215 To Felix Draseke
Where, my dear, excellent friend, have you got hold of the extraordinary idea that I could be angry with you? How to begin such a thing I really should not know. You are far too good and dear to me for me not to remain good to you also in all things!— Herewith are a few lines for Wagner, which however you don’t in the least need. I am glad that you are not putting off this journey any longer. But before you set out WRITE to Wagner (you can add my lines to your letter extra), and inquire whether he will be staying at Lucerne still, so that your Swiss pilgrimage may not be in vain.—You will be certain to get an answer from Wagner by return of post, and will thus be sure of your object.
Schuberth tells me that “King Helge” will ride into his shop almost immediately…to Sigrun, the ever blooming delicious sorrow!—How scornfully, “without greeting or thanks,” will “King Helge” look down upon all the other wares in Schuberth’s shop. Somewhat as the hippopotamus looks on toads and frogs.—But it is quite right to let the Ballade come out, and I am impatiently awaiting my copy.—[Liszt subsequently formed out of Draseke’s song the melodrama of the same name.]
I hope it may be possible for me to come to Lucerne at the end of August. But send some tidings of yourself before then to Your sincere and faithful
F. Liszt
[Weimar,] July 19th, 1859