“‘The Songs of the Artisans’ are a splendid work for me. I have the
idea, and call the whole story ‘Waldvogel’s Songs,’ while the fairy
tale of Prince Waldvogel, which I have had in my head for years,
appears at the same time, as if he had sung all the songs. It must be
brought down to modern times, or I shall not be up to the Artisans.
It will be called ‘Love Songs of the Artisans in Wood and Field.’ One
hundred and thirty songs are already composed, and there are about
twenty more to arrange. But the electric current is broken sometimes,
and I do not so easily find it again. If I can keep to my work, one
thought leads to another, and I cannot write them down as fast as they
come. But the object of laying by what is written is that what is not
good is eradicated later. But I should be able to talk over all these
things, for I have no judgment as to what is good or bad. What is gone
is gone! When I have painted something I turn its face to the wall so
as not to see it again. I never open what is once printed, but go on,
and on.
“This winter I have also made a plot for a tragedy, ‘Meister Manole.’
But I want a quiet time to write it in. I have also a long poem,
‘Nemesis,’ in my head, and the beginning of four novels. But what
appears to me the best does not strike others so. It is lucky that
amongst ten persons each one thinks a different poem the best.
[Illustration:
_Woodbury Compy._