Werther had a love for Charlotte
Such as words could never utter;
Would you know how first he met her?
She was cutting bread and butter.
 
Charlotte was a married lady,       
And a moral man was Werther,
And for all the wealth of Indies
Would do nothing for to hurt her.
 
So he sigh"d and pin"d and ogled,
And his passion boil"d and bubbled,        
Till he blew his silly brains out,
And no more was by it troubled.
 
Charlotte, having seen his body
Borne before her on a shutter,
Like a well-conducted person,        
Went on cutting bread and butter.

            ***

В.М. Теккерей, 1811-1863. Горе Вертера

Полюбил Шарлоту Вертер,
Так сказали бы в народе.
Он ее впервые встретил,
Когда делала бутерброды.

Но была замужней леди
И моральным Вертер был.
За все золото на свете,
Зла б он ей не причинил.

Страсть его, кипя, бурлила,
Лишь глядел и чах, вздыхая.
Пулю в лоб себе пустил он,
Больше этим не страдая.

Тело Вертера на ставне
Пронесли мимо Шарлоты.
Хорошо собой владея,
Она делала бутерброды,
Хлеб и масло нарезая.

Перевод с английского Любовь Бакунская

Кишинев, 19.9. 2020 г.