that marriage ever bestowed on husband and wife attend you both!  What can I say to you of myself?  I can only exclaim with Johanna, “Compassionate my fate!” If I am spared for some years to come, I will thank the Omniscient, the Omnipotent, for the boon, as I do for all other weal and woe.  If you mention me when you write to Goethe, strive to find words expressive of my deep reverence and admiration.  I am about to write to him myself with regard to “Egmont,” for which I have written some music solely from my love for his poetry, which always delights me.  Who can be sufficiently grateful to a great poet,—­the most precious jewel of a nation!  Now no more, my dear sweet friend!  I only came home this morning at four o’clock from an orgy, where I laughed heartily, but to-day I feel as if I could weep as sadly; turbulent pleasures always violently recoil on my spirits.  As for Clemens [Brentano, her brother], pray thank him for his complaisance; with regard to the Cantata, the subject is not important enough for us here—­it is very different in Berlin; and as for my affection, the sister engrosses so large a share, that little remains for the brother.  Will he be content with this?

Now farewell, my dear, dear friend; I imprint a sorrowful kiss on your forehead, thus impressing my thoughts on it as with a seal.  Write soon, very soon, to your brother,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  An expression which, as well as many others, he no doubt borrowed from Bettina, and introduced to please her.]

68.

TO ZMESKALL.

1811.

I am disposed to engage a man who has just offered me his services,—­a music-copyist.  His parents live in Vienna, which might be convenient in many respects, but I first wish to speak to you about the terms; and as you are disengaged to-morrow, which I, alas! am every day, I beg you will take coffee with me in the afternoon, when we can discuss the matter, and then proceed from words to deeds.  We have also the honor to inform you that we intend shortly to confer on you some of the decorations of the Order of our Household,—­the first class for yourself, the others for any one you choose, except a priest.  We shall expect your answer early to-morrow.  We now present you with some blotches of ink.  Your

BEETHOVEN.

69.

TO ZMESKALL.

1811.

MOST HIGH-BORN OF MEN!—­

We beg you to confer some goose-quills on us; we will in return send you a whole bunch of the same sort, that you may not be obliged to pluck out your own.  It is just possible that you may yet receive the Grand Cross of the Order of the Violoncello.  We remain your gracious and most friendly of all friends,

BEETHOVEN.

70.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.[1]

The Spring of 1811.

YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS,—­