My dear, dear, my own unique girl!
Already more than twenty-four hours apart from you, after I have so often treasured every minute! What will come of this? I am lost in my misery and tears, and I can find joy in nothing, nothing whatever! You have become too dear to me, I am sure of that, you dear and lovely child! How can I become accustomed so soon to our separation? How can I bear your absence? You have become part of me, and without you I feel in all my limbs as if a part of me were missing. Alas, if you felt only half my longing, then you too would be filled with love and memories. I still wept after you had gone. Tell me, were you angry about the letter I sent you so late? Oh, I would almost have come to you myself, but then I knew that I would have stayed with you and would have given up my journey and everything. Alas, who could describe my state of loneliness? Yes, my Minna, I love you, and am a little vain about it; look, I imagine I have instilled life and soul into you which you didn't have before, so far as I knew. Besides, I often thought you didn't love me after all, but now I believe you do. Nay, when I gave you the last kiss, all your love overwhelmed me twice and a thousandfold. O my Life, don't forget, don't betray me ever, faithfully cling to me, remain my Minna, and if you ever felt love, so give it all to me and never let me share it with anyone else. Never forget that my whole heart is yours. Do you hear? Do you hear? Don't ever betray me!
You can never know with what painful feelings I am thinking of you both. It cuts me to the quick that I must know you in these miserable, depraved conditions. I'll take pains to do something for the Haas, though you rejected my offer to do something for you. You must get away from there, that is clear. I now hate Leipzig and Magdeburg and everything, it's only you I love. Oh, join me soon so that I can see you and be convinced you love me still. Write by return mail if you still love me and still think of me. Write, write, and strengthen me, my angel. More soon! More soon! Adieu! Adieu! Think of me, think of your
Richard
Reichels Garten (Rear)
Care of Rosalie Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 2