"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,ODaura!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,andIregardedthemasthepledgesofyourlove;butthoseimpressionsgrewfainter,andwereatlengtheffaced.
　　"Everythingpassesaway;butawholeeternitycouldnotextinguishthelivingflamewhichwasyesterdaykindledbyyourlips,andwhichnowburnswithinme.Shelovesme!Thesearmshaveencircledherwaist,theselipshavetrembleduponhers.Sheismine!Yes,Charlotte,youaremineforever!
　　"AndwhatdotheymeanbysayingAlbertisyourhusband?Hemaybesoforthisworld;andinthisworlditisasintoloveyou,towishtotearyoufromhisembrace.Yes,itisacrime;andIsufferthepunishment,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.Ikissthemathousandtimes——youhavetouchedthem.Yes,Heavenfavoursmydesign,andyou,Charlotte,providemewiththefatalinstruments.Itwasmydesiretoreceivemydeathfromyourhands,andmywishisgratified.Ihavemadeinquiriesofmyservant.Youtrembledwhenyougavehimthepistols,butyoubademenoadieu.Wretched,wretchedthatIam——notonefarewell!Howcouldyoushutyourheartagainstmeinthathourwhichmakesyoumineforever?Charlotte,agescannoteffacetheimpression——Ifeelyoucannothatethemanwhosopassionatelylovesyou!"
　　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.Ihavedisturbedthepeaceofyourhome.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;andIprayyoutopreserveit.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.Idonotwishmypocketstobesearched.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.