There was a time when the only way to communicate with someone was to write a letter. Back then, the lack of modern technology forced men to take the time to sit down, collect their thoughts, and express their love to the woman who had their heart. Here is a collection of excerpts from the love letters of some of history’s greatest men. Modern translations have been provided to help avoid any confusing language:

Pliny the Younger (AD 61–AD 112), Roman Governor

To Calpurnia (my wife):

“You will not believe what a longing for you posses me. The chief cause of this is my love; and then we have not grown used to be apart. So it comes to pass that I lie awake a great part of the night, thinking of you.”

Translation: Long-distance relationships are tough.

Henry VIII (1491-1547), King of England

My Mistress and My Friend (Anne Boleyn),

“My heart and I surrender themselves into your hands, and we supplicate to be commended to your good graces, and that by absence your affections may not be diminished to us, for that would augment our pain… more than I ever thought could be felt.”

Translation: Side chicks deserve some love too (Henry was married to Katherine of Aragon at the time).

Alexander Pope (1688-1744), Famous Poet, Critic and Essayist

To Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

“Madam, there is not a day in which your figure does not appear before me; your conversations return to my thoughts, and every scene, place or occasion where I have enjoyed them are as livelily painted as an imagination equally warm and tender can be capable to represent them…For God’s sake, madam, send to me as often as you can.”

Translation: Please text me back, I miss you. No seriously. Text me back. Please.

David Hume (1711-1776), Philosopher, Economist and Historian

To Madame de Boufflers

“I had accustomed myself, of a long time, to think of you as a friend from whom I was never to be separated during any considerable time … I had flattered myself to pass our lives in intimacy … I kiss your hands with all the devotion possible.”

Translation: “You, you got what I need, but you say you’re just a friend…” (on being friend zoned).

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Legendary Composer

To Constanze from Vienna

“Adieu—my love—my only one. Do not catch them in the air—those 2999½ little kisses from me which are flying about, waiting for someone to snap them up. Listen, I want to whisper something in your ear…”

Translation: “Hey little mama let me whisper in your ear…” (on being creepy)

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), The Great General and Emperor of France

To Josephine at Milan

“That day when you say ‘I love you less’ will mark the end of my love and the last day of my life. Have you ceased to love me? My heart, obsessed by you, is full of fears which prostrate me with misery. You alone are the joy and torment of my life.”

Translation: “Just gonna stand there and watch me burn, that’s alright because I love the way it hurts…”

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Revolutionary Musician and Composer

To ‘Immortal Beloved’

“What longing in tears for you—You—my Life—my All—farewell. Oh, go on loving me—never doubt the faith-fullest heart of your beloved. Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.”

Translation: Our love is everlasting

Mark Twain (1835-1910), Great American Writer

To Livy Darling

“Let us look forward to the coming anniversaries, with their age and their gray hairs without fear and without depression, trusting and believing that the love we bear each other will be sufficient to make them blessed.”

Translation: “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?” – “You know I will”