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and； by the light of the setting sun； mark how the evening breeze
waves the tall grass which grows above my tomb。 I was calm when
I began this letter； but the recollection of these scenes makes
me weep like a child。〃
About ten in the morning； Werther called his servant； and； whilst
he was dressing； told him that in a few days he intended to set
out upon a journey； and bade him therefore lay his clothes in
order； and prepare them for packing up； call in all his accounts；
fetch home the books he had lent； and give two months' pay to the
poor dependants who were accustomed to receive from him a weekly
allowance。
He breakfasted in his room； and then mounted his horse； and went
to visit the steward； who； however； was not at home。 He walked
pensively in the garden； and seemed anxious to renew all the ideas
that were most painful to him。
The children did not suffer him to remain alone long。 They followed
him； skipping and dancing before him； and told him； that after
to…morrow and tomorrow and one day more； they were to receive their
Christmas gift from Charlotte； and they then recounted all the
wonders of which they had formed ideas in their child imaginations。
〃Tomorrow and tomorrow；〃 said he； 〃and one day more！〃 And he
kissed them tenderly。 He was going； but the younger boy stopped
him； to whisper something in his ear。 He told him that his elder
brothers had written splendid New…Year's wishes so large！ one for
papa； and another for Albert and Charlotte； and one for Werther；
and they were to be presented early in the morning； on New Year's
Day。 This quite overcame him。 He made each of the children a
present； mounted his horse； left his compliments for papa and
mamma； and； with tears in his eyes； rode away from the place。
He returned home about five o'clock； ordered his servant to keep
up his fire； desired him to pack his books and linen at the bottom
of the trunk； and to place his coats at the top。 He then appears
to have made the following addition to the letter addressed to
Charlotte：
〃You do not expect me。 You think I will obey you； and not visit
you again till Christmas Eve。 O Charlotte； today or never！ On
Christmas Eve you will hold this paper in your hand； you will
tremble； and moisten it with your tears。 I will I must！ Oh； how
happy I feel to be determined！〃
In the meantime； Charlotte was in a pitiable state of mind。 After
her last conversation with Werther； she found how painful to herself
it would be to decline his visits； and knew how severely he would
suffer from their separation。
She had； in conversation with Albert； mentioned casually that Werther
would not return before Christmas Eve； and soon afterward Albert
went on horseback to see a person in the neighbourhood； with whom
he had to transact some business which would detain him all night。
Charlotte was sitting alone。 None of her family were near； and
she gave herself up to the reflections that silently took possession
of her mind。 She was for ever united to a husband whose love and
fidelity she had proved； to whom she was heartily devoted； and who
seemed to be a special gift from Heaven to ensure her happiness。
On the other hand； Werther had become dear to her。 There was a
cordial unanimity of sentiment between them from the very first
hour of their acquaintance； and their long association and repeated
interviews had made an indelible impression upon her heart。 She
had been accustomed to communicate to him every thought and feeling
which interested her； and his absence threatened to open a void
in her existence which it might be impossible to fill。 How heartily
she wished that she might change him into her brother； that she
could induce him to marry one of her own friends； or could reestablish
his intimacy with Albert。
She passed all her intimate friends in review before her mind； but
found something objectionable in each； and could decide upon none
to whom she would consent to give him。
Amid all these considerations she felt deeply but indistinctly
that her own real but unexpressed wish was to retain him for herself；
and her pure and amiable heart felt from this thought a sense of
oppression which seemed to forbid a prospect of happiness。 She
was wretched： a dark cloud obscured her mental vision。
It was now half…past six o'clock； and she heard Werther's step on
the stairs。 She at once recognised his voice； as he inquired if
she were at home。 Her heart beat audibly we could almost say
for the first time at his arrival。 It was too late to deny
herself； and； as he entered； she exclaimed； with a sort of ill
concealed confusion； 〃You have not kept your word！〃 〃I promised
nothing；〃 he answered。 〃But you should have complied； at least
for my sake；〃 she continued。 〃 I implore you； for both our sakes。〃
She scarcely knew what she said or did； and sent for some friends；
who； by their presence； might prevent her being left alone with
Werther。 He put down some books he had brought with him； then
made inquiries about some others； until she began to hope that her
friends might arrive shortly； entertaining at the same time a
desire that they might stay away。
At one moment she felt anxious that the servant should remain in
the adjoining room； then she changed her mind。 Werther； meanwhile；
walked impatiently up and down。 She went to the piano； and
determined not to retire。 She then collected her thoughts； and
sat down quietly at Werther's side； who had taken his usual place
on the sofa。
〃Have you brought nothing to read？〃 she inquired。 He had nothing。
〃There in my drawer；〃 she continued； 〃you will find your own
translation of some of the songs of Ossian。 I have not yet read
them； as I have still hoped to hear you recite them； but； for some
time past； I have not been able to accomplish such a wish。〃 He
smiled； and went for the manuscript； which he took with a shudder。
He sat down； and； with eyes full of tears； he began to read。
〃Star of descending night！ fair is thy light in the west！ thou
liftest thy unshorn head from thy cloud； thy steps are stately on
thy hill。 What dost thou behold in the plain？ The stormy winds
are laid。 The murmur of the torrent comes from afar。 Roaring
waves climb the distant rock。 The flies of evening are on their
feeble wings： the hum of their course is on the field。 What dost
thou behold； fair light？ But thou dost smile and depart。 The
waves come with joy around thee： they bathe thy lovely hair。
Farewell； thou silent beam！ Let the light of Ossian's soul arise！
〃And it does arise in its strength！ I behold my departed friends。
Their gathering is on Lora； as in the days of other years。 Fingal
comes like a watery column of mist！ his heroes are around： and
see the bards of song； gray…haired Ullin！ stately Ryno！ Alpin with
the tuneful voice： the soft complaint of Minona！ How are ye changed；
my friends； since the days of Selma's feast！ when we contended；
like gales of spring as they fly along the hill； and bend by turns
the feebly whistling grass。
〃Minona came forth in her beauty； with downcast look and tearful
eye。 Her hair was flying slowly with the blast that rushed
un