Most excellent,
Most gracious Prince!
As
I am told that you, my Prince, have been asking about the Mass
which you commissioned me to compose for you, I am taking the
liberty of informing you, most excellent Prince, that you will
receive it by August 20th at latest -- That will give us sufficient
time to produce it on the name-day of the most excellent Princess
-- Extraordinarily advantageous conditions which were offered
to me from London at a time when I had the misfortune to
fail to obtain a benefit day in the theatre and which necessity
compelled me gladly too except, have delayed the completion of
the Mass, however much I desired it to deliver it in person to
you, most excellent Prince. In addition, I was afflicted somewhat
later by an illness which affected my head. This prevented me
at first from working at all and later and even now has allowed
me to do very little work. Since people are so ready to construe
everything to my disadvantage, I am in closing, my most excellent
Prince, one of my doctor's letters -- May I am did that I show
hand you the Mass with considerable apprehension, since you, most
excellent Prince, are accustomed to have the inimitable masterpieces
of the great Haydn performed for you --
Most
excellent, most gracious Prince! -- with deepest respect you're
most devoted, you're most humble
Ludwig
von Beethoven