Napoleon Bonaparte To Josephine
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.