never can be killed. (Macbeth). It might therefore be a kind of poem in three parts. But do not be alarmed: there need not be many words and lines in each part, because unlike the other arts, music has of course the faculty of slowing down and speeding up whenever necessary. Perhaps you find the idea is not poetic or suitable for poetic treatment. But do whatever you can, dear friend, for I assure you that it is musically poetic in the highest degree. I wish I was talented enough myself. But now permit me to explain what I would have written if I had been in a position to write the poems and shape the piece myself, though I recognize I do not have the slightest ability to do so. Just the raw ingredients, which you obviously should not take too seriously, but they will convey the direction in which I wish to go. I suggest: I. Quietly and dreamily, the cloud veers off to the west. Fluffily, it rolls down below the earth's dark curve And the sun's last dark-red glow kisses — between long, lingering shadows — The green moss on great trees and stones And everything opens up and breathes long and deep in a tired smiling fight For a wealth of balm and manna and joy. II. But out on the distant horizon Come - Dreams of bliss - Of evil - Of terror Help! III. Great inquiring human eyes lower two by two their soft dull heavy lids and close like sleeping calyces who have drunk in the sun's bright crimson rays a day of dreams And sleep's soft wide waters flow over the whole world: And then there might even be a look at the last long slumber. So, dear John Jorgensen: I. some words that express the joy of sleep II.something that disturbs it III.the first mood with perhaps an allusion to death. If you would do this for me, I just do not know what I could do for you. You certainly will not regret it, because in addition to your fees, my gratitude and my friendship will certainly make a contribution. Please accept sincere greetings from my wife. She asks me to write to you that she is looking forward to meeting you and your wife in the near future, as we have to tell you about Greece and talk