A thousand thanks for your nectar, my little friend –– and how shall I thank you sufficiently for your readiness to travel with me? Well, you will certainly discover my gratitude to you in my singing heart –– As I do not want to arrange anything which you may not absolutely like, let me inform you that on my doctor’s orders I have to spend two full months at T[eplitz]. Hence I could not travel with you before the middle of August. If you can’t wait until then, you must either travel alone or, if you prefer, with some other companion, such as you will easily find –– I am awaiting your friendly decision in this matter. If you think that you would not care to undertake the return journey alone, do exactly what suits you. Fonda Sim of you and much as I enjoy your company, I am determined that there shall be no unpleasant consequences for you –– Moreover since, if you do accompany me, you will have to be back in any case by the middle of August, [Anderson footnote: “This word in the autograph is not easy to decipher, and may have been misread.] I shall take my servant who is really a thoroughly decent and capable fellow –– But as it may well be that we cannot lodge in the same house, you had better take yours too, if you require his services. So far as I am concerned, if I were not such clumsy son of Apollo, I should prefer to travel without one –– But please arrange to be here by July 1st or 2nd at latest, for if you don’t, it will be too late for me. My doctor is quite annoyed with me for putting off my departure for so long, although he himself knows that the company of such a dear kind friend would do me good –– Have you got a carriage? –– Now do let me have a reply with lightning speed, for, as soon as I know whether are you still want to travel with me, I must write about rooms for both of us. Accommodation there it Is said to be very quickly filling up –– All good wishes, my dear kind friend, let me have a reply at once; and love
your sincere friend
Beethoven