Love and War

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 “Dear heart, I am more a man of action than of thought. Your last message
reproved me for my lost diligence in writing. Every night I read your letter. If I love it, what ought I to do toward her whence it came? Never have I had such longing to see you. If the enemy does not press us after this present victory, I shall steal away for a month.”
Henry of Navarre to Corisande D’Andouins (1588)
While off at war, Henry Navarre wrote this letter to his mistress, Corisande D’Andouins. It shows his adoration for her, and his hope that he will be able to see her soon if the war does not persist heavily. 
 Henry’s wife, Margaret felt very resentful towards Corisande especially because of her hold on Henry and how much she wanted to be officially with him. 
 In this poem he says that if his enemies do not persist in this war he hopes to be able to travel to her, and this is a big gesture. To take time away from a war and to see your lover is a big show of affection and commitment. 
 Henry also says that he is a man of action, and this means that writing this poem instead of being able to talk to her face to face was probably difficult for him. Also showing the lengths he is willing to go to express his love for Corisande.

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