To know Goethe in Marienbad! How, earlier, had I had been able to have peace, before I had visited him and spoken to him? He was happy to see me again, and was extremely friendly with me. He told me, that he had recently recovered from a serious illness, but I saw that his appearance had not altered in the slightest, I still found his glance to be glowing, and the expression of his facial features, as before, to be resolute. He mentioned the many friends that I had made for myself in Weimar through my composition of his poems, and wanted to introduce me to the Archduke, who also was still in Marienbad, so that I could improvise for him in a gathering, for he had already noticed me in the previous year. I did not say no, but also did not say yes, and generally did not feel, having just begun my cure, to be in a state for a production of that sort. I said my farewell for just then, not wishing to further interrupt his toilette, since I had found him still in deepest negligé.

I very diligently visited the Kreuzbrunn, the Moorbad as well, and even did not omit the Moor-poultices, all according to medical instruction.

How differently life operated in Marienbad since the years gone by! This time there was no talk of reunions or any sort of communal gettogether, at most, some acquaintances or relatives from home would mutually share their presence. In addition one at most met a few men abandoned by destiny. In general, there was little that was edifying to be seen here this time. The ex-King of Holland, the brother of Napoleon, crept about at the time, supported by an efficient guide, and was a portrait of woe.

How differently, indeed defiantly, moved the Archduke of Weimar, whom they pointed out to me on the way to the Ferdinandsquelle. He looked like an oak, looking out at the world with unbending vigor, challenging all the storms of life. He accomplished great things such as no German prince before him or after him has yet done.