Letter 3: A friend between the brothers
December 16, 1849 — Brühl
From: August Hilpert
To: Gotthold Leukroth/Lenkroth

Current reading edition, September 24, 2026. Square brackets mark uncertainty or editorial explanations. Compared with the historical translations; unresolved wording is not supplied as fact.

**Brühl, December 16, 1849**

**Dear friend [Leukroth/Lenkroth],**

You must not be angry that I [felt offended — likely “beleidigt gefunden,” with irregular grammar] about your letter with the thaler. That was not directed at you; it concerned only my mother and sister, because they believed I had lied to them, which was not the case. The other letter describes my circumstances up to the present day, so I do not need to write all of that to you again; instead, I shall write about something else.

First, you write to me about David [spelled “Davit”], that he worked in Königslutter. I think David is angry with me—perhaps because at Easter I sent him a letter to [Oldisleben] without prepaying the postage? But I can scarcely believe that, because the letter was worth ten groschen: it was full of news and full of songs. Yet he has not answered it. Therefore I must ask you, when you write to him, to tell him that I long to see him.

If he should come to the Rhine, he would need to go to Cologne. At Mr. [Gaar's], [street name uncertain], No. 37, he could find out the town and the master where I am, and he would also receive the fare to reach me.

If circumstances do not change by May, I would be firmly resolved to go first to Holland and then to America, because then nothing else would remain for me. But I would have to notify my sister at least two months beforehand because of the money.

If, however, I do not have to leave—which is what I wish—then things will remain as before. As for the half parcel of land, if it is true that the police have placed it under attachment until I report myself, then I must [forfeit it; the exact wording is uncertain]. But I hope everything will turn out differently, and better.

Enough of that. Give David my greetings many times over; that is how matters stand with me.

You also write that you would like to talk with me. I readily believe that; so would I. I wish I could once again stay at home as long as I did last year. I would make better use of the time; we would enjoy ourselves more.

I must also ask you whether Brother [Heinrich?; the historical translation reads Friedrich] really is married and whether he is doing well. Give him many greetings from me.

If circumstances change, perhaps in the spring, you may confidently believe that I will be with you again by St. John's Day [Johanni], but hopefully in better circumstances than last time, before continuing my travels. I shall bring many new songs again, just as I have sent you one now. I ask you not to forget me in your happy hours, just as I always think of you.

I have only one wish: if I were free, [the remaining sentence about freedom and the princes is not securely deciphered; do not treat a guessed rendering as a quotation].

**Closing, on the address side**

Dear friend, time obliges me to finish. Above all, I wish you good health and a good Christmas. Last week I myself was very unwell; I had caught a cold, but now I am well again. Farewell. I remain,

Your friend,

**August Hilpert**

## Address and marginal additions

These additions are presented separately because they run in different directions around the folded sheet. Their reading order is editorial.

- **Confidentiality, continuation page:** “[Show/give — opening uncertain] this to my mother and siblings; do not let either letter fall into anyone else's hands.” The instruction concerning **both letters** is clear and links this correspondence with the companion family letter.
- **Concealed correspondence name, beneath closing:** “I will write you my address, but tell no one except my siblings and mother: to Wilhelm Meyer, not under my name; it is because of the police.”
- **Return address, outer margin:** “Thus, to Wilhelm Meyer, at master shoemaker Mr. [surname uncertain], in Brühl, district of Cologne.” The trade appears to read **Schuhmacher Meister**. This identifies the person at the delivery address, not conclusively August's own trade. Do not expand the employer's surname from conjecture.
- **Reply requested:** “I would also ask for an answer in fourteen days, and [remaining words uncertain].”
- **Greetings, opposite margin:** “I must also mention: should you have an opportunity, give my brother Ernst my greetings, [Moritz?] [remainder uncertain, apparently concerning coming to Wiehe].” **“meinen Bruder Ernst”** is the strongest part of this reading. The next name and the rest of the sentence need another reading.
- **Currency, opening margin:** “I must also let you know: the thaler was a Saxon [thaler], and here it is worth only [twenty-eight] silver groschen.” There is an insertion referring to the sister, which remains partly unresolved. The number reads 28, but the exact full sentence is not established.
- **Cologne address, short marginal repetition:** a street name and “No. 37,” followed by “say otherwise …” [fragment uncertain]. The street is not securely read; retain the image rather than inventing a modern address.

**Outgoing address panel:** “To Mr. [Leukroth/Lenkroth], [damaged descriptor], Wiehe.”

## Enclosed verse — working English translation

The handwritten heading reads **“Die stille Liebe eines Jünglings” — “A Young Man's Silent Love.”** The translation follows the six handwritten stanzas; it does not attempt to reproduce their rhyme. Two difficult passages are left visibly uncertain.

**1**

I feel so happy near you;
the air shines for me like the dawn.
Your breath wafts toward me like the scent of flowers.
What is not beautiful near you?
Oh, if only I could always be with you,
an everlasting spring would smile upon me.

**2**

I am so rich when I am near you;
the poorest clothing, a [thatched roof — “Haberdach” appears to be the manuscript wording; uncertain],
the coarsest bread, a clear spring,
are great riches when I am near you.
Oh, if only I had a hearth of my own
and were worthy of your love!

**3**

What would I lack when near you?
I would give [uncertain phrase, apparently something precious]
for just a bouquet from your hand.
What would I lack when near you?
Oh, if only I could always be about you,
and you, beloved, were mine!

**4**

How could I, when near you,
entertain base thoughts,
wish evil or do evil?
Virtue dwells near you.
Oh, if only I could always be with you,
I would remain innocent, good and pure.

**5**

I would give and give away,
and press everyone to my heart.
I would soothe every sorrow
and hasten to meet every heart.
Oh, if you, good one, would always stay with me,
heaven's joy would smile upon me!

**6**

For whom do earth's loveliest joys bloom?
Who is the man so richly blessed?
At whom do you, sweet one, smile kindly and say,
“That is the man I like”?
Oh, if only I might always be near you,
I could rejoice in that happiness.

[August sends this song; his authorship is not established.]