Don’t trouble yourself to come here till you receive a Hati Scherif.  I must say you do not deserve the golden cord.  My fast-sailing frigate, the worthy and well-born Frau Schnaps, will call every three or four days to inquire after your health.

Farewell!  Bring no one whatever with you:  farewell!

[Footnote 1:  Schindler says in his Biography:  “These Variations [Op. 120] were completed in June, 1823, and delivered to the publisher, Diabelli, without the usual amount of time bestowed on giving them the finishing touches; and now he set to work at once at the ninth Symphony, some jottings of which were already written down.  Forthwith all the gay humor that had made him more sociable, and in every respect more accessible, at once disappeared.  All visits were declined,” &c.]

345.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Hetzendorf, July 15, 1823.

I trust that you are in the best possible health.  As for my eyes, they are improving, though slowly, and in six or seven days at most I hope to have the good fortune to wait on Y.R.H.  If I were not obliged to use spectacles, I should get better sooner.  It is a most distressing occurrence, and has thrown me back in everything.  What soothes my feelings, however, is Y.R.H. being fully aware that I am always to be of service to you.  I have another favor to ask of Y.R.H., which I hope you will graciously accede.  Will Y.R.H. be so kind as to grant me a testimonial to the following effect:  “That I wrote the Grand Mass expressly for Y.R.H.; that it has been for some time in your possession; and that you have been pleased to permit me to circulate it.”  This ought to have been the case, and being no untruth, I hope I may claim this favor.  Such a testimonial will be of great service to me; for how could I have believed that my slight talents would have exposed me to so much envy, persecution, and calumny.  It has always been my intention to ask Y.R.H.’s permission to circulate the Mass, but the pressure of circumstances, and above all my inexperience in worldly matters, as well as my feeble health, has caused this confusion.

If the Mass is engraved hereafter, I hope to dedicate it to Y.R.H. when published,[1] and not till then will the limited list of royal subscribers appear.  I shall ever consider Y.R.H. as my most illustrious patron, and make this known to the world whenever it is in my power.  In conclusion, I entreat you again not to refuse my request about the testimonial.  It will only cost Y.R.H. a few lines, and ensure the best results for me.

I will bring the Variations[2] of Y.R.H. with me.  They require little alteration, and cannot fail to become a very pretty pleasing work for all lovers of music.  I must indeed appear a most importunate suitor.  I beg you will kindly send me the testimonial as soon as possible, for I require it.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  The Grand Mass (Op. 123) was published in 1827.]