Pride&Prejudice Proposal

Rachael Kerr
AP English 11
October 3, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
Rewritten proposal
My dearest Elizabeth, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you would be mine. I could have chosen from any of you sisters, but nay. I could have taken any woman where I was from, but nay. I did not want them; none of the compare to your silent beauty. It may seem that I am getting ahead of myself, but that is what you have done to me. You enflame my very heart, which boils my mind, and knots my stomach. It pains me when you are not near, for these symptoms only grow worse. I need you in my life, or I fear they will kill me.
I hope I am not frightening you with my feelings, but they are so violent within me, I cannot hold them any longer. Although I know we have not had too many chances-closer to none- to know each other at all, I want- no, I need- these chances. Please, let us figure each other out, together, forever. I can tell you about me, and it would please me to hear about you: I am a clergyman, desiring marriage to a fair maiden, but shaking to the core, awaiting her answer. Perhaps in the future you might learn more about me, and I might learn about you.
My love, you make me slur my words, you make my heart skip several beats, you make me think irrational thoughts. But I do not care for these ill-effects. For I know, when you accept my hand, my heart will undergo a final surge, and then settle and rest in you. And my hopes will be that you rest your own in mine. Please, I humbly plead, consider me. In being your husband, I will love you, cherish you, and stay by you forever. I will not judge you based on the actions of your family (as did Mr. Darcy). I will never judge you, but if I did, it would be based on you and only you.
I know this all must seem very humorous to you; to think that someone as gauche as myself asking for your hand in marriage. But please, gentle angel, do not laugh, unless in the bliss of pleasant surprise. I am completely serious in my proposal; although I am sure my disposition gives an air of jest. I have, over and over and over again, recited the words to this proposal in my head, but now that I repeat it in your presence, I have forgotten how to speak. I must sound very plain, but all my eloquence is lost after one look into your majestic eyes. So I will take a breath and try once more.
My lovely Elizabeth, my heart goes out to you, pleading as a young lad does for a puppy; only this matter is much more serious. I want to be with you, forever. I want to take your slender hand and fix a ring upon it, so brilliant it seems to be made of moonlight. If you accept my proposal, please know that you will have made me the absolute happiness in the history of the entire universe. Knowing that every morning, I will be able to roll over to your delicate features, softly breathing, to sniff your hair, the scent of angels, and to hold you in my arms, to protect you from everything. Elizabeth, will you marry me?