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of his past life。 The mortification he had suffered at the
ambassador's； and his subsequent troubles； were revived in his
memory。 He became utterly inactive。 Destitute of energy； he was
cut off from every pursuit and occupation which compose the business
of common life； and he became a victim to his own susceptibility；
and to his restless passion for the most amiable and beloved of
women； whose peace he destroyed。 In this unvarying monotony of
existence his days were consumed； and his powers became exhausted
without aim or design； until they brought him to a sorrowful end。
A few letters which he left behind； and which we here subjoin；
afford the best proofs of his anxiety of mind and of the depth
of his passion； as well as of his doubts and struggles； and of
his weariness of life。
DECEMBER 12。
Dear Wilhelm； I am reduced to the condition of those unfortunate
wretches who believe they are pursued by an evil spirit。 Sometimes
I am oppressed； not by apprehension or fear； but by an inexpressible
internal sensation； which weighs upon my heart； and impedes my
breath！ Then I wander forth at night； even in this tempestuous
season； and feel pleasure in surveying the dreadful scenes around
me。
Yesterday evening I went forth。 A rapid thaw had suddenly set
in： I had been informed that the river had risen； that the brooks
had all overflowed their banks； and that the whole vale of Walheim
was under water！ Upon the stroke of twelve I hastened forth。 I
beheld a fearful sight。 The foaming torrents rolled from the
mountains in the moonlight； fields and meadows； trees and
hedges； were confounded together； and the entire valley was
converted into a deep lake； which was agitated by the roaring
wind！ And when the moon shone forth； and tinged the black clouds
with silver； and the impetuous torrent at my feet foamed and resounded
with awful and grand impetuosity； I was overcome by a mingled sensation
of apprehension and delight。 With extended arms I looked down into
the yawning abyss； and cried； 〃Plunge！'〃 For a moment my senses
forsook me； in the intense delight of ending my sorrows and my
sufferings by a plunge into that gulf！ And then I felt as if I
were rooted to the earth； and incapable of seeking an end to my
woes！ But my hour is not yet come： I feel it is not。 O Wilhelm；
how willingly could I abandon my existence to ride the whirlwind；
or to embrace the torrent！ and then might not rapture perchance be
the portion of this liberated soul？
I turned my sorrowful eyes toward a favourite spot； where I was
accustomed to sit with Charlotte beneath a willow after a fatiguing
walk。 Alas！ it was covered with water； and with difficulty I found
even the meadow。 And the fields around the hunting…lodge； thought
I。 Has our dear bower been destroyed by this unpitying storm？
And a beam of past happiness streamed upon me； as the mind of a
captive is illumined by dreams of flocks and herds and bygone joys
of home！ But I am free from blame。 I have courage to die！ Perhaps
I have； but I still sit here； like a wretched pauper； who collects
fagots； and begs her bread from door to door； that she may prolong
for a few days a miserable existence which she is unwilling to resign。
DECEMBER 15。
What is the matter with me； dear Wilhelm？ I am afraid of myself！
Is not my love for her of the purest； most holy； and most brotherly
nature？ Has my soul ever been sullied by a single sensual desire？
but I will make no protestations。 And now； ye nightly visions；
how truly have those mortals understood you； who ascribe your
various contradictory effects to some invincible power！ This night
I tremble at the avowal I held her in my arms； locked in a close
embrace： I pressed her to my bosom； and covered with countless
kisses those dear lips which murmured in reply soft protestations
of love。 My sight became confused by the delicious intoxication
of her eyes。 Heavens！ is it sinful to revel again in such happiness；
to recall once more those rapturous moments with intense delight？
Charlotte！ Charlotte！ I am lost！ My senses are bewildered； my
recollection is confused； mine eyes are bathed in tears I am
ill； and yet I am well I wish for nothing I have no desires
it were better I were gone。
Under the circumstances narrated above； a determination to quit
this world had now taken fixed possession of Werther's soul。 Since
Charlotte's return； this thought had been the final object of all
his hopes and wishes； but he had resolved that such a step should
not be taken with precipitation； but with calmness and tranquillity；
and with the most perfect deliberation。
His troubles and internal struggles may be understood from the
following fragment； which was found； without any date； amongst
his papers； and appears to have formed the beginning of a letter
to Wilhelm。
〃Her presence； her fate； her sympathy for me； have power still to
extract tears from my withered brain。
〃One lifts up the curtain； and passes to the other side； that
is all！ And why all these doubts and delays？ Because we know not
what is behind because there is no returning and because our
mind infers that all is darkness and confusion； where we have
nothing but uncertainty。〃
His appearance at length became quite altered by the effect of
his melancholy thoughts； and his resolution was now finally and
irrevocably taken； of which the following ambiguous letter； which
he addressed to his friend； may appear to afford some proof。
DECEMBER 2O。
I am grateful to your love； Wilhelm； for having repeated your
advice so seasonably。 Yes； you are right： it is undoubtedly
better that I should depart。 But I do not entirely approve your
scheme of returning at once to your neighbourhood； at least； I
should Iike to make a little excursion on the way； particularly
as we may now expect a continued frost； and consequently good
roads。 I am much pleased with your intention of coming to fetch
me； only delay your journey for a fortnight； and wait for another
letter from me。 One should gather nothing before it is ripe； and
a fortnight sooner or later makes a great difference。 Entreat my
mother to pray for her son； and tell her I beg her pardon for all
the unhappiness I have occasioned her。 It has ever been my fate
to give pain to those whose happiness I should have promoted。
Adieu； my dearest friend。 May every blessing of Heaven attend
you！ Farewell。
We find it difficult to express the emotions with which Charlotte's
soul was agitated during the whole of this time； whether in relation
to her husband or to her unfortunate friend； although we are enabled；
by our knowledge of her character； to understand their nature。
It is certain that she had formed a determination； by every means
in her power to keep Werther at a distance； and； if she hesitated
in her decision； it was from a sincere feeling of friendly pity；
knowing how much it would cost him； indeed； that he would find it
almost impossible to comply with her wishes。 But various causes
now urged her to be firm。 Her hushand preserved a strict silence
about the whole matter； and she never made it a subject of
conversation； feeli