| April 13, 1789 |
| Dearest, most beloved little Wife! We expected to reach Dresden after dinner on Saturday, but we did not arrive until yesterday, at two o' clock in the afternoon, as the roads were so bad. All the same I went yesterday to the Neumanns, where Madame Duschek is staying, in order to deliver her husband's letter. Her room is on the third floor beside the corridor and from it you can see anyone who is coming to the house. When I arrived at the door, Herr Neumann was already there and asked me to whom he had the honor to speak. "That I shall tell you in a moment", I replied, "but please be so kind as to call Madame Duschek, so that my joke may not be spoilt." But at the same moment Madame Duschek stood before me, for she had recognized me from the window and had said at once: "Why, here comes someone who is very like Mozart". Well, we were all delighted. There was a large party, consisting entirely of ugly women, who by their charm, however, made up for their lack of beauty. Dearest little wife, if only I had a letter from you! If I were to tell you all the things I do with your dear portrait, I think that you would often laugh. For instance, when I take it out of its case, I say, "Good-day, Stanzerl!-Good-day, little rascal, pussy-pussy, little turned up nose, little bagatelle, Schluck and Druck", and when I put it away again, I let it slip very slowly, saying all the time, "Nu-Nu-Nu-Nu!" with the peculiar emphasis which this word so full of meaning demands, and then just at last, quickly, "Good night, little mouse, sleep well." Well, I suppose I have been writing something very foolish (to the world at all events); but to us who love each other so dearly, it is not foolish at all. To-day is the sixth day since I left you and by Heaven! it seems a year. I expect you will have some difficulty here and there in reading my letter, because I am writing in a hurry and therefore rather badly. Adieu, my only love! The carriage is waiting. This time I do not say: "Hurrah-the carriage has come at last", but 'male'. Farewell, and love me for ever as I love you. I kiss you a million times most lovingly and am ever you husband who loves you tenderly W.A. Mozart P.S. How is our Karl behaving? Well, I hope. Kiss him for me. |