I am a prisoner here in the name of the King； they can take my life， but not the love that I feel for you. Yes， my adorable mistress， tonight I shall see you， and if I had to put my head on the block to do it. For Heaven's sake， do not speak to me in such disastrous terms as you write； you must live and be cautious； beware of madame your mother as of your worst enemy. What do I say？ Beware of everybody， trust no one； keep yourself in readiness， as soon as the moon is visible I shall leave the hotel incognito， take a carriage or a chaise， we shall drive like the wind to Scheveningen； I shall take paper and ink with me； we shall write our letters.
If you love me， reassure yourself， and call all your strength and presence of mind to your aid； do not let your mother notice anything， try to have your picture， and be assured that the menace of the greatest tortures will not prevent me to serve you.
No， nothing has the power to part me from you； our love is based upon virtue， and will last as long as our lives. Adieu， there is nothing that I will not brave for your sake； you deserve much more than that. Adieu， my dear heart！
Arouet
The Hague， 1713.
亲爱的甜心：
我被他们以国王的名义囚禁在此；他们可以要我的命，却无法夺走我对你的爱。是的，我倾慕的情人，今天晚上我将要去见你，就算为此上断头台我也在所不惜。看在老天的份儿上，别在信上说些可怕的话。你必须活下去，另外还要非常谨慎；要提防你的母亲，她是你最大的敌人。我在说些什么啊？你要当心每一个人，谁也不能信任；你要妥善准备，等月亮一出来，我就乔装打扮离开旅馆，雇一辆马车或者便车。我们将如疾风般赶到斯赫维宁根；我将会带上纸和墨水，我们可以用来写信。
如果你爱我的话，你一定要打消所有的顾虑，一定要鼓足勇气，一定要保持绝对的冷静；千万不要让你的母亲察觉这些，并且带上你的画像。请你相信我：最严酷的刑罚也不能阻止我为你效劳。