Translation:Napoleon Bonaparte's Letter to Josephine, Milan, le 29 floréal, 2 hours after midday

by Napoleon Bonaparte

Milan, le 29 floréal, 2 hours after midday

I do not know why I have been most content since this morning. I have a sense of anticipation that fills me with joy, which you left with me.

You would be well-served to pass by Piémont, the path is shorter and much better. You are coming to Milan, where you will be very happy, this country is so beautiful. When you are with me, it shall return me to such happiness I shall go insane.

I [cannot wait?/meur danvie] to see how you carry the children. That must give you a respectable and majestic air, which has always felt pleasant to me. Please do not be ill.^[1]

No, my good friend, you will come here and be very healthy, you will bear a small child as attractive as her mother, and love you as much as her father - and when you are very old, like 100 years old, the child will be your consolation and your happiness. But here now, beware of liking it more than you like me, I already am beginning to feel jealous.

Farewell my sweet love^[2], farewell my good friend, come soon to experience the good music and see beautiful Italy.

Il ne lui manque que ta vue tu l'embelira à mes yeux du moins tu le sais quand ma Joséphine est quelque part je ne vois plus qu'elle.

1. Josephine's illnesses were a constantpeeve of Napoleon's, who would often refer condescendingly to her sicknesses
2. Written in Italian