My Top Six Declarations Of (Heterosexual) Love

Mmmmm, love scenes. One day I will write a true romance, rather than a novel with some romance in it, and there will be LOVE SCENES GALORE. Here are some of my favourite declarations of love, not all of which are entirely successful.

SIX:

BENEDICK: I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?

BEATRICE: As strange as the thing I know not. It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.

– Much Ado About Nothing

FIVE:

I was nicely tucked up for the night
Of eternity, and, like a restless dream
Of a fool’s paradise, you, with a rainbow where
Your face is and an ignius fatuus
Worn like a rose in your girdle, come pursued
By fire, and presto! the bedclothes are on the floor
And I, the tomfool, love you.

– Thomas, The Lady’s Not For Burning

FOUR:

“I’d carry you upstairs,” Sorry said, “but you’re so bloody heavy.”

“That’s not what a hero would say,” Laura grumbled, “but it’s all right. I’d rather walk.”

– The Changeover

THREE:

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

– Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice

TWO:

“Janet, for God’s sake come to bed.”

“In a minute,” said Janet. “I’m writing you a poem.”

– Thomas and Janet, Tam Lin

ONE:

“Placetne, magistra?”

“Placet.”

– Peter and Harriet, Gaudy Night

It appears I tend towards the ironical. What are your favourites?