At the tender age of 19, Voltaire, the outspoken French author and philosopher, was sent as an attache to the French Ambassador to the Netherlands, where he met Olympe Dunoyer, perhaps his first true love. Unfortunately, the lovely Olympe was not a woman of standing or education, and because of this neither the Ambassador, nor Olympe’s mother would approve of the young lovers union. But such was the passion of their love that Voltaire was imprisoned in an effort to keep the couple apart.

This romantic letter was written by Voltaire shortly before he escaped from the Hague to be with his lady love.

The Hague 1713

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, to-night 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 Sheveningen; 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 pictures, 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!

Arout
(Voltaire)

Though the exact details are sketchy, one thing is known: despite Voltaire’s escape through a window, their love was ill fated, and never to be consummated in marriage.

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