Say no more! only come to my arms; not one harsh word shall you hear!  For God’s sake do not bring misery on your own head.  You shall be received as lovingly as ever.  We can discuss in a friendly manner what is to be done and settled as to the future.  I pledge my word of honor you shall meet with no reproaches from me, which, indeed, could no longer avail.  You need expect only the most affectionate care and assistance from me.  Only come!  Come to the faithful heart of—­

Your father,

BEETHOVEN.

Volti sub.

Set off the moment you receive this letter. Si vous ne viendrez pas, vous me tuerez surement.  Lisez la lettre et restez a la maison chez vous.  Venez embrasser votre pere, vous vraiment adonne.  Soyez assure que tout cela restera entre nous. For God’s sake come home to-day, for we cannot tell what risks you run,—­hasten,—­hasten to me!

448.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

October 5.

DEAR AND MUCH-BELOVED SON,—­

I have just received your letter.  I was a prey to anguish, and resolved to hurry into Vienna myself this very day.  God be praised! this is not necessary; follow my advice, and love and peace of mind, as well as worldly happiness, will attend us, and you can then combine an inward and spiritual existence with your outer life.  But it is well that the former should be esteemed superior to the latter. Il fait trop froid. So I am to see you on Saturday?  Write to say whether you come early or in the evening, that I may hasten to meet you.  I embrace and kiss you a thousand times over, not my lost, but my new-born son.

I wrote to Schlemmer; do not take it amiss, but my heart is still too full [a piece is here torn away].  Live! and my care of the son I have found again will show only love on the part of your father. [On the cover:] Ayez la bonte de m’envoyer a lucifer-match bottle and matches from Rospini, ou en portez avec vous, puisque de celle de Kaernthnerthor on ne veut pas faire usage.

449.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Immediate. Baden, October 14.

I write in the greatest haste to say, that even if it rains, I shall certainly come in to-morrow forenoon; be sure, therefore, that I find you at home.

I rejoice at the thoughts of seeing you again, and if you detect any heavy clouds lowering, do not attribute them to deliberate anger, for they will be wholly chased away by your promise to strive more earnestly after the true and pure happiness, based on active exertion.  Something hovered before me in my last letter, which though perhaps not quite justly yet called forth a dark mood; this, after all that has passed, was indeed very possible; still who would not rejoice when the transgressor returns to the right path?—­and this I hope I shall live to see.  I was especially pained by your coming so late on Sunday, and hurrying away again so early.  I mean to come in to-morrow with the joiner and to send off these old hags; they are too bad for anything.  Until the other housekeeper arrives, I can make use of the joiner.  More of this when we meet, and I know you will think I am right.  Expect me then to-morrow without fail, whether it rains or not.