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第29章

the sorrows of young werther(少年维特的烦恼)-第29章


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into ridicule; but caused Charlotte to share his feelings of
incredulity。  Her heart was thus tranquillised when she felt
disposed to view the melancholy subject in a serious point of
view; though she never communicated to her husband the
apprehensions she sometimes experienced。

Albert; upon his return; was received by Charlotte with
ill…concealed embarrassment。  He was himself out of humour; his
business was unfinished; and he had just discovered that the
neighbouring official with whom he had to deal; was an obstinate
and narrow…minded personage。  Many things had occurred to irritate
him。

He inquired whether anything had happened during his absence; and
Charlotte hastily answered that Werther had been there on the
evening previously。  He then inquired for his letters; and was
answered that several packages had been left in his study。  He
thereon retired; leaving Charlotte alone。

The presence of the being she loved and honoured produced a new
impression on her heart。  The recollection of his generosity;
kindness; and affection had calmed her agitation: a secret impulse
prompted her to follow him; she took her work and went to his
study; as was often her custom。  He was busily employed opening
and reading his letters。  It seemed as if the contents of some
were disagreeable。  She asked some questions: he gave short answers;
and sat down to write。

Several hours passed in this manner; and Charlotte's feelings
became more and more melancholy。  She felt the extreme difficulty
of explaining to her husband; under any circumstances; the weight
that lay upon her heart; and her depression became every moment
greater; in proportion as she endeavoured to hide her grief; and
to conceal her tears。

The arrival of Werther's servant occasioned her the greatest
embarrassment。  He gave Albert a note; which the latter coldly
handed to his wife; saying; at the same time; 〃Give him the pistols。
I wish him a pleasant journey;〃 he added; turning to the servant。
These words fell upon Charlotte like a thunderstroke: she rose
from her seat half…fainting; and unconscious of what she did。  She
walked mechanically toward the wall; took down the pistols with a
trembling hand; slowly wiped the dust from them; and would have
delayed longer; had not Albert hastened her movements by an impatient
look。  She then delivered the fatal weapons to the servant; without
being able to utter a word。  As soon as he had departed; she folded
up her work; and retired at once to her room; her heart overcome
with the most fearful forebodings。  She anticipated some dreadful
calamity。  She was at one moment on the point of going to her
husband; throwing herself at his feet; and acquainting him with
all that had happened on the previous evening; that she might
acknowledge her fault; and explain her apprehensions; then she saw
that such a step would be useless; as she would certainly be unable
to induce Albert to visit Werther。  Dinner was served; and a kind
friend whom she had persuaded to remain assisted to sustain the
conversation; which was carried on by a sort of compulsion; till
the events of the morning were forgotten。

When the servant brought the pistols to Werther; the latter received
them with transports of delight upon hearing that Charlotte had
given them to him with her own hand。  He ate some bread; drank
some wine; sent his servant to dinner; and then sat down to write
as follows:

〃They have been in your hands you wiped the dust from them。  I
kiss them a thousand times  you have touched them。  Yes; Heaven
favours my design; and you; Charlotte; provide me with the fatal
instruments。  It was my desire to receive my death from your hands;
and my wish is gratified。  I have made inquiries of my servant。
You trembled when you gave him the pistols; but you bade me no
adieu。  Wretched; wretched that I am  not one farewell!  How
could you shut your heart against me in that hour which makes you
mine for ever?  Charlotte; ages cannot efface the impression  I
feel you cannot hate the man who so passionately loves you!〃

After dinner he called his servant; desired him to finish the
packing up; destroyed many papers; and then went out to pay some
trifling debts。  He soon returned home; then went out again;
notwithstanding the rain; walked for some time in the count's
garden; and afterward proceeded farther into the country。  Toward
evening he came back once more; and resumed his writing。

〃Wilhelm; I have for the last time beheld the mountains; the forests;
and the sky。  Farewell!  And you; my dearest mother; forgive me!
Console her; Wilhelm。  God bless you!  I have settled all my
affairs!  Farewell!  We shall meet again; and be happier than ever。〃

〃I have requited you badly; Albert; but you will forgive me。  I
have disturbed the peace of your home。  I have sowed distrust
between you。  Farewell!  I will end all this wretchedness。  And
oh; that my death may render you happy!  Albert; Albert! make that
angel happy; and the blessing of Heaven be upon you!〃

He spent the rest of the evening in arranging his papers: he tore
and burned a great many; others he sealed up; and directed to
Wilhelm。  They contained some detached thoughts and maxims; some
of which I have perused。  At ten o'clock he ordered his fire to
be made up; and a bottle of wine to be brought to him。  He then
dismissed his servant; whose room; as well as the apartments of
the rest of the family; was situated in another part of the house。
The servant lay down without undressing; that he might be the
sooner ready for his journey in the morning; his master having
informed him that the post…horses would be at the door before six
o'clock。

〃Past eleven o'clock!  All is silent around me; and my soul is
calm。  I thank thee; O God; that thou bestowest strength and courage
upon me in these last moments!  I approach the window; my dearest
of friends; and through the clouds; which are at this moment driven
rapidly along by the impetuous winds; I behold the stars which
illumine the eternal heavens。  No; you will not fall; celestial
bodies: the hand of the Almighty supports both you and me!  I have
looked for the last time upon the constellation of the Greater
Bear: it is my favourite star; for when I bade you farewell at
night; Charlotte; and turned my steps from your door; it always
shone upon me。  With what rapture have I at times beheld it!  How
often have I implored it with uplifted hands to witness my felicity!
and even still  But what object is there; Charlotte; which fails
to summon up your image before me?  Do you not surround me on all
sides? and have I not; like a child; treasured up every trifle
which you have consecrated by your touch?
  
〃Your profile; which was so dear to me; I return to you; and I
pray you to preserve it。  Thousands of kisses have I imprinted
upon it; and a thousand times has it gladdened my heart on departing
from and returning to my home。

〃I have implored your father to protect my remains。  At the corner
of the churchyard; looking toward the fields; there are two
lime…trees  there I wish to lie。  Your father can; and doubtless
will; do this much for his friend。  Implore it of him。  But perhaps
pious Christians will not choose that their bodies chould be
buried near the corpse of a poor; unhappy wretch like me。  Then
let me be laid in some remote valley; or near the highway; where
the priest and Levite may bless themselves as they pass by my
tomb; whilst the Samaritan will shed a tear for my fate。

〃See; Charlotte; I do not shudder to take the cold and fatal cup;
from which I shall drink the draught of death。  Your hand presents
it to me; and I do not tremble。  All; all is now concluded: the
wishes and the hopes of my existence are fulfilled。  With cold;
unflinching hand I knock at the brazen portals of Death。  Oh; that
I had enjoyed the bliss of dying for you! how gladly would I have
sacrificed myself for you; Charlotte!  And could I but restore
peace and joy to your bosom; with what resolution; with what joy;
would I not meet my fate!  But it is the lot of only a chosen few
to shed their blood for their friends; and by their death to
augment; a thousand

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