Couldyoubutseeme，mydearCharlotte，inthewhirlofdissipation，——howmysensesaredriedup，butmyheartisatnotimefull。Ienjoynosinglemomentofhappiness：allisvain——
nothingtouchesme。Istand，asitwere，beforetheraree-show：
Iseethelittlepuppetsmove，andIaskwhetheritisnotanopticalillusion。Iamamusedwiththesepuppets，or，rather，I
ammyselfoneofthem：but，whenIsometimesgraspmyneighbour’shand，Ifeelthatitisnotnatural;andIwithdrawminewithashudder。IntheeveningIsayIwillenjoythenextmorning’ssunrise，andyetIremaininbed：inthedayIpromisetoramblebymoonlight;andI，nevertheless，remainathome。IknownotwhyIrise，norwhyIgotosleep。
Theleavenwhichanimatedmyexistenceisgone：thecharmwhichcheeredmeinthegloomofnight，andarousedmefrommymorningslumbers，isforeverfled。
Ihavefoundbutonebeingheretointerestme，aMissB——。Sheresemblesyou，mydearCharlotte，ifanyonecanpossiblyresembleyou。"Ah！"youwillsay，"hehaslearnedhowtopayfinecompliments。"
Andthisispartlytrue。Ihavebeenveryagreeablelately，asitwasnotinmypowertobeotherwise。Ihave，moreover，adealofwit：andtheladiessaythatnooneunderstandsflatterybetter，orfalsehoodsyouwilladd;sincetheoneaccomplishmentinvariablyaccompaniestheother。ButImusttellyouofMissB——。Shehasabundanceofsoul，whichflashesfromherdeepblueeyes。Herrankisatormenttoher，andsatisfiesnoonedesireofherheart。
Shewouldgladlyretirefromthiswhirloffashion，andweoftenpicturetoourselvesalifeofundisturbedhappinessindistantscenesofruralretirement：andthenwespeakofyou，mydearCharlotte;forsheknowsyou，andrendershomagetoyourmerits;
butherhomageisnotexacted，butvoluntary，shelovesyou，anddelightstohearyoumadethesubjectofconversation。
Oh，thatIweresittingatyourfeetinyourfavouritelittleroom，withthedearchildrenplayingaroundus！Iftheybecametroublesometoyou，Iwouldtellthemsomeappallinggoblinstory;andtheywouldcrowdroundmewithsilentattention。Thesunissettinginglory;hislastraysareshiningonthesnow，whichcoversthefaceofthecountry：thestormisover，andImustreturntomydungeon。Adieu！——IsAlbertwithyou？andwhatishetoyou？Godforgivethequestion。
FEBRUARY8。
Foraweekpastwehavehadthemostwretchedweather：butthistomeisablessing;for，duringmyresidencehere，notasinglefinedayhasbeamedfromtheheavens，buthasbeenlosttomebytheintrusionofsomebody。Duringtheseverityofrain，sleet，frost，andstorm，Icongratulatemyselfthatitcannotbeworseindoorsthanabroad，norworseabroadthanitiswithindoors;andsoIbecomereconciled。Whenthesunrisesbrightinthemorning，andpromisesagloriousday，Ineveromittoexclaim，"There，now，theyhaveanotherblessingfromHeaven，whichtheywillbesuretodestroy：theyspoileverything，——health，fame，happiness，amusement;andtheydothisgenerallythroughfolly，ignorance，orimbecility，andalways，accordingtotheirownaccount，withthebestintentions！"Icouldoftenbeseechthem，onmybendedknees，tobelessresolvedupontheirowndestruction。
FEBRUARY17。
IfearthatmyambassadorandIshallnotcontinuemuchlongertogether。Heisreallygrowingpastendurance。Hetransactshisbusinessinsoridiculousamanner，thatIamoftencompelledtocontradicthim，anddothingsmyownway;andthen，ofcourse，hethinksthemveryilldone。Hecomplainedofmelatelyonthisaccountatcourt;andtheministergavemeareprimand，——agentleoneitistrue，butstillareprimand。Inconsequenceofthis，Iwasabouttotendermyresignation，whenIreceivedaletter，towhichIsubmittedwithgreatrespect，onaccountofthehigh，noble，andgenerousspiritwhichdictatedit。Heendeavouredtosoothemyexcessivesensibility，paidatributetomyextremeideasofduty，ofgoodexample，andofperseveranceinbusiness，asthefruitofmyyouthfulardour，animpulsewhichhedidnotseektodestroy，butonlytomoderate，thatitmighthaveproperplayandbeproductiveofgood。SonowIamatrestforanotherweek，andnolongeratvariancewithmyself。Contentandpeaceofmindarevaluablethings：Icouldwish，mydearfriend，thatthesepreciousjewelswerelesstransitory。
FERRUARY20。
Godblessyou，mydearfriends，andmayhegrantyouthathappinesswhichhedeniestome！
Ithankyou，Albert，forhavingdeceivedme。Iwaitedforthenewsthatyourwedding-daywasfixed;andIintendedonthatday，withsolemnity，totakedownCharlotte’sprofilefromthewall，andtoburyitwithsomeotherpapersIpossess。Youarenowunited，andherpicturestillremainshere。Well，letitremain！
Whyshoulditnot？IknowthatIamstilloneofyoursociety，thatIstilloccupyaplaceuninjuredinCharlotte’sheart，thatIholdthesecondplacetherein;andIintendtokeepit。Oh，I
shouldbecomemadifshecouldforget！Albert，thatthoughtishell！Farewell，Albertfarewell，angelofheavenfarewell，Charlotte！
MARCH15。
Ihavejusthadasadadventure，whichwilldrivemeawayfromhere。Iloseallpatience！——Death！——Itisnottoberemedied;
andyoualonearetoblame，foryouurgedandimpelledmetofillapostforwhichIwasbynomeanssuited。Ihavenowreasontobesatisfied，andsohaveyou！But，thatyoumaynotagainattributethisfatalitytomyimpetuoustemper，Isendyou，mydearsir，aplainandsimplenarrationoftheaffair，asamerechronicleroffactswoulddescribeit。
TheCountofO——likesanddistinguishesme。Itiswellknown，andIhavementionedthistoyouahundredtimes。YesterdayI
dinedwithhim。Itisthedayonwhichthenobilityareaccustomedtoassembleathishouseintheevening。Ineveroncethoughtoftheassembly，northatwesubalternsdidnotbelongtosuchsociety。
Well，Idinedwiththecount;and，afterdinner，weadjournedtothelargehall。Wewalkedupanddowntogether：andIconversedwithhim，andwithColonelB——，whojoinedus;andinthismannerthehourfortheassemblyapproached。Godknows，Iwasthinkingofnothing，whenwhoshouldenterbutthehonourableLadyaccompaniedbyhernoblehusbandandtheirsilly，schemingdaughter，withhersmallwaistandflatneck;and，withdisdainfullooksandahaughtyairtheypassedmeby。AsIheartilydetestthewholerace，I
determinedupongoingaway;andonlywaitedtillthecounthaddisengagedhimselffromtheirimpertinentprattle，totakeleave，whentheagreeableMissB——camein。AsInevermeetherwithoutexperiencingaheartfeltpleasure，Istayedandtalkedtoher，leaningoverthebackofherchair，anddidnotperceive，tillaftersometime，thatsheseemedalittleconfused，andceasedtoanswermewithherusualeaseofmanner。Iwasstruckwithit。
"Heavens！"Isaidtomyself，"canshe，too，beliketherest？"I
feltannoyed，andwasabouttowithdraw;butIremained，notwithstanding，formingexcusesforherconduct，fancyingshedidnotmeanit，andstillhopingtoreceivesomefriendlyrecognition。
Therestofthecompanynowarrived。TherewastheBaronF——，inanentiresuitthatdatedfromthecoronationofFrancisI。;theChancellorN——，withhisdeafwife;theshabbily-dressedI——，whoseold-fashionedcoatboreevidenceofmodernrepairs：thiscrownedthewhole。Iconversedwithsomeofmyacquaintances，buttheyansweredmelaconically。IwasengagedinobservingMissB——，anddidnotnoticethatthewomenwerewhisperingattheendoftheroom，thatthemurmurextendedbydegreestothemen，thatMadameS——addressedthecountwithmuchwarmth（thiswasallrelatedtomesubsequentlybyMissB——）;tillatlengththecountcameuptome，andtookmetothewindow。"Youknowourridiculouscustoms，"
hesaid。"Iperceivethecompanyisratherdispleasedatyourbeinghere。Iwouldnotonanyaccount——""Ibegyourexcellency’spardon！"Iexclaimed。"Ioughttohavethoughtofthisbefore，butIknowyouwillforgivethislittleinattention。Iwasgoing，"
Iadded，"sometimeago，butmyevilgeniusdetainedme。"AndI
smiledandbowed，totakemyleave。Heshookmebythehand，inamannerwhichexpressedeverything。Ihastenedatoncefromtheillustriousassembly，sprangintoacarriage，anddrovetoM——。
Icontemplatedthesettingsunfromthetopofthehill，andreadthatbeautifulpassageinHomer，whereUlyssesisentertainedbythehospitableherdsmen。Thiswasindeeddelightful。
Ireturnedhometosupperintheevening。Butfewpersonswereassembledintheroom。Theyhadturnedupacornerofthetable-cloth，andwereplayingatdice。Thegood-naturedA——camein。Helaiddownhishatwhenhesawme，approachedme，andsaidinalowtone，"Youhavemetwithadisagreeableadventure。""I！"Iexclaimed。
"Thecountobligedyoutowithdrawfromtheassembly！""Deucetaketheassembly！"saidI。"Iwasverygladtobegone。""Iamdelighted，"headded，"thatyoutakeitsolightly。Iamonlysorrythatitisalreadysomuchspokenof。"Thecircumstancethenbegantopainme。Ifanciedthateveryonewhosatdown，andevenlookedatme，wasthinkingofthisincident;andmyheartbecameembittered。
AndnowIcouldplungeadaggerintomybosom，whenIhearmyselfeverywherepitied，andobservethetriumphofmyenemies，whosaythatthisisalwaysthecasewithvainpersons，whoseheadsareturnedwithconceit，whoaffecttodespiseformsandsuchpetty，idlenonsense。
Saywhatyouwilloffortitude，butshowmethemanwhocanpatientlyendurethelaughteroffools，whentheyhaveobtainedanadvantageoverhim。’Tisonlywhentheirnonsenseiswithoutfoundationthatonecansufferitwithoutcomplaint。
March16。
Everythingconspiresagainstme。ImetMissB——walkingto-day。
Icouldnothelpjoiningher;and，whenwewereatalittledistancefromhercompanions，Iexpressedmysenseofheralteredmannertowardme。"OWerther！"shesaid，inatoneofemotion，"you，whoknowmyheart，howcouldyousoillinterpretmydistress？WhatdidInotsufferforyou，fromthemomentyouenteredtheroom！
Iforesawitall，ahundredtimeswasIonthepointofmentioningittoyou。IknewthattheS——sandT——s，withtheirhusbands，wouldquittheroom，ratherthanremaininyourcompany。Iknewthatthecountwouldnotbreakwiththem：andnowsomuchissaidaboutit。""How！"Iexclaimed，andendeavouredtoconcealmyemotion;forallthatAdelinhadmentionedtomeyesterdayrecurredtomepainfullyatthatmoment。"Oh，howmuchithasalreadycostme！"saidthisamiablegirl，whilehereyesfilledwithtears。I
couldscarcelycontainmyself，andwasreadytothrowmyselfatherfeet。"Explainyourself！"Icried。Tearsfloweddownhercheeks。Ibecamequitefrantic。Shewipedthemaway，withoutattemptingtoconcealthem。"Youknowmyaunt，"shecontinued;
"shewaspresent：andinwhatlightdoessheconsidertheaffair！
Lastnight，andthismorning，Werther，Iwascompelledtolistentoalectureuponmy，acquaintancewithyou。Ihavebeenobligedtohearyoucondemnedanddepreciated;andIcouldnot——Idarednot——saymuchinyourdefence。"
Everywordsheutteredwasadaggertomyheart。Shedidnotfeelwhatamercyitwouldhavebeentoconcealeverythingfromme。
Shetoldme，inaddition，alltheimpertinencethatwouldbefurthercirculated，andhowthemaliciouswouldtriumph;howtheywouldrejoiceoverthepunishmentofmypride，overmyhumiliationforthatwantofesteemforotherswithwhichIhadoftenbeenreproached。
Tohearallthis，Wilhelm，utteredbyherinavoiceofthemostsinceresympathy，awakenedallmypassions;andIamstillinastateofextremeexcitement。IwishIcouldfindamantojeermeaboutthisevent。Iwouldsacrificehimtomyresentment。Thesightofhisbloodmightpossiblybearelieftomyfury。AhundredtimeshaveIseizedadagger，togiveeasetothisoppressedheart。
Naturaliststellofanobleraceofhorsesthatinstinctivelyopenaveinwiththeirteeth，whenheatedandexhaustedbyalongcourse，inordertobreathemorefreely。Iamoftentemptedtoopenavein，toprocureformyselfeverlastingliberty。
MARCH24。
Ihavetenderedmyresignationtothecourt。Ihopeitwillbeaccepted，andyouwillforgivemefornothavingpreviouslyconsultedyou。ItisnecessaryIshouldleavethisplace。Iknowallyouwillurgemetostay，andthereforeIbegyouwillsoftenthisnewstomymother。Iamunabletodoanythingformyself：how，then，shouldIbecompetenttoassistothers？ItwillafflictherthatIshouldhaveinterruptedthatcareerwhichwouldhavemademefirstaprivycouncillor，andthenminister，andthatIshouldlookbehindme，inplaceofadvancing。Argueasyouwill，combineallthereasonswhichshouldhaveinducedmetoremain，Iamgoing：
thatissufficient。But，thatyoumaynotbeignorantofmydestination，ImaymentionthatthePrinceof——ishere。Heismuchpleasedwithmycompany;and，havingheardofmyintentiontoresign，hehasinvitedmetohiscountryhouse，topassthespringmonthswithhim。Ishallbeleftcompletelymyownmaster;
and，asweagreeonallsubjectsbutone，Ishalltrymyfortune，andaccompanyhim。
APRILl9。
Thanksforbothyourletters。Idelayedmyreply，andwithheldthisletter，tillIshouldobtainananswerfromthecourt。I
fearedmymothermightapplytotheministertodefeatmypurpose。
Butmyrequestisgranted，myresignationisaccepted。Ishallnotrecountwithwhatreluctanceitwasaccorded，norrelatewhattheministerhaswritten：youwouldonlyrenewyourlamentations。
Thecrownprincehassentmeapresentoffiveandtwentyducats;
and，indeed，suchgoodnesshasaffectedmetotears。ForthisreasonIshallnotrequirefrommymotherthemoneyforwhichI
latelyapplied。
MAY5。
Ileavethisplaceto-morrow;and，asmynativeplaceisonlysixmilesfromthehighroad，Iintendtovisititoncemore，andrecallthehappydreamsofmychildhood。IshallenteratthesamegatethroughwhichIcamewithmymother，when，aftermyfather’sdeath，sheleftthatdelightfulretreattoimmureherselfinyourmelancholytown。Adieu，mydearfriend：youshallhearofmyfuturecareer。
MAY9。
Ihavepaidmyvisittomynativeplacewithallthedevotionofapilgrim，andhaveexperiencedmanyunexpectedemotions。Nearthegreatelmtree，whichisaquarterofaleaguefromthevillage，Igotoutofthecarriage，andsentitonbefore，thatalone，andonfoot，Imightenjoyvividlyandheartilyallthepleasureofmyrecollections。Istoodthereunderthatsameelmwhichwasformerlythetermandobjectofmywalks。Howthingshavesincechanged！Then，inhappyignorance，IsighedforaworldIdidnotknow，whereIhopedtofindeverypleasureandenjoymentwhichmyheartcoulddesire;andnow，onmyreturnfromthatwideworld，O
myfriend，howmanydisappointedhopesandunsuccessfulplanshaveIbroughtback！
AsIcontemplatedthemountainswhichlaystretchedoutbeforeme，Ithoughthowoftentheyhadbeentheobjectofmydearestdesires。
HereusedItositforhourstogetherwithmyeyesbentuponthem，ardentlylongingtowanderintheshadeofthosewoods，tolosemyselfinthosevalleys，whichformsodelightfulanobjectinthedistance。WithwhatreluctancedidIleavethischarmingspot;
whenmyhourofrecreationwasover，andmyleaveofabsenceexpired！Idrewneartothevillage：allthewell-knownoldsummerhousesandgardenswererecognisedagain;Idislikedthenewones，andallotheralterationswhichhadtakenplace。Ienteredthevillage，andallmyformerfeelingsreturned。Icannot，mydearfriend，enterintodetails，charmingasweremysensations：
theywouldbedullinthenarration。Ihadintendedtolodgeinthemarket-place，nearouroldhouse。AssoonasIentered，I
perceivedthattheschoolroom，whereourchildhoodhadbeentaughtbythatgoodoldwoman，wasconvertedintoashop。Icalledtomindthesorrow，theheaviness，thetears，andoppressionofheart，whichIexperiencedinthatconfinement。Everystepproducedsomeparticularimpression。ApilgrimintheHolyLanddoesnotmeetsomanyspotspregnantwithtenderrecollections，andhissoulishardlymovedwithgreaterdevotion。Oneincidentwillserveforillustration。Ifollowedthecourseofastreamtoafarm，formerlyadelightfulwalkofmine，andpausedatthespot，where，whenboys，weusedtoamuseourselvesmakingducksanddrakesuponthewater。IrecollectedsowellhowIusedformerlytowatchthecourseofthatsamestream，followingitwithinquiringeagerness，formingromanticideasofthecountriesitwastopassthrough;
butmyimaginationwassoonexhausted：whilethewatercontinuedflowingfartherandfartheron，tillmyfancybecamebewilderedbythecontemplationofaninvisibledistance。Exactlysuch，mydearfriend，sohappyandsoconfined，werethethoughtsofourgoodancestors。Theirfeelingsandtheirpoetrywerefreshaschildhood。And，whenUlyssestalksoftheimmeasurableseaandboundlessearth，hisepithetsaretrue，natural，deeplyfelt，andmysterious。OfwhatimportanceisitthatIhavelearned，witheveryschoolboy，thattheworldisround？Manneedsbutlittleearthforenjoyment，andstilllessforhisfinalrepose。
Iamatpresentwiththeprinceathishuntinglodge。Heisamanwithwhomonecanlivehappily。Heishonestandunaffected。Thereare，however，somestrangecharactersabouthim，whomIcannotatallunderstand。Theydonotseemvicious，andyettheydonotcarrytheappearanceofthoroughlyhonestmen。SometimesIamdisposedtobelievethemhonest，andyetIcannotpersuademyselftoconfideinthem。Itgrievesmetoheartheprinceoccasionallytalkofthingswhichhehasonlyreadorheardof，andalwayswiththesameviewinwhichtheyhavebeenrepresentedbyothers。
Hevaluesmyunderstandingandtalentsmorehighlythanmyheart，butIamproudofthelatteronly。Itisthesolesourceofeverythingofourstrength，happiness，andmisery。AlltheknowledgeIpossesseveryoneelsecanacquire，butmyheartisexclusivelymyown。
MAY25。
IhavehadaplaninmyheadofwhichIdidnotintendtospeaktoyouuntilitwasaccomplished：nowthatithasfailed，Imayaswellmentionit。Iwishedtoenterthearmy，andhadlongbeendesirousoftakingthestep。This，indeed，wasthechiefreasonformycomingherewiththeprince，asheisageneralintheservice。Icommunicatedmydesigntohimduringoneofourwalkstogether。Hedisapprovedofit，anditwouldhavebeenactualmadnessnottohavelistenedtohisreasons。
JUNE11。
Saywhatyouwill，Icanremainherenolonger。WhyshouldI
remain？Timehangsheavyuponmyhands。Theprinceisasgracioustomeasanyonecouldbe，andyetIamnotatmyease。Thereis，indeed，nothingincommonbetweenus。Heisamanofunderstanding，butquiteoftheordinarykind。HisconversationaffordsmenomoreamusementthanIshouldderivefromtheperusalofawell-writtenbook。IshallremainhereaweekIonger，andthenstartagainonmytravels。MydrawingsarethebestthingsIhavedonesinceI
camehere。Theprincehasatasteforthearts，andwouldimproveifhismindwerenotfetteredbycoldrulesandmeretechnicalideas。Ioftenlosepatience，when，withaglowingimagination，Iamgivingexpressiontoartandnature，heinterfereswithlearnedsuggestions，andusesatrandomthetechnicalphraseologyofartists。
JULY16。
OncemoreIamawanderer，apilgrim，throughtheworld。Butwhatelseareyou！
JULY18。
WhitheramIgoing？Iwilltellyouinconfidence。Iamobligedtocontinueafortnightlongerhere，andthenIthinkitwouldbebetterformetovisittheminesin——。ButIamonlydeludingmyselfthus。Thefactis，IwishtobenearCharlotteagain，thatisall。Ismileatthesuggestionsofmyheart，andobeyitsdictates。
JULY29。
No，no！itisyetwellalliswell！Iherhusband！OGod，whogavemebeing，ifthouhadstdestinedthishappinessforme，mywholelifewouldhavebeenonecontinualthanksgiving！ButIwillnotmurmur——forgivethesetears，forgivethesefruitlesswishes。
She——mywife！Oh，theverythoughtoffoldingthatdearestofHeaven’screaturesinmyarms！DearWilhelm，mywholeframefeelsconvulsedwhenIseeAlbertputhisarmsaroundherslenderwaist！
AndshallIavowit？WhyshouldInot，Wilhelm？Shewouldhavebeenhappierwithmethanwithhim。Albertisnotthemantosatisfythewishesofsuchaheart。Hewantsacertainsensibility;
hewants——inshort，theirheartsdonotbeatinunison。Howoften，mydearfriend，imreadingapassagefromsomeinterestingbook，whenmyheartandCharlotte’sseemedtomeet，andinahundredotherinstanceswhenoursentimentswereunfoldedbythestoryofsomefictitiouscharacter，haveIfeltthatweweremadeforeachother！But，dearWilhelm，helovesherwithhiswholesoul;andwhatdoesnotsuchalovedeserve？
Ihavebeeninterruptedbyaninsufferablevisit。Ihavedriedmytears，andcomposedmythoughts。Adieu，mybestfriend！
AUGUST4。
Iamnotaloneunfortunate。Allmenaredisappointedintheirhopes，anddeceivedintheirexpectations。Ihavepaidavisittomygoodoldwomanunderthelime-trees。Theeldestboyranouttomeetme：hisexclamationofjoybroughtouthismother，butshehadaverymelancholylook。Herfirstwordwas，"Alas！
dearsir，mylittleJohnisdead。"Hewastheyoungestofherchildren。Iwassilent。"AndmyhusbandhasreturnedfromSwitzerlandwithoutanymoney;and，ifsomekindpeoplehadnotassistedhim，hemusthavebeggedhiswayhome。Hewastakenillwithfeveronhisjourney。"Icouldanswernothing，butmadethelittleoneapresent。Sheinvitedmetotakesomefruit：Icomplied，andlefttheplacewithasorrowfulheart。
AUGUST21。
Mysensationsareconstantlychanging。Sometimesahappyprospectopensbeforeme;butalas！itisonlyforamoment;andthen，whenIamlostinreverie，Icannothelpsayingtomyself，"IfAlbertweretodie？——Yes，shewouldbecome——andIshouldbe"——andsoIpursueachimera，tillitleadsmetotheedgeofaprecipiceatwhichIshudder。
WhenIpassthroughthesamegate，andwalkalongthesameroadwhichfirstconductedmetoCharlotte，myheartsinkswithinmeatthechangethathassincetakenplace。All，all，isaltered！
Nosentiment，nopulsationofmyheart，isthesame。Mysensationsaresuchaswouldoccurtosomedepartedprincewhosespiritshouldreturntovisitthesuperbpalacewhichhehadbuiltinhappytimes，adornedwithcostlymagnificence，andlefttoabelovedson，butwhosegloryheshouldfinddeparted，anditshallsdesertedandinruins。
SEPTEMBER3。
Isometimescannotunderstandhowshecanloveanother，howshedaresloveanother，whenIlovenothinginthisworldsocompletely，sodevotedly，asIloveher，whenIknowonlyher，andhavenootherpossession。
SEPTEMBER4。
Itisevenso！Asnatureputsonherautumntintsitbecomesautumnwithmeandaroundme。Myleavesaresereandyellow，andtheneighbouringtreesaredivestedoftheirfoliage。Doyouremembermywritingtoyouaboutapeasantboyshortlyaftermyarrivalhere？IhavejustmadeinquiriesabouthiminWalheim。
Theysayhehasbeendismissedfromhisservice，andisnowavoidedbyeveryone。Imethimyesterdayontheroad，goingtoaneighbouringvillage。Ispoketohim，andhetoldmehisstory。
Itinterestedmeexceedingly，asyouwilleasilyunderstandwhenIrepeatittoyou。ButwhyshouldItroubleyou？WhyshouldI
notreserveallmysorrowformyself？WhyshouldIcontinuetogiveyouoccasiontopityandblameme？Butnomatter：thisalsoispartofmydestiny。
Atfirstthepeasantladansweredmyinquirieswithasortofsubduedmelancholy，whichseemedtomethemarkofatimiddisposition;
but，aswegrewtounderstandeachother，hespokewithlessreserve，andopenlyconfessedhisfaults，andlamentedhismisfortune。I
wish，mydearfriend，Icouldgiveproperexpressiontohislanguage。Hetoldmewithasortofpleasurablerecollection，that，aftermydeparture，hispassionforhismistressincreaseddaily，untilatlastheneitherknewwhathedidnorwhathesaid，norwhatwastobecomeofhim。Hecouldneithereatnordrinknorsleep：hefeltasenseofsuffocation;hedisobeyedallorders，andforgotallcommandsinvoluntarily;heseemedasifpursuedbyanevilspirit，tilloneday，knowingthathismistresshadgonetoanupperchamber，hehadfollowed，or，rather，beendrawnafterher。Assheproveddeaftohisentreaties，hehadrecoursetoviolence。Heknowsnotwhathappened;buthecalledGodtowitnessthathisintentionstoherwerehonourable，andthathedesirednothingmoresincerelythanthattheyshouldmarry，andpasstheirlivestogether。Whenhehadcometothispoint，hebegantohesitate，asiftherewassomethingwhichhehadnotcouragetoutter，tillatlengthheacknowledgedwithsomeconfusioncertainlittleconfidencesshehadencouraged，andlibertiesshehadallowed。
Hebrokeofftwoorthreetimesinhisnarration，andassuredmemostearnestlythathehadnowishtomakeherbad，ashetermedit，forhelovedherstillassincerelyasever;thatthetalehadneverbeforeescapedhislips，andwasonlynowtoldtoconvincemethathewasnotutterlylostandabandoned。Andhere，mydearfriend，ImustcommencetheoldsongwhichyouknowIuttereternally。
IfIcouldonlyrepresentthemanashestood，andstandsnowbeforeme，couldIonlygivehistrueexpressions，youwouldfeelcompelledtosympathiseinhisfate。Butenough：you，whoknowmymisfortuneandmydisposition，caneasilycomprehendtheattractionwhichdrawsmetowardeveryunfortunatebeing，butparticularlytowardhimwhosestoryIhaverecounted。
Onperusingthisletterasecondtime，IfindIhaveomittedtheconclusionofmytale;butitiseasilysupplied。Shebecamereservedtowardhim，attheinstigationofherbrotherwhohadlonghatedhim，anddesiredhisexpulsionfromthehouse，fearingthathissister’ssecondmarriagemightdeprivehischildrenofthehandsomefortunetheyexpectedfromher;assheischildless。
Hewasdismissedatlength;andthewholeaffairoccasionedsomuchscandal，thatthemistressdarednottakehimback，evenifshehadwishedit。Shehassincehiredanotherservant，withwhom，theysay，herbrotherisequallydispleased，andwhomsheislikelytomarry;butmyinformantassuresmethathehimselfisdeterminednottosurvivesuchacatastrophe。
Thisstoryisneitherexaggeratednorembellished：indeed，Ihaveweakenedandimpaireditinthenarration，bythenecessityofusingthemorerefinedexpressionsofsociety。
Thislove，then，thisconstancy，thispassion，isnopoeticalfiction。Itisactual，anddwellsinitsgreatestpurityamongstthatclassofmankindwhomwetermrude，uneducated。Wearetheeducated，nottheperverted。Butreadthisstorywithattention，Iimploreyou。Iamtranquilto-day，forIhavebeenemployeduponthisnarration：youseebymywritingthatIamnotsoagitatedasusual。Ireadandre-readthistale，Wilhelm：itisthehistoryofyourfriend！Myfortunehasbeenandwillbesimilar;andI
amneitherhalfsobravenorhalfsodeterminedasthepoorwretchwithwhomIhesitatetocomparemyself。
SEPTEMBER5。
Charlottehadwrittenalettertoherhusbandinthecountry，wherehewasdetainedbybusiness。Itcommenced，"Mydearestlove，returnassoonaspossible：Iawaityouwithathousandraptures。"
Afriendwhoarrived，broughtword，that，forcertainreasons，hecouldnotreturnimmediately。Charlotte’sletterwasnotforwarded，andthesameeveningitfellintomyhands。Ireadit，andsmiled。
Sheaskedthereason。"Whataheavenlytreasureisimagination："
Iexclaimed;"Ifanciedforamomentthatthiswaswrittentome。"
Shepaused，andseemeddispleased。Iwassilent。
SEPTEMBER6。
ItcostmemuchtopartwiththebluecoatwhichIworethefirsttimeIdancedwithCharlotte。ButIcouldnotpossiblywearitanylonger。ButIhaveorderedanewone，preciselysimilar，eventothecollarandsleeves，aswellasanewwaistcoatandpantaloons。
Butitdoesnotproducethesameeffectuponme。Iknownothowitis，butIhopeintimeIshalllikeitbetter。
SEPTEMBER12。
Shehasbeenabsentforsomedays。ShewenttomeetAlbert。
To-dayIvisitedher：sherosetoreceiveme，andIkissedherhandmosttenderly。
Acanaryatthemomentflewfromamirror，andsettleduponhershoulder。"Hereisanewfriend，"sheobserved，whileshemadehimperchuponherhand："heisapresentforthechildren。Whatadearheis！Lookathim！WhenIfeedhim，heflutterswithhiswings，andpeckssonicely。Hekissesme，too，onlylook！"
Sheheldthebirdtohermouth;andhepressedhersweetlipswithsomuchfervourthatheseemedtofeeltheexcessofblisswhichheenjoyed。
"Heshallkissyoutoo，"sheadded;andthensheheldthebirdtowardme。Hislittlebeakmovedfromhermouthtomine，andthedelightfulsensationseemedliketheforerunnerofthesweetestbliss。
"Akiss，"Iobserved，"doesnotseemtosatisfyhim：hewishesforfood，andseemsdisappointedbytheseunsatisfactoryendearments。"
"Butheeatsoutofmymouth，"shecontinued，andextendedherlipstohimcontainingseed;andshesmiledwithallthecharmofabeingwhohasallowedaninnocentparticipationofherlove。
Iturnedmyfaceaway。Sheshouldnotactthus。Sheoughtnottoexcitemyimaginationwithsuchdisplaysofheavenlyinnocenceandhappiness，norawakenmyheartfromitsslumbers，inwhichitdreamsoftheworthlessnessoflife！Andwhynot？BecausesheknowshowmuchIloveher。
SEPTEMBER15。
Itmakesmewretched，Wilhelm，tothinkthatthereshouldbemenincapableofappreciatingthefewthingswhichpossessarealvalueinlife。YourememberthewalnuttreesatS——，underwhichIusedtositwithCharlotte，duringmyvisitstotheworthyoldvicar。
Thoseglorioustrees，theverysightofwhichhassooftenfilledmyheartwithjoy，howtheyadornedandrefreshedtheparsonageyard，withtheirwide-extendedbranches！andhowpleasingwasourremembranceofthegoodoldpastor，bywhosehandstheywereplantedsomanyyearsago：Theschoolmasterhasfrequentlymentionedhisname。Hehaditfromhisgrandfather。Hemusthavebeenamostexcellentman;and，undertheshadeofthoseoldtrees，hismemorywaseverveneratedbyme。Theschoolmasterinformedusyesterday，withtearsinhiseyes，thatthosetreeshadbeenfelled。
Yes，cuttotheground！Icould，inmywrath，haveslainthemonsterwhostruckthefirststroke。AndImustendurethis！——
I，who，ifIhadhadtwosuchtreesinmyowncourt，andonehaddiedfromoldage，shouldhaveweptwithrealaffliction。Butthereissomecomfortleft，suchathingissentiment，thewholevillagemurmursatthemisfortune;andIhopethevicar’swifewillsoonfind，bythecessationofthevillagers’presents，howmuchshehaswoundedthefeelingsoftheneighborhhood。Itwasshewhodidit，thewifeofthepresentincumbent（ourgoodoldmanisdead），atall，sicklycreaturewhoissofarrighttodisregardtheworld，astheworldtotallydisregardsher。Thesillybeingaffectstobelearned，pretendstoexaminethecanonicalbooks，lendsheraidtowardthenew-fashionedreformationofChristendom，moralandcritical，andshrugsuphershouldersatthementionofLavater’senthusiasm。Herhealthisdestroyed，onaccountofwhichsheispreventedfromhavinganyenjoymentherebelow。Onlysuchacreaturecouldhavecutdownmywalnuttrees！
Icanneverpardonit。Hearherreasons。Thefallingleavesmadethecourtwetanddirty;thebranchesobstructedthelight;boysthrewstonesatthenutswhentheywereripe，andthenoiseaffectedhernerves;anddisturbedherprofoundmeditations，whenshewasweighingthediffcultiesofKennicot，Semler，andMichaelis。
Findingthatalltheparish，particularlytheoldpeople，weredispleased，Iasked"whytheyallowedit？""Ah，sir！"theyreplied，"whenthestewardorders，whatcanwepoorpeasantsdo？"Butonethinghashappenedwell。Thestewardandthevicar（who，foronce，thoughttoreapsomeadvantagefromthecapricesofhiswife）
intendedtodividethetreesbetweenthem。Therevenue-office，beinginformedofit，revivedanoldclaimtothegroundwherethetreeshadstood，andsoldthemtothebestbidder。Theretheystilllieontheground。IfIwerethesovereign，Ishouldknowhowtodealwiththemall，vicar，steward，andrevenue-office。
Sovereign，didIsay？Ishould，inthatcase，carelittleaboutthetreesthatgrewinthecountry。
OCTOBER10。
Onlytogazeuponherdarkeyesistomeasourceofhappiness！
Andwhatgrievesme，is，thatAlbertdoesnotseemsohappyashe——hopedtobe——asIshouldhavebeen——if——Iamnofriendtothesepauses，buthereIcannotexpressitotherwise;andprobablyIamexplicitenough。
OCTOBER12。
OssianhassupersededHomerinmyheart。Towhataworlddoestheillustriousbardcarryme！Towanderoverpathlesswilds，surroundedbyimpetuouswhirlwinds，where，bythefeeblelightofthemoon，weseethespiritsofourancestors;tohearfromthemountain-tops，midtheroaroftorrents，theirplaintivesoundsissuingfromdeepcaverns，andthesorrowfullamentationsofamaidenwhosighsandexpiresonthemossytombofthewarriorbywhomshewasadored。Imeetthisbardwithsilverhair;hewandersinthevalley;heseeksthefootstepsofhisfathers，and，alas！hefindsonlytheirtombs。Then，contemplatingthepalemoon，asshesinksbeneaththewavesoftherollingsea，thememoryofbygonedaysstrikesthemindofthehero，dayswhenapproachingdangerinvigoratedthebrave，andthemoonshoneuponhisbarkladenwithspoils，andreturningintriumph。WhenIreadinhiscountenancedeepsorrow，whenIseehisdyingglorysinkexhaustedintothegrave，asheinhalesnewandheart-thrillingdelightfromhisapproachingunionwithhisbeloved，andhecastsalookonthecoldearthandthetallgrasswhichissosoontocoverhim，andthenexclaims，"Thetravellerwillcome，——hewillcomewhohasseenmybeauty，andhewillask，’Whereisthebard，whereistheillustrioussonofFingal？’Hewillwalkovermytomb，andwillseekmeinvain！"Then，Omyfriend，Icouldinstantly，likeatrueandnobleknight，drawmysword，anddelivermyprincefromthelongandpainfullanguorofalivingdeath，anddismissmyownsoultofollowthedemigodwhommyhandhadsetfree！
OCTOBER19。
Alas！thevoidthefearfulvoid，whichIfeelinmybosom！SometimesIthink，ifIcouldonlyoncebutonce，presshertomyheart，thisdreadfulvoidwouldbefilled。
OCTOBER26。
Yes，Ifeelcertain，Wilhelm，andeverydayIbecomemorecertain，thattheexistenceofanybeingwhateverisofverylittleconsequence。
AfriendofCharlotte’scalledtoseeherjustnow。Iwithdrewintoaneighbouringapartment，andtookupabook;but，findingI
couldnotread，Isatdowntowrite。Iheardthemconverseinanundertone：theyspokeuponindifferenttopics，andretailedthenewsofthetown。Onewasgoingtobemarried;anotherwasill，veryill，shehadadrycough，herfacewasgrowingthinnerdaily，andshehadoccasionalfits。"N——isveryunwelltoo，"saidCharlotte。"Hislimbsbegintoswellalready，"answeredtheother;
andmylivelyimaginationcarriedmeatoncetothebedsoftheinfirm。ThereIseethemstrugglingagainstdeath，withalltheagoniesofpainandhorror;andthesewomen，Wilhelm，talkofallthiswithasmuchindifferenceasonewouldmentionthedeathofastranger。AndwhenIlookaroundtheapartmentwhereInowam——whenIseeCharlotte’sapparellyingbeforeme，andAlbert’swritings，andallthosearticlesoffurniturewhicharesofamiliartome，eventotheveryinkstandwhichIamusing，——whenIthinkwhatIamtothisfamily——everything。Myfriendsesteemme;Ioftencontributetotheirhappiness，andmyheartseemsasifitcouldnotbeatwithoutthem;andyet——-ifIweretodie，ifIweretobesummonedfromthemidstofthiscircle，wouldtheyfeel——
orhowlongwouldtheyfeelthevoidwhichmylosswouldmakeintheirexistence？Howlong！Yes，suchisthefrailtyofman，thateventhere，wherehehasthegreatestconsciousnessofhisownbeing，wherehemakesthestrongestandmostforcibleimpression，eveninthememory，intheheart，ofhisbeloved，therealsohemustperish，——vanish，——andthatquickly。
OCTOBER27。
Icouldtearopenmybosomwithvexationtothinkhowlittlewearecapableofinfluencingthefeelingsofeachother。Noonecancommunicatetomethosesensationsoflove，joy，rapture，anddelightwhichIdonotnaturallypossess;and，thoughmyheartmayglowwiththemostlivelyaffection，Icannotmakethehappinessofoneinwhomthesamewarmthisnotinherent。
OCTOBER27：Evening。
Ipossesssomuch，butmyloveforherabsorbsitall。Ipossesssomuch，butwithoutherIhavenothing。
OCTOBER30。
OnehundredtimeshaveIbeenonthepointofembracingher。
Heavens！whatatormentitistoseesomuchlovelinesspassingandrepassingbeforeus，andyetnotdaretolayholdofit！
Andlayingholdisthemostnaturalofhumaninstincts。Donotchildrentoucheverythingtheysee？AndI！
NOVEMBER3。
Witness，Heaven，howoftenIliedowninmybedwithawish，andevenahope，thatImayneverawakenagain。Andinthemorning，whenIopenmyeyes，Ibeholdthesunoncemore，andamwretched。
IfIwerewhimsical，Imightblametheweather，oranacquaintance，orsomepersonaldisappointment，formydiscontentedmind;andthenthisinsupportableloadoftroublewouldnotrestentirelyuponmyself。But，alas！Ifeelittoosadly。Iamalonethecauseofmyownwoe，amInot？Truly，myownbosomcontainsthesourceofallmysorrow，asitpreviouslycontainedthesourceofallmypleasure。AmInotthesamebeingwhoonceenjoyedanexcessofhappiness，who，ateverystep，sawparadiseopenbeforehim，andwhoseheartwaseverexpandedtowardthewholeworld？Andthisheartisnowdead，nosentimentcanreviveit;myeyesaredry;
andmysenses，nomorerefreshedbytheinfluenceofsofttears，witherandconsumemybrain。Isuffermuch，forIhavelosttheonlycharmoflife：thatactive，sacredpowerwhichcreatedworldsaroundme，——itisnomore。WhenIlookfrommywindowatthedistanthills，andbeholdthemorningsunbreakingthroughthemists，andilluminatingthecountryaround，whichisstillwrappedinsilence，whilstthesoftstreamwindsgentlythroughthewillows，whichhaveshedtheirleaves;whengloriousnaturedisplaysallherbeautiesbeforeme，andherwondrousprospectsareineffectualtoextractonetearofjoyfrommywitheredheart，IfeelthatinsuchamomentIstandlikeareprobatebeforeheaven，hardened，insensible，andunmoved。OftentimesdoIthenbendmykneetotheearth，andimploreGodfortheblessingoftears，asthedespondinglabourerinsomescorchingclimatepraysforthedewsofheaventomoistenhisparchedcorn。
ButIfeelthatGoddoesnotgrantsunshineorraintoourimportunateentreaties。Andoh，thosebygonedays，whosememorynowtormentsme！whyweretheysofortunate？BecauseIthenwaitedwithpatiencefortheblessingsoftheEternal，andreceivedhisgiftswiththegratefulfeelingsofathankfulheart。
NOVEMBER8。
Charlottehasreprovedmeformyexcesses，withsomuchtendernessandgoodness！Ihavelatelybeeninthehabitofdrinkingmorewinethanheretofore。"Don’tdoit，"shesaid。"ThinkofCharlotte！"
"Thinkofyou！"Ianswered;"needyoubidmedoso？Thinkofyou——Idonotthinkofyou：youareeverbeforemysoul！ThisverymorningIsatonthespotwhere，afewdaysago，youdescendedfromthecarriage，and——"Sheimmediatelychangedthesubjecttopreventmefrompursuingitfarther。Mydearfriend，myenergiesareallprostrated：shecandowithmewhatshepleases。
NOVEMBER15。
Ithankyou，Wilhelm，foryourcordialsympathy，foryourexcellentadvice;andIimploreyoutobequiet。Leavemetomysufferings。
Inspiteofmywretchedness，Ihavestillstrengthenoughforendurance。Ireverereligion——youknowIdo。Ifeelthatitcanimpartstrengthtothefeebleandcomforttotheafflicted，butdoesitaffectallmenequally？Considerthisvastuniverse：
youwillseethousandsforwhomithasneverexisted，thousandsforwhomitwillneverexist，whetheritbepreachedtothem，ornot;andmustit，then，necessarilyexistforme？DoesnottheSonofGodhimselfsaythattheyarehiswhomtheFatherhasgiventohim？HaveIbeengiventohim？WhatiftheFatherwillretainmeforhimself，asmyheartsometimessuggests？Iprayyou，donotmisinterpretthis。Donotextractderisionfrommyharmlesswords。Ipouroutmywholesoulbeforeyou。Silencewereotherwisepreferabletome，butIneednotshrinkfromasubjectofwhichfewknowmorethanIdomyself。Whatisthedestinyofman，buttofillupthemeasureofhissufferings，andtodrinkhisallottedcupofbitterness？AndifthatsamecupprovedbittertotheGodofheaven，underahumanform，whyshouldIaffectafoolishpride，andcallitsweet？WhyshouldIbeashamedofshrinkingatthatfearfulmoment，whenmywholebeingwilltremblebetweenexistenceandannihilation，whenaremembranceofthepast，likeaflashoflightning，willilluminatethedarkgulfoffuturity，wheneverythingshalldissolvearoundme，andthewholeworldvanishaway？Isnotthisthevoiceofacreatureoppressedbeyondallresource，self-deficient，abouttoplungeintoinevitabledestruction，andgroaningdeeplyatitsinadequatestrength，"MyGod！myGod！whyhastthouforsakenme？"AndshouldIfeelashamedtoutterthesameexpression？ShouldInotshudderataprospectwhichhaditsfears，evenforhimwhofoldsuptheheavenslikeagarment？
NOVEMBER21。
Shedoesnotfeel，shedoesnotknow，thatsheispreparingapoisonwhichwilldestroyusboth;andIdrinkdeeplyofthedraughtwhichistoprovemydestruction。Whatmeanthoselooksofkindnesswithwhichsheoften——often？no，notoften，butsometimes，regardsme，thatcomplacencywithwhichshehearstheinvoluntarysentimentswhichfrequentlyescapeme，andthetenderpityformysufferingswhichappearsinhercountenance？
Yesterday，whenItookleavesheseizedmebythehand，andsaid，"Adieu，dearWerther。"DearWerther！Itwasthefirsttimesheevercalledmedear：thesoundsunkdeepintomyheart。Ihaverepeateditahundredtimes;andlastnight，ongoingtobed，andtalkingtomyselfofvariousthings，Isuddenlysaid，"Goodnight，dearWerther！"andthencouldnotbutlaughatmyself。
NOVEMBER22
Icannotpray，"Leavehertome！"andyetsheoftenseemstobelongtome。Icannotpray，"Givehertome！"forsheisanother’s。InthiswayIaffectmirthovermytroubles;and，ifIhadtime，Icouldcomposeawholelitanyofantitheses。
NOVEMBER24。
Sheissensibleofmysufferings。Thismorningherlookpiercedmyverysoul。Ifoundheralone，andshewassilent：shesteadfastlysurveyedme。Inolongersawinherfacethecharmsofbeautyorthefireofgenius：thesehaddisappeared。ButIwasaffectedbyanexpressionmuchmoretouching，alookofthedeepestsympathyandofthesoftestpity。WhywasIafraidtothrowmyselfatherfeet？WhydidInotdaretotakeherinmyarms，andanswerherbyathousandkisses？Shehadrecoursetoherpianoforrelief，andinalowandsweetvoiceaccompaniedthemusicwithdelicioussounds。Herlipsneverappearedsolovely：theyseemedbutjusttoopen，thattheymightimbibethesweettoneswhichissuedfromtheinstrument，andreturntheheavenlyvibrationfromherlovelymouth。Oh！whocanexpressmysensations？Iwasquiteovercome，and，bendingdown，pronouncedthisvow："Beautifullips，whichtheangelsguard，neverwillIseektoprofaneyourpuritywithakiss。"
Andyet，myfriend，oh，Iwish——butmyheartisdarkenedbydoubtandindecision——couldIbuttastefelicity，andthendietoexpiatethesin！Whatsin？
NOVEMBER26。
OftentimesIsaytomyself，"Thoualoneartwretched：allothermortalsarehappy，nonearedistressedlikethee！"ThenIreadapassageinanancientpoet，andIseemtounderstandmyownheart。Ihavesomuchtoendure！Havemenbeforemeeverbeensowretched？
NOVEMBER30。
Ishallneverbemyselfagain！WhereverIgo，somefatalityoccurstodistractme。Evento-dayalas——forourdestiny！alasforhumannature！
Aboutdinner-timeIwenttowalkbytheriver-side，forIhadnoappetite。Everythingaroundseemedgloomy：acoldanddampeasterlywindblewfromthemountains，andblack，heavycloudsspreadovertheplain。Iobservedatadistanceamaninatatteredcoat：hewaswanderingamongtherocks，andseemedtobelookingforplants。
WhenIapproached，heturnedroundatthenoise;andIsawthathehadaninterestingcountenanceinwhichasettledmelancholy，stronglymarkedbybenevolence，formedtheprincipalfeature。
Hislongblackhairwasdivided，andflowedoverhisshoulders。
Ashisgarbbetokenedapersonofthelowerorder，IthoughthewouldnottakeitillifIinquiredabouthisbusiness;andI
thereforeaskedwhathewasseeking。Hereplied，withadeepsigh，thathewaslookingforflowers，andcouldfindnone。"Butitisnottheseason，"Iobserved，withasmile。"Oh，therearesomanyflowers！"heanswered，ashecamenearertome。"Inmygardentherearerosesandhoneysucklesoftwosorts：onesortwasgiventomebymyfather！theygrowasplentifullyasweeds;Ihavebeenlookingforthemthesetwodays，andcannotfindthem。Thereareflowersoutthere，yellow，blue，andred;andthatcentauryhasaveryprettyblossom：butIcanfindnoneofthem。"Iobservedhispeculiarity，andthereforeaskedhim，withanairofindifference，whatheintendedtodowithhisflowers。Astrangesmileoverspreadhiscountenance。Holdinghisfingertohismouth，heexpressedahopethatIwouldnotbetrayhim;andhetheninformedmethathehadpromisedtogatheranosegayforhismistress。"Thatisright，"
saidI。"Oh！"hereplied，"shepossessesmanyotherthingsaswell：sheisveryrich。""Andyet，"Icontinued，"shelikesyournosegays。""Oh，shehasjewelsandcrowns！"heexclaimed。Iaskedwhoshewas。"Ifthestates-generalwouldbutpayme，"headded，"Ishouldbequiteanotherman。Alas！therewasatimewhenIwassohappy;butthatispast，andIamnow——"Heraisedhisswimmingeyestoheaven。"Andyouwerehappyonce？"Iobserved。"Ah，wouldIweresostill！"washisreply。"Iwasthenasgayandcontentedasamancanbe。"Anoldwoman，whowascomingtowardus，nowcalledout，"Henry，Henry！whereareyou？Wehavebeenlookingforyoueverywhere：cometodinner。""Isheyourson？"
Iinquired，asIwenttowardher。"Yes，"shesaid："heismypoor，unfortunateson。TheLordhassentmeaheavyaffliction。"Iaskedwhetherhehadbeenlonginthisstate。Sheanswered，"Hehasbeenascalmasheisatpresentforaboutsixmonths。IthankHeaventhathehassofarrecovered：hewasforonewholeyearquiteraving，andchaineddowninamadhouse。Nowheinjuresnoone，buttalksofnothingelsethankingsandqueens。Heusedtobeaverygood，quietyouth，andhelpedtomaintainme;hewroteaveryfinehand;
butallatoncehebecamemelancholy，wasseizedwithaviolentfever，grewdistracted，andisnowasyousee。IfIwereonlytotellyou，sir——"Iinterruptedherbyaskingwhatperioditwasinwhichheboastedofhavingbeensohappy。"Poorboy！"sheexclaimed，withasmileofcormpassion，"hemeansthetimewhenhewascompletelyderanged，atimeheneverceasestoregret，whenhewasinthemadhouse，andunconsciousofeverything。"I
wasthunderstruck：Iplacedapieceofmoneyinherhand，andhastenedaway。
"Youwerehappy！"Iexclaimed，asIreturnedquicklytothetown，"’asgayandcontentedasamancanbe！’"Godofheaven！
andisthisthedestinyofman？Isheonlyhappybeforehehasacquiredhisreason，orafterhehaslostit？Unfortunatebeing！
AndyetIenvyyourfate：Ienvythedelusiontowhichyouareavictim。Yougoforthwithjoytogatherflowersforyourprincess，——inwinter，——andgrievewhenyoucanfindnone，andcannotunderstandwhytheydonotgrow。ButIwanderforthwithoutjoy，withouthope，withoutdesign;andIreturnasIcame。Youfancywhatamanyouwouldbeifthestatesgeneralpaidyou。Happymortal，whocanascribeyourwretchednesstoanearthlycause！
Youdonotknow，youdonotfeel，thatinyourowndistractedheartanddisorderedbraindwellsthesourceofthatunhappinesswhichallthepotentatesonearthcannotrelieve。
Letthatmandieunconsoledwhocanderidetheinvalidforundertakingajourneytodistant，healthfulsprings，whereheoftenfindsonlyaheavierdiseaseandamorepainfuldeath，orwhocanexultoverthedespairingmindofasinner，who，toobtainpeaceofconscienceandanalleviationofmisery，makesapilgrimagetotheHolySepulchre。Eachlaboriousstepwhichgallshiswoundedfeetinroughanduntroddenpathspoursadropofbalmintohistroubledsoul，andthejourneyofmanyawearydaybringsanightlyrelieftohisanguishedheart。Willyoudarecallthisenthusiasm，yecrowdofpompousdeclaimers？Enthusiasm！0God！thouseestmytears。Thouhastallottedusourportionofmisery：mustwealsohavebrethrentopersecuteus，todepriveusofourconsolation，ofourtrustinthee，andinthyloveandmercy？Forourtrustinthevirtueofthehealingroot，orinthestrengthofthevine，whatisitelsethanabeliefintheefromwhomallthatsurroundsusderivesitshealingandrestoringpowers？Father，whomIknownot，——whowertoncewonttofillmysoul，butwhonowhidestthyfacefromme，——callmebacktothee;besilentnolonger;thysilenceshallnotdelayasoulwhichthirstsafterthee。Whatman，whatfather，couldbeangrywithasonforreturningtohimsuddenly，forfallingonhisneck，andexclaiming，"Iamhereagain，myfather！forgivemeifIhaveanticipatedmyjourney，andreturnedbeforetheappointedtime！Theworldiseverywherethesame，——
asceneoflabourandpain，ofpleasureandreward;butwhatdoesitallavail？Iamhappyonlywherethouart，andinthypresenceamIcontenttosufferorenjoy。"Andwouldstthou，heavenlyFather，banishsuchachildfromthypresence？
DECEMBER1。
Wilhelm，themanaboutwhomIwrotetoyou——thatmansoenviableinhismisfortunes——wassecretarytoCharlotte’sfather;andanunhappypassionforherwhichhecherished，concealed，andatlengthdiscovered，causedhimtobedismissedfromhissituation。
Thismadehimmad。Think，whilstyouperusethisplainnarration，whatanimpressionthecircumstancehasmadeuponme！ButitwasrelatedtomebyAlbertwithasmuchcalmnessasyouwillprobablyperuseit。
DECEMBER4。
Iimploreyourattention。Itisalloverwithme。Icansupportthisstatenolonger。To-dayIwassittingbyCharlotte。Shewasplayinguponherpianoasuccessionofdelightfulmelodies，withsuchintenseexpression！Herlittlesisterwasdressingherdolluponmylap。Thetearscameintomyeyes。Ileaneddown，andlookedintentlyatherwedding-ring：mytearsfell——immediatelyshebegantoplaythatfavourite，thatdivine，airwhichhassooftenenchantedme。Ifeltcomfortfromarecollectionofthepast，ofthosebygonedayswhenthatairwasfamiliartome;andthenIrecalledallthesorrowsandthedisappointmentswhichI
hadsinceendured。Ipacedwithhastystridesthroughtheroom，myheartbecameconvulsedwithpainfulemotions。AtlengthI
wentuptoher，andexclaimedWitheagerness，"ForHeaven’ssake，playthatairnolonger！"Shestopped，andlookedsteadfastlyatme。Shethensaid，withasmilewhichsunkdeepintomyheart，"Werther，youareill：yourdearestfoodisdistastefultoyou。
Butgo，Ientreatyou，andendeavourtocomposeyourself。"I
toremyselfaway。God，thouseestmytorments，andwiltendthem！
DECEMBER6。
Howherimagehauntsme！Wakingorasleep，shefillsmyentiresoul！SoonasIclosemyeyes，here，inmybrain，whereallthenervesofvisionareconcentrated，herdarkeyesareimprinted。
Here——Idonotknowhowtodescribeit;but，ifIshutmyeyes，hersareimmediatelybeforeme：darkasanabysstheyopenuponme，andabsorbmysenses。
Andwhatisman——thatboasteddemigod？Donothispowersfailwhenhemostrequirestheiruse？Andwhetherhesoarinjoy，orsinkinsorrow，isnothiscareerinbothinevitablyarrested？
And，whilsthefondlydreamsthatheisgraspingatinfinity，doeshenotfeelcompelledtoreturntoaconsciousnessofhiscold，monotonousexistence？
THEEDITORTOTHEREADER。
Itisamatterofextremeregretthatwewantoriginalevidenceofthelastremarkabledaysofourfriend;andweare，therefore，obligedtointerrupttheprogressofhiscorrespondence，andtosupplythedeficiencybyaconnectednarration。
Ihavefeltitmydutytocollectaccurateinformationfromthemouthsofpersonswellacquaintedwithhishistory。Thestoryissimple;andalltheaccountsagree，exceptinsomeunimportantparticulars。Itistrue，that，withrespecttothecharactersofthepersonsspokenof，opinionsandjudgmentsvary。
Wehaveonly，then，torelateconscientiouslythefactswhichourdiligentlabourhasenabledustocollect，togivethelettersofthedeceased，andtopayparticularattentiontotheslightestfragmentfromhispen，moreespeciallyasitissodifficulttodiscovertherealandcorrectmotivesofmenwhoarenotofthecommonorder。
SorrowanddiscontenthadtakendeeprootinWerther’ssoul，andgraduallyimpartedtheircharactertohiswholebeing。Theharmonyofhismindbecamecompletelydisturbed;aperpetualexcitementandmentalirritation，whichweakenedhisnaturalpowers，producedthesaddestetfectsuponhim，andrenderedhimatlengththevictimofanexhaustionagainstwhichhestruggledwithstillmorepainfuleffortsthanhehaddisplayed，evenincontendingwithhisothermisfortunes。Hismentalanxietyweakenedhisvariousgoodqualities;
andhewassoonconvertedintoagloomycompanion，alwaysunhappyandunjustinhisideas，themorewretchedhebecame。Thiswas，atleast，theopinionofAlbert’sfriends。Theyassert，moreover，thatthecharacterofAlberthimselfhadundergonenochangeinthemeantime：hewasstillthesamebeingwhomWertherhadloved，honoured，andrespectedfromthecommencement。HisloveforCharlottewasunbounded：hewasproudofher，anddesiredthatsheshouldberecognisedbyeveryoneasthenoblestofcreatedbeings。Washe，however，toblameforwishingtoavertfromhereveryappearanceofsuspicion？orforhisunwillingnesstosharehisrichprizewithanother，evenforamoment，andinthemostinnocentmanner？ItisassertedthatAlbertfrequentlyretiredfromhiswife’sapartmentduringWerther’svisits;butthisdidnotarisefromhatredoraversiontohisfriend，butonlyfromafeelingthathispresencewasoppressivetoWerther。
Charlotte’sfather，whowasconfinedtothehousebyindisposition，wasaccustomedtosendhiscarriageforher，thatshemightmakeexcursionsintheneighbourhood。Onedaytheweatherhadbeenunusuallysevere，andthewholecountrywascoveredwithsnow。
WertherwentforCharlottethefollowingmorning，inorderthat，ifAlbertwereabsent，hemightconductherhome。
Thebeautifulweatherproducedbutlittleimpressiononhistroubledspirit。Aheavyweightlayuponhissoul，deepmelancholyhadtakenpossessionofhim，andhismindknewnochangesavefromonepainfulthoughttoanother。