倆是非常卑劣和怯懦的表現，但居然有人將這種手段用在純潔的愛情這種高尚無私的感情上，實在讓人驚訝。不，我親愛的埃，我永遠不會用這種低劣的手段博得您的歡心。如果您能慷慨地答應與我終生為伴，成為朋友或知音，這世上再無其他什麼東西更能使我狂喜，但我永遠不會想到用一個男子漢不屑一顧的——補充一句——基督徒的手腕向您求婚。
親愛的，我只求您一件事：要麼乾脆利落地拒絕，讓我徹底失望；要麼慨然答應，免得我惶恐不安。
如果您方便親賜隻言片語，我將萬分感激。我只想再補充一句，我所做的一切均出自對您的愛慕和尊重，並全身心地願您更幸福，而且，這顆裝滿榮譽感和美感的心支配著我（也許沒有完全支配）——如果這些是您期望一個朋友和丈夫所具有的品質，我想您會永遠在您忠實的朋友和真摯的愛慕者身上找到。
羅伯特·彭斯
1785年3月3日
Robert Burns
To
； 1785
Dear Ellison；
I have often thought it a peculiarly unlucky circumstance in love； that though in every other situation in life telling the truth is not only the safest； but actually by far the easiest way of proceeding； a lover is never under greater difficulty in acting； nor ever more puzzled for expression than when his passion is sincere and his intentions honorable。
I do not think that it is very difficult for a person of ordinary capacity to talk of love and fondness which are not felt； and to make vows of constancy and fidelity which are never intended to be performed； if he be villain enough to practice such detestable conduct； but to a man whose heart glows with the principles of integrity and truth； and who sincerely loves a woman of amiable person； unmon refinement of sentiment； and purity of manners； from my own feelings at this present moment； courtship is a task indeed。 There is such a number of foreboding fears and distrustful anxieties crowd into my mind when I am in your pany； or when I sit down to write to you； that what to speak or what to write I am altogether at a loss。
There is one rule which I have hitherto practised and which I shall invariably keep with you and that is； honestly to tell you the plain truth。 There is something so mean and unmanly in the arts of dissimulation and falsehood that I am sur