第4章

Ashenowneverenjoyedinternalpeace，theconditionofhisfellowcreatureswastohimaperpetualsourceoftroubleanddistress。

HebelievedhehaddisturbedthehappinessofAlbertandhiswife;

and，whilsthecensuredhimselfstronglyforthis，hebegantoentertainasecretdisliketoAlbert。

Histhoughtswereoccasionallydirectedtothispoint。"Yes，"hewouldrepeattohimself，withill-concealeddissatisfaction，"yes，thisis，afterall，theextentofthatconfiding，dear，tender，andsympatheticlove，thatcalmandeternalfidelity！WhatdoI

beholdbutsatietyandindifference？Doesnoteveryfrivolousengagementattracthimmorethanhischarmingandlovelywife？

Doesheknowhowtoprizehishappiness？Canhevalueherasshedeserves？Hepossessesher，itistrue，Iknowthat，asIknowmuchmore，andIhavebecomeaccustomedtothethoughtthathewilldrivememad，or，perhaps，murderme。Ishisfriendshiptowardmeunimpaired？DoeshenotviewmyattachmenttoCharlotteasaninfringementuponhisrights，andconsidermyattentiontoherasasilentrebuketohimself？Iknow，andindeedfeel，thathedislikesme，thathewishesformyabsence，thatmypresenceishatefultohim。"

HewouldoftenpausewhenonhiswaytovisitCharlotte，standstill，asthoughindoubt，andseemdesirousofreturning，butwouldneverthelessproceed;and，engagedinsuchthoughtsandsoliloquiesaswehavedescribed，hefinallyreachedthehunting-lodge，withasortofinvoluntaryconsent。

Upononeoccasionheenteredthehouse;and，inquiringforCharlotte，heobservedthattheinmateswereinastateofunusualconfusion。TheeldestboyinformedhimthatadreadfulmisfortunehadoccurredatWalheim，——thatapeasanthadbeenmurdered！Butthismadelittleimpressionuponhim。Enteringtheapartment，hefoundCharlotteengagedreasoningwithherfather，who，inspiteofhisinfirmity，insistedongoingtothesceneofthecrime，inordertoinstituteaninquiry。Thecriminalwasunknown;thevictimhadbeenfounddeadathisowndoorthatmorning。Suspicionswereexcited：themurderedmanhadbeenintheserviceofawidow，andthepersonwhohadpreviouslyfilledthesituationhadbeendismissedfromheremployment。

AssoonasWertherheardthis，heexclaimedwithgreatexcitement，"Isitpossible！Imustgotothespot——Icannotdelayamoment！"

HehastenedtoWalheim。Everyincidentreturnedvividlytohisremembrance;andheentertainednottheslightestdoubtthatthatmanwasthemurderertowhomhehadsooftenspoken，andforwhomheentertainedsomuchregard。Hiswaytookhimpastthewell-knownlimetrees，tothehousewherethebodyhadbeencarried;andhisfeelingsweregreatlyexcitedatthesightofthefondlyrecollectedspot。Thatthresholdwheretheneighbours’childrenhadsooftenplayedtogetherwasstainedwithblood;loveandattachment，thenoblestfeelingsofhumannature，hadbeenconvertedintoviolenceandmurder。Thehugetreesstoodthereleaflessandcoveredwithhoarfrost;thebeautifulhedgerowswhichsurroundedtheoldchurchyardwallwerewithered;andthegravestones，halfcoveredwithsnow，werevisiblethroughtheopenings。

Asheapproachedtheinn，infrontofwhichthewholevillagewasassembled，screamsweresuddenlyheard。Atroopofarmedpeasantswasseenapproaching，andeveryoneexclaimedthatthecriminalhadbeenapprehended。Wertherlooked，andwasnotlongindoubt。

Theprisonerwasnootherthantheservant，whohadbeenformerlysoattachedtothewidow，andwhomhehadmetprowlingabout，withthatsuppressedangerandill-concealeddespair，whichwehavebeforedescribed。

"Whathaveyoudone，unfortunateman？"inquiredWerther，asheadvancedtowardtheprisoner。Thelatterturnedhiseyesuponhiminsilence，andthenrepliedwithperfectcomposure;"Noonewillnowmarryher，andshewillmarrynoone。"Theprisonerwastakenintotheinn，andWertherlefttheplace。ThemindofWertherwasfearfullyexcitedbythisshockingoccurrence。Heceased，however，tobeoppressedbyhisusualfeelingofmelancholy，moroseness，andindifferencetoeverythingthatpassedaroundhim。Heentertainedastrongdegreeofpityfortheprisoner，andwasseizedwithanindescribableanxietytosavehimfromhisimpendingfate。Heconsideredhimsounfortunate，hedeemedhiscrimesoexcusable，andthoughthisownconditionsonearlysimilar，thathefeltconvincedhecouldmakeeveryoneelseviewthematterinthelightinwhichhesawithimself。Henowbecameanxioustoundertakehisdefence，andcommencedcomposinganeloquentspeechfortheoccasion;and，onhiswaytothehunting-lodge，hecouldnotrefrainfromspeakingaloudthestatementwhichheresolvedtomaketothejudge。

Uponhisarrival，hefoundAlberthadbeenbeforehim：andhewasalittleperplexedbythismeeting;buthesoonrecoveredhimself，andexpressedhisopinionwithmuchwarmthtothejudge。Thelattershook，hisheaddoubtingly;andalthoughWertherurgedhiscasewiththeutmostzeal，feeling，anddeterminationindefenceofhisclient，yet，aswemayeasilysuppose，thejudgewasnotmuchinfluencedbyhisappeal。Onthecontrary，heinterruptedhiminhisaddress，reasonedwithhimseriously，andevenadministeredarebuketohimforbecomingtheadvocateofamurderer。Hedemonstrated，that，accordingtothisprecedent，everylawmightbeviolated，andthepublicsecurityutterlydestroyed。Headded，moreover，thatinsuchacasehecouldhimselfdonothing，withoutincurringthegreatestresponsibility;thateverythingmustfollowintheusualcourse，andpursuetheordinarychannel。

Werther，however，didnotabandonhisenterprise，andevenbesoughtthejudgetoconniveattheflightoftheprisoner。Butthisproposalwasperemptorilyrejected。Albert，whohadtakensomepartinthediscussion，coincidedinopinionwiththejudge。AtthisWertherbecameenraged，andtookhisleaveingreatanger，afterthejudgehadmorethanonceassuredhimthattheprisonercouldnotbesaved。

Theexcessofhisgriefatthisassurancemaybeinferredfromanotewehavefoundamongsthispapers，andwhichwasdoubtlesswrittenuponthisveryoccasion。

"Youcannotbesaved，unfortunateman！Iseeclearlythatwecannotbesaved！"

WertherwashighlyincensedattheobservationswhichAlberthadmadetothejudgeinthismatteroftheprisoner。Hethoughthecoulddetectthereinalittlebitternesstowardhimselfpersonally;

andalthough，uponreflection，itcouldnotescapehissoundjudgmentthattheirviewofthematterwascorrect，hefeltthegreatestpossiblereluctancetomakesuchanadmission。

AmemorandumofWerther’suponthispoint，expressiveofhisgeneralfeelingstowardAlbert，hasbeenfoundamongsthispapers。

"Whatistheuseofmycontinuallyrepeatingthatheisagoodandestimableman？Heisaninwardtormenttome，andIamincapableofbeingjusttowardhim。"

Onefineeveninginwinter，whentheweatherseemedinclinedtothaw，CharlotteandAlbertwerereturninghometogether。Theformerlookedfromtimetotimeabouther，asifshemissedWerther’scompany。Albertbegantospeakofhim，andcensuredhimforhisprejudices。Healludedtohisunfortunateattachment，andwisheditwerepossibletodiscontinuehisacquaintance。"Idesireitonourownaccount，"headded;"andIrequestyouwillcompelhimtoalterhisdeportmenttowardyou，andtovisityoulessfrequently。

Theworldiscensorious，andIknowthathereandtherewearespokenof。"Charlottemadenoreply，andAlbertseemedtofeelhersilence。Atleast，fromthattimeheneveragainspokeofWerther;and，whensheintroducedthesubject，heallowedtheconversationtodieaway，orelsehedirectedthediscourseintoanotherchannel。

ThevainattemptWertherhadmadetosavetheunhappymurdererwasthelastfeebleglimmeringofaflameabouttobeextinguished。

Hesankalmostimmediatelyafterwardintoastateofgloomandinactivity，untilhewasatlengthbroughttoperfectdistractionbylearningthathewastobesummonedasawitnessagainsttheprisoner，whoassertedhiscompleteinnocence。

Hismindnowbecameoppressedbytherecollectionofeverymisfortuneofhispastlife。Themortificationhehadsufferedattheambassador’s，andhissubsequenttroubles，wererevivedinhismemory。Hebecameutterlyinactive。Destituteofenergy，hewascutofffromeverypursuitandoccupationwhichcomposethebusinessofcommonlife;andhebecameavictimtohisownsusceptibility，andtohisrestlesspassionforthemostamiableandbelovedofwomen，whosepeacehedestroyed。Inthisunvaryingmonotonyofexistencehisdayswereconsumed;andhispowersbecameexhaustedwithoutaimordesign，untiltheybroughthimtoasorrowfulend。

Afewletterswhichheleftbehind，andwhichweheresubjoin，affordthebestproofsofhisanxietyofmindandofthedepthofhispassion，aswellasofhisdoubtsandstruggles，andofhiswearinessoflife。

DECEMBER12。

DearWilhelm，Iamreducedtotheconditionofthoseunfortunatewretcheswhobelievetheyarepursuedbyanevilspirit。SometimesIamoppressed，notbyapprehensionorfear，butbyaninexpressibleinternalsensation，whichweighsuponmyheart，andimpedesmybreath！ThenIwanderforthatnight，eveninthistempestuousseason，andfeelpleasureinsurveyingthedreadfulscenesaroundme。

YesterdayeveningIwentforth。Arapidthawhadsuddenlysetin：Ihadbeeninformedthattheriverhadrisen，thatthebrookshadalloverflowedtheirbanks，andthatthewholevaleofWalheimwasunderwater！UponthestrokeoftwelveIhastenedforth。I

beheldafearfulsight。Thefoamingtorrentsrolledfromthemountainsinthemoonlight，——fieldsandmeadows，treesandhedges，wereconfoundedtogether;andtheentirevalleywasconvertedintoadeeplake，whichwasagitatedbytheroaringwind！Andwhenthemoonshoneforth，andtingedtheblackcloudswithsilver，andtheimpetuoustorrentatmyfeetfoamedandresoundedwithawfulandgrandimpetuosity，Iwasovercomebyamingledsensationofapprehensionanddelight。WithextendedarmsIlookeddownintotheyawningabyss，andcried，"Plunge！’"Foramomentmysensesforsookme，intheintensedelightofendingmysorrowsandmysufferingsbyaplungeintothatgulf！AndthenIfeltasifI

wererootedtotheearth，andincapableofseekinganendtomywoes！Butmyhourisnotyetcome：Ifeelitisnot。OWilhelm，howwillinglycouldIabandonmyexistencetoridethewhirlwind，ortoembracethetorrent！andthenmightnotraptureperchancebetheportionofthisliberatedsoul？

Iturnedmysorrowfuleyestowardafavouritespot，whereIwasaccustomedtositwithCharlottebeneathawillowafterafatiguingwalk。Alas！itwascoveredwithwater，andwithdifficultyIfoundeventhemeadow。Andthefieldsaroundthehunting-lodge，thoughtI。Hasourdearbowerbeendestroyedbythisunpityingstorm？

Andabeamofpasthappinessstreameduponme，asthemindofacaptiveisilluminedbydreamsofflocksandherdsandbygonejoysofhome！ButIamfreefromblame。Ihavecouragetodie！PerhapsIhave，——butIstillsithere，likeawretchedpauper，whocollectsfagots，andbegsherbreadfromdoortodoor，thatshemayprolongforafewdaysamiserableexistencewhichsheisunwillingtoresign。

DECEMBER15。

Whatisthematterwithme，dearWilhelm？Iamafraidofmyself！

Isnotmyloveforherofthepurest，mostholy，andmostbrotherlynature？Hasmysouleverbeensulliedbyasinglesensualdesire？

butIwillmakenoprotestations。Andnow，yenightlyvisions，howtrulyhavethosemortalsunderstoodyou，whoascribeyourvariouscontradictoryeffectstosomeinvinciblepower！ThisnightItrembleattheavowal——Iheldherinmyarms，lockedinacloseembrace：Ipressedhertomybosom，andcoveredwithcountlesskissesthosedearlipswhichmurmuredinreplysoftprotestationsoflove。Mysightbecameconfusedbythedeliciousintoxicationofhereyes。Heavens！isitsinfultorevelagaininsuchhappiness，torecalloncemorethoserapturousmomentswithintensedelight？

Charlotte！Charlotte！Iamlost！Mysensesarebewildered，myrecollectionisconfused，mineeyesarebathedintears——Iamill;andyetIamwell——Iwishfornothing——Ihavenodesires——itwerebetterIweregone。

Underthecircumstancesnarratedabove，adeterminationtoquitthisworldhadnowtakenfixedpossessionofWerther’ssoul。SinceCharlotte’sreturn，thisthoughthadbeenthefinalobjectofallhishopesandwishes;buthehadresolvedthatsuchastepshouldnotbetakenwithprecipitation，butwithcalmnessandtranquillity，andwiththemostperfectdeliberation。

Histroublesandinternalstrugglesmaybeunderstoodfromthefollowingfragment，whichwasfound，withoutanydate，amongsthispapers，andappearstohaveformedthebeginningofalettertoWilhelm。

"Herpresence，herfate，hersympathyforme，havepowerstilltoextracttearsfrommywitheredbrain。

"Oneliftsupthecurtain，andpassestotheotherside，——thatisall！Andwhyallthesedoubtsanddelays？Becauseweknownotwhatisbehind——becausethereisnoreturning——andbecauseourmindinfersthatallisdarknessandconfusion，wherewehavenothingbutuncertainty。"

Hisappearanceatlengthbecamequitealteredbytheeffectofhismelancholythoughts;andhisresolutionwasnowfinallyandirrevocablytaken，ofwhichthefollowingambiguousletter，whichheaddressedtohisfriend，mayappeartoaffordsomeproof。

DECEMBER2O。

Iamgratefultoyourlove，Wilhelm，forhavingrepeatedyouradvicesoseasonably。Yes，youareright：itisundoubtedlybetterthatIshoulddepart。ButIdonotentirelyapproveyourschemeofreturningatoncetoyourneighbourhood;atleast，I

shouldIiketomakealittleexcursionontheway，particularlyaswemaynowexpectacontinuedfrost，andconsequentlygoodroads。Iammuchpleasedwithyourintentionofcomingtofetchme;onlydelayyourjourneyforafortnight，andwaitforanotherletterfromme。Oneshouldgathernothingbeforeitisripe，andafortnightsoonerorlatermakesagreatdifference。Entreatmymothertoprayforherson，andtellherIbegherpardonforalltheunhappinessIhaveoccasionedher。IthaseverbeenmyfatetogivepaintothosewhosehappinessIshouldhavepromoted。

Adieu，mydearestfriend。MayeveryblessingofHeavenattendyou！Farewell。

WefinditdifficulttoexpresstheemotionswithwhichCharlotte’ssoulwasagitatedduringthewholeofthistime，whetherinrelationtoherhusbandortoherunfortunatefriend;althoughweareenabled，byourknowledgeofhercharacter，tounderstandtheirnature。

Itiscertainthatshehadformedadetermination，byeverymeansinherpowertokeepWertheratadistance;and，ifshehesitatedinherdecision，itwasfromasincerefeelingoffriendlypity，knowinghowmuchitwouldcosthim，indeed，thathewouldfinditalmostimpossibletocomplywithherwishes。Butvariouscausesnowurgedhertobefirm。Herhushandpreservedastrictsilenceaboutthewholematter;andshenevermadeitasubjectofconversation，feelingboundtoprovetohimbyherconductthathersentimentsagreedwithhis。

Thesameday，whichwastheSundaybeforeChristmas，afterWertherhadwrittenthelast-mentionedlettertohisfriend，hecameintheeveningtoCharlotte’shouse，andfoundheralone。Shewasbusypreparingsomelittlegiftsforherbrothersandsisters，whichweretobedistributedtothemonChristmasDay。Hebegantalkingofthedelightofthechildren，andofthatagewhenthesuddenappearanceoftheChristmas-tree，decoratedwithfruitandsweetmeats，andlightedupwithwaxcandles，causessuchtransportsofjoy。"Youshallhaveagifttoo，ifyoubehavewell，"saidCharlotte，hidingherembarrassmentundersweetsmile。"Andwhatdoyoucallbehavingwell？WhatshouldIdo，whatcanIdo，mydearCharlotte？"saidhe。"Thursdaynight，"sheanswered，"isChristmasEve。Thechildrenarealltobehere，andmyfathertoo：

thereisapresentforeach;doyoucomelikewise，butdonotcomebeforethattime。"Wertherstarted。"Idesireyouwillnot：itmustbeso，"shecontinued。"Iaskitofyouasafavour，formyownpeaceandtranquillity。Wecannotgooninthismanneranylonger。"

Heturnedawayhisfacewalkedhastilyupanddowntheroom，mutteringindistinctly，"Wecannotgooninthismanneranylonger！"Charlotte，seeingtheviolentagitationintowhichthesewordshadthrownhim，endeavouredtodiverthisthoughtsbydifferentquestions，butinvain。

"No，Charlotte！"heexclaimed;"Iwillneverseeyouanymore！"

"Andwhyso？"sheanswered。"Wemay——wemustseeeachotheragain;onlyletitbewithmorediscretion。Oh！whywereyoubornwiththatexcessive，thatungovernablepassionforeverythingthatisdeartoyou？"Then，takinghishand，shesaid，"Ientreatofyoutobemorecalm：yourtalents，yourunderstanding，yourgenius，willfurnishyouwithathousandresources。Beaman，andconqueranunhappyattachmenttowardacreaturewhocandonothingbutpityyou。"Hebithislips，andlookedatherwithagloomycountenance。

Shecontinuedtoholdhishand。"Grantmebutamoment’spatience，Werther，"shesaid。"Doyounotseethatyouaredeceivingyourself，thatyouareseekingyourowndestruction？Whymustyouloveme，meonly，whobelongtoanother？Ifear，Imuchfear，thatitisonlytheimpossibilityofpossessingmewhichmakesyourdesireformesostrong。"Hedrewbackhishand，whilsthesurveyedherwithawildandangrylook。"’Tiswell！"heexclaimed，"’tisverywell！

DidnotAlbertfurnishyouwiththisreflection？Itisprofound，averyprofoundremark。""Areflectionthatanyonemighteasilymake，"sheanswered;"andistherenotawomaninthewholeworldwhoisatliberty，andhasthepowertomakeyouhappy？Conqueryourself：lookforsuchabeing，andbelievemewhenIsaythatyouwillcertainlyfindher。Ihavelongfeltforyou，andforusall：

youhaveconfinedyourselftoolongwithinthelimitsoftoonarrowacircle。Conqueryourself;makeaneffort：ashortjourneywillbeofservicetoyou。Seekandfindanobjectworthyofyourlove;

thenreturnhither，andletusenjoytogetherallthehappinessofthemostperfectfriendship。"

"Thisspeech，"repliedWertherwithacoldsmile，"thisspeechshouldbeprinted，forthebenefitofallteachers。MydearCharlotte，allowmebutashorttimelonger，andallwillbewell。"

"Buthowever，Werther，"sheadded，"donotcomeagainbeforeChristmas。"Hewasabouttomakesomeanswer，whenAlbertcamein。

Theysalutedeachothercoldly，andwithmutualembarrassmentpacedupanddowntheroom。Werthermadesomecommonremarks;Albertdidthesame，andtheirconversationsoondropped。Albertaskedhiswifeaboutsomehouseholdmatters;and，findingthathiscommissionswerenotexecuted，heusedsomeexpressionswhich，toWerther’sear，savouredofextremeharshness。Hewishedtogo，buthadnotpowertomove;andinthissituationheremainedtilleighto’clock，hisuneasinessanddiscontentcontinuallyincreasing。

Atlengththeclothwaslaidforsupper，andhetookuphishatandstick。Albertinvitedhimtoremain;butWerther，fancyingthathewasmerelypayingaformalcompliment，thankedhimcoldly，amdleftthehouse。

Wertherreturnedhome，tookthecandlefromhisservant，andretiredtohisroomalone。Hetalkedforsometimewithgreatearnestnesstohimself，weptaloud，walkedinastateofgreatexcitementthroughhischamber;tillatlength，withoutundressing，hethrewhimselfonthebed，wherehewasfoundbyhisservantateleveno’clock，whenthelatterventuredtoentertheroom，andtakeoffhisboots。Wertherdidnotpreventhim，butforbadehimtocomeinthemorningtillheshouldring。

OnMondaymorning，the21stofDecember，hewrotetoCharlottethefollowingletter，whichwasfound，sealed，onhisbureauafterhisdeath，andwasgiventoher。Ishallinsertitinfragments;asitappears，fromseveralcircumstances，tohavebeenwritteninthatmanner。

"Itisallover，Charlotte：Iamresolvedtodie！Imakethisdeclarationdeliberatelyandcoolly，withoutanyromanticpassion，onthismorningofthedaywhenIamtoseeyouforthelasttime。

Atthemomentyoureadtheselines，Obestofwomen，thecoldgravewillholdtheinanimateremainsofthatrestlessandunhappybeingwho，inthelastmomentsofhisexistence，knewnopleasuresogreatasthatofconversingwithyou！Ihavepassedadreadfulnightorrather，letmesay，apropitiousone;forithasgivenmeresolution，ithasfixedmypurpose。Iamresolvedtodie。

WhenItoremyselffromyouyesterday，mysenseswereintumultanddisorder;myheartwasoppressed，hopeandpleasurehadfledfrommeforever，andapetrifyingcoldhadseizedmywretchedbeing。Icouldscarcelyreachmyroom。Ithrewmyselfonmyknees;

andHeaven，forthelasttime，grantedmetheconsolationofsheddingtears。Athousandideas，athousandschemes，arosewithinmysoul;tillatlengthonelast，fixed，finalthoughttookpossessionofmyheart。Itwastodie。Ilaydowntorest;andinthemorning，inthequiethourofawakening，thesamedeterminationwasuponme。Todie！Itisnotdespair：itisconvictionthatI

havefilledupthemeasureofmysufferings，thatIhavereachedmyappointedterm，andmustsacrificemyselfforthee。Yes，Charlotte，whyshouldInotavowit？Oneofusthreemustdie：

itshallbeWerther。ObelovedCharlotte！thisheart，excitedbyrageandfury，hasoftenconceivedthehorridideaofmurderingyourhusband——you——myself！Thelotiscastatlength。Andinthebright，quieteveningsofsummer，whenyousometimeswandertowardthemountains，letyourthoughtsthenturntome：recollecthowoftenyouhavewatchedmecomingtomeetyoufromthevalley;

thenbendyoureyesuponthechurchyardwhichcontainsmygrave，and，bythelightofthesettingsun，markhowtheeveningbreezewavesthetallgrasswhichgrowsabovemytomb。IwascalmwhenIbeganthisletter，buttherecollectionofthesescenesmakesmeweeplikeachild。"

Aboutteninthemorning，Werthercalledhisservant，and，whilsthewasdressing，toldhimthatinafewdaysheintendedtosetoutuponajourney，andbadehimthereforelayhisclothesinorder，andpreparethemforpackingup，callinallhisaccounts，fetchhomethebookshehadlent，andgivetwomonths’paytothepoordependantswhowereaccustomedtoreceivefromhimaweeklyallowance。

Hebreakfastedinhisroom，andthenmountedhishorse，andwenttovisitthesteward，who，however，wasnotathome。Hewalkedpensivelyinthegarden，andseemedanxioustorenewalltheideasthatweremostpainfultohim。

Thechildrendidnotsufferhimtoremainalonelong。Theyfollowedhim，skippinganddancingbeforehim，andtoldhim，thatafterto-morrowandtomorrowandonedaymore，theyweretoreceivetheirChristmasgiftfromCharlotte;andtheythenrecountedallthewondersofwhichtheyhadformedideasintheirchildimaginations。

"Tomorrowandtomorrow，"saidhe，"andonedaymore！"Andhekissedthemtenderly。Hewasgoing;buttheyoungerboystoppedhim，towhispersomethinginhisear。HetoldhimthathiselderbrothershadwrittensplendidNew-Year’swishessolarge！oneforpapa，andanotherforAlbertandCharlotte，andoneforWerther;

andtheyweretobepresentedearlyinthemorning，onNewYear’sDay。Thisquiteovercamehim。Hemadeeachofthechildrenapresent，mountedhishorse，lefthiscomplimentsforpapaandmamma，and，withtearsinhiseyes，rodeawayfromtheplace。

Hereturnedhomeaboutfiveo’clock，orderedhisservanttokeepuphisfire，desiredhimtopackhisbooksandlinenatthebottomofthetrunk，andtoplacehiscoatsatthetop。HethenappearstohavemadethefollowingadditiontotheletteraddressedtoCharlotte：

"Youdonotexpectme。YouthinkIwillobeyyou，andnotvisityouagaintillChristmasEve。OCharlotte，todayornever！OnChristmasEveyouwillholdthispaperinyourhand;youwilltremble，andmoistenitwithyourtears。Iwill——Imust！Oh，howhappyIfeeltobedetermined！"

Inthemeantime，Charlottewasinapitiablestateofmind。AfterherlastconversationwithWerther，shefoundhowpainfultoherselfitwouldbetodeclinehisvisits，andknewhowseverelyhewouldsufferfromtheirseparation。

Shehad，inconversationwithAlbert，mentionedcasuallythatWertherwouldnotreturnbeforeChristmasEve;andsoonafterwardAlbertwentonhorsebacktoseeapersonintheneighbourhood，withwhomhehadtotransactsomebusinesswhichwoulddetainhimallnight。

Charlottewassittingalone。Noneofherfamilywerenear，andshegaveherselfuptothereflectionsthatsilentlytookpossessionofhermind。Shewasforeverunitedtoahusbandwhoseloveandfidelityshehadproved，towhomshewasheartilydevoted，andwhoseemedtobeaspecialgiftfromHeaventoensureherhappiness。

Ontheotherhand，Wertherhadbecomedeartoher。Therewasacordialunanimityofsentimentbetweenthemfromtheveryfirsthouroftheiracquaintance，andtheirlongassociationandrepeatedinterviewshadmadeanindelibleimpressionuponherheart。Shehadbeenaccustomedtocommunicatetohimeverythoughtandfeelingwhichinterestedher，andhisabsencethreatenedtoopenavoidinherexistencewhichitmightbeimpossibletofill。Howheartilyshewishedthatshemightchangehimintoherbrother，——thatshecouldinducehimtomarryoneofherownfriends，orcouldreestablishhisintimacywithAlbert。

Shepassedallherintimatefriendsinreviewbeforehermind，butfoundsomethingobjectionableineach，andcoulddecideuponnonetowhomshewouldconsenttogivehim。

Amidalltheseconsiderationsshefeltdeeplybutindistinctlythatherownrealbutunexpressedwishwastoretainhimforherself，andherpureandamiableheartfeltfromthisthoughtasenseofoppressionwhichseemedtoforbidaprospectofhappiness。Shewaswretched：adarkcloudobscuredhermentalvision。

Itwasnowhalf-pastsixo’clock，andsheheardWerther’ssteponthestairs。Sheatoncerecognisedhisvoice，asheinquiredifshewereathome。Herheartbeataudibly——wecouldalmostsayforthefirsttime——athisarrival。Itwastoolatetodenyherself;and，asheentered，sheexclaimed，withasortofillconcealedconfusion，"Youhavenotkeptyourword！""Ipromisednothing，"heanswered。"Butyoushouldhavecomplied，atleastformysake，"shecontinued。"Iimploreyou，forbothoursakes。"

Shescarcelyknewwhatshesaidordid;andsentforsomefriends，who，bytheirpresence，mightpreventherbeingleftalonewithWerther。Heputdownsomebookshehadbroughtwithhim，thenmadeinquiriesaboutsomeothers，untilshebegantohopethatherfriendsmightarriveshortly，entertainingatthesametimeadesirethattheymightstayaway。

Atonemomentshefeltanxiousthattheservantshouldremainintheadjoiningroom，thenshechangedhermind。Werther，meanwhile，walkedimpatientlyupanddown。Shewenttothepiano，anddeterminednottoretire。Shethencollectedherthoughts，andsatdownquietlyatWerther’sside，whohadtakenhisusualplaceonthesofa。

"Haveyoubroughtnothingtoread？"sheinquired。Hehadnothing。

"Thereinmydrawer，"shecontinued，"youwillfindyourowntranslationofsomeofthesongsofOssian。Ihavenotyetreadthem，asIhavestillhopedtohearyourecitethem;but，forsometimepast，Ihavenotbeenabletoaccomplishsuchawish。"Hesmiled，andwentforthemanuscript，whichhetookwithashudder。

Hesatdown;and，witheyesfulloftears，hebegantoread。

"Starofdescendingnight！fairisthylightinthewest！thouliftestthyunshornheadfromthycloud;thystepsarestatelyonthyhill。Whatdostthoubeholdintheplain？Thestormywindsarelaid。Themurmurofthetorrentcomesfromafar。Roaringwavesclimbthedistantrock。Thefliesofeveningareontheirfeeblewings：thehumoftheircourseisonthefield。Whatdostthoubehold，fairlight？Butthoudostsmileanddepart。Thewavescomewithjoyaroundthee：theybathethylovelyhair。

Farewell，thousilentbeam！LetthelightofOssian’ssoularise！

"Anditdoesariseinitsstrength！Ibeholdmydepartedfriends。

TheirgatheringisonLora，asinthedaysofotheryears。Fingalcomeslikeawaterycolumnofmist！hisheroesarearound：andseethebardsofsong，gray-hairedUllin！statelyRyno！Alpinwiththetunefulvoice：thesoftcomplaintofMinona！Howareyechanged，myfriends，sincethedaysofSelma’sfeast！whenwecontended，likegalesofspringastheyflyalongthehill，andbendbyturnsthefeeblywhistlinggrass。

"Minonacameforthinherbeauty，withdowncastlookandtearfuleye。Herhairwasflyingslowlywiththeblastthatrushedunfrequentfromthehill。Thesoulsoftheheroesweresadwhensheraisedthetunefulvoice。OfthadtheyseenthegraveofSalgar，thedarkdwellingofwhite-bosomedColma。Colmaleftaloneonthehillwithallhervoiceofsong！Salgarpromisedtocome！

butthenightdescendedaround。HearthevoiceofColma，whenshesataloneonthehill！

"Colma。Itisnight：Iamalone，forlornonthehillofstorms。

Thewindisheardonthemountain。Thetorrentishowlingdowntherock。Nohutreceivesmefromtherain：forlornonthehillofwinds！

"Risemoon！frombehindthyclouds。Starsofthenight，arise！

Leadme，somelight，totheplacewheremyloverestsfromthechasealone！Hisbownearhimunstrung，hisdogspantingaroundhim！ButhereImustsitalonebytherockofthemossystream。

Thestreamandthewindroaraloud。Ihearnotthevoiceofmylove！WhydelaysmySalgar;whythechiefofthehillhispromise？

Hereistherockandherethetree！hereistheroaringstream！

Thoudidstpromisewithnighttobehere。Ah！whitherismySalgargone？WiththeeIwouldflyfrommyfather，withtheefrommybrotherofpride。Ourracehavelongbeenfoes：wearenotfoes，OSalgar！

"Ceasealittlewhile，Owind！stream，bethousilentawhile！letmyvoicebeheardaround！letmywandererhearme！Salgar！itisColmawhocalls。Hereisthetreeandtherock。Salgar，mylove，Iamhere！Whydelayestthouthycoming？Lo！thecalmmooncomesforth。Thefloodisbrightinthevale。Therocksaregrayonthesteep。Iseehimnotonthebrow。Hisdogscomenotbeforehimwithtidingsofhisnearapproach。HereImustsitalone！

"Wholieontheheathbesideme？Aretheymyloveandmybrother？

Speaktome，Omyfriends！ToColmatheygivenoreply。Speaktome：Iamalone！Mysoulistormentedwithfears。Ah，theyaredead！Theirswordsareredfromthefight。Omybrother！mybrother！whyhastthouslainmySalgar！Why，OSalgar，hastthouslainmybrother！Dearwereyebothtome！whatshallIsayinyourpraise？Thouwertfaironthehillamongthousands！hewasterribleinfight！Speaktome！hearmyvoice！hearme，sonsofmylove！Theyaresilent！silentforever！Cold，cold，aretheirbreastsofclay！Oh，fromtherockonthehill，fromthetopofthewindysteep，speak，yeghostsofthedead！Speak，Iwillnotbeafraid！Whitherareyegonetorest？InwhatcaveofthehillshallIfindthedeparted？Nofeeblevoiceisonthegale：noanswerhalfdrownedinthestorm！

"Isitinmygrief：Iwaitformorninginmytears！Rearthetomb，yefriendsofthedead。CloseitnottillColmacome。Mylifefliesawaylikeadream。WhyshouldIstaybehind？HereshallI

restwithmyfriends，bythestreamofthesoundingrock。Whennightcomesonthehillwhentheloudwindsarisemyghostshallstandintheblast，andmournthedeathofmyfriends。Thehuntershallhearfromhisbooth;heshallfear，butlovemyvoice！Forsweetshallmyvoicebeformyfriends：pleasantwereherfriendstoColma。

"Suchwasthysong，Minona，softlyblushingdaughterofTorman。

OurtearsdescendedforColma，andoursoulsweresad！Ullincamewithhisharp;hegavethesongofAlpin。ThevoiceofAlpinwaspleasant，thesoulofRynowasabeamoffire！Buttheyhadrestedinthenarrowhouse：theirvoicehadceasedinSelma！Ullinhadreturnedonedayfromthechasebeforetheheroesfell。Heheardtheirstrifeonthehill：theirsongwassoft，butsad！TheymournedthefallofMorar，firstofmortalmen！HissoulwaslikethesoulofFingal：hisswordliketheswordofOscar。Buthefell，andhisfathermourned：hissister’seyeswerefulloftears。

Minona’seyeswerefulloftears，thesisterofcar-borneMorar。

SheretiredfromthesongofUllin，likethemooninthewest，whensheforeseestheshower，andhidesherfairheadinacloud。

ItouchedtheharpwithUllin：thesongofmorningrose！

"Ryno。Thewindandtherainarepast，calmisthenoonofday。

Thecloudsaredividedinheaven。Overthegreenhillsfliestheinconstantsun。Redthroughthestonyvalecomesdownthestreamofthehill。Sweetarethymurmurs，Ostream！butmoresweetisthevoiceIhear。ItisthevoiceofAlpin，thesonofsong，mourningforthedead！Bentishisheadofage：redhistearfuleye。Alpin，thousonofsong，whyaloneonthesilenthill？whycomplainestthou，asablastinthewoodasawaveonthelonelyshore？

"Alpin。Mytears，ORyno！areforthedeadmyvoiceforthosethathavepassedaway。Tallthouartonthehill;fairamongthesonsofthevale。ButthoushaltfalllikeMorar：themournershallsitonthytomb。Thehillsshallknowtheenomore：thybowshalllieinthyhallunstrung！

"Thouwertswift，OMorar！asaroeonthedesert：terribleasameteoroffire。Thywrathwasasthestorm。Thyswordinbattleaslightninginthefield。Thyvoicewasasastreamafterrain，likethunderondistanthills。Manyfellbythyarm：theywereconsumedintheflamesofthywrath。Butwhenthoudidstreturnfromwar，howpeacefulwasthybrow。Thyfacewaslikethesunafterrain：likethemooninthesilenceofnight：calmasthebreastofthelakewhentheloudwindislaid。

"Narrowisthydwellingnow！darktheplaceofthineabode！WiththreestepsIcompassthygrave，Othouwhowastsogreatbefore！

Fourstones，withtheirheadsofmoss，aretheonlymemorialofthee。Atreewithscarcealeaf，longgrasswhichwhistlesinthewind，marktothehunter’seyethegraveofthemightyMorar。

Morar！thouartlowindeed。Thouhastnomothertomournthee，nomaidwithhertearsoflove。Deadisshethatbroughttheeforth。FallenisthedaughterofMorglan。

"Whoonhisstaffisthis？Whoisthiswhoseheadiswhitewithage，whoseeyesareredwithtears，whoquakesateverystep？Itisthyfather，OMorar！thefatherofnosonbutthee。Heheardofthyfameinwar，heheardoffoesdispersed。HeheardofMorar’srenown，whydidhenothearofhiswound？Weep，thoufatherofMorar！Weep，butthysonheareththeenot。Deepisthesleepofthedead，lowtheirpillowofdust。Nomoreshallhehearthyvoice，nomoreawakeatthycall。Whenshallitbemorninthegrave，tobidtheslumbererawake？Farewell，thoubravestofmen！

thouconquerorinthefield！butthefieldshallseetheenomore，northedarkwoodbelightenedwiththesplendourofthysteel。

Thouhasleftnoson。Thesongshallpreservethyname。FuturetimesshallhearoftheetheyshallhearofthefallenMorar！

"Thegriefofallarose，butmosttheburstingsighofArmin。Heremembersthedeathofhisson，whofellinthedaysofhisyouth。

Carmorwasnearthehero，thechiefoftheechoingGalmal。WhyburstthesighofArmin？hesaid。Isthereacausetomourn？Thesongcomeswithitsmusictomeltandpleasethesoul。Itislikesoftmistthat，risingfromalake，poursonthesilentvale;

thegreenflowersarefilledwithdew，butthesunreturnsinhisstrength，andthemistisgone。Whyartthousad，OArmin，chiefofsea-surroundedGorma？

"SadIam！norsmallismycauseofwoe！Carmor，thouhastlostnoson;thouhastlostnodaughterofbeauty。Colgarthevaliantlives，andAnnira，fairestmaid。Theboughsofthyhouseascend，OCarmor！butArministhelastofhisrace。Darkisthybed，O

Daura！deepthysleepinthetomb！Whenshaltthouwakewiththysongs？withallthyvoiceofmusic？

"Arise，windsofautumn，arise：blowalongtheheath。Streamsofthemountains，roar;roar，tempestsinthegrovesofmyoaks！Walkthroughbrokenclouds，Omoon！showthypalefaceatintervals;

bringtomymindthenightwhenallmychildrenfell，whenArindalthemightyfell——whenDaurathelovelyfailed。Daura，mydaughter，thouwertfair，fairasthemoononFura，whiteasthedrivensnow，sweetasthebreathinggale。Arindal，thybowwasstrong，thyspearwasswiftonthefield，thylookwaslikemistonthewave，thyshieldaredcloudinastorm！Armar，renownedinwar，cameandsoughtDaura’slove。Hewasnotlongrefused：fairwasthehopeoftheirfriends。

"Erath，sonofOdgal，repined：hisbrotherhadbeenslainbyArmar。

Hecamedisguisedlikeasonofthesea：fairwashiscliffonthewave，whitehislocksofage，calmhisseriousbrow。Fairestofwomen，hesaid，lovelydaughterofArmin！arocknotdistantintheseabearsatreeonitsside;redshinesthefruitafar。ThereArmarwaitsforDaura。Icometocarryhislove！shewentshecalledonArmar。Noughtanswered，butthesonoftherock。Armar，mylove，mylove！whytormentestthoumewithfear？Hear，sonofArnart，hear！itisDaurawhocalleththee。Erath，thetraitor，fledlaughingtotheland。Shelifteduphervoice——shecalledforherbrotherandherfather。Arindal！Armin！nonetorelieveyou，Daura。

"Hervoicecameoverthesea。Arindal，myson，descendedfromthehill，roughinthespoilsofthechase。Hisarrowsrattledbyhisside;hisbowwasinhishand，fivedark-graydogsattendedhissteps。HesawfierceErathontheshore;heseizedandboundhimtoanoak。Thickwindthethongsofthehidearoundhislimbs;

heloadsthewindswithhisgroans。ArindalascendsthedeepinhisboattobringDauratoland。Armarcameinhiswrath，andletflythegray-featheredshaft。Itsung，itsunkinthyheart，OArindal，myson！forEraththetraitorthoudiest。Theoarisstoppedatonce：hepantedontherock，andexpired。Whatisthygrief，ODaura，whenroundthyfeetispouredthybrother’sblood。

Theboatisbrokenintwain。ArmarplungesintotheseatorescuehisDaura，ordie。Suddenablastfromahillcameoverthewaves;

hesank，andherosenomore。

"Alone，onthesea-beatrock，mydaughterwasheardtocomplain;

frequentandloudwerehercries。Whatcouldherfatherdo？AllnightIstoodontheshore：Isawherbythefaintbeamofthemoon。

AllnightIheardhercries。Loudwasthewind;therainbeathardonthehill。Beforemorningappeared，hervoicewasweak;itdiedawayliketheeveningbreezeamongthegrassoftherocks。Spentwithgrief，sheexpired，andleftthee，Armin，alone。Goneismystrengthinwar，fallenmyprideamongwomen。Whenthestormsaloftarise，whenthenorthliftsthewaveonhigh，Isitbythesoundingshore，andlookonthefatalrock。

"OftenbythesettingmoonIseetheghostsofmychildren;halfviewlesstheywalkinmournfulconferencetogether。"

AtorrentoftearswhichstreamedfromCharlotte’seyesandgaverelieftoherburstingheart，stoppedWerther’srecitation。Hethrewdownthebook，seizedherhand，andweptbitterly。Charlotteleaneduponherhand，andburiedherfaceinherhandkerchief：

theagitationofbothwasexcessive。TheyfeltthattheirownfatewaspicturedinthemisfortunesofOssian’sheroes，theyfeltthistogether，andtheirtearsredoubled。WerthersupportedhisforeheadonCharlotte’sarm：shetrembled，shewishedtobegone;butsorrowandsympathylaylikealeadenweightuponhersoul。Sherecoveredherselfshortly，andbeggedWerther，withbrokensobs，toleaveher，imploredhimwiththeutmostearnestnesstocomplywithherrequest。Hetrembled;hisheartwasreadytoburst：then，takingupthebookagain，herecommencedreading，inavoicebrokenbysobs。

"Whydostthouwakenme，Ospring？Thyvoicewoosme，exclaiming，Irefreshtheewithheavenlydews;butthetimeofmydecayisapproaching，thestormisnighthatshallwhithermyleaves。

Tomorrowthetravellershallcome，heshallcome，whobeheldmeinbeauty：hiseyeshallseekmeinthefieldaround，butheshallnotfindme。"

ThewholeforceofthesewordsfellupontheunfortunateWerther。

Fullofdespair，hethrewhimselfatCharlotte’sfeet，seizedherhands，andpressedthemtohiseyesandtohisforehead。Anapprehensionofhisfatalprojectnowstruckherforthefirsttime。Hersenseswerebewildered：sheheldhishands，pressedthemtoherbosom;and，leaningtowardhimwithemotionsofthetenderestpity，herwarmcheektouchedhis。Theylostsightofeverything。Theworlddisappearedfromtheireyes。Heclaspedherinhisarms，strainedhertohisbosom，andcoveredhertremblinglipswithpassionatekisses。"Werther！"shecriedwithafaintvoice，turningherselfaway;"Werther！"and，withafeeblehand，shepushedhimfromher。Atlength，withthefirmvoiceofvirtue，sheexclaimed，"Werther！"Heresistednot，but，tearinghimselffromherarms，fellonhiskneesbeforeher。Charlotterose，and，withdisorderedgrief，inmingledtonesofloveandresentment，sheexclaimed，"Itisthelasttime，Werther！Youshallneverseemeanymore！"Then，castingonelast，tenderlookuponherunfortunatelover，sherushedintotheadjoiningroom，andlockedthedoor。Wertherheldouthisarms，butdidnotdaretodetainher。Hecontinuedontheground，withhisheadrestingonthesofa，forhalfanhour，tillheheardanoisewhichbroughthimtohissenses。Theservantentered。Hethenwalkedupanddowntheroom;and，whenhewasagainleftalone，hewenttoCharlotte’sdoor，and，inalowvoice，said，"Charlotte，Charlotte！butonewordmore，onelastadieu！"Shereturnednoanswer。Hestopped，andlistenedandentreated;butallwassilent。Atlengthhetorehimselffromtheplace，crying，"Adieu，Charlotte，adieuforever！"

Wertherrantothegateofthetown。Theguards，whoknewhim，lethimpassinsilence。Thenightwasdarkandstormy，——itrainedandsnowed。Hereachedhisowndoorabouteleven。Hisservant，althoughseeinghimenterthehousewithouthishat，didnotventuretosayanything;and;asheundressedhismaster，hefoundthathisclotheswerewet。Hishatwasafterwardfoundonthepointofarockoverhangingthevalley;anditisinconceivablehowhecouldhaveclimbedtothesummitonsuchadark，tempestuousnightwithoutlosinghislife。

Heretiredtobed，andslepttoalatehour。Thenextmorninghisservant，uponbeingcalledtobringhiscoffee，foundhimwriting。

Hewasadding，toCharlotte，whatwehereannex。

"Forthelast，lasttimeIopentheseeyes。Alas！theywillbeholdthesunnomore。Itiscoveredbyathick，impenetrablecloud。

Yes，Nature！putonmourning：yourchild，yourfriend，yourlover，drawsnearhisend！Thisthought，Charlotte，iswithoutparallel;

andyetitseemslikeamysteriousdreamwhenIrepeat——thisismylastday！Thelast！Charlotte，nowordcanadequatelyexpressthisthought。Thelast！To-dayIstanderectinallmystrengthto-morrow，coldandstark，Ishalllieextendedupontheground。

Todie！whatisdeath？Wedobutdreaminourdiscourseuponit。

Ihaveseenmanyhumanbeingsdie;but，sostraitenedisourfeeblenature，wehavenoclearconceptionofthebeginningortheendofourexistence。AtthismomentIammyown——orratherIamthine，thine，myadored！andthenextweareparted，severed——

perhapsforever！No，Charlotte，no！HowcanI，howcanyou，beannihilated？Weexist。Whatisannihilation？Amereword，anunmeaningsoundthatfixesnoimpressiononthemind。Dead，Charlotte！laidinthecoldearth，inthedarkandnarrowgrave！

Ihadafriendoncewhowaseverythingtomeinearlyyouth。

Shedied。Ifollowedherhearse;Istoodbyhergravewhenthecoffinwaslowered;andwhenIheardthecreakingofthecordsastheywereloosenedanddrawnup，whenthefirstshovelfulofearthwasthrownin，andthecoffinreturnedahollowsound，whichgrewfainterandfaintertillallwascompletelycoveredover，Ithrewmyselfontheground;myheartwassmitten，grieved，shattered，rent——butIneitherknewwhathadhappened，norwhatwastohappentome。Death！thegrave！Iunderstandnotthewords。

——Forgive，oh，forgiveme！Yesterday——ah，thatdayshouldhavebeenthelastofmylife！Thouangel！forthefirsttimeinmyexistence，Ifeltraptureglowwithinmyinmostsoul。Sheloves，shelovesme！Stillburnsuponmylipsthesacredfiretheyreceivedfromthine。Newtorrentsofdelightoverwhelmmysoul。

Forgiveme，oh，forgive！

"IknewthatIwasdeartoyou;Isawitinyourfirstentrancinglook，knewitbythefirstpressureofyourhand;butwhenIwasabsentfromyou，whenIsawAlbertatyourside，mydoubtsandfearsreturned。

"Doyouremembertheflowersyousentme，when，atthatcrowdedassembly，youcouldneitherspeaknorextendyourhandtome？

HalfthenightIwasonmykneesbeforethoseflowers，andI

regardedthemasthepledgesofyourlove;butthoseimpressionsgrewfainter，andwereatlengtheffaced。

"Everythingpassesaway;butawholeeternitycouldnotextinguishthelivingflamewhichwasyesterdaykindledbyyourlips，andwhichnowburnswithinme。Shelovesme！Thesearmshaveencircledherwaist，theselipshavetrembleduponhers。Sheismine！Yes，Charlotte，youaremineforever！

"AndwhatdotheymeanbysayingAlbertisyourhusband？Hemaybesoforthisworld;andinthisworlditisasintoloveyou，towishtotearyoufromhisembrace。Yes，itisacrime;andI

sufferthepunishment，butIhaveenjoyedthefulldelightofmysin。Ihaveinhaledabalmthathasrevivedmysoul。Fromthishouryouaremine;yes，Charlotte，youaremine！Igobeforeyou。IgotomyFatherandtoyourFather。Iwillpouroutmysorrowsbeforehim，andhewillgivemecomforttillyouarrive。ThenwillIflytomeetyou。Iwillclaimyou，andremainyoureternalembrace，inthepresenceoftheAlmighty。

"Idonotdream，Idonotrave。Drawingnearertothegravemyperceptionsbecomeclearer。Weshallexist;weshallseeeachotheragain;weshallbeholdyourmother;Ishallbeholdher，andexposetohermyinmostheart。Yourmother——yourimage！"

Abouteleveno’clockWertheraskedhisservantifAlberthadreturned。Heanswered，"Yes;"forhehadseenhimpassonhorseback：

uponwhichWerthersenthimthefollowingnote，unsealed：

"Besogoodastolendmeyourpistolsforajourney。Adieu。"

Charlottehadsleptlittleduringthepastnight。Allherapprehensionswererealisedinawaythatshecouldneitherforeseenoravoid。Herbloodwasboilinginherveins，andathousandpainfulsensationsrentherpureheart。WasittheardourofWerther’spassionateembracesthatshefeltwithinherbosom？Wasitangerathisdaring？Wasitthesadcomparisonofherpresentconditionwithformerdaysofinnocence，tranquillity，andself-confidence？Howcouldsheapproachherhusband，andconfessascenewhichshehadnoreasontoconceal，andwhichsheyetfelt，nevertheless，unwillingtoavow？Theyhadpreservedsolongasilencetowardeachotherandshouldshebethefirsttobreakitbysounexpectedadiscovery？ShefearedthatthemerestatementofWerther’svisitwouldtroublehim，andhisdistresswouldbeheightenedbyherperfectcandour。Shewishedthathecouldseeherinhertruelight，andjudgeherwithoutprejudice;

butwassheanxiousthatheshouldreadherinmostsoul？Ontheotherhand，couldshedeceiveabeingtowhomallherthoughtshadeverbeenexposedasclearlyascrystal，andfromwhomnosentimenthadeverbeenconcealed？Thesereflectionsmadeheranxiousandthoughtful。HermindstilldweltonWerther，whowasnowlosttoher，butwhomshecouldnotbringherselftoresign，andforwhomsheknewnothingwasleftbutdespairifsheshouldbelosttohimforever。

ArecollectionofthatmysteriousestrangementwhichhadlatelysubsistedbetweenherselfandAlbert，andwhichshecouldneverthoroughlyunderstand，wasnowbeyondmeasurepainfultoher。

Eventheprudentandthegoodhavebeforenowhesitatedtoexplaintheirmutualdifferences，andhavedweltinsilenceupontheirimaginarygrievances，untilcircumstanceshavebecomesoentangled，thatinthatcriticaljuncture，whenacalmexplanationwouldhavesavedallparties，anunderstandingwasimpossible。Andthusifdomesticconfidencehadbeenearlierestablishedbetweenthem，ifloveandkindforbearancehadmutuallyanimatedandexpandedtheirhearts，itmightnot，perhaps，evenyethavebeentoolatetosaveourfriend。

Butwemustnotforgetoneremarkablecircumstance。WemayobservefromthecharacterofWerther’scorrespondence，thathehadneveraffectedtoconcealhisanxiousdesiretoquitthisworld。HehadoftendiscussedthesubjectwithAlbert;

and，betweenthelatterandCharlotte，ithadnotunfrequentlyformedatopicofconversation。Albertwassoopposedtotheveryideaofsuchanaction，that，withadegreeofirritationunusualinhim，hehadmorethanoncegivenWerthertounderstandthathedoubtedtheseriousnessofhisthreats，andnotonlyturnedthemintoridicule，butcausedCharlottetosharehisfeelingsofincredulity。Herheartwasthustranquillisedwhenshefeltdisposedtoviewthemelancholysubjectinaseriouspointofview，thoughshenevercommunicatedtoherhusbandtheapprehensionsshesometimesexperienced。

Albert，uponhisreturn，wasreceivedbyCharlottewithill-concealedembarrassment。Hewashimselfoutofhumour;hisbusinesswasunfinished;andhehadjustdiscoveredthattheneighbouringofficialwithwhomhehadtodeal，wasanobstinateandnarrow-mindedpersonage。Manythingshadoccurredtoirritatehim。

Heinquiredwhetheranythinghadhappenedduringhisabsence，andCharlottehastilyansweredthatWertherhadbeenthereontheeveningpreviously。Hetheninquiredforhisletters，andwasansweredthatseveralpackageshadbeenleftinhisstudy。Hethereonretired，leavingCharlottealone。

Thepresenceofthebeingshelovedandhonouredproducedanewimpressiononherheart。Therecollectionofhisgenerosity，kindness，andaffectionhadcalmedheragitation：asecretimpulsepromptedhertofollowhim;shetookherworkandwenttohisstudy，aswasoftenhercustom。Hewasbusilyemployedopeningandreadinghisletters。Itseemedasifthecontentsofsomeweredisagreeable。Sheaskedsomequestions：hegaveshortanswers，andsatdowntowrite。

Severalhourspassedinthismanner，andCharlotte’sfeelingsbecamemoreandmoremelancholy。Shefelttheextremedifficultyofexplainingtoherhusband，underanycircumstances，theweightthatlayuponherheart;andherdepressionbecameeverymomentgreater，inproportionassheendeavouredtohidehergrief，andtoconcealhertears。

ThearrivalofWerther’sservantoccasionedherthegreatestembarrassment。HegaveAlbertanote，whichthelattercoldlyhandedtohiswife，saying，atthesametime，"Givehimthepistols。

Iwishhimapleasantjourney，"headded，turningtotheservant。

ThesewordsfelluponCharlottelikeathunderstroke：sherosefromherseathalf-fainting，andunconsciousofwhatshedid。Shewalkedmechanicallytowardthewall，tookdownthepistolswithatremblinghand，slowlywipedthedustfromthem，andwouldhavedelayedlonger，hadnotAlberthastenedhermovementsbyanimpatientlook。Shethendeliveredthefatalweaponstotheservant，withoutbeingabletoutteraword。Assoonashehaddeparted，shefoldedupherwork，andretiredatoncetoherroom，herheartovercomewiththemostfearfulforebodings。Sheanticipatedsomedreadfulcalamity。Shewasatonemomentonthepointofgoingtoherhusband，throwingherselfathisfeet，andacquaintinghimwithallthathadhappenedonthepreviousevening，thatshemightacknowledgeherfault，andexplainherapprehensions;thenshesawthatsuchastepwouldbeuseless，asshewouldcertainlybeunabletoinduceAlberttovisitWerther。Dinnerwasserved;andakindfriendwhomshehadpersuadedtoremainassistedtosustaintheconversation，whichwascarriedonbyasortofcompulsion，tilltheeventsofthemorningwereforgotten。

WhentheservantbroughtthepistolstoWerther，thelatterreceivedthemwithtransportsofdelightuponhearingthatCharlottehadgiventhemtohimwithherownhand。Heatesomebread，dranksomewine，senthisservanttodinner，andthensatdowntowriteasfollows：

"Theyhavebeeninyourhandsyouwipedthedustfromthem。I

kissthemathousandtimes——youhavetouchedthem。Yes，Heavenfavoursmydesign，andyou，Charlotte，providemewiththefatalinstruments。Itwasmydesiretoreceivemydeathfromyourhands，andmywishisgratified。Ihavemadeinquiriesofmyservant。

Youtrembledwhenyougavehimthepistols，butyoubademenoadieu。Wretched，wretchedthatIam——notonefarewell！Howcouldyoushutyourheartagainstmeinthathourwhichmakesyoumineforever？Charlotte，agescannoteffacetheimpression——I

feelyoucannothatethemanwhosopassionatelylovesyou！"

Afterdinnerhecalledhisservant，desiredhimtofinishthepackingup，destroyedmanypapers，andthenwentouttopaysometriflingdebts。Hesoonreturnedhome，thenwentoutagain，notwithstandingtherain，walkedforsometimeinthecount’sgarden，andafterwardproceededfartherintothecountry。Towardeveninghecamebackoncemore，andresumedhiswriting。

"Wilhelm，Ihaveforthelasttimebeheldthemountains，theforests，andthesky。Farewell！Andyou，mydearestmother，forgiveme！

Consoleher，Wilhelm。Godblessyou！Ihavesettledallmyaffairs！Farewell！Weshallmeetagain，andbehappierthanever。"

"Ihaverequitedyoubadly，Albert;butyouwillforgiveme。I

havedisturbedthepeaceofyourhome。Ihavesoweddistrustbetweenyou。Farewell！Iwillendallthiswretchedness。Andoh，thatmydeathmayrenderyouhappy！Albert，Albert！makethatangelhappy，andtheblessingofHeavenbeuponyou！"

Hespenttherestoftheeveninginarranginghispapers：hetoreandburnedagreatmany;othershesealedup，anddirectedtoWilhelm。Theycontainedsomedetachedthoughtsandmaxims，someofwhichIhaveperused。Atteno’clockheorderedhisfiretobemadeup，andabottleofwinetobebroughttohim。Hethendismissedhisservant，whoseroom，aswellastheapartmentsoftherestofthefamily，wassituatedinanotherpartofthehouse。

Theservantlaydownwithoutundressing，thathemightbethesoonerreadyforhisjourneyinthemorning，hismasterhavinginformedhimthatthepost-horseswouldbeatthedoorbeforesixo’clock。

"Pasteleveno’clock！Allissilentaroundme，andmysouliscalm。Ithankthee，OGod，thatthoubestoweststrengthandcourageuponmeintheselastmoments！Iapproachthewindow，mydearestoffriends;andthroughtheclouds，whichareatthismomentdrivenrapidlyalongbytheimpetuouswinds，Ibeholdthestarswhichilluminetheeternalheavens。No，youwillnotfall，celestialbodies：thehandoftheAlmightysupportsbothyouandme！IhavelookedforthelasttimeupontheconstellationoftheGreaterBear：itismyfavouritestar;forwhenIbadeyoufarewellatnight，Charlotte，andturnedmystepsfromyourdoor，italwaysshoneuponme。WithwhatrapturehaveIattimesbeheldit！HowoftenhaveIimploreditwithupliftedhandstowitnessmyfelicity！

andevenstill——Butwhatobjectisthere，Charlotte，whichfailstosummonupyourimagebeforeme？Doyounotsurroundmeonallsides？andhaveInot，likeachild，treasuredupeverytriflewhichyouhaveconsecratedbyyourtouch？

"Yourprofile，whichwassodeartome，Ireturntoyou;andI

prayyoutopreserveit。ThousandsofkisseshaveIimprinteduponit，andathousandtimeshasitgladdenedmyheartondepartingfromandreturningtomyhome。

"Ihaveimploredyourfathertoprotectmyremains。Atthecornerofthechurchyard，lookingtowardthefields，therearetwolime-trees——thereIwishtolie。Yourfathercan，anddoubtlesswill，dothismuchforhisfriend。Imploreitofhim。ButperhapspiousChristianswillnotchoosethattheirbodieschouldbeburiednearthecorpseofapoor，unhappywretchlikeme。Thenletmebelaidinsomeremotevalley，ornearthehighway，wherethepriestandLevitemayblessthemselvesastheypassbymytomb，whilsttheSamaritanwillshedatearformyfate。

"See，Charlotte，Idonotshuddertotakethecoldandfatalcup，fromwhichIshalldrinkthedraughtofdeath。Yourhandpresentsittome，andIdonottremble。All，allisnowconcluded：thewishesandthehopesofmyexistencearefulfilled。Withcold，unflinchinghandIknockatthebrazenportalsofDeath。Oh，thatIhadenjoyedtheblissofdyingforyou！howgladlywouldIhavesacrificedmyselfforyou;Charlotte！AndcouldIbutrestorepeaceandjoytoyourbosom，withwhatresolution，withwhatjoy，wouldInotmeetmyfate！Butitisthelotofonlyachosenfewtoshedtheirbloodfortheirfriends，andbytheirdeathtoaugment，athousandtimes，thehappinessofthosebywhomtheyarebeloved。

Iwish，Charlotte，tobeburiedinthedressIwearatpresent：

ithasbeenrenderedsacredbyyourtouch。Ihavebeggedthisfavourofyourfather。Myspiritsoarsabovemysepulchre。I

donotwishmypocketstobesearched。TheknotofpinkribbonwhichyouworeonyourbosomthefirsttimeIsawyou，surroundedbythechildren——Oh，kissthemathousandtimesforme，andtellthemthefateoftheirunhappyfriend！IthinkIseethemplayingaroundme。Thedearchildren！HowwarmlyhaveIbeenattachedtoyou，Charlotte！SincethefirsthourIsawyou，howimpossiblehaveIfoundittoleaveyou。Thisribbonmustbeburiedwithme：itwasapresentfromyouonmybirthday。Howconfuseditallappears！LittledidIthenthinkthatIshouldjourneythisroad。Butpeace！Iprayyou，peace！

"Theyareloaded——theclockstrikestwelve。Isayamen。

Charlotte，Charlotte！farewell，farewell！"

Aneighboursawtheflash，andheardthereportofthepistol;

but，aseverythingremainedquiet，hethoughtnomoreofit。

Inthemorning，atsixo’clock，theservantwentintoWerther’sroomwithacandle。Hefoundhismasterstretcheduponthefloor，welteringinhisblood，andthepistolsathisside。Hecalled，hetookhiminhisarms，butreceivednoanswer。Lifewasnotyetquiteextinct。Theservantranforasurgeon，andthenwenttofetchAlbert。Charlotteheardtheringingofthebell：acoldshudderseizedher。Shewakenedherhusband，andtheybothrose。

Theservant，bathedintearsfalteredforththedreadfulnews。

CharlottefellsenselessatAlbert’sfeet。

WhenthesurgeoncametotheunfortunateWerther，hewasstilllyingonthefloor;andhispulsebeat，buthislimbswerecold。

Thebullet，enteringtheforehead，overtherighteye，hadpenetratedtheskull。Aveinwasopenedinhisrightarm：thebloodcame，andhestillcontinuedtobreathe。

>Fromthebloodwhichflowedfromthechair，itcouldbeinferredthathehadcommittedtherashactsittingathisbureau，andthatheafterwardfelluponthefloor。Hewasfoundlyingonhisbacknearthewindow。Hewasinfull-dresscostume。

Thehouse，theneighbourhood，andthewholetownwereimmediatelyincommotion。Albertarrived。TheyhadlaidWertheronthebed：

hisheadwasboundup，andthepalenessofdeathwasuponhisface。

Hislimbsweremotionless;buthestillbreathed，atonetimestrongly，thenweaker——hisdeathwasmomentlyexpected。

Hehaddrunkonlyoneglassofthewine。"EmiliaGalotti"layopenuponhisbureau。

IshallsaynothingofAlbert’sdistress，orofCharlotte’sgrief。

Theoldstewardhastenedtothehouseimmediatelyuponhearingthenews：heembracedhisdyingfriendamidafloodoftears。Hiseldestboyssoonfollowedhimonfoot。Inspeechlesssorrowtheythrewthemselvesontheirkneesbythebedside，andkissedhishandsandface。Theeldest，whowashisfavourite，hungoverhimtillheexpired;andeventhenhewasremovedbyforce。Attwelveo’clockWertherbreathedhislast。Thepresenceofthesteward，andtheprecautionshehadadopted，preventedadisturbance;andthatnight，atthehourofeleven，hecausedthebodytobeinterredintheplacewhichWertherhadselectedforhimself。

Thestewardandhissonsfollowedthecorpsetothegrave。Albertwasunabletoaccompanythem。Charlotte’slifewasdespairedof。

Thebodywascarriedbylabourers。Nopriestattended。