If a young man like this could have some definite object given him to work at, if only for four months, many very pleasant things might be the result.  However, if I can come over here again before the time when certain cater-pillars change into chrysalies, I shall assuredly try to make use of his ability and dexterity.  One might, indeed, easily do such things oneself, were it not that they would at once lead one over into an entirely different sphere.  On Monday I shall be with you again, and shall have a number of things to bring with me and to relate.

Farewell meanwhile, and hold me in remembrance.

* * * * *

GOETHE to SCHILLER

Ober-Rossla, April 6, 1801.

I wish you all happiness upon your return to Weimar, and hope soon to see you again, either by your coming to pay me a visit or by my again repairing to town.

My stay here suits me very well, partly because I move about in the open air all day, partly because I am drawn down to the common objects of life, and thus there comes over me a certain feeling of nonchalance and indifference such as I have not known for a long time.

With regard to the questions contained in your last letter, I not only agree with your opinion, but go even further.  I think that everything that is done by genius as genius, is done unconsciously.  A person of genius can also act rationally, with reflection, from conviction, but this is all done, as it were, indirectly.  No work of genius can be improved or be freed from its faults by reflection and its immediate results, but genius can, by means of reflection and action, be gradually raised to a degree that in the end shall produce exemplary works.  The more genius a century possesses, the more are individual things advanced.

With regard to the great demands now made of the poet, I too am of the opinion that these will not readily call forth a poet.  The art of poetry requires of the person who is to exercise it a certain good-natured kind of narrowness enamored of what is Real, behind which lies concealed what is Absolute.  Demands made by criticism destroy the innocent, productive state, and give us as genuine poetry—­in place of poetry—­something that is in fact no poetry at all, as unfortunately we have seen in our own day; and the same is the case with the kindred arts—­nay, with Art in its widest sense.

This is my confession of faith, which otherwise does not make any further claims.

[Illustration:  THE GOETHE AND SCHILLER ARCHIVES IN WEIMAR]

I expect much good from your latest work.  It is well conceived, and, if you devote sufficient time to it, will round itself off of its own accord. Faust also has meanwhile had something done to it.  I hope that soon the only thing wanting in the great gap will be the disputation; this, it is true, will have to be looked upon as a distinct piece of work, and one which will not be accomplished at a moment’s notice.