃败仗，见了敌人就躲起来的胆小鬼一样，都该受到谴责。

The other day I went to the fountain, and found a young servant-girl, who had set her pitcher on the lowest step, and looked around to see if one of her companions was approaching to place it on her head. I ran down, and looked at her. "Shall I help you, pretty lass?" said I. She blushed deeply. "Oh, sir!" she exclaimed. "No ceremony!" I replied. She adjusted her head-gear, and I helped her. She thanked me, and ascended the steps.

不久前我去泉边，看到一位年轻的女仆把水翁搁在最下面的一级台阶上，正东瞅西望着，看有没有女伴来帮她把水翁放到头顶上去。我走下台阶，望着她。“要我帮你吗，姑娘？”我说。她脸涨得通红。“噢，不了，先生！”她说。“别客气！”我回应道。她摆正头上的垫环，我帮她放好水瓮。她谢过我便拾级而上离开了。

MAY 17.

5月17日

I have made all sorts of acquaintances, but have as yet found no society. I know not what attraction I possess for the people, so many of them like me, and attach themselves to me; and then I feel sorry when the road we pursue together goes only a short distance. If you inquire what the people are like here, I must answer, "The same as everywhere."The human race is but a monotonous affair. Most of them labour the greater part of their time for mere subsistence; and the scanty portion of freedom which remains to them so troubles them that they use every exertion to get rid of it. Oh, the destiny of man!

我已经结识了形形色色的人，可是至今仍未找到知己。我不知道自己究竟有什么吸引人的地方，那么多人喜欢我，依恋我，可是我们只能同行一小段路，这令我伤感。你要是问我这儿的人怎么样，我会告诉你：“和各地的人一样。”人都是一个模子刻出来的。多数人为了生计，大半生忙忙碌碌，剩下的那一点儿闲暇时光却令他们犯了愁，千方百计地想要消磨掉。哎，这就是人的命运啊！

But they are a right good sort of people. If I occasionally forget myself, and take part in the innocent pleasures which are not yet forbidden to the peasantry, and enjoy myself, for instance, with genuine freedom and sincerity, round a well-covered table, or arrange an excursion or a dance opportunely, and so forth, all this produces a good effect upon my disposition; only I must forget that there lie dormant within me so many other qualities which moulder uselessly, and which I am obliged to keep carefully concealed. Ah! this thought affects my spirits fearfully. And yet to be misunderstood is the fate of the like of us.

不过，他们都是好人。我有时会忘记自己，同他们共享人间尚存的欢乐：或围坐在布置精美的桌前坦诚畅叙，纵情谈笑，或适时安排郊游，组织舞会等等，这一切都对我的性情颇有裨益；只是我没有想到，我身上还潜伏着种种能量未能发挥，这些潜能正日渐衰退，因此我不得不小心地将它们掩藏起来。唉！这种想法深深地揪紧了我的心。然而，被人误解正是我们这类人的命运。

Alas, that the friend of my youth is gone! Alas, that I ever knew her! I might say to myself, "You are a dreamer to seek what is not to be found here below."But she has been mine. I have possessed that heart, that noble soul, in whose presence I seemed to be more than I really was, because I was all that I could be. Good heavens! did then a single power of my soul remain unexercised? In her presence could I not display, to its full extent, that mysterious feeling with which my heart embraces nature? Was not our intercourse a perpetual web of the finest emotions, of the keenest wit, the varieties of which, even in their very eccentricity, bore the stamp of genius? Alas! the few years by which she was my senior brought her to the grave before me. Never can I forget her firm mind or her heavenly patience.

唉，我年轻时代的女友已经去世了！唉，我曾与她相识！我真想说：“你真是个傻瓜，你在寻找人世间无法找到的东西。”但是，我曾拥有过她。我曾拥有过那颗心，那个伟大的灵魂，有她在，我自己似乎也得到了提升，因为我达到了我能达到的最高境界。仁慈的上帝！难道那时我灵魂中还有一丝精力未曾使用？难道在她面前我不能尽情抒发我用以拥抱大自然的奇妙情感吗？我们的交往中难道不是无时无刻都交织着种种最纤细的情感、最敏锐的智慧，甚至还有种种妙趣横生的戏谑吗？这一切不全都打上了天才的烙印吗？唉！她长我的几年岁月竟将她先于我带进了坟墓。我永远不会忘记她那坚定的意志和非凡的耐性。

A few days ago I met a certain young V—, a frank, open fellow, with a most pleasing countenance. He has just left the university, does not deem himself overwise, but believes he knows more than other people. He has worked hard, as I can perceive from many circumstances, and, in short, possesses a large stock of information. When he heard that I am drawing a good deal, and that I know Greek (two wonderful things for this part of the country), he came to see me, and displayed his whole store of learning, from Batteaux to Wood, from De Piles to Winkelmann: he assured me he had read through the first part of Sultzer's theory, and also possessed a manuscript of Heyne's work on the study of the antique. I allowed it all to pass.

几天前，我遇见一位年轻人V—。他为人坦率，模样也挺讨人喜欢。他大学刚毕业，虽然他并不认为自己聪明绝顶，但总以为比别人知道得多。我从各个方面都能感觉得到他很勤奋。总之，他学识比较渊博。当他听说我会画画，又懂希腊文时（这两件事在这里可谓奇事）便来看我，把自己的学问一股脑儿都掏了出来。从巴托谈到伍德，又从德皮勒说到温克尔曼，并对我说，他已读完苏尔策理论的第一部分，并收藏有一部海涅研究古希腊文化的手稿呢。我没搭理他，任他自吹自擂。

I have become acquainted, also, with a very worthy person, the district judge, a frank and open-hearted man. I am told it is a most delightful thing to see him in the midst of his children, of whom he has nine. His eldest daughter especially is highly spoken of. He has invited me to go and see him, and I intend to do so on the first opportunity. He lives at one of the royal hunting-lodges, which can be reached from here in an hour and a half by walking, and which he obtained leave to inhabit after the loss of his wife, as it is so painful to him to reside in town and at the court.

我还结识了一位知名人士，一位地方法官。他是一个坦率正直之人。据说，谁要是看到他和他的九个孩子呆在一起，都会打心眼儿里感到高兴。人们尤其对他的长女赞不绝口。他已经邀请我到他家去，我也想着近期去拜访他。他住在侯爵的一座猎庄里，离此地一个半小时的路程；他是在夫人过世后获准迁居那儿的，因为再继续呆在城里和法院里只会让他徒增伤感。

There have also come in my way a few other originals of a questionable sort, who are in all respects undesirable, and most intolerable in their demonstration of friendship. Good-bye. This letter will please you: it is quite historical.

我也遇到过一些怪里怪气的人，他们举手投足都令人厌恶，见你的那股子亲热劲儿尤其让人无法忍受。再见吧。这封信你一定会喜欢：这写的可都是事实啊。

MAY 22.

5月22日

That the life of man is but a dream, many a man has surmised heretofore; and I, too, am everywhere pursued by this feeling. When I consider the narrow limits within which our active and inquiring faculties are confined; when I see how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere necessities, which again have no further end than to prolong a wretched existence; and then that all our satisfaction concerning certain subjects of investigation ends in nothing better than a passive resignation, whilst we amuse ourselves painting our prison-walls with bright figures and brilliant landscapes,—when I consider all this, Wilhelm, I am silent. I examine my own being, and find there a world, but a world rather of imagination and dim desires, than of distinctness and living power. Then everything swims before my senses, and I smile and dream while pursuing my way through the world.

人生如梦，很多人早已有过这种感受，而我也深有此感。想到我们的行动力和求知的能力被束缚，为了求得生存，我们耗尽精力，不过是为了延长我们苦痛的人生；而且，我们从对某些事物的探索中得到的安慰最终也不过变成一种消极的顺从；我们身陷牢笼之中，靠在墙上画些绚烂多姿的景物自娱自乐——每当我想到这一切，威廉啊，我就会沉默无语。我审视自己，我发现了一个世界，这个世界里充斥着虚幻的想象和朦胧的热望，却没有鲜活的力量。所有的一切都在我面前游荡着；我微笑着，憧憬着，在这个世界里继续前行。

All learned professors and doctors are agreed that children do not comprehend the cause of their desires; but that the grown-up should wander about this earth like children, without knowing whence they come, or whither they go, influenced as little by fixed motives, but guided like them by biscuits, sugar-plums, and the rod,—this is what nobody is willing to acknowledge; and yet I think it is palpable.

博学多才的教授和医生们一致认为，小孩子并不知道自己欲望背后隐藏的动机是什么；而成年人也应该像小孩子那样，不知道自己从何处来，又要往何处去，尽可能地不受某些动机的驱使，而像受饼干、梅子糖和棍棒支配那样地生活——这一点虽无人愿意承认，但在我看来却是显而易见的。

I know what you will say in reply; for I am ready to admit that they are happiest, who, like children, amuse themselves with their playthings, dress and undress their dolls, and attentively watch the cupboard, where mamma has locked up her sweet things, and, when at last they get a delicious morsel, eat it greedily, and exclaim, "More!"These are certainly happy beings; but others also are objects of envy, who dignify their paltry employments, and sometimes even their passions, with pompous titles, representing them to mankind as gigantic achievements performed for their welfare and glory. But the man who humbly acknowledges the vanity of all this, who observes with what pleasure the thriving citizen converts his little garden into a paradise, and how patiently even the poor man pursues his weary way under his burden, and how all wish equally to behold the light of the sun a little longer,—yes, such a man is at peace, and creates his own world within himself; and he is also happy, because he is a man. And then, however limited his sphere, he still preserves in his bosom the sweet feeling of liberty, and knows that he can quit his prison whenever he likes.

我知道你会如何答复，我承认，像孩子一样过活的人是最幸福的；他们愉快地玩自己的玩具，摆弄自己的娃娃，目不转睛地盯着妈妈藏甜点的碗柜，等到终于如愿以偿，能尝上一口，便会贪婪地大吃起来，边吃边嚷着：“我还要！”这些人真幸福啊；还有一些人也令人羡慕，他们把自己微不足道的事情，甚至自己的嗜好，都贴上了华而不实的标签，还声称这是为人类的幸福安宁作出了巨大贡献。可是，也有人谦恭地认清了这一切的虚无浮华，看到殷实的市民将他的小花园拾掇成伊甸园所获得的是怎样的愉悦，看到穷人是如何不屈不挠地、甘负重荷疲倦地走着自己的路，看到所有人都是怎样企盼着能多抓住一缕阳光——是的，这样的人内心是平静的，他在心里创造了一个属于自己的世界，他也是幸福的，因为他生而为人。所以，无论受到怎样的束缚，他始终都会满怀着美好的自由感；他知道，只要他愿意，他随时都可以离开这个牢笼。

MAY 26.

5月26日

You know of old my ways of settling anywhere, of selecting a little cottage in some cosy spot, and of putting up in it with every inconvenience. Here, too, I have discovered such a snug, comfortable place, which possesses peculiar charms for me.

你知道我的脾性，爱找一个安逸舒适的角落盖座小屋栖居，不管那儿的条件有多不便。我在这里又发现了一个非常吸引我的暖和又舒适的好去处。

About a league from the town is a place called Walheim. (The reader need not take the trouble to look for the place thus designated. We have found it necessary to change the names given in the original.)It is delightfully situated on the side of a hill; and, by proceeding along one of the footpaths which lead out of the village, you can have a view of the whole valley. A good old woman lives there, who keeps a small inn. She sells wine, beer, and coffee, and is cheerful and pleasant notwithstanding her age. The chief charm of this spot consists in two linden-trees, spreading their enormous branches over the little green before the church, which is entirely surrounded by peasants' cottages, barns, and homesteads. I have seldom seen a place so retired and peaceable; and there often have my table and chair brought out from the little inn, and drink my coffee there, and read my Homer. Accident brought me to the spot one fine afternoon, and I found it perfectly deserted. Everybody was in the fields except a little boy about four years of age, who was sitting on the ground, and held between his knees a child about six months old: he pressed it to his bosom with both arms, which thus formed a sort of arm-chair; and, notwithstanding the liveliness which sparkled in its black eyes, it remained perfectly still. The sight charmed me. I sat down upon a plough opposite, and sketched with great delight this little picture of brotherly tenderness. I added the neighbouring hedge, the barn-door, and some broken cart-wheels, just as they happened to lie; and I found in about an hour that I had made a very correct and interesting drawing, without putting in the slightest thing of my own. This confirmed me in my resolution of adhering, for the future, entirely to nature. She alone is inexhaustible, and capable of forming the greatest masters. Much may be alleged in favour of rules, as much may be likewise advanced in favour of the laws of society: an artist formed upon them will never produce anything absolutely bad or disgusting; as a man who observes the laws, and obeys decorum, can never be an absolutely intolerable neighbour, nor a decided villain: but yet, say what you will of rules, they destroy the genuine feeling of nature, as well as its true expression. Do not tell me "that this is too hard, that they only restrain and prune superfluous branches, etc."My good friend, I will illustrate this by an analogy. These things resemble love. A warmhearted youth becomes strongly attached to a maiden: he spends every hour of the day in her company, wears out his health, and lavishes his fortune, to afford continual proof that he is wholly devoted to her. Then comes a man of the world, a man of place and respectability, and addresses him thus: "My good young friend, love is natural; but you must love within bounds. Divide your time: devote a portion to business, and give the hours of recreation to your mistress. Calculate your fortune; and out of the superfluity you may make her a present, only not too often,—on her birthday, and such occasions.”Pursuing this advice, he may become a useful member of society, and I should advise every prince to give him an appointment; but it is all up with his love, and with his genius if he be an artist. O my friend! why is it that the torrent of genius so seldom bursts forth, so seldom rolls in full-flowing stream, overwhelming your astounded soul? Because, on either side of this stream, cold and respectable persons have taken up their abodes, and, forsooth, their summer-houses and tulip-beds would suffer from the torrent; wherefore they dig trenches, and raise embankments betimes, in order to avert the impending danger.

离城大约一里格处有一个叫瓦尔海姆的地方。（读者不必去寻找以上所指之地。因为我发现有必要改变信中的真名。）它坐落在一处山坡上，风景宜人，走上直通村外的山路，整个山谷便尽收眼底。一位善良的老妇人住在那儿，开着一家小酒馆。那里卖葡萄酒、啤酒和咖啡。尽管主人年事已高，可是却殷勤豁达、和蔼可亲。此处最吸引人的是两棵菩提树，它们伸展的枝丫覆盖了教堂前的农舍、谷仓和场院围绕着的绿地。如此隐蔽又幽静的地方实在罕见，我常常从小酒馆里把桌椅搬到菩提树下，边喝着咖啡，边读着我的荷马诗歌。头一次，我是在一个晴朗的午后偶然来到此地的，发现这里异常冷清。人们都下地干活去了，唯有一个四岁左右的男孩坐在地上，两膝之间环抱着一个约六个月大的婴儿。他用双手将小婴儿贴在胸前，恰好成了个靠背椅。虽然那双活泼的黑眼睛左顾右盼，但他却一直静静地坐在那里。我被眼前的景象迷住了。我在对面的一张耕犁上坐了下来，兴致勃勃地画下了这相亲相爱的兄弟俩。我又添上了近处的篱笆、谷仓门，以及几个坏掉的车轱辘，这些静物显得错落有致，十分自然。一小时后，我便完成了一幅布局完美、趣味横生的作品，未掺入丝毫我自己的想象。这增强了我日后要完全遵循自然的决心。唯有大自然才是丰富无穷的，唯有大自然才能塑造出最伟大的艺术家。对于规章制度，大家可以齐声赞誉，就像对于市民，社会也可予以颂扬一样。一位墨守成规的艺术家绝不会画出低级庸俗的作品来，就像一个遵纪守法的人绝不会令邻居厌恶，也不会成为恶毒的歹徒。但是，不管人们怎么说，一切规则都会破坏我们对自然的真实感受以及自然的真正表现。不要告诉我说：“这说法太极端了，规则只起限制作用，只能裁剪掉多余的枝蔓等等。”亲爱的朋友，我想给你打个比方。这跟恋爱很相似。一位热心肠的小伙子深爱着一位姑娘，成天陪伴在姑娘左右，耗尽了自己的全部精力，挥霍了自己的财产，为的是想时时刻刻向她表明自己对她一片痴心。后来，来了一位有身份、有地位、受人尊敬的世故之人对他说：“我的年轻朋友啊，恋爱是人之常情，但你爱得要有分寸才行。好好分配一下你的时间，把一部分时间用在工作上，休息的时间再留给你的心上人。算一算你的财产，除去必要的日常开销，你也可以送她礼物，但不要太频繁——在她生日和重要场合送份礼物就够了。”年轻人要是听取了这个人的意见，就会成为一名社会上的有为青年，我愿意向任何一位侯爵推荐他，给他谋一个职位，但是他的爱情就完了，如果他是位艺术家，他的艺术也就完了。哦，我的朋友！为什么天才的河流很难冲破堤坝，汇成洪流，令你惊心动魄呢？这是因为两岸住着的是沉着稳重、深思熟虑的先生们，他们害怕洪水会淹没花园中的亭榭和郁金香花圃，所以及时地筑堤挖渠，以防患于未然。

MAY 27.

5月27日

I find I have fallen into raptures, declamation, and similes, and have forgotten, in consequence, to tell you what became of the children. Absorbed in my artistic contemplations, which I briefly described in my letter of yesterday, I continued sitting on the plough for two hours. Toward evening a young woman, with a basket on her arm, came running toward the children, who had not moved all that time. She exclaimed from a distance, "You are a good boy, Philip!"She gave me greeting: I returned it, rose, and approached her. I inquired if she were the mother of those pretty children. "Yes," she said; and, giving the eldest a piece of bread, she took the little one in her arms and kissed it with a mother's tenderness. "I left my child in Philip's care," she said, "whilst I went into the town with my eldest boy to buy some wheaten bread, some sugar, and an earthen pot."I saw the various articles in the basket, from which the cover had fallen. "I shall make some broth to-night for my little Hans (which was the name of the youngest): that wild fellow, the big one, broke my pot yesterday, whilst he was scrambling with Philip for what remained of the contents.”I inquired for the eldest; and she had scarcely time to tell me that he was driving a couple of geese home from the meadow, when he ran up, and handed Philip an osier-twig. I talked a little longer with the woman, and found that she was the daughter of the schoolmaster, and that her husband was gone on a journey into Switzerland for some money a relation had left him. "They wanted to cheat him," she said, "and would not answer his letters; so he is gone there himself. I hope he has met with no accident, as I have heard nothing of him since his departure."I left the woman, with regret, giving each of the children a kreutzer, with an additional one for the youngest, to buy some wheaten bread for his broth when she went to town next; and so we parted. I assure you, my dear friend, when my thoughts are all in tumult, the sight of such a creature as this tranquillises my disturbed mind. She moves in a happy thoughtlessness within the confined circle of her existence; she supplies her wants from day to day; and, when she sees the leaves fall, they raise no other idea in her mind than that winter is approaching. Since that time I have gone out there frequently. The children have become quite familiar with me; and each gets a lump of sugar when I drink my coffee, and they share my milk and bread and butter in the evening. They always receive their kreutzer on Sundays, for the good woman has orders to give it to them when I do not go there after evening service. They are quite at home with me, tell me everything; and I am particularly amused with observing their tempers, and the simplicity of their behaviour, when some of the other village children are assembled with them.

我发现自己讲得过于起劲了，只顾着发议论，打比方，忘了把那两个孩子后来的情况告诉你了。我在犁上坐了近两个小时，完全沉浸在艺术思考之中；关于当时的情景，昨天的信里已经简要谈过了。傍晚时分，一个年轻女人，胳膊上挎着个篮子，朝那两个一直没怎么移动的孩子跑了过去。她老远就喊道：“菲利普斯，你真是个好孩子！”她向我问好，我回了礼，站起身来，向她走去。我问她是不是这俩孩子的母亲。“是的，”她答道，一边拿给大孩子一块面包，一边抱起小的那个，轻柔地亲了亲他。“我让菲利普斯照看小弟弟，”她说道，“我跟老大去城里买面包、糖，还有砂锅去了。”我看到篮子里装着满满当当的各种杂货，篮子的盖子已经掉了。“今晚我想给小汉斯（这是最小儿子的名字）熬些汤喝；老大是个淘气鬼，昨天在跟菲利普斯争吃剩饭的时候把锅给打破了。”我问她老大的情况，她说他正从操场上往家赶鹅呢。话音未落，大孩子就蹦蹦跳跳地跑回来了，还给菲尔普斯带回来一根柳树枝。我跟这个女人又谈了一会儿，才知道她是校长的女儿，她丈夫为继承一位亲属的遗产到瑞士去了。“人家想骗他，”她说，“不给他回信，所以他就亲自去了。他这一走便杳无音讯了，但愿没出什么事。”和这个女人告别时，我心情有些沉重，便给了孩子们每人一枚硬币，还多给了老小一枚，叫她下次进城时给他买块伴汤吃的面包，然后我们就告别了。我向你保证，亲爱的朋友，每逢我心烦意乱的时候，一看到这样的人，烦乱的心情就会顿时平静下来。她在自己那个小世界里无忧无虑地幸福生活着；她一天天张罗着自己的生活，每当看到树叶飘落，想到的也只会是冬天快要来了。自那之后，我常常到那里去。孩子们都和我变得很熟了；我喝咖啡的时候，给他们每人一块糖吃，傍晚的时候也总是和他们一起喝着牛奶，吃着涂满黄油的面包。他们总会在星期天收到一枚十字硬币，如果我做完祷告后不能去那里，便会拜托女店主分发给他们。他们跟我很亲热，什么事都对我说；每当他们跟村里的其他孩子聚在一起时，看到他们的性格和率真的举止，我都尤为欣喜。

It has given me a deal of trouble to satisfy the anxiety of the mother, lest (as she says) "they should inconvenience the gentleman."

孩子的妈妈总担心，唯恐（就像她说的）“给我带来不便。”我费了好大劲儿才打消她的顾虑。

MAY 30.

5月30日

What I have lately said of painting is equally true with respect to poetry. It is only necessary for us to know what is really excellent, and venture to give it expression; and that is saying much in few words. To-day I have had a scene, which, if literally related, would, make the most beautiful idyl in the world. But why should I talk of poetry and scenes and idyls? Can we never take pleasure in nature without having recourse to art?

前几天跟你谈到的有关作画的话也同样适用于诗歌创作。只是我们必须要知道什么才是真正美好的东西，并且敢于表达出来，并做到言简意赅。今天我见到一个场景，如果照实写下来，那将是世间最美的一首田园诗。可是为什么要谈诗歌、美景和田园诗呢？难道只有运用艺术才能体验大自然的快乐吗？

If you expect anything grand or magnificent from this introduction, you will be sadly mistaken. It relates merely to a peasant-lad, who has excited in me the warmest interest. As usual, I shall tell my story badly; and you, as usual, will think me extravagant. It is Walheim once more—always Walheim—which produces these wonderful phenomena.

如果你期望从这段开场白里看到我的高谈阔论，那你就大错特错了。引起我浓厚兴趣的，仅仅是一个年轻的庄稼汉罢了。像往常一样，我会叙述得很糟糕，而你，也会像往常一样，认为我是在夸大其词。这事又是发生在瓦尔海姆——总是在瓦尔海姆——这个地方总是有这些神奇的事。

A party had assembled outside the house under the linden-trees, to drink coffee. The company did not exactly please me; and, under one pretext or another, I lingered behind.

一伙人聚在屋外的菩提树下喝着咖啡。我和这些人并不怎么聊得来，于是随便找了个借口，慢悠悠地走在后面。

A peasant came from an adjoining house, and set to work arranging some part of the same plough which I had lately sketched. His appearance pleased me; and I spoke to him, inquired about his circumstances, made his acquaintance, and, as is my wont with persons of that class, was soon admitted into his confidence. He said he was in the service of a young widow, who set great store by him. He spoke so much of his mistress, and praised her so extravagantly, that I could soon see he was desperately in love with her. "She is no longer young," he said: "and she was treated so badly by her former husband that she does not mean to marry again."From his account it was so evident what incomparable charms she possessed for him, and how ardently he wished she would select him to extinguish the recollection of her first husband's misconduct, that I should have to repeat his own words in order to describe the depth of the poor fellow's attachment, truth, and devotion. It would, in fact, require the gifts of a great poet to convey the expression of his features, the harmony of his voice, and the heavenly fire of his eye. No words can portray the tenderness of his every movement and of every feature: no effort of mine could do justice to the scene. His alarm lest I should misconceive his position with regard to his mistress, or question the propriety of her conduct, touched me particularly. The charming manner with which he described her form and person, which, without possessing the graces of youth, won and attached him to her, is inexpressible, and must be left to the imagination. I have never in my life witnessed or fancied or conceived the possibility of such intense devotion, such ardent affections, united with so much purity. Do not blame me if I say that the recollection of this innocence and truth is deeply impressed upon my very soul; that this picture of fidelity and tenderness haunts me everywhere; and that my own heart, as though enkindled by the flame, glows and burns within me.

一个农夫从隔壁的屋里走了出来，开始动手修理我最近画过的那张犁。我喜欢他的长相，便开始跟他闲聊，询问他的情况，和他熟络起来。像我平时跟这类人交往一样，我很快就得到了他的信任。他说他在一位年轻的寡妇家里做工，她待他很好。谈起他的女东家，他就滔滔不绝，对她赞不绝口，我很快就看出他已经深深爱上了她。“她已不再年轻了，”他说，“由于受到前夫的虐待，她不准备再嫁了。”从他的话里可以明显地察觉到，她对他有着致命的吸引力。他多希望她能选中他，让他来消除前夫给她带来的伤痛。我必须逐字逐句地重复他的原话，才能描绘出这个可怜的家伙心中的依恋、忠诚与痴情。事实上，只有具备了伟大诗人的禀赋才能描绘出他的神情举止，他那和谐的声音，以及他火热的目光。任何语言都无法表达出他举手投足间，他每个表情中暗藏的柔情，我所说的这些也不过是蜻蜓点水而已。特别令我感动的是，他那么害怕我对他和她的关系产生误解，或者对她的良好品行产生怀疑。她的容貌和体态已经失去了年轻时的魅力，但却依然强有力地吸引着他，此情此景已无法用言语来表达，只能留给我们的内心去揣摩。我平生从未见过，也从未梦想过或是想象过可能存在如此炽热的爱恋、如此赤诚的情感，这情感是那么纯洁。请不要怪我告诉你这些，这份纯朴、真挚的爱情深深地烙在了我的灵魂深处；这幅忠贞不渝、柔情似水的图画时刻萦绕在我心头，我自己的心也好像被这股烈焰点燃了，心中激情澎湃、灼热无比。

I mean now to try and see her as soon as I can: or perhaps, on second thoughts, I had better not; it is better I should behold her through the eyes of her lover. To my sight, perhaps, she would not appear as she now stands before me; and why should I destroy so sweet a picture?

我现在渴望尽快见到她，不过转念一想，或许还是不见为好，通过她情人的眼睛来看她，岂不更好。也许，在我眼中，她并不是现在呈现在我眼前的样子，我何必要去破坏这么美好的画面呢？

JUNE 16.

6月16日

"Why do I not write to you?"You lay claim to learning, and ask such a question. You should have guessed that I am well—that is to say—in a word, I have made an acquaintance who has won my heart: I have—I know not.“我为什么没给你写信？”你有权得知信息，所以问了这个问题。你应该猜得到，我很好——换言之——一句话，我认识了一个人，她已经俘获了我的心；我已经——我不知道该怎么说。

To give you a regular account of the manner in which I have become acquainted with the most amiable of women would be a difficult task. I am a happy and contented mortal, but a poor historian.

我认识了一位最可爱的女人，可要把这件事的经过从头到尾给你叙述一遍倒真是件难事。我是个快乐而幸福的人，可是却不是个写故事的能手。

An angel! Nonsense! Everybody so describes his mistress; and yet I find it impossible to tell you how perfect she is, or why she is so perfect: suffice it to say she has captivated all my senses.

一位天使！当然！无论谁谈起他的心上人都会这么说，可我却无法告诉你她有多完美，或者为什么那么完美；我只想说，她已经完全俘获了我的心。

So much simplicity with so much understanding—so mild, and yet so resolute—a mind so placid, and a life so active.

她是那么纯朴而又善解人意——那么温顺，又那么坚定——性情温和，生活得又那么积极。

But all this is ugly balderdash, which expresses not a single character nor feature. Some other time—but no, not some other time, now, this very instant, will I tell you all about it. Now or never. Well, between ourselves, since I commenced my letter, I have been three times on the point of throwing down my pen, of ordering my horse, and riding out. And yet I vowed this morning that I would not ride to-day, and yet every moment I am rushing to the window to see how high the sun is.

不过，我讲的这一切全是令人厌烦的废话，并没有描述出她本人的任何一种性格或是容貌特征。下次——不，不要下次，现在，此时此刻，我就想告诉你一切。要是现在不说，那就永远不会说了。说心里话，自从动笔写这封信以来，我已经有三次差点儿要撂下笔，想让人给我装好马鞍好骑马跑出去。虽然早晨我还发誓今天不骑马外出，可我仍不时地跑到窗前，看看太阳有多高了。

I could not restrain myself—go to her I must. I have just returned, Wilhelm; and whilst I am taking supper I will write to you. What a delight it was for my soul to see her in the midst of her dear, beautiful children,—eight brothers and sisters!

我无法控制自己——我必须去找她。我这会儿刚回来，威廉，我边吃着晚餐边给你写信。看到她在那一群可爱俊俏的孩子——八个兄弟姐妹们中间时，我的灵魂是何等欣喜啊！

But, if I proceed thus, you will be no wiser at the end of my letter than you were at the beginning. Attend, then, and I will compel myself to give you the details.

但是，倘若我就这样继续写下去，恐怕你看到末尾也会像开头一样看得稀里糊涂的。那么听着，我现在迫使自己把详情告诉给你了。

I mentioned to you the other day that I had become acquainted with S—, the district judge, and that he had invited me to go and visit him in his retirement, or rather in his little kingdom. But I neglected going, and perhaps should never have gone, if chance had not discovered to me the treasure which lay concealed in that retired spot. Some of our young people had proposed giving a ball in the country, at which I consented to be present. I offered my hand for the evening to a pretty and agreeable, but rather commonplace, sort of girl from the immediate neighbourhood; and it was agreed that I should engage a carriage, and call upon Charlotte, with my partner and her aunt, to convey them to the ball. My companion informed me, as we drove along through the park to the hunting-lodge, that I should make the acquaintance of a very charming young lady. "Take care," added the aunt, "that you do not lose your heart.""Why?" said I. "Because she is already engaged to a very worthy man," she replied, "who is gone to settle his affairs upon the death of his father, and will succeed to a very considerable inheritance."This information possessed no interest for me. When we arrived at the gate, the sun was setting behind the tops of the mountains. The atmosphere was heavy; and the ladies expressed their fears of an approaching storm, as masses of low black clouds were gathering in the horizon. I relieved their anxieties by pretending to be weather-wise, although I myself had some apprehensions lest our pleasure should be interrupted.

不久前我跟你提过，我认识了地方法官S—先生，他邀请我去他的隐居处，或者更确切地说，是他的小王国去作客。可我并没有把这当回事，要不是偶然发现在这幽静之处藏着珍宝，我可能永远都不会去那儿。我们一帮年轻人中有些人建议办一次乡村舞会，我也答应出席。我从邻家请了一位善良、美丽，却并不十分出众的姑娘做舞伴，并说好由我雇一辆马车，带上她和她姑姑去舞会，路上顺便拜访一下夏洛特。马车在穿过园地向猎庄驶去时，我的舞伴告诉我说，我会结识一位很有魅力的年轻女士。“当心啊，”她姑姑插嘴说，“可别迷上她啊。”“为什么呢？”我说道。“因为她已经和一位非常棒的小伙订婚了，”她回答道，“他已经去料理父亲的后事，并会继承一大笔遗产。”对此，我并没往心里去。我们到达猎庄大门时，太阳快要落山了。天气很阴沉，层层低矮的乌云集结在天边，眼看雷雨将至，两位姑娘颇为忧心。尽管我自己也有些担心，怕这暴雨会打扰我们的兴致，但我依然装出一副精通气象的样子来安慰她们。

I alighted; and a maid came to the door, and requested us to wait a moment for her mistress. I walked across the court to a well-built house, and, ascending the flight of steps in front, opened the door, and saw before me the most charming spectacle I had ever witnessed. Six children, from eleven to two years old, were running about the hall, and surrounding a lady of middle height, with a lovely figure, dressed in a robe of simple white, trimmed with pink ribbons. She was holding a rye loaf in her hand, and was cutting slices for the little ones all around, in proportion to their age and appetite. She performed her task in a graceful and affectionate manner; each claimant awaiting his turn with outstretched hands, and boisterously shouting his thanks. Some of them ran away at once, to enjoy their evening meal; whilst others, of a gentler disposition, retired to the courtyard to see the strangers, and to survey the carriage in which their Charlotte was to drive away. "Pray forgive me for giving you the trouble to come for me, and for keeping the ladies waiting: but dressing, and arranging some household duties before I leave, had made me forget my children's supper; and they do not like to take it from any one but me."I uttered some indifferent compliment: but my whole soul was absorbed by her air, her voice, her manner; and I had scarcely recovered myself when she ran into her room to fetch her gloves and fan. The young ones threw inquiring glances at me from a distance; whilst I approached the youngest, a most delicious little creature. He drew back; and Charlotte, entering at the very moment, said, "Louis, shake hands with your cousin."The little fellow obeyed willingly; and I could not resist giving him a hearty kiss, notwithstanding his rather dirty face. "Cousin," said I to Charlotte, as I handed her down, "do you think I deserve the happiness of being related to you?"She replied, with a ready smile, "Oh! I have such a number of cousins, that I should be sorry if you were the most undeserving of them."In taking leave, she desired her next sister, Sophy, a girl about eleven years old, to take great care of the children, and to say good-bye to papa for her when he came home from his ride. She enjoined to the little ones to obey their sister Sophy as they would herself, upon which some promised that they would; but a little fair-haired girl, about six years old, looked discontented, and said, "But Sophy is not you, Charlotte; and we like you best."The two eldest boys had clambered up the carriage; and, at my request, she permitted them to accompany us a little way through the forest, upon their promising to sit very still, and hold fast.

我下了车，一位女仆走到门口，请我们稍等一下她们的小姐。我穿过庭院来到一座精致的房子面前，踏上屋前的几级台阶，打开门，一幕前所未见的动人景象跃入了我的眼帘。厅堂上，六个孩子，从十一岁到两岁，围拥着一位长相俊俏、身材动人的少女；她身穿一袭朴素的白色长裙，裙边镶着粉红色的丝带。她手里拿着一块黑面包，按照周围孩子们的年龄和胃口，正切成不等的小块分给他们。她举止那么优雅亲切；每个孩子都高高地伸着小手等着拿自己的那份，拿到的孩子都会兴高采烈地喊声谢谢。有的孩子迅速地跑开去享用他们的晚餐，性格文静一点的则拿着面包来到院子里，打量着来往的陌生人，看一看他们的夏洛特姐姐出门将要乘坐的那辆马车。“真对不起，劳驾您进来找我，还让姑娘们久等了。我换了换衣服，又忙着张罗出门前的一些家务，结果忘了给孩子们准备晚餐了；除了我，谁给他们准备都不行。”我虽然随便客套了几句，但我的整个灵魂都被她的容貌、声音和举止深深地吸引住了；直到她奔回房间取手套和扇子，我才回过神来。小家伙们从远处疑惑地看着我；我朝一个年龄最小、模样最俊的孩子走了过去。他退了回去，夏洛特此刻正好走出房门，说道：“路易斯，跟这位表哥握手。”这小家伙立刻爽快地照做了，我忍不住亲切地吻了吻他，尽管那小脸脏兮兮的。“表哥，”我伸手牵夏洛特出门时问道，“我有这福分做你的亲戚吗？”她嫣然一笑，答道：“噢！我的表兄多着哩，要是你是其中最令人讨厌的一个，那我会感到遗憾的。”临走时，她叮嘱约摸十一岁的大妹索菲，好好照看弟弟妹妹们，爸爸骑马散心回来后记得向他问安。她还叮嘱小家伙们要像听自己话一样地听索菲姐姐的话。有几个答应了，可是一个满头金发、六岁光景的小女孩看上去有些不满，她说：“但索菲不是你啊，夏洛特，我们更喜欢你嘛。”两个最大的男孩已经爬上了马车，经我求情，夏洛特才同意让他俩过了树林再下车，条件是要坐稳和抓牢。

We were hardly seated, and the ladies had scarcely exchanged compliments, making the usual remarks upon each other's dress, and upon the company they expected to meet, when Charlotte stopped the carriage, and made her brothers get down. They insisted upon kissing her hands once more; which the eldest did with all the tenderness of a youth of fifteen, but the other in a lighter and more careless manner. She desired them again to give her love to the children, and we drove off.

我们刚一坐稳，姑娘们还没来得及互相寒暄，就开始评价彼此的衣着打扮以及会在舞会上遇到的舞伴，于是，夏洛特就叫马车停下，让两个弟弟下去了。他们再次要求吻姐姐的手，大弟弟十五岁，吻姐姐的手时显得彬彬有礼，另一个却有些漫不经心。夏洛特再次嘱咐他们向孩子们问好，之后，我们才继续前行。

The aunt inquired of Charlotte whether she had finished the book she had last sent her. "No," said Charlotte; "I did not like it: you can have it again. And the one before was not much better.”I was surprised, upon asking the title, to hear that it was ——. (We feel obliged to suppress the passage in the letter, to prevent any one from feeling aggrieved; although no author need pay much attention to the opinion of a mere girl, or that of an unsteady young man.)

姑姑问夏洛特是否把上次给她的那本书看完了。“没有，”夏洛特说，“我不喜欢那本书，你可以拿回去了。之前那本也不太好看。”我问起书的名字，听了她的回答，感到非常惊讶。（我觉得有必要删去此段，以免惹得别人不满，虽然任何作家都不需要把一个单纯的小姑娘或是一个尚无主见的小伙子的意见放在心上。）

I found penetration and character in everything she said: every expression seemed to brighten her features with new charms,—with new rays of genius,—which unfolded by degrees, as she felt herself understood.

我发现她说的每句话都蕴藏着独特的洞察力与个性，每个表情似乎都让她神采奕奕，她的各种全新的魅力——带着天才般的光芒逐渐展现出来，因为她感觉到我是理解她的。

"When I was younger," she observed, "I loved nothing so much as romances. Nothing could equal my delight when, on some holiday, I could settle down quietly in a corner, and enter with my whole heart and soul into the joys or sorrows of some fictitious Leonora. I do not deny that they even possess some charms for me yet. But I read so seldom, that I prefer books suited exactly to my taste. And I like those authors best whose scenes describe my own situation in life,—and the friends who are about me, whose stories touch me with interest, from resembling my own homely existence,—which, without being absolutely paradise, is, on the whole, a source of indescribable happiness.”“前几年，”她说，“没有什么东西比浪漫文学更令我着迷的了。那是我最快乐的时光。假日里，我总是静静地坐在一个角落里，整颗心都融入到了某些虚构人物，如莱奥诺蕾的喜怒哀乐中。不可否认，这类书至今仍对我有着一定的吸引力。只是我现在很少有功夫读书，所以读的书必须要十分对我的口味。我最喜欢的作家应该是这样的：在他的作品中我能够找到自己生活的世界——书中的主人公们就像是我自己的朋友们，他们的故事能够让我感兴趣，就像自己家里的生活一样——它虽然不是天堂，但总的说来却是无法言表的幸福源泉。”

I endeavoured to conceal the emotion which these words occasioned, but it was of slight avail; for, when she had expressed so truly her opinion of The Vicar of Wakefield, and of other works, the names of which I omit (Though the names are omitted, yet the authors mentioned deserve Charlotte's approbation, and will feel it in their hearts when they read this passage. It concerns no other person.), I could no longer contain myself, but gave full utterance to what I thought of it: and it was not until Charlotte had addressed herself to the two other ladies, that I remembered their presence, and observed them sitting mute with astonishment. The aunt looked at me several times with an air of raillery, which, however, I did not at all mind.

听了这些话，我极力隐藏住内心的情感，但并不十分奏效；因为我听她声情并茂地谈起对《威克菲尔德的牧师》，还有其他几部作品的看法，在此我删掉了这些作品的名字（尽管已删掉了书名，但这些作者得到了夏洛特的赞许，他们读到此处时将会体味到这种赞许之情，与其他人并不相干），我已经无法自已，不得不把想法全盘托出：直到夏洛特跟另外两位女士开始交谈时，我才意识到两位女士的存在，她们目瞪口呆地坐着。那位姑姑不止一次逗趣地看着我，但我根本不在意。

We talked of the pleasures of dancing. "If it is a fault to love it," said Charlotte, "I am ready to confess that I prize it above all other amusements. If anything disturbs me, I go to the piano, play an air to which I have danced, and all goes right again directly."

之后，我们的话题转移到了跳舞上。“如果这个爱好是个缺点，”夏洛特说，“我也不瞒你们，我最喜欢的娱乐就是跳舞。心情烦躁的时候，只要走到钢琴边弹奏一曲从前跳过的舞蹈伴奏曲，那么一切便会烟消云散了。”

You, who know me, can fancy how steadfastly I gazed upon her rich dark eyes during these remarks, how my very soul gloated over her warm lips and fresh, glowing cheeks, how I became quite lost in the delightful meaning of her words, so much so, that I scarcely heard the actual expressions. In short, I alighted from the carriage like a person in a dream, and was so lost to the dim world around me, that I scarcely heard the music which resounded from the illuminated ballroom.

你是了解我的，你能想象谈话间我是如何目不转睛地望着她那双乌黑深邃的眼睛；她那动人的红唇和容光焕发的脸颊是如何令我神不守舍；她隽永精辟的谈吐完全迷醉了我，以至于她到底说了什么，我几乎没听进去。总之，下车后，我就像个梦游者似的，迷失在周围朦胧的世界里，几乎听不到灯火辉煌的舞厅里传来的乐曲声。

The two Messrs. Andran and a certain N. N. (I cannot trouble myself with the names), who were the aunt's and Charlotte's partners, received us at the carriage-door, and took possession of their ladies, whilst I followed with mine.

两位先生，奥德兰和某某先生（我懒得去记这么多名字），他们是那位姑姑和夏洛特的舞伴，到车门口来迎接我们；他们各自挽着自己的女伴，我也领着自己的舞伴紧随其后。

We commenced with a minuet. I led out one lady after another, and precisely those who were the most disagreeable could not bring themselves to leave off. Charlotte and her partner began an English country dance, and you must imagine my delight when it was their turn to dance the figure with us. You should see Charlotte dance. She dances with her whole heart and soul: her figure is all harmony, elegance, and grace, as if she were conscious of nothing else, and had no other thought or feeling; and, doubtless, for the moment, every other sensation is extinct.

我们先跳起了小步舞。我轮流和姑娘们跳舞，恰恰是那些最不喜欢的姑娘偏偏不肯放手让你离去。夏洛特和她的舞伴跳起了英国乡村舞蹈，当轮到她们和我们交叉的刹那，你能想象我是多么高兴啊。你真该看看夏洛特的舞姿。她在用她的整个灵魂舞蹈：她的身体是那么和谐、潇洒和优雅，似乎跳舞就是一切；她别的什么也不想，什么也感觉不到；毫无疑问，此刻，其他一切感觉都已不复存在。

She was engaged for the second country dance, but promised me the third, and assured me, with the most agreeable freedom, that she was very fond of waltzing. "It is the custom here," she said, "for the previous partners to waltz together; but my partner is an indifferent waltzer, and will feel delighted if I save him the trouble. Your partner is not allowed to waltz, and, indeed, is equally incapable: but I observed during the country dance that you waltz well; so, if you will waltz with me, I beg you would propose it to my partner, and I will propose it to yours.”We agreed, and it was arranged that our partners should mutually entertain each other.

她开始和舞伴跳起了第二轮乡村舞，但答应会跟我跳第三轮，并且还用最可爱、坦率的口吻对我说，她非常喜欢跳华尔兹。“这里的习俗是，”她说，“跳华尔兹时，要跟先前的舞伴一起跳，可是我的舞伴对华尔兹不感兴趣，要是我能免去他的这个麻烦，他一定会很高兴的。你的舞伴不跳华尔兹，也确实不会跳这个，但是我看你跳乡村舞的时候旋转得很好，所以，如果你愿意和我一起跳华尔兹的话，请去向我的舞伴提议一下，我也会跟你的舞伴说一声。”我们谈妥了，并安排好让我们的舞伴们一起跳舞。

We set off, and, at first, delighted ourselves with the usual graceful motions of the arms. With what grace, with what ease, she moved! When the waltz commenced, and the dancers whirled around each other in the giddy maze, there was some confusion, owing to the incapacity of some of the dancers. We judiciously remained still, allowing the others to weary themselves; and, when the awkward dancers had withdrawn, we joined in, and kept it up famously together with one other couple,—Andran and his partner. Never did I dance more lightly. I felt myself more than mortal, holding this loveliest of creatures in my arms, flying, with her as rapidly as the wind, till I lost sight of every other object; and O Wilhelm, I vowed at that moment, that a maiden whom I loved, or for whom I felt the slightest attachment, never, never should waltz with any one else but with me, if I went to perdition for it!—you will understand this.

舞蹈开始，我们挽着胳膊，优雅地跳着，感到其乐无穷。她跳得多么优雅，多么飘逸啊！开始跳华尔兹了，一对对舞者在舞池中旋转着，那景象令人眼花缭乱。由于有些舞者跳得不好，出现了一些混乱。我们倒聪明，先让别人去乱跳，等到那些笨拙的舞者退场后，才开始起舞；我们和另外一对——奥德兰和他的舞伴一起跳了个尽兴。我从未跳得如此轻快过。臂弯里挽着最可爱的人，我感觉自己已经飘飘欲仙了，带着她如风一般飞舞，直到眼前的一切统统消失了；哦，威廉啊，即使让我坠入地狱，我也不要这位我深爱的、渴望得到的姑娘跟除了我以外的其他人跳华尔兹！——你会理解的。

We took a few turns in the room to recover our breath. Charlotte sat down, and felt refreshed by partaking of some oranges which I had had secured,—the only ones that had been left; but at every slice which, from politeness, she offered to her neighbours, I felt as though a dagger went through my heart.

我们在大厅里转了几圈，缓了缓气。夏洛特坐了下来，和别人一起分享了我特意留给她的几个橘子——仅剩下的几个橘子——之后，她便恢复了活力；可是她出于礼貌分给邻座姑娘们的每一片橘子，都让我感到心如刀绞。

We were the second couple in the third country dance. As we were going down (and Heaven knows with what ecstasy I gazed at her arms and eyes, beaming with the sweetest feeling of pure and genuine enjoyment), we passed a lady whom I had noticed for her charming expression of countenance; although she was no longer young. She looked at Charlotte with a smile, then, holding up her finger in a threatening attitude, repeated twice in a very significant tone of voice the name of "Albert."

跳第三轮乡村舞时，我们是第二对。我们在队列中穿行（天知道我有多么狂喜，我凝视着她的胳膊和眼睛，心中洋溢着最纯真、最甜美的感觉），我们经过一位女士身边，她虽已不再年轻，但面容依旧娇媚，这引起了我的注意。她微笑着看着夏洛特，威吓似的竖起一根手指，意味深长地说了两遍“阿尔贝特”这个名字。

"Who is Albert," said I to Charlotte, "if it is not impertinent to ask?"She was about to answer, when we were obliged to separate, in order to execute a figure in the dance; and, as we crossed over again in front of each other, I perceived she looked somewhat pensive. "Why need I conceal it from you?" she said, as she gave me her hand for the promenade. "Albert is a worthy man, to whom I am engaged."Now, there was nothing new to me in this (for the girls had told me of it on the way); but it was so far new that I had not thought of it in connection with her whom, in so short a time, I had learned to prize so highly. Enough, I became confused, got out in the figure, and occasioned general confusion; so that it required all Charlotte's presence of mind to set me right by pulling and pushing me into my proper place.“阿尔贝特是谁，”我问夏洛特，“恕我冒昧问一下？”她刚要回答，为了要做舞蹈中的一个花样，我们不得不分开；等我们再一次面对面侧身而过时，我注意到她脸上泛出一丝忧郁。“我有什么可隐瞒的呢？”她边跳着，边向我伸过一只手。“阿尔贝特是个好人，我和他已经订婚了。”这消息对我可不是新闻了（因为姑娘们在路上已经告诉过我了）；可是我不曾把这消息和夏洛特联系起来，这有点不可思议，就这一会儿工夫，我已经对她如此珍视了。够了，我心烦意乱，忘了舞步，竟搅得队形大乱，幸亏夏洛特聪明机智，连拉带拽才把我带回了舞队的正确位置。

The dance was not yet finished when the lightning which had for some time been seen in the horizon, and which I had asserted to proceed entirely from heat, grew more violent; and the thunder was heard above the music. When any distress or terror surprises us in the midst of our amusements, it naturally makes a deeper impression than at other times, either because the contrast makes us more keenly susceptible, or rather perhaps because our senses are then more open to impressions, and the shock is consequently stronger. To this cause I must ascribe the fright and shrieks of the ladies. One sagaciously sat down in a corner with her back to the window, and held her fingers to her ears; a second knelt down before her, and hid her face in her lap; a third threw herself between them, and embraced her sister with a thousand tears; some insisted on going home; others, unconscious of their actions, wanted sufficient presence of mind to repress the impertinence of their young partners, who sought to direct to themselves those sighs which the lips of our agitated beauties intended for heaven. Some of the gentlemen had gone down-stairs to smoke a quiet cigar, and the rest of the company gladly embraced a happy suggestion of the hostess to retire into another room which was provided with shutters and curtains. We had hardly got there, when Charlotte placed the chairs in a circle; and, when the company had sat down in compliance with her request, she forthwith proposed a round game.

舞会还没有结束，天边的闪电愈发猛烈，我原以为只是没有雷声的闪电罢了，可随后雷声淹没了音乐。人们对在纵情欢乐之际遭受不幸或惊吓自然要比平日印象深刻，一方面是因为对比之下，感受更加鲜明，另一方面，更有可能是因为那时我们的感觉更敏锐，所以受到的冲击也更强烈。我想正是因为这个缘故，姑娘们才如此惊恐，并且高声尖叫的。一位聪明的姑娘背对着窗户蹲坐在角落里，双手掩住了耳朵，另一位跪在她面前，把脸埋在她的双膝间；还有一位挤进她们中间，抱着她的女伴，泪流满面；有些坚持要回家去，有些不知怎么办才好，只顾向老天爷祈祷；年轻的小伙子们乘机放肆起来，全忙着从这些受惊的美人儿唇边去捕捉祷词，而她们却也无心抵挡。一些男士已经下楼静静地抽烟去了，其余的人都积极响应女主人的聪明提议，进了一间有百叶窗和窗帘的房间。夏洛特刚把椅子围成一圈，我们就进去了，大家按她的要求坐定后，她便立马提议玩圆桌游戏。

I noticed some of the company prepare their mouths and draw themselves up at the prospect of some agreeable forfeit. "Let us play at counting," said Charlotte. "Now, pay attention: I shall go round the circle from right to left; and each person is to count, one after the other, the number that comes to him, and must count fast; whoever stops or mistakes is to have a box on the ear, and so on, till we have counted a thousand.”It was delightful to see the fun. She went round the circle with upraised arm. "One," said the first; "two," the second; "three," the third; and so on, till Charlotte went faster and faster. One made a mistake, instantly a box on the ear; and, amid the laughter that ensued, came another box; and so on, faster and faster. I myself came in for two. I fancied they were harder than the rest, and felt quite delighted. A general laughter and confusion put an end to the game long before we had counted as far as a thousand. The party broke up into little separate knots: the storm had ceased, and I followed Charlotte into the ballroom. On the way she said, "The game banished their fears of the storm."I could make no reply. "I myself," she continued, "was as much frightened as any of them; but by affecting courage, to keep up the spirits of the others, I forgot my apprehensions."We went to the window. It was still thundering at a distance: a soft rain was pouring down over the country, and filled the air around us with delicious odours. Charlotte leaned forward on her arm; her eyes wandered over the scene; she raised them to the sky, and then turned them upon me; they were moistened with tears; she placed her hand on mine and said, "Klopstock!" at once I remembered the magnificent ode which was in her thoughts: I felt oppressed with the weight of my sensations, and sank under them. It was more than I could bear. I bent over her hand, kissed it in a stream of delicious tears, and again looked up to her eyes. Divine Klopstock! why didst thou not see thy apotheosis in those eyes? And thy name so often profaned, would that I never heard it repeated!

我注意到几个小伙子已经撅起嘴巴，凑过身子，企盼着赢得香吻。“我们来玩数数的游戏吧，”夏洛特说，“现在，请注意：我会从右向左绕圈走去，每个人挨个报数，要念出轮到他的那个数字，速度要快，谁要是停了下来或者数错了，就要吃一耳光，就这样，我们一直数到一千为止。”看到这样的游戏真是很开心。她举起胳膊绕圈走了起来。“一，”第一个喊道，“二，”第二个喊道，“三，”第三个喊道，依次类推，直到夏洛特慢慢加快脚步。有人数错了，马上挨了一记耳光，后面的人正哈哈大笑，也吃了一耳光，如此继续，速度越来越快。我自己也挨了两耳光。想到自己挨的这两下比她给别人的重，我感到无比欢欣。还远没有数到一千下，大伙儿就笑得乱作一团，游戏只好结束。人们三三两两地结成几组，暴风雨停了，我跟着夏洛特回到了舞厅。路上她对我说：“游戏打消了大家对暴风雨的恐惧。”我没说什么。“我自己，”她接着说，“也跟他们一样害怕，鼓舞大家，给他们以勇气，这样我自己内心的恐惧也消失了。”我们走到窗前。远处依然有雷声滚动，细雨倾盆而下，倾泻至整个村子，空气中弥漫着一股沁人的清香。夏洛特支着胳膊，身子向前倾，目光徘徊在眼前的场景；她仰望苍穹，而后又泪眼婆娑地望着我，她把手放在我的手上说：“克罗普施托克！”此刻我马上想到了那首浮上她心头的壮丽颂歌：我沉入了情感的激流之中，她喊出的那个名字引发了我的激情。我无法忍受。我俯身在她的手上，流着喜悦的热泪吻着它，然后再次抬起头望着她的眼睛。非凡的克罗普施托克啊！难道你没有从这双眼睛里看到对你如神般的崇拜吗？那我永远也不愿再听到你那常遭亵渎的名字了！

JUNE 19.

6月19日

I no longer remember where I stopped in my narrative: I only know it was two in the morning when I went to bed; and if you had been with me, that I might have talked instead of writing to you, I should, in all probability, have kept you up till daylight.

上次信写到什么时候，我已经记不起了，只知道上床时已经两点了，如果你跟我呆在一起的话，我可能就不会给你写信，而是直接跟你面谈，我很可能会和你一直聊到天亮的。

I think I have not yet related what happened as we rode home from the ball, nor have I time to tell you now. It was a most magnificent sunrise: the whole country was refreshed, and the rain fell drop by drop from the trees in the forest. Our companions were asleep. Charlotte asked me if I did not wish to sleep also, and begged of me not to make any ceremony on her account. Looking steadfastly at her, I answered, "As long as I see those eyes open, there is no fear of my falling asleep."We both continued awake till we reached her door. The maid opened it softly, and assured her, in answer to her inquiries, that her father and the children were well, and still sleeping. I left her asking permission to visit her in the course of the day. She consented, and I went, and, since that time, sun, moon, and stars may pursue their course: I know not whether it is day or night; the whole world is nothing to me.

我想我还没有告诉你我们从舞会回家的途中发生的事情，不过现在我也没有时间跟你说了。那天的日出美极了，整个乡村盎然一新，雨滴从林中的树间淅淅沥沥地落下。女伴们都睡觉了。夏洛特问我是不是也不想睡，并要我别因为她而受到拘束。我目不转睛地望着她，说道：“只要你不合眼，我就不会困倦。”我们俩就这样一直醒着，直到到她家门口。女仆轻轻开了门，回答了她的问询，跟她保证，父亲和孩子们都很好，还在睡觉。临别时，我请求当天再去看望她。她同意了，我便离开了。从那刻起，任斗转星移，我已分不清昼夜，我将整个世界都抛到了脑后。

JUNE 21.

6月21日

My days are as happy as those reserved by God for his elect; and, whatever be my fate hereafter, I can never say that I have not tasted joy,—the purest joy of life. You know Walheim. I am now completely settled there. In that spot I am only half a league from Charlotte; and there I enjoy myself, and taste all the pleasure which can fall to the lot of man.

我过着快乐的日子，就好像上帝给他的圣徒们保留的日子一样。不管我今后的命运如何，我都不会说，我从未体会过快乐的滋味——这世间最纯洁的快乐。你知道瓦尔海姆吧。现在我已经在那里定居了。从那里到夏洛特家只有半里格的路程。在那里，我心满意足，感受着人生所能享受的一切幸福。

Little did I imagine, when I selected Walheim for my pedestrian excursions, that all heaven lay so near it. How often in my wanderings from the hillside or from the meadows across the river, have I beheld this hunting-lodge, which now contains within it all the joy of my heart!

选择瓦尔海姆为自己的短途旅行目的地时，我并未想到天堂近在咫尺。从山坡或从河边草地上漫步时，我曾多少次观望过那座猎庄，如今它承载着我全部的欢乐！

I have often, my dear Wilhelm, reflected on the eagerness men feel to wander and make new discoveries, and upon that secret impulse which afterward inclines them to return to their narrow circle, conform to the laws of custom, and embarrass themselves no longer with what passes around them.

亲爱的威廉，我思忖万千，想到人们渴望遨游世界，有新的发现，随后他们又往往受这种内心神秘冲动的驱使回到那个狭小的圈子里，遵纪守法、循规蹈矩，强迫自己不再左顾右盼。

It is so strange how, when I came here first, and gazed upon that lovely valley from the hillside, I felt charmed with the entire scene surrounding me. The little wood opposite—how delightful to sit under its shade! How fine the view from that point of rock! Then, that delightful chain of hills, and the exquisite valleys at their feet! Could I but wander and lose myself amongst them! I went, and returned without finding what I wished. Distance, my friend, is like futurity. A dim vastness is spread before our souls: the perceptions of our mind are as obscure as those of our vision; and we desire earnestly to surrender up our whole being, that it may be filled with the complete and perfect bliss of one glorious emotion. But alas! when we have attained our object, when the distant there becomes the present here, all is changed: we are as poor and circumscribed as ever, and our souls still languish for unattainable happiness.

奇妙的是，我第一次来到这里的时候，从小山上眺望美丽的山谷，便被周围的美景迷住了。对面有座小树林——坐在那绿阴中是多么惬意啊！从那山巅四下眺望是何等壮观啊！你看，那连绵的丘陵和幽静的沟壑就在你的脚下！但愿我能徜徉其中，流连忘返！我匆匆地往返其间，却没能发现期望中的东西。我的朋友，远方犹如未来！一团朦胧巨大的阴影展现在我们的灵魂面前：我们的感觉如同视觉一样模糊，我们渴望献出整个身心，使它能完全充溢着这种崇高感情的福祉。可是，唉！当我们达到目标，当“那里”变成“这里”时，所有的一切都变了：我们跟以前一样贫穷，受到种种局限，我们的灵魂依然为未能获得幸福而苦恼着。

So does the restless traveller pant for his native soil, and find in his own cottage, in the arms of his wife, in the affections of his children, and in the labour necessary for their support, that happiness which he had sought in vain through the wide world.

浪迹天涯的游子也会眷恋自己的故土，并在自己的小屋里，在妻子的臂弯里，在孩子们的依恋中，在维持生计的日常劳作中找到了他在广阔世界中不曾寻得的幸福。

When, in the morning at sunrise, I go out to Walheim, and with my own hands gather in the garden the pease which are to serve for my dinner, when I sit down to shell them, and read my Homer during the intervals, and then, selecting a saucepan from the kitchen, fetch my own butter, put my mess on the fire, cover it up, and sit down to stir it as occasion requires,I figure to myself the illustrious suitors of Penelope, killing, dressing, and preparing their own oxen and swine. Nothing fills me with a more pure and genuine sense of happiness than those traits of patriarchal life which, thank Heaven! I can imitate without affectation. Happy is it, indeed, for me that my heart is capable of feeling the same simple and innocent pleasure as the peasant whose table is covered with food of his own rearing, and who not only enjoys his meal, but remembers with delight the happy days and sunny mornings when he planted it, the soft evenings when he watered it, and the pleasure he experienced in watching its daily growth.

日出时分，我出发前往瓦尔海姆，到那儿的菜园里亲手摘豌豆，坐下来剥去豆荚，其间读读我的荷马史诗，然后回厨房拿一只锅，切一块黄油，连同豌豆一起倒进锅里，盖上锅盖，坐在旁边不时地搅拌。我的脑海里浮现出了佩内洛普的那些高傲的求婚者们杀猪宰牛、盛装打扮的情景。感谢上帝，没有什么比这种族长制时代的生活特色更令我感到宁静、真实的了！我可以毫不做作地模仿这种生活习俗。我真快活啊，我能够感受到农夫将自己种的菜端上餐桌时的那种单纯、质朴的快乐。他们不但能够品尝自己的菜肴，而且还能回味起栽种时那些美好的日子、明媚的清晨，他们灌溉时那些柔美的黄昏，还有每天观赏它们生长时所体验的快乐。

JUNE 29.

6月29日

The day before yesterday, the physician came from the town to pay a visit to the judge. He found me on the floor playing with Charlotte's children. Some of them were scrambling over me, and others romped with me; and, as I caught and tickled them, they made a great noise. The doctor is a formal sort of personage: he adjusts the plaits of his ruffles, and continually settles his frill whilst he is talking to you; and he thought my conduct beneath the dignity of a sensible man. I could perceive this by his countenance. But I did not suffer myself to be disturbed. I allowed him to continue his wise conversation, whilst I rebuilt the children's card houses for them as fast as they threw them down. He went about the town afterward, complaining that the judge's children were spoiled enough before, but that now Werther was completely ruining them.

前天，那位大夫从城里来探望法官。他看到我正在和夏洛特的弟妹们玩耍。小家伙们有的在我身上乱爬，有的在戏弄我，我去抓他们，挠他们痒痒时，他们便会大笑大嚷起来。这位医生是个非常刻板的人，谈话时总是不时地整整袖口的褶皱或是扯扯衣襟；他认为我的举动有失一个有理智的人的尊严。从他的表情我就可以看得出来。不过，我并不为其所扰。我任他去发表明智的见解。很快，孩子们又把搭好的房子掀翻了，我用纸牌又给他们建了一座。他回到城里后四处抱怨，说法官家的孩子们本来就被宠坏了，现在维特算是把他们完全毁了。

Yes, my dear Wilhelm, nothing on this earth affects my heart so much as children. When I look on at their doings; when I mark in the little creatures the seeds of all those virtues and qualities which they will one day find so indispensable; when I behold in the obstinate all the future firmness and constancy of a noble character; in the capricious, that levity and gaiety of temper which will carry them lightly over the dangers and troubles of life, their whole nature simple and unpolluted,—then I call to mind the golden words of the Great Teacher of mankind, "Unless ye become like one of these!"And now, my friend, these children, who are our equals, whom we ought to consider as our models, we treat them as though they were our subjects. They are allowed no will of their own. And have we, then, none ourselves? Whence comes our exclusive right? Is it because we are older and more experienced? Great God! from the height of thy heaven thou beholdest great children and little children, and no others; and thy Son has long since declared which afford thee greatest pleasure. But they believe in him, and hear him not,—that, too, is an old story; and they train their children after their own image, etc.

是啊，我亲爱的威廉，人世间数孩子最能贴近我的心。我仔细观察他们，从这些小孩子们身上看到了他们将来所必不可少的美德和品质；从他们的执拗中看到了他们未来性格的坚定和执着；从他们的任性嬉闹中，看到了他们随机应变和乐观豁达的性格，足以安渡人世的危难，他们天性是如此纯洁无暇——于是，我常常反复吟味人类导师的金玉良言：“除非你变成孩子们中的一员！”现在，我的朋友，孩子就像我们一样，我们应该以他们为榜样，可我们却让他们时时刻刻服从我们。他们不许有自己的意志。难道我们没有自我吗？我们哪儿来的特权？难道只因为我们年长一些，经历更丰富一些？上帝啊！您身处天国之中，您把自己的子民都看作是孩子，年长的孩子和年轻的孩子，别无其他，而您的儿子早已说明哪些孩子能带给您最大的欢乐。可是他们不相信他，不听他的——这也是老生常谈了，他们依照自己的模样来塑造孩子，等等。

Adieu, Wilhelm: I will not further bewilder myself with this subject.

再见，威廉，我不想就这个问题再谈下去了。

JULY 1.

7月1日

The consolation Charlotte can bring to an invalid I experience from my own heart, which suffers more from her absence than many a poor creature lingering on a bed of sickness. She is gone to spend a few days in the town with a very worthy woman, who is given over by the physicians, and wishes to have Charlotte near her in her last moments. I accompanied her last week on a visit to the Vicar of S—, a small village in the mountains, about a league hence. We arrived about four o'clock: Charlotte had taken her little sister with her. When we entered the vicarage court, we found the good old man sitting on a bench before the door, under the shade of two large walnut-trees. At the sight of Charlotte he seemed to gain new life, rose, forgot his stick, and ventured to walk toward her. She ran to him, and made him sit down again; then, placing herself by his side, she gave him a number of messages from her father, and then caught up his youngest child, a dirty, ugly little thing, the joy of his old age, and kissed it.

我亲身感受到，病人是多么需要夏洛特，而我这颗心比饱受病痛折磨的人还要痛苦得多。医生们说，她要去城里一位贤淑的女士那里呆些日子。这位女士时日不多了，她希望生命的最后时刻里能有夏洛特陪伴左右。上周我陪夏洛特拜访了一名S—牧师，就在山区的一个小村庄里，相距约一里格的路程。我们大约四点钟到的，夏洛特带了她的小妹同行。我们走进了牧师的院子，院子里有两棵繁茂的大胡桃树，这位善良的老人就坐在浓阴下的门前长凳上。看到夏洛特来了，他好像获得了新生似的站了起来，竟忘了拐杖，贸然向她走来。她跑上前去，让他坐下来，然后她便坐到他的身旁，替父亲传了话，接着又抱起他最小的孩子，一个个又脏又丑的小孩子，还亲吻。这孩子是他晚年的欢乐所在。

I wish you could have witnessed her attention to this old man,—how she raised her voice on account of his deafness; how she told him of healthy young people, who had been carried off when it was least expected; praised the virtues of Carlsbad, and commended his determination to spend the ensuing summer there; and assured him that he looked better and stronger than he did when she saw him last. I, in the meantime, paid attention to his good lady. The old man seemed quite in spirits; and as I could not help admiring the beauty of the walnut-trees, which formed such an agreeable shade over our heads, he began, though with some little difficulty, to tell us their history. "As to the oldest," said he, "we do not know who planted it,—some say one clergyman, and some another: but the younger one, there behind us, is exactly the age of my wife, fifty years old next October; her father planted it in the morning, and in the evening she came into the world. My wife's father was my predecessor here, and I cannot tell you how fond he was of that tree; and it is fully as dear to me. Under the shade of that very tree, upon a log of wood, my wife was seated knitting, when I, a poor student, came into this court for the first time, just seven and twenty years ago."Charlotte inquired for his daughter. He said she was gone with Herr Schmidt to the meadows, and was with the haymakers. The old man then resumed his story, and told us how his predecessor had taken a fancy to him, as had his daughter likewise; and how he had become first his curate, and subsequently his successor. He had scarcely finished his story when his daughter returned through the garden, accompanied by the above-mentioned Herr Schmidt. She welcomed Charlotte affectionately, and I confess I was much taken with her appearance. She was a lively-looking, good-humoured brunette, quite competent to amuse one for a short time in the country. Her lover (for such Herr Schmidt evidently appeared to be) was a polite, reserved personage, and would not join our conversation, notwithstanding all Charlotte's endeavours to draw him out. I was much annoyed at observing, by his countenance, that his silence did not arise from want of talent, but from caprice and ill-humour. This subsequently became very evident, when we set out to take a walk, and Frederica joining Charlotte, with whom I was talking, the worthy gentleman's face, which was naturally rather sombre, became so dark and angry that Charlotte was obliged to touch my arm, and remind me that I was talking too much to Frederica. Nothing distresses me more than to see men torment each other; particularly when in the flower of their age, in the very season of pleasure, they waste their few short days of sunshine in quarrels and disputes, and only perceive their error when it is too late to repair it. This thought dwelt upon my mind; and in the evening, when we returned to the vicar's, and were sitting round the table with our bread end milk, the conversation turned on the joys and sorrows of the world, I could not resist the temptation to inveigh bitterly against ill-humour. "We are apt," said I, "to complain, but—with very little cause, that our happy days are few, and our evil days many. If our hearts were always disposed to receive the benefits Heaven sends us, we should acquire strength to support evil when it comes.”"But," observed the vicar's wife, "we cannot always command our tempers, so much depends upon the constitution: when the body suffers, the mind is ill at ease.”"I acknowledge that," I continued; "but we must consider such a disposition in the light of a disease, and inquire whether there is no remedy for it."

真希望你能见识一下她是如何关怀这位老人的——老人耳聋，所以她讲话时特意提高了嗓门，她还谈到了身强力壮的小伙子意外身亡的事。她称赞了卡尔斯巴德温泉的疗效，对老人夏天去那里度假的决定也表示赞许，还说他比她上次见时脸色更好，身体也更强壮了。这期间，我注意了一下牧师的夫人。老头看上去精神矍铄。当我禁不住赞叹这两棵美丽的胡桃树为我们遮阳，让我们感觉凉爽宜人时，老人虽然说话有些困难，可还是给我们讲了讲这两棵树的故事。“那棵最老的，”他说道，“我们不知道是谁种的——因为有人说是这个牧师，有人说是别人，但是，我们背后那棵小的，和我夫人恰好同岁，到10月份就五十岁了；她父亲早上种的树苗，晚上她就降生了。我夫人的父亲是我的前任，不用说他非常喜欢这棵树，我也非常非常地喜欢它。二十七年前，我第一次来到这里，那时候我还是个穷学生，我夫人当时正在树阴下的一根木头上编着东西。”夏洛特问起了他的女儿。他说她跟施密特先生去牧场了，和晾晒干草的工人们在一起。老人又接着说了下去，告诉我们他是如何赢得了老丈人和夫人的芳心，以及他是如何从担任助理牧师最终成为老丈人的接班人的。故事还没讲完，他的女儿和上面提到的施密特先生便一道从花园走过来了。她热情地向夏洛特问了好，我承认她给我的印象很不错。她看上去性格活泼，脾气很好，皮肤有些浅黑；她完全能够在短时间内就把人逗乐。她的爱人（很显然，施密特正是她的爱人）是个文雅却不善言谈的人，尽管夏洛特一再和他搭讪，可他还是不愿意和我们交谈。令我不快的是，从他的表情可以看出，他不爱说话并不是因为语言天赋匮乏，而是因为生性怪癖，脾气不好。这种态度后来变得非常明显。我们一起散步时，费雷德里卡和夏洛特一道走着，我跟她说话时，这位高贵的绅士脸色阴沉，看着夏洛特不时地碰碰我的手臂，他铁青的脸变得更加愤怒，还提醒我别和弗雷德里卡说得太多。没有什么比人与人之间的相互折磨更令我恼火的了，尤其是他们正当年少、享受快乐的时候，却彼此斗嘴争论，他们糟蹋了为数不多的好日子，等到垂暮之年才意识到自己犯的错误，却为时已晚。这想法在我脑海中挥之不去。黄昏时，我们回到牧师那里，坐在桌旁吃面包，喝牛奶，谈起人世间的酸甜苦辣，我忍不住抢过话头，痛斥起坏脾气来。“我们人啊，”我说，“经常抱怨，不过——也没什么理由，说好日子太少，坏日子太多。如果我们总是保持胸襟开阔，享受上天赐予我们的幸福，那么我们会有足够的力量去承担不幸。”“可是，”牧师夫人说道，“我们并不能时刻控制住自己的情绪啊，很大程度上取决于我们的体质：身体不舒服，情绪也会不佳。”“您说的有道理，”我继续说道，“那么我们就要把这种情绪不佳看作是一种疾病，要问一下有没有办法治疗。”

"I should be glad to hear one," said Charlotte: "at least, I think very much depends upon ourselves; I know it is so with me. When anything annoys me, and disturbs my temper, I hasten into the garden, hum a couple of country dances, and it is all right with me directly.""That is what I meant," I replied; "ill-humour resembles indolence: it is natural to us; but if once we have courage to exert ourselves, we find our work run fresh from our hands, and we experience in the activity from which we shrank a real enjoyment.”Frederica listened very attentively: and the young man objected, that we were not masters of ourselves, and still less so of our feelings. "The question is about a disagreeable feeling," I added, "from which every one would willingly escape, but none know their own power without trial. Invalids are glad to consult physicians, and submit to the most scrupulous regimen, the most nauseous medicines, in order to recover their health."I observed that the good old man inclined his head, and exerted himself to hear our discourse; so I raised my voice, and addressed myself directly to him. "We preach against a great many crimes," I observed, "but I never remember a sermon delivered against ill-humour.”"That may do very well for your town clergymen," said he: "country people are never ill-humoured; though, indeed, it might be useful, occasionally, to my wife for instance, and the judge.”We all laughed, as did he likewise very cordially, till he fell into a fit of coughing, which interrupted our conversation for a time. Herr Schmidt resumed the subject. "You call ill humour a crime," he remarked, "but I think you use too strong a term.""Not at all," I replied, "if that deserves the name which is so pernicious to ourselves and our neighbours. Is it not enough that we want the power to make one another happy, must we deprive each other of the pleasure which we can all make for ourselves? Show me the man who has the courage to hide his ill-humour, who bears the whole burden himself, without disturbing the peace of those around him. No: ill-humour arises from an inward consciousness of our own want of merit, from a discontent which ever accompanies that envy which foolish vanity engenders. We see people happy, whom we have not made so, and cannot endure the sight.”Charlotte looked at me with a smile; she observed the emotion with which I spoke: and a tear in the eyes of Frederica stimulated me to proceed. "Woe unto those," I said, "who use their power over a human heart to destroy the simple pleasures it would naturally enjoy! All the favours, all the attentions, in the world cannot compensate for the loss of that happiness which a cruel tyranny has destroyed."My heart was full as I spoke. A recollection of many things which had happened pressed upon my mind, and filled my eyes with tears. "We should daily repeat to ourselves," I exclaimed, "that we should not interfere with our friends, unless to leave them in possession of their own joys, and increase their happiness by sharing it with them! But when their souls are tormented by a violent passion, or their hearts rent with grief, is it in your power to afford them the slightest consolation?“有道理，”夏洛特说，“至少，我相信这极大程度上取决于我们自身；我自己就有切身体会。遇到不愉快的事，心情烦躁时，我就跑到花园里，哼跳几支乡村舞蹈，烦恼立刻就消失了。”“我正是这个意思，”我答道，“脾气不好跟懒惰很相似，对我们来说，这是很自然的事。可是，只要我们勇于努力，就会发现一切工作都会得心应手，并能从我们曾畏惧的活动中体验到真正的快乐。”弗雷德里卡全神贯注地听着，那位年轻绅士则反驳我说，人无法掌控自己，更不用说他们的情感了。“我们现在谈的问题是情绪不佳，”我补充道，“每个人都想摆脱它，但是在尝试之前，谁也不知道自己有多大力量。病人生病了就会去看大夫，为了康复，再多的禁忌，再苦的药，他们都会接受。”我发现这位善良的老人将头倾向我们，尽力想听清我们的谈话，于是我提高了嗓门，直接面对着他继续讲道。“我们在布道时谴责各种罪恶，”我说道，“但我们从未听说谁在布道时谴责过坏脾气。”“这事该让城里的牧师去做，”他说道，“乡村牧师没有坏脾气的，当然了，偶尔讲一讲，对我的夫人及法官先生还是很有帮助的嘛。”我们都笑了，他也哈哈大笑起来，直到笑得连连咳嗽，我们的谈话也因此中断了片刻。施密特先生继续了这个话题。“你把坏脾气称作一种犯罪，”他说道，“我想你未免太过分了吧。”“一点儿也不过分，”我回答道，“如果脾气不好，既害人又损己，那么，这样说就恰如其分。我们不能使彼此幸福，这还不够吗？难道我们还必须互相剥夺各自心中自己创造的那些欢乐不成？请告诉我，有谁脾气恶劣却能强忍着不发作，独自承受煎熬，而不去破坏周围人的快乐呢。没有；脾气不好是由于自身不足产生的一种内在情绪，也是由于心中不快。这种不满经常和嫉妒结合在一起，嫉妒又会引发愚蠢的虚荣心。我们看到别人幸福，而这幸福不是我们给予的，我们就无法容忍。”夏洛特微笑着看着我，她注意到了我讲话时的情绪，而弗雷德里卡眼眶中的泪花让我讲起来更起劲儿了。“这种人可悲啊，”我说道，“他们霸占了别人的心，滥用这个权利，剥夺了人家心中自然萌发的单纯的快乐！世间所有的礼物和关怀都无法补偿那被暴君的嫉妒心所破坏的幸福快乐。”说话时，我心中思绪万千。多少往事的回忆压抑着我的思想，使我热泪盈眶。“我们应该天天对自己说，”我喊道，“对待朋友我们只应让他们享受自己的快乐，增进与他们共享的幸福，此外不应做别的事！可是，如果他们的灵魂被澎湃的激情所折磨，心绪为痛苦所困扰的话，你是不是能够给他们一点点安慰呢？

"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."“当最可怕的疾病向那个被你葬送了青春年华的姑娘袭来，她躺在床上奄奄一息、身力憔悴，目光茫然地望着天空，临终时汗珠不时地从惨白的额头渗出，你像一个该死的罪犯站在她的床边，你痛苦地觉得，即使用尽全部能力也无法救她了；这种痛苦的想法让你心如刀绞——即使付出自己所有的努力也无法给这即将离去的生命哪怕瞬间的力量或者用片刻的安慰鼓舞她。”

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.

说着说着，回忆起曾经亲身经历过的一个类似的场景，我心情无比沉重。我用手绢捂住脸，匆忙地离开了房间，直到听到夏洛特喊我，说该回家了，我才回过神来。路上，她柔声细语地责备我，说我对一切都太过关心了！她说这样会害了我，我应该珍惜自己。哦，我的天使！为了你，我会照你的话去做。

JULY 6.

7月6日

She is still with her dying friend, and is still the same bright, beautiful creature whose presence softens pain, and sheds happiness around whichever way she turns. She went out yesterday with her little sisters: I knew it, and went to meet them; and we walked together. In about an hour and a half we returned to the town. We stopped at the spring I am so fond of, and which is now a thousand times dearer to me than ever. Charlotte seated herself upon the low wall, and we gathered about her. I looked around, and recalled the time when my heart was unoccupied and free. "Dear fountain!" I said, "since that time I have no more come to enjoy cool repose by thy fresh stream: I have passed thee with careless steps, and scarcely bestowed a glance upon thee.”I looked down, and observed Charlotte's little sister, Jane, coming up the steps with a glass of water. I turned toward Charlotte, and I felt her influence over me. Jane at the moment approached with the glass. Her sister, Marianne, wished to take it from her. "No!" cried the child, with the sweetest expression of face, "Charlotte must drink first."

她一直陪伴在临死的朋友身旁，她始终是这样一个活泼可爱的人；她走到哪里，哪里的痛苦就会少很多，哪里就会弥漫着快乐。昨天她和妹妹们一起外出了。我知道后，去找了她们，同她们一起散步。走了约摸一个半小时，我们回到了城里。我们在我很喜欢的泉边驻足，如今这泉对我来说更是珍贵了千万倍。夏洛特坐在矮墙上，我们则聚在她的周围。我环顾四周，回想起往日空寂悠闲的时光。“可爱的清泉啊！”我说道，“我好久没来这儿乘凉了，有时匆匆走过你身旁，竟看都不曾看你一眼。”我往下看，看见夏洛特的妹妹简，正拿着一杯水从台阶走了上来。我望向夏洛特，感受着她对我的影响。这时，简拿着杯子走了过来。她的妹妹玛丽安娜想把杯子抢过去。“不！”简嚷道，脸上露出甜美的表情，“夏洛特应该先喝。”

The affection and simplicity with which this was uttered so charmed me, that I sought to express my feelings by catching up the child and kissing her heartily. She was frightened, and began to cry. "You should not do that," said Charlotte: I felt perplexed. "Come, Jane," she continued, taking her hand, and leading her down the steps again, "it is no matter: wash yourself quickly in the fresh water.”I stood and watched them; and when I saw the little dear rubbing her cheeks with her wet hands, in full belief that all the impurities contracted from my ugly beard would be washed off by the miraculous water, and how, though Charlotte said it would do, she continued still to wash with all her might, as though she thought too much were better than too little,I assure you, Wilhelm, I never attended a baptism with greater reverence; and, when Charlotte came up from the well, I could have prostrated myself as before the prophet of an Eastern nation.

她说话时那种真诚的表情令我神往，我找不出别的办法表达我的感情，于是就抱起孩子，热情地亲吻着。她被吓坏了，立刻哭了起来。“你不该那样做，”夏洛特说。我感到不知所措。“过来，简，”夏洛特接着说，牵着孩子的手走下台阶，“没关系，快用清水自己洗洗干净。”我站在那儿看着她们，看着小家伙用湿漉漉的小手擦洗着双颊，好像完全相信这神奇的泉水会洗去从我胡子上沾到的所有不干净的东西。夏洛特说会洗净的，但简还是使劲地擦洗，似乎多洗总比少洗好。我向你保证，威廉，我往常参加洗礼，从来没有像这次这般虔诚；夏洛特从泉边走来，我真想跪倒在她面前，如同跪倒在一位来自东方国度的先知面前一样。

In the evening I would not resist telling the story to a person who, I thought, possessed some natural feeling, because he was a man of understanding. But what a mistake I made. He maintained it was very wrong of Charlotte, that we should not deceive children, that such things occasioned countless mistakes and superstitions, from which we were bound to protect the young. It occurred to me then, that this very man had been baptised only a week before; so I said nothing further, but maintained the justice of my own convictions. We should deal with children as God deals with us, we are happiest under the influence of innocent delusions.

晚上，我迫不及待地把事情告诉了一个人，我本以为他是通情达理的人，因为他懂得人性。但是，我错了。他觉得夏洛特做得不对，我们不应该欺骗孩子们，这会引起种种误解和迷信。孩子幼年时我们就应该防止他们受到这种影响。我这才想起来，此人是一星期前才接受洗礼的，所以我之后再也没说什么，不过我对自己的判断深信不疑。我们应该像上帝对待我们一样地对待孩子们，只有陶醉在最愉快的幻想当中，我们才能获得最大的幸福。

JULY 8.

7月8日

What a child is man that he should be so solicitous about a look! What a child is man! We had been to Walheim: the ladies went in a carriage; but during our walk I thought I saw in Charlotte's dark eyes—I am a fool—but forgive me! you should see them,—those eyes. —However, to be brief (for my own eyes are weighed down with sleep), you must know, when the ladies stepped into their carriage again, young W. Seldstadt, Andran, and I were standing about the door. They are a merry set of fellows, and they were all laughing and joking together. I watched Charlotte's eyes. They wandered from one to the other; but they did not light on me, on me, who stood there motionless, and who saw nothing but her! My heart bade her a thousand times adieu, but she noticed me not. The carriage drove off; and my eyes filled with tears. I looked after her: suddenly I saw Charlotte's bonnet leaning out of the window, and she turned to look back, was it at me? My dear friend, I know not; and in this uncertainty I find consolation. Perhaps she turned to look at me. Perhaps! Good-night—what a child I am!

我简直是个孩子，竟然渴望着别人的一瞥！我简直是个孩子！我们到瓦尔海姆去了，女士们坐着马车去的，我们散步时，我想我从夏洛特黑色的双眸里看到——我是个傻瓜——不过请原谅我吧！你真该看看——那双眼睛。——不过，我想简短些（因为我的眼睛困得简直睁不开了），你要知道，等女士们回到马车上时，年轻的W. 泽尔特施塔特、奥德兰和我还站在车门旁。他们是一帮快乐的小伙子，一路上一直说说笑笑。我注视着夏洛特的眼睛。她左顾右盼，却没有看我，而我站在那儿，一动不动，眼里只有她。我在心里跟她说了千声再见，她却没有看我一眼。马车驶走了，我泪流满面。我目送着她，突然，我看到夏洛特的帽子从车窗露了出来，她回头看了看，是在看我吗？亲爱的朋友，我不知道，我的心起伏不定，却从中找到了慰藉。也许她回头看了我。也许吧！晚安——我简直就是个孩子！

JULY 10.

7月10日

You should see how foolish I look in company when her name is mentioned, particularly when I am asked plainly how I like her. How I like her! I detest the phrase. What sort of creature must he be who merely liked Charlotte, whose whole heart and senses were not entirely absorbed by her. Like her! Some one asked me lately how I liked Ossian.

大家在一起时，一提到她的名字，尤其是别人径直问我有多喜欢她时，你该看到我会变成一副怎样的蠢模样。我真的很喜欢她！我讨厌这句话。一个人要是喜欢夏洛特，那个人若不是全心全意为她付出全部感情的话，那他算是什么东西。喜欢她！最近有人问我喜不喜欢奥西恩。

JULY 11.

7月11日

Madame M—is very ill. I pray for her recovery, because Charlotte shares my sufferings. I see her occasionally at my friend's house, and to-day she has told me the strangest circumstance. Old M—is a covetous, miserly fellow, who has long worried and annoyed the poor lady sadly; but she has borne her afflictions patiently. A few days ago, when the physician informed us that her recovery was hopeless, she sent for her husband (Charlotte was present), and addressed him thus: "I have something to confess, which, after my decease, may occasion trouble and confusion. I have hitherto conducted your household as frugally and economically as possible, but you must pardon me for having defrauded you for thirty years. At the commencement of our married life, you allowed a small sum for the wants of the kitchen, and the other household expenses. When our establishment increased and our property grew larger, I could not persuade you to increase the weekly allowance in proportion: in short, you know, that, when our wants were greatest, you required me to supply everything with seven florins a week. I took the money from you without an observation, but made up the weekly deficiency from the money-chest; as nobody would suspect your wife of robbing the household bank. But I have wasted nothing, and should have been content to meet my eternal Judge without this confession, if she, upon whom the management of your establishment will devolve after my decease, would be free from embarrassment upon your insisting that the allowance made to me, your former wife, was sufficient.”

M—夫人病得很重。我替她祈祷，因为我分担着夏洛特的苦恼。我偶尔会在某位朋友家里看见她，而今天她对我说起一件怪事。M—老头是个贪婪、吝啬的家伙，他对这位可怜的夫人可谓百般折磨与烦扰，但是他夫人却总能安然忍受。几天前，医生通知说她已康复无望，于是她叫来了丈夫（夏洛特当时在场），对他说道：“有件事我要向你坦白，否则我死后会闹出麻烦和乱子的。我操持家务到现在，尽心尽力地做到勤俭节约，但请你原谅我，我骗了你三十年。我们刚结婚的时候，你规定了一点点钱作为给家里的伙食费和其他的家庭开支。随着我们的家业越来越大，财产越来越多，你却从未听劝增加每星期给我的费用。总之，你是知道的，即便是开支最大的时候，你仍要求我每星期只花七弗罗林来打点家里的一切。我偷偷地从钱柜中取出钱来，以便弥补每星期的亏空，因为没有人会怀疑你的妻子会偷窃自家的钱柜。可是我并未浪费过一分钱，本来我无须坦白，也能够心安理得地走向那永恒的世界，要不是想到接替我的那位管家会左右为难，不知如何才好，你还可能会一直唠叨说，你的前妻仅凭这一点钱就过得挺宽裕的了。”

I talked with Charlotte of the inconceivable manner in which men allow themselves to be blinded; how any one could avoid suspecting some deception, when seven florins only were allowed to defray expenses twice as great. But I have myself known people who believed, without any visible astonishment, that their house possessed the prophet's never-failing cruse of oil.

我和夏洛特谈论着，人心的愚昧简直不可理解，看到七个弗罗林竟然能应付也许两倍多的开销时，却并不怀疑其中另有奥妙。不过，我自己也确实是认识一些人，他们毫不惊讶地以为自己家里拥有着先知的取之不尽的油瓶。

JULY 13.

7月13日

No, I am not deceived. In her dark eyes I read a genuine interest in me and in my fortunes. Yes, I feel it; and I may believe my own heart which tells me—dare I say it?—dare I pronounce the divine words?—that she loves me!

不，我没有被骗。从她黑色的双眸里，我看出了她对我和我的命运真正的同情。是的，我感觉得到，我信得过自己的心——我可以说吗？——我可以用这神圣的话说吗？——她爱我！

That she loves me! How the idea exalts me in my own eyes! And, as you can understand my feelings, I may say to you, how I honour myself since she loves me!

她爱我！这种想法让我感觉自己是多么高贵啊！因为你懂得我的感情，我可以告诉你，自从她爱上我，我是多么地崇拜自己啊！

Is this presumption, or is it a consciousness of the truth? I do not know a man able to supplant me in the heart of Charlotte; and yet when she speaks of her betrothed with so much warmth and affection, I feel like the soldier who has been stripped of his honours and titles, and deprived of his sword.

这是臆想，还是对真相的感悟呢？我并不了解夏洛特心中那个能够代替我的男人，不过，每当她深情、热烈地谈起自己的未婚夫，我就会觉得自己像一个被剥夺了荣誉和头衔，连佩剑也被夺走的军人。

JULY 16.

7月16日

How my heart beats when by accident I touch her finger, or my feet meet hers under the table! I draw back as if from a furnace; but a secret force impels me forward again, and my senses become disordered. Her innocent, unconscious heart never knows what agony these little familiarities inflict upon me. Sometimes when we are talking she lays her hand upon mine, and in the eagerness of conversation comes closer to me, and her balmy breath reaches my lips,—when I feel as if lightning had struck me, and that I could sink into the earth. And yet, Wilhelm, with all this heavenly confidence,—if I know myself, and should ever dare—you understand me. No, no! my heart is not so corrupt, it is weak, weak enough but is not that a degree of corruption?

当我无意中碰到她的手指，或者我们的脚在桌子底下相遇时，我的心都快蹦出来了！我就好像碰到火一样缩了回来，但是一股神秘的力量却又把我拉向前，我整个人都神魂颠倒。她天真无邪而又纯洁的心灵永远感觉不到这细微亲密的动作是如何令我苦恼。有时，我们谈话时她会把一只手放在我的手上，谈到激动时，她会凑近我，她芳香的气息会吹到我的嘴唇上——此刻我感到像被电击了一样，整个人都要晕倒了。可是，威廉，怀着全部天国的信任——如果我理解自己，应该敢于——你是了解我的。不，不！我的心不会那么堕落，我的心软弱，太软弱了，可是这难道不是某种程度的堕落吗？

She is to me a sacred being. All passion is still in her presence: I cannot express my sensations when I am near her. I feel as if my soul beat in every nerve of my body. There is a melody which she plays on the piano with angelic skill,—so simple is it, and yet so spiritual! It is her favourite air; and, when she plays the first note, all pain, care, and sorrow disappear from me in a moment.

她在我眼中是神圣的。在她面前，所有感情都很平静，在她身边时，我总是无法表达出自己的感受。我感到我的灵魂好像在身上的每根神经上跳来跳去。她坐在钢琴边，像天使一般奏出了美妙的旋律——那么单纯，又那么超凡脱俗！这是她最喜欢的曲子，只要她叩响第一个音符，我所有的苦痛、烦恼和忧愁都会在刹那间烟消云散。

I believe every word that is said of the magic of ancient music. How her simple song enchants me! Sometimes, when I am ready to commit suicide, she sings that air; and instantly the gloom and madness which hung over me are dispersed, and I breathe freely again.

我认为有关古老音乐具有魔力的说法句句属实。她这么简单的曲子竟然迷倒了我！有时候，在我准备了此一生时，她奏响那首曲子，突然所有那些笼罩在我心头的忧郁和狂躁就都消散了，我又能自由地呼吸了。

JULY 18.

7月18日

Wilhelm, what is the world to our hearts without love? What is a magic-lantern without light? You have but to kindle the flame within, and the brightest figures shine on the white wall; and, if love only show us fleeting shadows, we are yet happy, when, like mere children, we behold them, and are transported with the splendid phantoms. I have not been able to see Charlotte to-day. I was prevented by company from which I could not disengage myself. What was to be done? I sent my servant to her house, that I might at least see somebody to-day who had been near her. Oh, the impatience with which I waited for his return! the joy with which I welcomed him! I should certainly have caught him in my arms, and kissed him, if I had not been ashamed.

威廉，如果世界上没有爱情，那么它在我们心中还有什么意义？如果没有光亮，一盏魔灯还能成什么东西？你只消点亮一盏小灯，绚烂的图像便会映照在白墙上，即便爱情只能给我们以过眼云烟般的幻影，我们也会感到快乐，我们如孩子般看着这些幻影，被它们深深地迷住了。我今天不能去看夏洛特了。有个集会拖住了我，我不得不参加。怎么办？我派了我的仆人去她家，至少我要确定我身边的人今天能在她那儿呆上一会儿。哦，我急不可待地等着仆人归来！再次见到他时，我又是多么快活！要不是我自己不好意思，我一定会抱他入怀，亲吻他的。

It is said that the Bonona stone, when placed in the sun, attracts the rays, and for a time appears luminous in the dark. So was it with me and this servant. The idea that Charlotte's eyes had dwelt on his countenance, his cheek, his very apparel, endeared them all inestimably to me, so that at the moment I would not have parted from him for a thousand crowns. His presence made me so happy! Beware of laughing at me, Wilhelm. Can that be a delusion which makes us happy?

据说有一种博诺纳石，放在太阳底下，它会吸收阳光，晚上便会发一会儿光。这个仆人在我眼里便是这种石头。想到她的眼光曾在他的脸庞、面颊、上衣上停留过，我就觉得这一切都十分神圣、珍贵无比。那一刻，即便是有人给我一千克朗，我也不愿把他放走。他的出现令我无比快活！威廉，千万别笑话我。难道令我心中舒畅的东西还会是幻影吗？

JULY 19.

7月19日

"I shall see her today!" I exclaim with delight, when I rise in the morning, and look out with gladness of heart at the bright, beautiful sun. "I shall see her today!"And then I have no further wish to form: all, all is included in that one thought.“今天我要去看她！”清晨醒来，我望着东升的旭日，兴高采烈地喊道。“今天我要去见她！”这一天我别无他求：一切，一切都融化在这个想法中了。

JULY 20.

7月20日

I cannot assent to your proposal that I should accompany the ambassador to—. I do not love subordination; and we all know that he is a rough, disagreeable person to be connected with. You say my mother wishes me to be employed. I could not help laughing at that. Am I not sufficiently employed? And is it not in reality the same, whether I shell peas or count lentils? The world runs on from one folly to another; and the man who, solely from regard to the opinion of others, and without any wish or necessity of his own, toils after gold, honour, or any other phantom, is no better than a fool.

你说我应该陪公使到某地去，这个想法我没法赞同。我不喜欢听人差遣，我们又都知道这位公使粗鄙、令人厌烦，很难跟他打交道。你说我妈妈希望我有所作为。我不禁发笑。现在我不是正忙着吗？不管我是在剥豆荚还是数扁豆，实际上不都一样吗？世间的一切都是从一个荒唐到另一个荒唐，一个人只是顾及到别人的看法就忙忙碌碌、争名夺利，而置自己的愿望与需求于不顾，这种人真是傻。

JULY 24.

7月24日

You insist so much on my not neglecting my drawing, that it would be as well for me to say nothing as to confess how little I have lately done.

你督促我千万不要把画画给荒废了，我本想压根儿不提此事，免得告诉你我近来很少作画。

I never felt happier, I never understood nature better, even down to the veriest stem or smallest blade of grass; and yet I am unable to express myself: my powers of execution are so weak, everything seems to swim and float before me, so that I cannot make a clear, bold outline. But I fancy I should succeed better if I had some clay or wax to model. I shall try, if this state of mind continues much longer, and will take to modelling, if I only knead dough.

我从未这样幸福过，我对于大自然，不论是一棵大树还是一根小草，也不曾有过这么亲切的感受。可是我不知道如何表达，我的想象力是如此匮乏，一切在我心中都飘移不定、左右摇摆，以至于我一点儿轮廓也抓不住。但是，我突发奇想，如果我能用粘土或者蜡雕个模型出来会更好。如果这种想法能够保存得更长久些，我会试着用粘土来揉捏，即便是捏成一团泥饼也罢。

I have commenced Charlotte's portrait three times, and have as often disgraced myself. This is the more annoying, as I was formerly very happy in taking likenesses. I have since sketched her profile, and must content myself with that.

我动手画过三次夏洛特的肖像，都没成功，每次都让我感觉很丢脸。这更令我感到恼火，因为以前我非常乐于画肖像。后来，我给她作了一幅剪影，以便聊以自慰。

JULY 25.

7月25日

Yes, dear Charlotte! I will order and arrange everything. Only give me more commissions, the more the better. One thing, however, I must request: use no more writing-sand with the dear notes you send me. Today I raised your letter hastily to my lips, and it set my teeth on edge.

好的，亲爱的夏洛特！我会将一切安排得井井有条。你尽管吩咐吧，越多越好。不过，我只求你一件事：以后千万不要再在给我的纸条上撒沙子了。今天我匆忙地把信按在嘴上的时候，那些沙子弄得我嘴里嘎吱作响。

JULY 26.

7月26日

I have often determined not to see her so frequently. But who could keep such a resolution? Every day I am exposed to the temptation, and promise faithfully that to-morrow I will really stay away: but, when tomorrow comes, I find some irresistible reason for seeing her; and, before I can account for it, I am with her again. Either she has said on the previous evening "You will be sure to call to-morrow,”—and who could stay away then?—or she gives me some commission, and I find it essential to take her the answer in person; or the day is fine, and I walk to Walheim; and, when I am there, it is only half a league farther to her. I am within the charmed atmosphere, and soon find myself at her side. My grandmother used to tell us a story of a mountain of loadstone. When any vessels came near it, they were instantly deprived of their ironwork: the nails flew to the mountain, and the unhappy crew perished amidst the disjointed planks.

我曾几次下定决心不要频繁地去看她。可谁又能坚持这一决心呢？每天我都会为这种诱惑所屈服，于是便虔诚地宣誓，我明天不要去了。可是，等明天到了，我发现我依然忍不住想去见她，还没有明白过来，自己已经又到了她的身边。或者她前天晚上说过”你明天一定要来啊，“——那么谁到时会不来呢？或者她要我办事，我觉得有必要前去告诉她一声；或者天气太好，我步行去瓦尔海姆；一到那儿，离她家也就不过半里格的路程了。我被迷她住了，很快便来到了她身边。奶奶曾经给我讲过一个有关磁石山的故事。但凡有船只靠近，船上的铁制品便会马上被吸附过去：铁钉都朝着山上飞去，那些不幸的船员也都随着散裂的船板沉入了大海。

JULY 30.

7月30日

Albert is arrived, and I must take my departure. Were he the best and noblest of men, and I in every respect his inferior, I could not endure to see him in possession of such a perfect being. Possession!—enough, Wilhelm: her betrothed is here,—a fine, worthy fellow, whom one cannot help liking. Fortunately I was not present at their meeting. It would have broken my heart! And he is so considerate: he has not given Charlotte one kiss in my presence. Heaven reward him for it! I must love him for the respect with which he treats her. He shows a regard for me, but for this I suspect I am more indebted to Charlotte than to his own fancy for me. Women have a delicate tact in such matters, and it should be so. They cannot always succeed in keeping two rivals on terms with each other; but, when they do, they are the only gainers.

阿尔贝特回来了，我该走了。尽管他是个优秀、高贵的男人，我在各方面都甘拜下风，可是看到他能够拥有一位如此完美的可人，我真是无法忍受。占有！——够了，威廉，她的未婚夫在这儿——一位英俊、优秀的男人，叫人不得不喜欢。幸好他们见面时我不在场。否则我一定会心如刀割！而且他考虑得很周全，我在场时他从未吻过夏洛特。愿上帝因此眷顾他！就为他对这位姑娘的爱，我也不得不爱他。他对我很好，我想这主要是因为夏洛特的缘故，而非出于他自己的感情。女人们都精于此道，而且她们自有道理。她们不是总能使两个爱慕者彼此和睦相处，但如果做到了，她们就是唯一的受益者。

I cannot help esteeming Albert. The coolness of his temper contrasts strongly with the impetuosity of mine, which I cannot conceal. He has a great deal of feeling, and is fully sensible of the treasure he possesses in Charlotte. He is free from ill-humour, which you know is the fault I detest most.

我不禁佩服起阿尔贝特来。他冷静的外表与我无法掩饰的不安个性形成了鲜明的对比。他情感丰富，深知夏洛特有多宝贵。他脾气不坏，你知道，我最恨人脾气恶劣，这是人性的缺点。

He regards me as a man of sense; and my attachment to Charlotte, and the interest I take in all that concerns her, augment his triumph and his love. I shall not inquire whether he may not at times tease her with some little jealousies; as I know, that, were I in his place, I should not be entirely free from such sensations.

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