Lucerne, June 3, 59. Lady-friend, I feel as if I shouldn't find the frame of mind to please yourself and myself in the Willes' house next Sunday. Therefore I enclose for Frau Wille a few lines of apology — dated direct from Kissingen [!]. Sometimes I suffer so much from my friends' cowardice [cf. p. 74], that it becomes better to help oneself without friends — at least for a while, till the power of illusion sprouts out of one's heart again, and the whole world contains naught but dear friends. That also will return : until then, please convey my best compliments. — And kindest thanks for the still kinder letter. More about that by word of mouth. — Hearty greeting to your house ! R. W.
Richard Wagner
Source: Richard Wagner to Mathilde Wesendonck, translated by Ellis, No. 76