Make Love, Not War
‘The Love Letter’, Fragonard, c. 1778, framed by Keats’ missive to his anxious muse Fanny Browne; image from British Vogue
Need some last minute inspiration for that Valentine to your beloved? Read on …
My dearest Lady,
You fear, sometimes, I do not love you as much as you wish? My dear girl I love you ever and ever and without reserve. The more I have known you, the more I have loved.
In every way – even my jealousies have been agonies of love, in the hottest fit I ever had I would have died for you … You are always new.
The last of your kisses was ever the sweetest; the last smile the brightest; the last movement the gracefullest … The anxiety shown about our Loves in your last note is an immense pleasure to me; however you must not suffer such speculations to molest you any more: nor will I any more believe you can have the lest pique against me …
Remembrances to your Mother.
Your affectionate,
J. Keats
Click on the tearsheets below and see what Zelda said to F. Scott, how Victor Hugo expressed himself when he wasn’t writing French masterpieces, and just what was going through Napoleon’s head when he wasn’t making war. (From Antonia Fraser’s Love Letters.)
Tearsheet from unknown Australian magazine
Tearsheet from unknown Australian magazine