From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine

Paris, December 1795

I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent yesterday have left my senses in turmoil. Sweet, incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart! Are you angry? Do I see you looking sad? Are you worried?... My soul aches with sorrow, and there can be no rest for you lover; but is there still more in store for me when, yielding to the profound feelings which overwhelm me, I draw from your lips, from your heart a love which consumes me with fire? Ah! it was last night that I fully realized how false an image of you your portrait gives!

You are leaving at noon; I shall see you in three hours.

Until then, mio dolce amor, a thousand kisses; but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.

A love letter of Surelli to John

Dear John,

Every night when I close my eyes, you fill my heart with joy, and every morning when I open my eyes, you're the first thing on my mind, more than just a dream of what will probably never be. I'm in love with you - of that I'm sure, but I want to hold you, to kiss you, and adore you. If you'll be mine, you'll make me the happiest woman in this world, if you turn me away, I'll be dying. But either way, you'll always be the greatest love of all that I've ever had.

Love always,

Tu Sardina