Delphi Collected Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe \(Illustrated\) pdfdrive com

JULY 16.

Once more I am a wanderer, a pilgrim, through the world. But what else are

you!

JULY 18.

Whither am I going? I will tell you in confidence. I am obliged to continue a

fortnight longer here, and then I think it would be better for me to visit the mines

in    —    .  But  I  am  only  deluding  myself  thus.  The  fact  is,  I  wish  to  be  near

Charlotte  again,  that  is  all.  I  smile  at  the  suggestions  of  my  heart,  and  obey  its

dictates.

JULY 29.

---

No, no! it is yet well all is well! I her husband! O God, who gave me being, if

thou  hadst  destined  this  happiness  for  me,  my  whole  life  would  have  been  one

continual  thanksgiving!  But  I  will  not  murmur    —    forgive  these  tears,  forgive

these  fruitless  wishes.  She    —    my  wife!  Oh,  the  very  thought  of  folding  that

dearest of Heaven’s creatures in my arms! Dear Wilhelm, my whole frame feels

convulsed when I see Albert put his arms around her slender waist!

And  shall  I  avow  it?  Why  should  I  not,  Wilhelm?  She  would  have  been

happier  with  me  than  with  him.  Albert  is  not  the  man  to  satisfy  the  wishes  of

such a heart. He wants a certain sensibility; he wants — in short, their hearts do

not beat in unison. How often, my dear friend, I’m reading a passage from some

interesting  book,  when  my  heart  and  Charlotte’s  seemed  to  meet,  and  in  a

hundred other instances when our sentiments were unfolded by the story of some

fictitious  character,  have  I  felt  that  we  were  made  for  each  other!  But,  dear

Wilhelm,  he  loves  her  with  his  whole  soul;  and  what  does  not  such  a  love

deserve?

I  have  been  interrupted  by  an  insufferable  visit.  I  have  dried  my  tears,  and

composed my thoughts. Adieu, my best friend!