Your Imperial Highness!
You are indeed very gracious to me, so much so that I shall in no wise be able to deserve your kindness – I render to Y.I.H. my most humble thanks for your obliging intervention in connection with my affair in Prague [Anderson footnote: “I.e. Beethoven’s application to the heirs of the later Prince Kinsky. On January 18, 1815, the Landrechte at Prague issued a ruling that the guardian of the Kinsky children should undertake to pay Beethoven the yearly sum of 1200 gulden in redemption bonds.”] – I shall let you have the score of the cantata most punctually – Please be so kind as to forgive me for not yet calling on Your Imperial Highness. After this concert for the poor there is to be one in the theatre, which is also for the benefit of the impresario in angustia, because the authorities have quite rightly felt so ashamed of having cancelled the third and then the half of my share – Well, for this concert I have some new works in bud – Then there is the question of a new opera – and during the next few days I have to settle the question of the subject – Moreover I am again rather indisposed – but in a few days I will call to see Y.I.H. If only I too could help you, then one of the greatest and most ardent wishes of my life would be fulfilled –
Your Imperial Highness’s
most faithful and most obedient servant
Ludwig van Beethoven