Smart objected, that so played, it was not a recitative nor had words to recite. Beethoven replied, “he called it so;” and finally closed the discussion with “I _wish_ it to go in strict time”; which, from a composer, was of course decisive. The question of how the bass recitatives ought to be played had already been discussed when the rehearsals for the concert of 1824 were in progress, as may be seen in a Conversation Book of March: _Schindler_:--“How many contrabasses are to play the recitative?--All!--There would be no difficulty in strict time, but to give it in a singing style will make careful study necessary.--If old Krams were still alive we could let the matter go unconcernedly, for he directed 12 contrabasses who had to do what he wanted.--Good; then just as if words were under it?--If necessary I will write words under it so that they may learn to sing.” [143] From Thayer’s note-book of 1857: “Circumstance related to me by the son of Mr. Molt. When Mr. Molt called upon Beethoven, December 16, 1825, (B.’s birthday) Beethoven showed him some verses he had just written complimentary to a young lady and fell into such enthusiasm talking about her that he passed entirely from his musical conversation. Verses poor enough, Mr. Molt said. Mr. Molt also described the meanness of the rooms in which B. lived.” [144] To Thayer; from his note-book. [145] In a memorandum for Thayer. [146] _Laudari a viro laudate_--Nævius. _Lætus sum laudari me, inquit Hector, opinor apud Nævium, abs te, pater, a laudate viro_--Cicero _ad fam._ XV, 6; _Cum tragicus ille apud nos ait magnificum esse laudari a laudato viro, laude digno, ait._--Seneca, _Epist._ 102, 16. Chapter VIII A Year of Sickness and Sorrow: 1826--The Quartets in B-Flat, C-Sharp Minor and F Major--Controversy with Prince Galitzin--Dedication of the Ninth Symphony--Life at Gneixendorf--Beethoven’s Last Compositions. [Sidenote: A REQUEST FOR THE GERMAN BIBLE]