Dear, dear
B[runsvik]!
This
is just to tell you that I have come to a very good arrangement
with Clementi -- I am to get 200 pounds sterling -- and, what
is more, I shall be able to sell the same works in Germany and
France -- and, in addition, he has given me further orders --
so that by this means I may hope even in my early years to achieve
the dignity of a true artist -- So, dear B[runsvik], I
need the quartets. [Opus 59] I have already asked your
sister to write to you about this. It would take too long to have
them copied from my score -- so do make haste and send them to
me at once by letter post -- you will have them back in
four or five days at latest -- I do beg you most urgently to do
this, because otherwise I may lose a very great deal -- If you
can arrange for the Hungarians to invite me to give a few concerts,
please do so, -- you can have me for 200 gold ducats -- and in
that case I shall bring my opera with me -- I shall never come
to an arrangement with this tribe of princes connected with the
theatres --
Whenever
we (that is to say, several amici) drink your wine, we souse you,
i.e. we drink your health -- All good wishes. Hurry -- hurry --
hurry and send me the quartets -- If you don't, you may cause
me the greatest embarrassment -- Shuppanzigh has got married --
to somebody very like him, I am told -- what will their
family be like???? -- Kiss your sister Theresa and tell her that
I fear I shall have to become a great man without a monument of
hers contributing to my greatness -- Send meet tomorrow, send
me immediately the quartets -- quar -- tets -- t -- e -- t --
s.
Your
friend
Beethoven