[...] Since then I haven't left my retreat, and think of stopping here for years without budging, firmly resolved to devote myself to nothing but my labours, not to any more fruitless and fatiguing efforts without. At the present moment I am busy finishing the Siegfried, broken off in 1857.
My noble ministering friend is here with her children, where she has been with me for some time. We see nobody, but should be glad to welcome you.
Your greeting (birthday) has done me good. Stay friends with me, and be of good cheer. You deserve a shining crown.
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. 60