The Brown Book

Diary Entry of April 16, 1867

Overview

Cosima's departure leaves Wagner exhausted and, in his account, more sorrowful than ever before. The prospect of seeing her again cannot console him for the recurring fact of separation.

Content

Tuesday, April 16:

Triebschen. 6 p.m. In my whole life I do not think I have ever been so sad as I am now!! — How easily that is said, and how unspeakable it is — — I walked home, and sank down from exhaustion. A brief, leaden sleep such as often drives out a cold fetched up all the misery of my life as if from the depths of my soul. — I yearn for major illness and death. I have no inclination any more, no will! —

Would there were an end to it, an end! —

Today she has left. — What this leaving has said!

What is the use of any seeing each other again?

The leaving remains. It is wretched! —