A book of poems and love letters....the poems are familiar, "How Do I Love Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.... the love letters a bit too private. In today's world these may have been seen in the tabloids. I would not buy a tabloid, but I am reading very private thoughts of a seemingly tormented gentlemen, Napoleon Bonaparte. Poor Napoleon should have known better than to marry a lady with such a colorful past. In this letter he seems somewhat desperate and lovelorn....I don't love you, not at all; on the contrary, I detest you-You're a naughty, gawky, foolish Cinderella. You never write me; you don't love your husband; you know what pleasure your letters give him, and yet you haven't written him six lines, dashed off casually! What do you do all day, Madam? What is the affair so important as to leave you no time to write to your devoted lover? What affection stifles and puts to one side the love, the tender and constant love you promised him? Of what sort can be that marvelous being, that new lover who absorbs every moment, tyrannizes over your days, and prevents your giving any attention to your husband? Josephine take care! Some fine night, the doors will be broken open, and there I'll be. Indeed, I am very uneasy, my love, at receiving no news of you; write me quickly four pages, pages full of agreeable things which shall fill my heart with the pleasantest feelings. I hope before long to crush you in my arms and cover you with a million kisses burning as though beneath the equator.
Eventually and despite Bonaparte's love for her, the emperor's need for children of his own to secure succession to the crown saw him divorce Josephine in 1809. He never got over having to divorce her and his last words were, "France, The Army, Josephine." Hmmm....love letter ....Ludwig Van Beethoven to the "Immortal Beloved"....Good morning. Though still in bed my thoughts go out to you.... sigh......he ends the letter.....your beloved L.
ever thine....ever mine...ever for each other.
