Be good enough, therefore, to return to me for some time the pianoforte score of “Rhinegold,” which we shall want for that purpose.

Delight me soon with satisfactory news of you; you know what I mean by this.

Farewell, and be greeted a thousand times.

Your

R. W.

(I want Hartels’ letter back again.)

242.

[Here, Wagner illustrates with a 4-bar musical score example.] [Musical score example continued] You wicked friend!  Let me know, at least, by some sign, how you are, and whether you forgive me for my anxiety about you.

May 3Oth, early in the morning, after a good night.

R. W.

243.

Weymar, June 9th, 1857.

Dearest Richard,

I returned from Aix-la-Chapelle yesterday, and (barring a little pain in both my feet, which requires some care) I feel so well that I can cheerfully go to my work and various occupations.  You must forgive me for not having satisfied your friendly anxiety about my health before this; the fact is, I must endure what is destined to me for your sake and my sake.  God be thanked, I do not lack either strength or a certain tough equanimity.

H. wrote to you about the Aix Musical Festival, which, upon the whole, was satisfactory, both in arrangement and execution, although our friend Hiller may demonstrate in the Cologne Gazette that I have no talent either as a conductor or a composer.  The Tannhauser overture went splendidly, and your autogragh “ich lieg und besitze,—­lasst mich schlafen” has given me a happy moment.

Owing to the severe illness of the Princess, my frame of mind has been sad and anxious for more than nine weeks.  At my return I found her on the way to recovery, but several months may still pass before she is quite well again.  At present she can scarcely sit up for half an hour every day.

Forgive me for not having written to you sooner, but I had nothing but sad news to tell you, and the poor Princess caused me so much anxiety that I scarcely knew how to bear it.

At last you have found a comfortable habitation which has been prepared for you by tender friendship, and must be all the more pleasant and beneficial to you on that account.  I cordially participate in this essential improvement of your life at Zurich, and am glad that you can give yourself up to your genius, and complete the gigantic mental mountain range of your Nibelungen, without disturbance from neighbouring smiths and pianists.  Have the W.’s moved into their villa yet?  Convey my humble compliments to the amiable lady, and greet W. most cordially.  I hope I shall be able to visit you in the autumn, after the Jubilee of Grand Duke Carl August.  It will be celebrated here on September 3rd, 4th, and 5th, on which occasion I shall perform my Faust symphony and a new symphonic poem the ideals.