Charlotte'sfather,whowasconfinedtothehousebyindisposition,wasaccustomedtosendhiscarriageforher,thatshemightmakeexcursionsintheneighbourhood.Onedaytheweatherhadbeenunusuallysevere,andthewholecountrywascoveredwithsnow.
WertherwentforCharlottethefollowingmorning,inorderthat,ifAlbertwereabsent,hemightconductherhome.
Thebeautifulweatherproducedbutlittleimpressiononhistroubledspirit.Aheavyweightlayuponhissoul,deepmelancholyhadtakenpossessionofhim,andhismindknewnochangesavefromonepainfulthoughttoanother.
Ashenowneverenjoyedinternalpeace,theconditionofhisfellowcreatureswastohimaperpetualsourceoftroubleanddistress.HebelievedhehaddisturbedthehappinessofAlbertandhiswife;and,whilsthecensuredhimselfstronglyforthis,hebegantoentertainasecretdisliketoAlbert.
Histhoughtswereoccasionallydirectedtothispoint."Yes,"hewouldrepeattohimself,withill-concealeddissatisfaction,"yes,thisis,afterall,theextentofthatconfiding,dear,tender,andsympatheticlove,thatcalmandeternalfidelity!
WhatdoIbeholdbutsatietyandindifference?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.Ibeheldafearfulsight.Thefoamingtorrentsrolledfromthemountainsinthemoonlight,——fieldsandmeadows,treesandhedges,wereconfoundedtogether;andtheentirevalleywasconvertedintoadeeplake,whichwasagitatedbytheroaringwind!Andwhenthemoonshoneforth,andtingedtheblackcloudswithsilver,andtheimpetuoustorrentatmyfeetfoamedandresoundedwithawfulandgrandimpetuosity,Iwasovercomebyamingledsensationofapprehensionanddelight.WithextendedarmsIlookeddownintotheyawningabyss,andcried,"Plunge!'"Foramomentmysensesforsookme,intheintensedelightofendingmysorrowsandmysufferingsbyaplungeintothatgulf!AndthenIfeltasifIwererootedtotheearth,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,IshouldIiketomakealittleexcursionontheway,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:itisconvictionthatIhavefilledupthemeasureofmysufferings,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?HereshallIrestwithmyfriends,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.