Ihad to modernize a letter from robert burns to ellison begbie here is what i did to it
dear e-

i have often thought it was a very unlucky circumstance in love, in every other situation in life, telling the truth is not only the safest, but actually by far the easiest way of talking, a lover is never under greater difficulty in acting, or more puzzled for expression, if when his passion is sincere, and his intentions are 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 being dependable and faithfulness which are never intended to be performed, if he is villain enough to practice such hateful conduct; but to a man whose heart glows with the rules of integrity and truth, and who sincerely loves a woman of friendly actions, elegance of attitude,, and greatness of manners—to someone, in such problems, i can assure you, my dear, with my own feelings at this time,

engagement
is indeed. there is alot of worries and anxiety crowds into my mind when i am in your company, or when i sit down to write to you, i dont know what to speak or what to write, i am altogether at a loss.

there is one rule which it would make me very happy if you would send me a letter when you are ready.

my heart is devoted to you a woman that i love and respect , and is serious goal to promote your happiness; if these are qualities you wish in a husband, i hope you will ever find them in your real friend and sincere lover. and i will always be with you, and that is, honestly the plain truth. so i promise to you i am not lying because that would be unmanly of me, i am surprised that any one so noble, or so generously in passion as pure love. no, my dear e. i will never endeavor to gain your love by lying. if you will be so kind and so generous to marry me ,and be your companion, your best friend through life, there is nothing in the world that will give me greater happiness ; but i shall never think of purchasing your love by any lies , . there is one thing, my love, which i eagerly request of you, and it is this: that you would soon either put an end to my hopes by refusing me , or cure me of my fears by marrying me. did i modernize is

lochlie, 178l

my dear 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, or more puzzled for expression, than when his passion is sincere, and his intentions are 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, uncommon refinement of sentiment, and purity of manners—to such a one, in such circumstances, i can assure you, my dear, 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 company, 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 practiced, 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 surprised they can be used by any one in so noble, so generous a passion as virtuous love. no, my dear e., i shall never endeavor to gain your favor by such detestable practices. if you will be so good and so generous as to admit me for your partner, your companion, your bosom friend through life, there is nothing on this side of eternity shall give me greater transport; but i shall never think of purchasing your hand by any arts unworthy of a man, and, i will add, of a christian. there is one thing, my dear, which i earnestly request of you, and it is this: that you would soon either put an end to my hopes by a peremptory refusal, or cure me of my fears by a generous consent.

it would oblige me much if you would send me a line or two when convenient. i shall only add, further, that if behavior, regulated (though perhaps but very imperfectly) by the rules of honor and virtue, if a heart devoted to love and esteem you, and an earnest endeavor to promote your happiness; if these are qualities you would wish in a friend, in a husband, i hope you shall ever find them in your real friend and sincere lover.