To Josephine Beauharnais, 1795

I wake filled with thoughs 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 your 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 lat night that I fully realised 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.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE (1769-1821)