Thus, thus I'll cling, thus grovel at thy feet 'Till thou haft freed my doubts! If I'm the cause Thy fears are falfe-oh, by mine honour, falfe! Honour! ALBERT. CHARLOTTE. Ha! you mock me ftill. ALBERT. Yet, leave me : A new unusual fury rages here, And foon 'twill blaze abroad-away CHARLOTTE. 'Tis well. Albert miftrufts his Charlotte-yes, high Heaven! ALBERT (laying hold of her). Werter! CHARLOTTE (much confused). Hal what of him? ALBERT. O guilt! guilt! CHAR CHARLOTTE. Guilt. ALBERT. Yes, guilt! Haft thou not art enough to hide thy fhame? CHARLOTTE. If it be guilt to fuffer keen reproach, ALBERT. This fyren's fong No more fhall captivate my pliant foul; I've been too long amus'd, too long deceiv'd; I'm not that dupe, that eafy, placid fool Thy falfhood wifh'd! no, I'll exert my powers, Yes; mark me, Madam, I charge thee on thy truth, D Nay, Nay, on thy peril, never to be seen Or found in converfe with thy minion more. CHARLOTTE. Minion! muft I bear this? ALBERT. Ay, and much more. CHARLOTTE. No, Albert, a little while ago You found me fond, affectionate, and weak, But your own rathness has restor'd my sense, ALBERT. This poor pretended spirit is in vain ; CHARLOTTE. You little know The heart of Charlotte, if you think 'twill bleed Proud Proud to indulge, and happy to obey you; That Albert is no better than a tyrant, ALBERT. Away, away-I'll trifle time no more; Now hear my laft refolve:-by Heaven I love thee More than romantic fancy can express, And would not leave thee for eternal peace. But if you still perfift To let another triumph in your heart, Thou art no longer mine-we part for ever! CHARLOTTE. Ungenerous man! Is it for this my foul refign'd its love, ALBERT. Ha! do'st thou weep! perfidious woman, go, Go to thy Werter, revel in his arms, Albert will never interrupt you more. ค CHARLOTTE. When, angry Heaven, fhall thy vengeance cease! When fhall this little victim be allow'd A momentary calm-never, never Yet fomething-myself shall fave him from Enter WERTER (Supported by Leuthrop). WERTER. A little onward bear me, faithful Leuthrop, CHARLOTTE. Oh Heavens! was Sebaftian WERTER. He was deceiv'd-I yielded to his wifh, To catch a fad diftemper in the heart, Which grew contagious, and while it canker'd here Infected all who footh'd-could I then live But to destroy the sharers of my pains! CHAR |