按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
inn； and Werther left the place。 The mind of Werther was fearfully excited by this shocking occurrence。 He ceased； however； to be oppressed by his usual feeling of melancholy； moroseness； and indifference to everything that passed around him。 He entertained a strong degree of pity for the prisoner； and was seized with an indescribable anxiety to save him from his impending fate。 He considered him so unfortunate； he deemed his crime so excusable； and thought his own condition so nearly similar； that he felt convinced he could make every one else view the matter in the light in which he saw it himself。 He now became anxious to undertake his defence； and commenced composing an eloquent speech for the occasion； and； on his way to the hunting…lodge； he could not refrain from speaking aloud the statement which he resolved to make to the judge。
Upon his arrival； he found Albert had been before him： and he was a little perplexed by this meeting； but he soon recovered himself； and expressed his opinion with much warmth to the judge。 The latter shook； his head doubtingly； and although Werther urged his case with the utmost zeal； feeling； and determination in defence of his client； yet； as we may easily suppose； the judge was not much influenced by his appeal。 On the contrary； he interrupted him in his address； reasoned with him seriously； and even administered a rebuke to him for becoming the advocate of a murderer。 He demonstrated； that； according to this precedent； every law might be violated； and the public security utterly destroyed。 He added； moreover； that in such a case he could himself do nothing； without incurring the greatest responsibility； that everything must follow in the usual course； and pursue the ordinary channel。
Werther； however； did not abandon his enterprise； and even besought the judge to connive at the flight of the prisoner。 But this proposal was peremptorily rejected。 Albert； who had taken some part in the discussion； coincided in opinion with the judge。 At this Werther became enraged； and took his leave in great anger； after the judge had more than once assured him that the prisoner could not be saved。
The excess of his grief at this assurance may be inferred from a note we have found amongst his papers； and which was doubtless written upon this very occasion。
〃You cannot be saved； unfortunate man！ I see clearly that we cannot be saved！〃
Werther was highly incensed at the observations which Albert had made to the judge in this matter of the prisoner。 He thought he could detect therein a little bitterness toward himself personally； and although； upon reflection； it could not escape his sound judgment that their view of the matter was correct； he felt the greatest possible reluctance to make such an admission。
A memorandum of Werther's upon this point； expressive of his general feelings toward Albert； has been found amongst his papers。
〃What is the use of my continually repeating that he is a good and estimable man？ He is an inward torment to me； and I am incapable of being just toward him。〃
One fine evening in winter； when the weather seemed inclined to thaw； Charlotte and Albert were returning home together。 The former looked from time to time about her； as if she missed Werther's company。 Albert began to speak of him； and censured him for his prejudices。 He alluded to his unfortunate attachment； and wished it were possible to discontinue his acquaintance。 〃I desire it on our own account；〃 he added； 〃and I request you will compel him to alter his deportment toward you； and to visit you less frequently。 The world is censorious； and I know that here and there we are spoken of。〃 Charlotte made no reply； and Albert seemed to feel her silence。 At least； from that time he never again spoke of Werther； and； when she introduced the subject； he allowed the conversation to die away； or else he directed the discourse into another channel。
The vain attempt Werther had made to save the unhappy murderer was the last feeble glimmering of a flame about to be extinguished。 He sank almost immediately afterward into a state of gloom and inactivity； until he was at length brought to perfect distraction by learning that he was to be summoned as a witness against the prisoner； who asserted his complete innocence。
His mind now became oppressed by the recollection of every misfortune 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 streame