Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of April 3, 1871

Overview

Richard repairs the previous day's shadow with an early-morning gesture of tenderness, interpreting their sensitivity as the result of overflowing feeling. Nietzsche arrives unexpectedly from Lugano, looking worn and in need of rest. The day is spent going through the Kaisermarsch, the German poem, and Richard's lecture.

Content

Monday, April 3:

R. comes to my bed in the very early morning, kisses my hands and feet, and says that if anything is guilty of casting a shadow between us, it is the abundance of our feelings for each other that makes us so sensitive. Deep happiness, a feeling of redemption!

At breakfast Prof. Nietzsche is suddenly announced; he comes from Lugano and will spend some days here. He appears very run down.

We go through the Kaisermarsch, the German poem, and finally the lecture. Thus the day passes.