O sujeito era uma peste. Mostrava-se emocionalmente dependente das mulheres, como disse o historiador David Starkey, tanto que pôs seu país numa fria, politicamente, por causa de uma delas (por Ana Bolena, rompeu com a Igreja Católica e afastou a Inglaterra da Europa continental). Mas, quando cansava, podia até matá-las. É interessante, portanto, observar como o próprio Henrique VIII, rei da Inglaterra, enxergava o amor que sentia, como nesta carta que enviou a Ana Bolena (que até então dava uma de difícil), assegurando-lhe sobre suas sérias intenções de casar. A carta agora está sendo exibida aos britânicos pela primeira vez e estes são alguns trechos:
“The demonstrations of your affection are such, and the beautiful words of your letter are so cordially phrased, that they really oblige me to honour, love, and serve you for ever….
For my part, I will out-do you, if this be possible, rather than reciprocate, in loyalty of heart and my desire to please you.
“Beseeching you also that if I have in any way offended you, you will give me the same absolution for which you ask, assuring you that henceforth my heart will be dedicated to you alone, and wishing greatly that my body was so too.”
Mais tarde, como sabemos, o Henricão mandou decapitar a Ana B. e se casou ainda com mais quatro mulheres. (Faltou uma Xerazade inglesa…)
Acrescentei outra carta dele para ela do lado de lá.
In debating with myself the contents of your letters I have been put to a great agony; not knowing how to understand them, whether to my disadvantage as shown in some places, or to my advantage as in others.
I beseech you now with all my heart definitely to let me know your whole mind as to the love between us; for necessity compels me to plague you for a reply, having been for more than a year now struck by the dart of love, and being uncertain either of failure or of finding a place in your heart and affection, which point has certainly kept me for some time from naming you my mistress, since if you only love me with an ordinary love the name is not appropriate to you, seeing that it stands for an uncommon position very remote from the ordinary;
but if it pleases you to do the duty of a true, loyal mistress and friend, and to give yourself body and heart to me, who have been, and will be, your very loyal servant (if your rigour does not forbid me), I promise you that not only the name will be due to you, but also to take you as my sole mistress, casting off all others than yourself out of mind and affection, and to serve you only;
begging you to make me a complete reply to this my rude letter as to how far and in what I can trust;
and if it does not please you to reply in writing, to let me know of some place where I can have it by word of mouth, the which place I will seek out with all my heart.
No more for fear of wearying you. Written by the hand of him who would willingly remain yours.
