[...] Things are so-so here! During the next few days I shall finish the first scene. It is strange, but only in the course of composing the music does the essential meaning of my poem dawn upon me: secrets are continually being revealed to me which had previously been hidden from me. In this way everything becomes much more passionate and more urgent. But on the whole it requires a good deal of obstinacy on my part if I am ever to finish it all: and you yourself have not exactly inspired me with any great desire to do so. -
But I also believe I am doing all this only for myself, as a means of getting through life. So be it! -
Well, you may believe it or not, but I know of no other desire at present than to be able to visit you soon! Keep on telling me what sort of prospects there are for me here! I also lack music - and, God knows! that is something only you can give me: as a musician I feel utterly wretched, whereas I now believe I have discovered that you are the greatest musician of all time. I am sure that will come as a great surprise to you! -
Adieu! Tell Marie that I have again been working on the old red pocket-book, and that I have sorted out my biography up until the 1st of December 1856. -
[...]
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 195