When Werter first fair Charlotte saw,
What strange emotions seiz'd his breast,
And robb'd him too for e'er of rest;
By force of love's despotic law:
Then oft he'd seek the willow grove,
And as he'd thro' the coverts rove,
Oh! how he'd sigh, he'd sigh for guilty love!

Then back return with eager pace,
And Charlotte! Charlotte! mournful cry;
The while he would so sadly sigh,
That tears would trickle down his face:
And when she saw him thus in woe,
She'd sweetly whisper soft and low;
“Oh! how I grieve, I grieve, to see you so!”

This fatal passion oft she'd chide,
That both their sad misfortunes wrought:
When fate the doleful tidings brought,
For love of Charlotte—Werter dy'd:
Oh! how she cry'd in bitter woe,
“How could you, Werter, pain me so;
“Oh! how I grieve, the world thy death must “know!”