Dearest Sybille!
Your letter brought me great comfort, and now I feel I have a piece of home while I am far away. England is beautiful, quite rainy at times but when the sun shines it makes up for it with its glorious rays. I have yet to meet the king but I'm sure it can be arranged soon. I'm looking forward to such, actually.
It is wonderful that the king now has a son. Will he make him his heir? We should all be happy, especially if it brings joy to our sovereign. I know how much you love King Richard and now this must be so hard for you to bear. My heart goes out to you and if you were here I'd give you a big hug and pour us both a glass of wine and we would mourn together. But I hope this small piece shall suffice:
"Ah, what a trifle is a heart,
if once into love's hands it come!
If it were not so, what did become
of my heart when I first saw thee?
I brought a heart into the room,
but from the room I carried none with me.
If it had gone to thee, I know
mine would have taught thine heart to show
more pity unto me; but Love alas!
at one first blow did shiver it as glass.
Therefore I think my breast hath all
those pieces still, though they be not unite;
and now, as broken glasses show
a hundred lesser faces, so
my rags of heart can like, wish, and adore
but after one such love, can love no more."
Be stron of heart, dear sister. Take solace that when the sun rises there is a new chance each day, and that your life has not yet finished, and there are so many reasons for that.
With much love and prayers,
Ami.