Henry IV (first Bourbon King of France) to his mistress Gabrielle d'Estress.
from the battle field before Dreux June 16, 1593
I have waited patiently for one whole day without news of you; I have been counting
the time and that's what it must be. But a second day--I can see no reason for it, unless my servants have grown lazy or been captured by the enemy, for I dare not
put the blame on you, my beautiful angel: I am too confident of your affection--which
is certainly due to me, for my love was never greater, nor my desire more urgent; that is why I repeat this refrain in all my letters: come, come, come, my dear love. Honor with your presence the man who, if only he were free, would go a thousand miles to throw himself at your feet and never move from there.
As for what is happening here, we have drained the water from the moat, but our cannon are not going to be in place until Friday when, God willing, I will dine in town. The day after you reach Mantes, my sister will arrive at Anet, where I will have the pleasure of seeing you every day. I am sending you a bouquet of orange blossom
that I have just received. I kiss the hands of the Vicomtess [Gabrielle's sister, Françoise] if she is there, and of my good friend [his sister, Catherine of Bourbon],
and as for you, my dear love, I kiss your
feet a million times.
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