Good Friday. Ere going to bed.
I have just finished reading the Egmont. Really, the last act is very fine. Otherwise I was put out, this time, by the prose in the piece: after the Tasso, a thing like that strikes one as nothing but an undeveloped sketch, — many animated features, yet no true life-filled whole. It does not reach the level of a work of art, and in this respect I also think the Tasso is unique. However, I have been much moved by it again, but principally by the last act. — Has the child nothing nice for the master to read? Something soft, poetical — relaxing. How glad I should be of an unknown masterpiece of poetry. Can I really know them all already? Have you by any chance a translation of Tasso — Jerusalem Delivered? —
To-day has been another day of downpour: I never went out at all. Still, my work has gone fairly. I require time for it, however. Do you know this? —
Scarcely yet? —
I'm looking indescribably forward to your visit! Everything is arranged already, and shall go as by clockwork. Making music will do me thorough good for once, and I still owe you a glimpse of the Erard. Things are turning nicely green already. If only the weather is fine — eh? I also promise Wesendonck to put plenty of closes into my playing; every 8 bars a small gratification.
My best blessing on your house!
Many good wishes! — To our meeting soon!
R. W.
Source: Richard Wagner to Mathilde Wesendonck, trans. William Ashton Ellis (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1905), No. 73