You will not be allowed to see the "Rhinegold" till it has been
completed in this worthy fashion, and that can only be done in
certain idle hours of the long winter evenings. At present I have
no time for it. I must begin the composition of the "Valkyrie,"
which I feel joyfully in every limb.

Greet the Princess and the Child with the full power of greeting.
For today I must be satisfied with this request; I can write no
more, not even with my gold pen. I might say a good deal more if
I were not taken with a fit of weeping, as once on the railway. I
have just been called out; an eagle was flying over our house. A
good omen!

"Long live the eagle;" he flew splendidly. The swallows were very
anxious.

Farewell in the sign of the eagle.

Your

R. W.



160.

Let me tell you that tears prevent me from reading on.

Oh, you are unique of your kind!