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第4章

the sorrows of young werther(少年维特的烦恼)-第4章


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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。

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?

JUNE 16。

〃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。

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。

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。

So much simplicity with so much understauding  so mild; and yet
so resolute  a mind so placid; and a life so active。

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。

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!

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。

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。

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。

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。

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 fee

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