As a famous poet Alexander Pope should have been able to express feelings in writing better than most of us but I guess we also have to take into account what is done in polite society at that time and what happened behind closed doors when no-one else was able to watch.

This love letter obviously tries to balance the two aspects of life was written to the elder of two sisters who he had close relationships. There has been long arguments by biographers as to the depth of the relationship with these two sisters as copies of other letters which have been both preserved in museums and published in books can be interpreted in different ways.

Madam,

I have so much Esteem for you, and so much of the other thing, that were I a handsome fellow I should do you a vast deal of good; but as it is, all I am good for is to write a civil letter, or to make a fine Speech.

The truth is, that considering how often & how openly I have declared Love to you, I am astonished (and a little affronted) that you have not forbid my correspondence, & directly said, See my face no more. It is not enough, Madam, for your reputation that you keep your hands pure, from the Strain of Such lnk as might be shed to gratify a male Correspondent; Alas! while your heart consents to encourage him in this lewd liberty of writing, you are not ( indeed you are not ) what you would so fain have me think you, a Prude!

I am vain enough to conclude ( like most young fellows ) that a fine Lady’s Silence is Consent, and I write on.

But in order to be as Innocent as possible in this Epistle, I’ll tell you news. You have asked me news a thousand times at the first word you spoke to me, which some would interpret as if you expected nothing better from my lips; And truly ’tis not a sign Two Lovers are together, when they can be so impertinent as to enquire what the World does?

All I mean by this, this is, this is, that either you or I cannot be in love with the other; I leave you to guess which of the two is that stupid & insensible Creature, so blind to the others Excellencies and Charms…

Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 – 30 May 1744) is a famous eighteenth century English poet, best known for his satirical verse and for his translation of Homer. He is the third most frequently quoted writer in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, after Shakespeare and Tennyson.