Dear Macco!
When
I tell you that your letter has given me more pleasure than I
could derive from that of any king or minister whatsoever, it
is nothing but the truth. At the same time I must confess that
to a certain extent you are really shaming me by your magnanimity.
For in view of my reserved behavior to you I am far from meriting
your kindness. Indeed I was very sorry that I could not spend
more time with you when you were in Vienna. But there are periods
in human life which have to be lived through and which are often
viewed from the wrong angle. Apparently you your self as a great
artist are not quite unacquainted with such experiences and therefore--I
gather that I have not forfeited your liking. This realization
is most gratifying to me, because I have a very high opinion of
you and because I only wish that I could have such an artist in
my own profession at my side. Meissner's offer is very welcome
to me. There is nothing I could desire more than to receive such
a poem from him who is so honored as a writer and at the same
time understands musical poetry better than any of our writers
in Germany. But at the moment it would be impossible for me to
compose this oratorio at once, because I am only now beginning
to work at my opera and because it is quite possible that this
opera Will not be produced until Easter -- so if Meissner for
his part were not to hasten unduly to publish his poem, it would
suit me well if he would not allow me to set it to music. And
if the poem is not quite finished, I myself would prefer that
M[eissner] would not hurry too much with it. For I would go to
Prague directly before or after Easter and would then let him
hear some of my recent compositions; and this would make him more
familiar with my style of composition and would either - make
him more enthusiastic - or make him stop writing and so forth
-- Recount all that in detail to Meissner, dear Macco -- and now
let us stop talking - I shall always be delighted to receive a
reply form you about this project. Please convey to Meissner feeling
of devotion and my deep regard -- Once more my heartfelt thanks,
dear Macco, for remembering me. Continue to paint - and I shall
cobtinue to write down notes; and thus we shall live - for ever?
- yes, perhaps, for ever.
Your
most affectionate
Beethoven