been the occasion of celebrating a feast of friendship. What else
have we to do with or to care about Berlin?

A thousand thanks for all you are doing and the way in which you
do it.

As regards "success" in X.'s practical sense, I shall probably
never have it. It would indeed be a kind of satire on my
situation and my being. On the other hand, I should at any moment
be prepared to die gladly and with a smile on my face if only a
really fine opportunity would offer itself. What more can one
desire? As regards my personal future, I sincerely wish for
nothing more than a beautiful death, for life is somehow out of
joint. I often feel sorry that things around me do not seem to
tend in that direction. Every one seems to care chiefly for a
"long life," however narrow, thin, and poor it may be. This is
sad.

Of all this we will talk when you come, for that you will come is
certain, Lord be thanked. Bring your symphonic poems with you;
that will strengthen my thread of life a little.

Do not look out for a copyist. Madame Wesendonck has given me a
gold pen of indestructible power, which has once more turned me
into a caligraphic pedant. The scores will be my most perfect
masterpiece of caligraphy. One cannot fly from his destiny.
Meyerbeer years ago admired nothing so much in my scores as the
neat writing. This act of admiration has been my curse; I must
write neat scores as long as I live in this world.