09 March 2010

9 March 1796

Napoléon Bonaparte and Joséphine de Beauharnais were married today in Paris.

Portrait of the empress,
by François Pascal Simon Gérard (1808)


December 1795

I awake full of you. Your image and the memory of last night’s intoxicating pleasures has left no rest to my senses.

Sweet, incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart. Are you angry? Do I see you sad? Are you worried? My soul breaks with grief, and there is no rest for your lover; but how much the more when I yield to this passion that rules me and drink a burning flame from your lips and your heart? Oh! This night has shown me that your portrait is not you!

Meanwhile, my sweet love, a thousand kisses; but do not give me any, for they set my blood on fire.

Bonaparte.

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