"Des Vaters Stahl fügt sich wohl mir:
ich selbst schweisse das Schwert!" —
Thus far had I got, and was just thinking out the motive that is to characterise the rapid turn of events, the beginning of the wondrous smithy work, when your letter interrupted me with the private news; so you may judge how it stands with my work for to-day. But I well may give up the "to-day" when I see before me so long, so beautiful and work-propitious a "to-morrow," for which I have to thank the rarest friendship and most faithful sympathy! —
You know what you give me with this news: whatever else this life may lack, must be denied me; I feel that I can but renounce, and must ground the unattainableness of the desirable on my own self, my inmost nature. When this consciousness gradually dawned upon me, and I had to seek my only consolation and relief thenceforward in the pursuance of my art without avoidable disturbance, all my desires and wishes, so far as hinging on this world, took but one form: to find untroubled rest and leisure for the carrying out of my artistic plans. You know how I told you this foremost wish just five years back, and defined it as the longing for a cosy, quiet country-house with garden. This seemed a thing that ought to be attainable, and you offered me a hand in it yourself. But time since taught me how difficult was even this, and I almost had to deem that wish unreachable as well, albeit — driven ever back thereon — I never could quite give it up. You remember that I took the news of the acquisition of the plot of ground by the mad-doctor, so disastrous to yourselves in particular, with great composure as regards myself; for I was so at home in that sort of thing, so used to shipwreck.
Would you like to know how I to-day received the entirely unhoped-for news of the success of your negotiations for this property? — A deep, deep peace invaded me; down to the foundations of my being I was seized by a grateful warmth, that did not rouse the least excitement. But all at once such a sunny brightness came before my eyes, that I saw the whole world transfigured and at rest, until a solemn tear dissolved this picture in a thousand marvellous refractions. Dearest, I have never experienced such a thing before! so radically furthering a power of friendship had never yet entered my life; and what I felt was not precisely joy about the gotten property, but the glorious warmth conferred on me by the feeling of your friendship, the consciousness of being carried, that suddenly removed each weight, each burden from me. O you dear good creatures! What shall I say to you? As if at a stroke of magic, everything around me is suddenly transformed: all hesitation is at end: I know where I belong now, where I may weave and fashion, where find support and comfort, strength and recreation, and henceforth I can look unscared on all the chance and change of my career as artist, my toils and my exertions; for I now know where to find rest and refreshment again: in the most literal of senses at the side, within the bosom of the most faithful, most affecting friendship and love. O children! You shall be contented with me — indeed you shall! For this life I belong to you, and my successes, eh! my cheerfulness and productivity shall rejoice myself, for I will cherish them and love them, to make of them a joy to you! O it is fine! This has decided much, yes much! — could I depict to you the wonderful deep peace that fills my mind to-day! —
Now arrange for me to see you soon; I yearn for it with all my heart, even if I did not live so isolated here. Sensibly enough, war is no longer to be feared, and I think I may now remain here under shelter even in that event. I shall write you again.
A thousand greetings!
Your
R. W.
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to Wesendonck et al., trans. and indexed by William Ashton Ellis (Grant Richards, 1899), No. 16