My Friend!
Through my illness the Tannhäuser has been postponed, after all: I have exhausted everything, and myself am exhausted to the last degree; that you will probably gather from my applying to you once more, whom I ought to spare for ever! Yet I am certain of being able to repay you the amount at Easter, and this somewhat lightens my step. — One thing, however, I beg above all: if it is inconvenient to you for the moment, or should compliance with my request put you in the least ill-humour, please ignore it altogether and don't say a word about it in your answer.
Since a week ago I am regaining heart; my powers begin to come back. It was a warning! — Fare well, and keep good courage in hard times, you too.
From my heart
Your
Richard Wagner.
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to Wesendonck et al., trans. and indexed by William Ashton Ellis (Grant Richards, 1899), No. 29