Your Imperial Highness!
All this long while I have been ill and suffering pain, especially in my head; and I am still unwell. But each day I hoped to be able to wait upon Your Imperial Highness in person; and therefore I sent no word to Your Imperial Highness. Since yesterday evening I have had to apply vesicatories, with the help of which the physician hopes to cure me not merely for a time, but permanently. About Wednesday or Thursday I shall presumably be able to enjoy the happiness of again being able to find myself in Your Imperial Highness’s presence. –
Your most humble servant
Ludwig van Beethoven