The "Elizabeth," it is to be hoped, contains something of the sort. At least, as far as possible, I have labored carefully at the work, and, so to say, lived it through for more than a year. In No. 3 of the score—the "Crusaders"—you will come across the old pilgrim song from the days of the Crusades which you had the kindness to communicate to me. It has rendered me good service for the second subject of the "Crusaders' March." In the concluding notice of the score I acknowledge my thanks to you for it and give the whole song from your copy.
Among the pleasant bits of news (exceptions to the rule!) which reach me from our quarters is that about the improvement of your pecuniary position, which is probably accompanied by your appointment as teacher at the newly established Seminary classes. In the way of merit you lack nothing, and nothing in zeal and energetic perseverance. Let me hope, dear friend, that you may more and more meet with your due reward!
With kindest greetings,
F. Liszt
Rome, November 15th, 1862
11. To Eduard Liszt
Dearest Eduard,
The feeling of our double relationship is to me always an elevating and comforting one. Truly you abide with me, as I do with you—cum sanguine, corde et mente.
Accept my thanks for your kind lines, and excuse my not having written to you long ago. I might indeed have told you many a thing of more or less interest; but all seemed to me tiresome and insufficient in writing to you. I needed more than ever, and above all things, ample time to compose myself, to gather my thoughts, and to bestir myself. During the first year of my stay here I secured this. It is to be hoped that you would not be dissatisfied with the state of mind which my 50th year brought me; at all events I feel it to be in perfect harmony with the better, higher aspirations of my childhood, where heaven lies so near the soul of every one of us and illuminates it! I may also say that, owing to my possessing a more definite and clearer consciousness, a state of greater peacefulness has come over me.
Blandine has her place in my heart beside Daniel. Both abide with me bringing atonement and purification, mediators with the cry of "Sursum corda!"—When the day comes for Death to approach, he shall not find me unprepared or faint-hearted. Our faith hopes for and awaits the deliverance to which it leads us. Yet as long as we are upon earth we must attend to our daily task. And mine shall not lie unproductive. However trifling it may seem to others, to me it is indispensable. My soul's tears must, as it were, have lacrymatoria made for them; I must set fires alight for those of my dear ones that are alive, and keep my dear dead in spiritual and corporeal urns. This is the aim and object of the Art task to me.