My Dear and Beloved Countess!
Your are again bestowing gifts upon me and so soon too; and that is not right. For you thereby rob me entirely of the merit of having rendered you a small service –
It is uncertain whether I can go to you tomorrow, however much I should like to do so. But certainly I shall visit you in a few days’ time, even if it has to be in the afternoon. My situation at the moment is very difficult. I shall tell you more about this when I see you. Greet and press to your heart in my name all your children who are so dear to me – Give the Magister a gentle box on the ear, and the chief steward a solemn nod. To the violoncello the task has been allotted of betaking himself to the left bank of the Danube and continuing to play until everything on the right bank has been drawn across to the other side. In this way your population will soon increase. Let me add that I shall confidently take the road across the Danube as I did before. Courage, provided it be justified, enables one to triumph everywhere –
I kiss your hands many times. Remember with pleasure your friend
Beethoven