MFL 50th Anniversary: A Review

(That's MFL for My Fair Lady, not NFL.  Never that.  MFL definitely trumps that.  Can I get an amen.  *we* know how to better occupy our time. :P

Well, here we are again with our recap of this week's fabulous My Fair Lady 50th Anniversary watch-along!  Whew, that's a mouthful.  :P

On Wednesday evening, Melody and Amy convened at Amy's blog with Hayden, Ashley, Evie, Jess and Ally to watch and discuss the first act of My Fair Lady. (We called it the first half but really it's closer to the first three-fifths, as the show isn't divided evenly down the middle the way it should be.)  Hayden sadly had to leave early, but the rest of us stayed around and nattered for 254 comments.  (And made the discovery that Blogger has learned to make multiple pages in comments when we talk too much.)  We were united in our disapproval of Eliza's father Alfred, rejoiced in the delights of the Rain in Spain, and made fun of Henry Higgins and his rudeness.  Also we agreed that Freddy Eynsford-Hill, despite his nice singing voice (Prince Philip!) and his moderately nice face, is a dweeb and we hope Eliza didn't go for him.  Naturally we fangirled over I Could Have Danced All Night.  Because who doesn't.  And wondered why on earth Higgins has so many servants.  Because he's a bachelor with a medium-sized house.

Cups of tea and lots of chocolate... no wonder I like My Fair Lady.

Hello one, hello all.  If you've come here for the viewing of the first half of My Fair Lady at 8 PM CST, I'm afraid you're in the wrong place.  But if you'd like to traipse on over to Amy's blog, you can join us there.  Don't forget to meet in this spot tomorrow at the same time. :)

But don't leave yet!

Behold the poll on the sidebar.  You may vote at any time between now and midnight tomorrow (Jan. 8th).

In case you can't remember what all the dresses look like, here are some pictures to jog your memory.

Most of the images are bigger if you click on them. :)

~1~ 

Purple "Just You Wait" dress

Next week on the Seventh of January, I proclaim MFL-watching dayyyyy...

Hello, all!  Today I am excited to bring some loverly news to your dashboard.

In case you weren't aware, this December is the 50th anniversary for the debut of the oh-so-popular, ten-million-award-winning, insert-professional-sounding-praises film My Fair Lady.  (If you don't want to do the math-- and if you're anything like me, you don't-- that puts us back to 1964.)

At the premiere

Well, a certain best friend and I decided we couldn't let it pass completely without doing something.  (It just happens to kind of be our special musical, so, you know.)

Emma Week Tag & Contest Entries

I can rarely resist tags when they have to do with Jane Austen! Here's an original one, with the usual survey-ish questions, and a few trivia ones thrown in! You can find it here at Elinor, Elizabeth and Emma.




Did you read the book or watch an adaption first?

I watched an adaptation first (which was the 1996 A&E version). I think it's best to read the books first, but unfortunately I didn't achieve it with any of the Jane Austen novels. I'm a rather slow reader and once I saw Sense and Sensibility (1995) I wanted mooooore! Heehee.

How many times have you read Emma?

Yep, snagged this from Miss Laurie. (With her permission. :P)

Two times. Surprisingly, it's the only Jane Austen novel I've read all the way through twice. (At this time. Before the year is out there should be two or three others.) I finished it in early 2011 for the first time (enjoying it thoroughly), and then again in November and December for school. What fun schoolwork!

Your favorite adaption is?

The BBC mini-series from 2009. It's SUPERB. 

Do Emma’s matchmaking ‘skills’ annoy you?  

Of course, a little; but in a comedic sort of way, and the more I am familiar with the outcome of the story, the less I am annoyed.

List three minor characters you like in the story.

Like... how minor are we talking here? Hmm. Okay, I'll try for as minor as I can.

--Mr. Weston. He's a bit flighty, but he is likable. 

--John Knightley. He can be annoying, but he's not in it enough to make me too annoyed... just enough to make me laugh, because he is funny. And kudos to him for giving Emma a heads-up about Mr. Elton! 

--Anna Weston. Who's she? She's the baby Mrs. Weston has at the end. How do I know I like her? I don't, really... but she's a baby. Heehee.

Which character is the most annoying of the three? Mrs. Elton, Mr. Elton or Miss Bates? 

Mrs. Elton. Mr. Elton is super annoying too... Miss Bates is so well-meaning, I can't call her "annoying." But Mrs. Elton is VERY annoying. EERRMMM. One day I should do a post about the annoyingness of Mrs. Elton... I do like some of her quotes, though. "There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." (Indubitably!) "Without music, life would be a blank to me." Although she's not sincere when she says either of them... but they're still good quotes. Oh, wait, that's attributed to Jane Austen... okay, Mrs. Elton, I have no reason to like you. (Though you do make me laugh. Only because I don't have to know you in real life.)

Have you seen any Emma spinoffs? (meaning modern adaptions like the original story)

Noooooooo. 

Unless the 1996 Gwenyth Paltrow version counts. 

(Cough, cough. Sorry.) 

The perfect sum-up of Mr. Knightley is?
HUH???
Okay, that question is almost like an oxymoron. I can't just "sum up" Mr. Knightley! If you want to know what I think of him, you can read my posts about him. ;-) 

Described what you think of Emma herself in three words or less.

Exasperating, endearing... um... Emma.

Harriet Smith receives a proposal from ____?
Mr. Elton.
(If all went according to Emma's plan, that is.)
Real answer: Mr. Robert Martin. 

Your most enjoyed scene is?

Book or movie? I'll just do both... book: Chapter 49. The proposal scene. Movie: the dance scene. Though I like the proposal scene in the movie, too. And the ending. And...lots.

The villain is?

Frank Churchill. I know I'm going against the grain to say that, but I'm saying it anyways. Frank just seems to have more in common with the usual Jane Austen villains, whereas Mr. Elton seems to fit better into the category of annoying characters (such as Mr. Collins).  If you want to know my opinions on this subject in greater detail, you can read this post, as well as this one (and the comments), but there will be spoilers. 
Anyways, Frank or else a combination of him AND Mr. Elton. 

Jane Fairfax is engaged to be married to ____? 

Mr. Dixon.
Muwahahaha.
I'm kidding. But that's top secret information, people; if you don't know the answer, you should go read the book. ;D

Miss Taylor was Emma’s ____?

Governess; but also friend, mentor... combination between an honorary sister and a mother-figure. 
{end of tag}
___
And now for my contest entries. First, we have an Emma-themed Caption Contest at "Miss Emma Woodhouse." Here are mine...

Quote: Emma (2009)

Picture: Pride and Prejudice (1995)

(Mr. Collins' real quote in that scene is "Upon my word, this puts me in mind of a small breakfast room at Rosings," and it reminded me of Mrs. Elton always talking about being reminded of Maple Grove. :P)

Quote: A paraphrase of Mrs. Jennings in Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Picture: Emma (1996, Miramax)

(Emma was complaining to Mr. Knightley about Jane Fairfax not telling her anything about Frank Churchill in this scene.)

Next, the "Keep Calm and Quote Emma" posters. I am limited as to number--only three. ;-) So here are my three.

(So that you might not be so uneducated compared to Jane Fairfax! Heehee.)

I think that's all! If you like Emma, be sure to get in on the fun! 

Anne Week Tag: My Answers

If you haven't already joined in Miss Dashwood's Anne of Green Gables Week, be sure to head over there! Here's Miss Dashwood's tag (with my answers, of course). 


1. How many of the Anne books have you read, and how many of the films have you seen?
Can I skip the first part of the question? Heh. Well, I've read the first 3, about a fourth of Anne of Windy Poplars and listened to the very beginning of Rilla of Ingleside as a recorded book on a trip one time. Enough of it to be quoting "Yeth" for the rest of my days. One day--one day soon, I am determined--I shall have read them all.
As far as movies, I've seen Anne of Green Gables and The Sequel (my review here), and some of The Continuing Story. As far as the 4th movie goes, HA! Sullivan should have stopped while he was behind. Because, really? Anne 3 was already not accepted well... what does he thinks going to happen when you totally change the story? Um, sorry. One of my many pet peeves.
I have also seen BBC's Anne of Avonlea, and part of a black and white Anne of Windy Poplars. Which I did not like. Anyway, that was a good 7 years ago.

2. If someone yanked your hair and called you carrots, what would you do to him?
Well, firstly, yanking hair and simply holding it at arm's length (the movie vs. the book) are two different things. If someone yanked my hair, I would be quite displeased. If not, I might ask them why on earth they would call me carrots and for pity's sake, to let go of my braid. (Even if I DID have red hair... carrots aren't red.)
Haha, anyways. If I was in Anne's place, I wouldn't take immediate action. I have no wish to have "Melodie has a very bad temper. Melodie must learn to control her temper." written on the blackboard, thank you very much. I would probably dislike him ever after, though. Although if he apologized I'd probably forgive him sooner than Anne did. But then again, if I didn't crack a slate over his head it might not have the same effect.

 3. What would you do if Josie Pye dared you to walk the ridgepole of a roof?
I would stay on good firm ground and let her dare away. Such absurdity!
And I would probably pull an Elizabeth Bennet and smirk and laugh at her. Ha ha! Who does she think she is? Who does she think I am? Follies and nonsense! How diverting.

4. If you had the opportunity to play any AGG (I'm abbreviating from now on because I am a lazy typist) character in an AGG play, which role would you choose?
OOoohh. Well, Anne would be really, really fun, but I'm not sure I'm entirely suited to her. (Though I have been told I have a good nose.) Maybe Josie Pye, just because someone like her would be fun to play (and I would probably be good at it. Strictly melodrama, of course). Or maybe Ruby Gillis. It's reeeally fun to have fake hysterics. (Yes, I speak from experience.)
And if it wasn't just the first book, almost definitely Philippa Gordon. :D

5. If you were marooned on a desert island, which AGG character would you want to have as a companion? (Anne, Gilbert and Diana are not options.  Let's keep this thing interesting.  Not that they're not interesting.... oh, yay, now the disclaimer to this question is longer than the question itself.  Lovely lovely lovely.)
Hmmmmm.... it's been entirely too long since I read the books, and I can't remember all the characters very well. I suppose Philippa Gordon wouldn't do; she may be entertaining, but that doesn't help you survive. Unless, of course, she has as much knowledge of what to do when you're marooned on an island as she does about what to do with an unwanted cat.
Oh! Maybe Miss Stacy. I like her. But then, it might be nicer to have someone closer to one's own age...
I am so bad at answering these questions. And all this writing about desert islands makes me thirsty. I think I shall go make some lemonade. (Haha, that's for you, Mousie.)

6. If there was going to be a new adaptation of the Anne books and you could have any part in making the movie, what would you choose to do? (screenwriting, acting, casting, costume-making are a few possibilities)
I have always dreamed of acting in one of the kinds of movies I love to watch. I'm not exactly sure who I would play, though... again, maybe Josie Pye. ;-) Although Miss Dashwood said she would be in charge of casting, and I could be Miss Cornelia Bryant. I don't actually know who that is--shameful--but as Cornelia sounds a bit like Cordelia, I suppose she'll do.
However, I would looove to be involved in screenwriting (after I know the books inside-out, that is--and someday I will) or costuming. Because I'm a self-appointed expert on historical clothing. ;-) Just kidding. But I do find it a swellicious subject to study.

7. What are, in your opinion, the funniest AGG book/movie scenes? (choose one from the books and one from the movies)
What??? AGG is MOSTLY funny scenes, how am I supposed to answer that?
Uggh.
Um... I don't know if it's really the funniest, but I absolutely love the scene where Anne and Diana walk through the Haunted Forest.
"Oh, Anne, I'm scared!"
"So am I. Deliciously scared. --Mrs. Hammond said she once felt the ghost of a murdered child creep up behind her and lay its icy fingers on her hand."
And if we're talking about The Sequel, haha. Maybe the announcement that she won Rollings Reliable in the general store, with Alice Lawson practically jumping up and down, and, haha, when Anne sort of does these fake smiles back... and then Diana comes in and has noooo idea how Anne is feeling (ooh, that's not very kindred spirit-ish....)
Anyways. Don't get me started about funny scenes or I'll be talking (nonsensically) all day.

About the book--I can't answer that one any better. Though the other day I was giggling myself silly over the Carrots scene--or rather afterwards, after Gilbert apologizes...
"And Mr. Phillips spelled my name without an e, too. The iron has entered into my soul, Diana."
Diana hadn't the least idea what Anne meant but she understood it was something terrible.

 True, I haven't read a full Anne book in a while, but you will find me poking through them every so often.
Oh, and I was also laughing over the part where Anne accidentally puts liniment into a cake because it was in the vanilla bottle (that was more Marilla's fault, if you ask me) when Mrs. Allan comes to tea.
"Why, it's all just a funny mistake that anybody might make."
"Oh, no, it takes me to make such a mistake," said Anne forlornly.

 Oohh, and one of my mom's favorites (which I happen to find very amusing too), is when Philippa tries to chloroform the cat in Anne of the Island. (I would have been quite shocked at this if it had worked, however.) I also learned where my sister got her way of speaking to cats. "Him was a nice old pussins, him was."

 Please don't re-read any of that or you might figure out I mentioned more than two scenes.

8. What are, in your opinion, the saddest AGG book/movie scenes? (choose one of each again) 
Well, my favorite sad part would have to be when Anne finds out Gilbert is sick and passes the dreadful night of too-late realization (this is in Anne of the Island). Same with the movie, except add when she goes to visit him. (Because that doesn't happen in the book.) It's the touching, rather tragic kind of sad... but it all turns out well... and that's what I like.

And you might think I'm silly, but Anne and Diana's parting gets me every time. (Especially in the book.) Even though it's mixed with some amusing things.

9. Which AGG character would you most like to spend an afternoon with? (again, Anne and Gilbert and Diana are not options for this one--think secondary characters)
Anne and Diana and Gilbert are so neglected, poor dears.
Depends on what mood I'm in. If I want to be amused and hear all the gossip, perhaps Mrs. Rachel Lynde. I vaguely remember a Miss Lavender in Anne of Avonlea who might be a delightful spend-an-afternoon-with companion, though.
And I would say Philippa (like several other people, haha) but I've probably mentioned her enough for one tag! Hmm... maybe Christine Stuart, just so I could hear her side of the story and see what she's really like, not through Anne's eyes. (I mean the one in the book who was never, ever engaged to Gilbert. --Don't get me started on that.)

10.  What is your definition of a kindred spirit?
   This question has been answered so beautifully by everyone else that I hardly want to attempt it! But I shall. And it will be far too long.
   In my experience, there are different...say...degrees of kindred spirits. Most of us bloggers have figured out that there are more general kindred spirits out there than we could have imagined, and it's so much fun to find another one. Those who have such similar interests to you, you feel like you could have known them for a few years already. You think "wow... there are really other people who are that way, too?"
   Then there are those who not only have many common interests; you also experience an understanding that goes beyond just liking the same stuff. You'll want to get to know each other very well, can talk on and on about anything and nothing, and hope you'll be friends for a long, long time. They not only put up with all your silliness and nonsense, but they like it, and you like theirs, too.
   Then, there is what I think is an even scarcer kind. A one-in-a-million, never-met-anyone-like-you kind of thing. At first it seems almost ridiculous how much you have in common... not only the same interests, but the same un-interests, too. And then, of course, since nobody could be or should be exactly alike, you start finding the differences; but those differences complement each other and you find that though the other person doesn't think the same way you do in some things, they understand exactly what you mean anyways. It can be alarming how well (and quickly!) they really have you figured out... they know what you mean before you say it... you find out they've been thinking the exact same thing as you and then both go off into gales of laughter. You make a reference or a joke expecting to have to explain it, but before you even can, they already knew what you meant--AND were properly amused by it. You will both have a sense of humor that is appreciated by the other perhaps more than by anybody else. (Family members, after all, get tired of your jokes sometimes. ;-) ) They can practically say two words and make your day. When you're with other people, the kindred spirit will often come to mind as the only person who would "get" what you said, or what you would have said if they were there... You can be far apart from them and yet feel like you're close, because your kindred spirits bind you together. 
   It's hard, when I'm writing this, not to get confused between a kindred spirit and a bosom friend, because they are, after all, different. One can be a kindred spirit without ever being your bosom friend (which is unfortunate), and it is possible to have a bosom friend who isn't the highest degree of kindred spirit... though I'm inclined to think that wouldn't last quite as long.
    Anyways. This is far too long, so I'll pull a Mr. Micawber-- In short, a kindred spirit is someone whom you meet and think "We were just meant to be friends!" 


P.S. And a kindred spirit is someone who doesn't mind when I am nonsensically long-winded and ramble-ish? Hehe?

Vote for Lines of Literature!

 

"Couldn't have said it better myself." As that is often the case with classic literature, it can be amusing to try to say it worse. Last week I challenged my readers to dumb down some classic quotes as a satire on modern language, just for the fun of it.

The Lines of Literature Paraphrase Challenge is now closed for entries. I received 25 quotes in all, which is more than I was expecting and I am very happy. Thank you so much, everyone!
 Now comes a fun part, when you get to read everyone else's; only you won't know who wrote what. That, my dear readers, will not be revealed until the end. 
 I have divided everything up into 8 polls. The polls will be open until a week from today (Wed., March 14, 2012) and then I will post the results and probably one large poll to determine the overall favorite. And I may just make a button or two for prizes. ;)

I would suggest not voting for your own, just because I think it's easier for you and perhaps more fair in general. At least, when I have the option to vote for my own thing, it's far more difficult than if I wasn't supposed to. But I don't forbid it. Especially if you really do like your own the best... hehe.

 Poll One: From Emma by Jane Austen
1.
Original Quote:
"Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her."
Satire:
"Emma Woodhouse, gorgeous, smart and loaded with cash, with a great house and a happy-go-lucky attitude, had basically everything anybody could want and had gotten through almost 21 years without having any reason for a temper tantrum."

 2. 
Original Quote:
"Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of." 
Satire:

"People like people who are interesting, so people will speak kindly of young people who die or get married." 
 

3.

Original Quote:

"I am very much astonished, Mr. Elton. This to me! you forget yourself—you take me for my friend—any message to Miss Smith I shall be happy to deliver; but no more of this to me, if you please."

Satire:

"Hello, Harriet cannot come to the phone right now. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message and Harriet will be with your shortly." 

{Poll removed--results}

Poll Two: From Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

1.
Original Quote:

“The power of doing any thing with quickness is always much prized by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance.”

Paraphrase:

“If you can do it fast, you’re proud of it – despite the awful job you’re doing.” 

 2. 
Original Quote:
I have not the pleasure of understanding you.
Paraphrase:
"I ain’t got no idea what you’re going on about."

 3 & 4
Original Quote:
A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. 
(3) Paraphrase:
"You say to one girl that another girl is pretty, and instantly she starts planning your wedding."
(4) Paraphrase:
“Ladies have big imaginations – they are sure that if you think a girl is cute, you love her; if you love her, you want to marry her. And all this imagining in only a second!” 

{Poll removed--results}

Poll 3: Charles Dickens quotes

1.
Original Quote:
"And, as Tiny Tim observed, 'God bless us, every one!'"
~A Christmas Carol
Interpretation: 

"So, to quote Tiny Tim, 'Let's all have a great and politically correct day, okay?'"

(Author's note: "Because seriously, if ACC had been published today, that's probably how the book would've ended. :P")

2.

Original Quote:

“Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people.”

Interpretation:

“A flatterer’s taste is only good when you have him all to yourself – once he speaks of others, he’s not so great.” 
 

3.

Original Quote:

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity..."

- A Tale of Two Cities

Interpretation:

“It was the most awesome of times, it was the most awful of times, it was the age of cleverness, it was the age of stupidity, it was the time of faith, it was the time of doubt...” 
 

4.

Original Quote:

"The said company being now relieved from further attendance, and the chief Barnacles being rather hurried (for they had it in hand just then to send a mail or two which was in danger of going straight to its destination, beating about the seas like the Flying Dutchman, and to arrange with complexity for the stoppage of a good deal of important business otherwise in peril of being done), went their several ways."

- Little Dorrit 

Interpretation:

"Then the guests could go, and since the important Barnacles were in a rush (because they had to send the mail that was going to its address to somewhere else and stop business that was getting done) they left."

{Poll removed--results}

Poll 4: Henry Tilney's "gentleman or lady" quote

Original Quote:"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." (Northanger Abbey)
Paraphrases:
1. “Anyone who doesn’t love a good book is stupid.“
2. “The person, whether a guy or gal, who doesn’t have fun reading a good book, must be amazingly dumb.”
3. “A guy or girl who does not like reading a novel is dumb.”

{Poll removed--results}

Poll Five: From Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
1.
Original Quote:
"There certainly are not so many men of large fortune as there are pretty women to deserve them."
- Mansfield Park
Paraphrase:
"There aren’t enough rich guys to go around."

 2.
Original Quote:

"When she heard him declare that of music and dancing he was passionately fond, she gave him such a look of approbation as secured the largest share of his discourse to herself for the rest of his stay."

- Sense and Sensibility 
Paraphrase:

"When he said he liked music and dancing, she smiled so much that he talked to her till he left." 

3.

Original Quote:

"Let him have all the perfections in the world, I think it ought not to be set down as certain that a man must be be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself."

- Fanny Price, Mansfield Park 

Paraphrase:

“Even if he has all the good points in the world, I think it shouldn’t be assumed that a guy will be loved by every girl he might decide he likes.”
 

4.

Original Quote: 

"You will think my question an odd one, I dare say," said Lucy to her one day, as they were walking together from the park to the cottage—"but pray, are you personally acquainted with your sister-in-law's mother, Mrs. Ferrars?"

- Lucy Steele, Sense and Sensibility 

Paraphrase:

 “Hey, completely random question here: you know your brother’s wife’s mother?”

{Poll removed--results}
Poll Six: More quotes from Northanger Abbey

1.
Original Quote:"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. I have read all Mrs. Radcliffe's works, and most of them with great pleasure. The Mysteries of Udolpho, when I had once begun it, I could not lay down again; -- I remember finishing it in two days -- my hair standing on end the whole time."
- Henry Tilney (longer quote)
Satire:

"Anyone, guy or girl, who can't read a book, is really dumb. I read all Radcliffe's stuff, some of them were awesome. The Mysteries of Udolpho, after I finally cracked it, I couldn't put it down; -- I was done in two days -- It freaked me out. Spooky."
 

2.

Original Quote:

"But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way." 

Satire:

“But when a girl is destined to be a star, the lack of guys in the neighborhood can’t stop her. Something has to take place to bring a cute guy into her life.”
 

3.

Original Quote:

"Very true," said Henry, "and this is a very nice day, and we are taking a very nice walk, and you are two very nice young ladies." 

Satire:

"Yeah," he said “and this is a cool day, and this is a cool walk, and you are two cool chicks!"

{Poll removed--results}
Poll 7: Miscellaneous

1.
Original Quote:

“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.”

- Mark Twain

Paraphrase:

“Shut up and let people think you’re foolish –it’s better than opening your mouth and making them right.” 

2.
Original Quote:

"Reader, I married him."
~Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Paraphrase:

"Dude, we got hitched."

{Poll removed--results}
And lastly...
Poll Eight: Captain Wentworth's Letter
Two people actually had the same idea! I don't know how you all will choose between the two of them, but here they are...

Original:

"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in
F. W."
"I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never."

- Captain Wentworth, Persuasion by Jane Austen

Paraphrase 1:

“I can’t listen any more without speaking up. I have to talk to you using the resources at hand. You stab my very soul. I am half despairing, half wishing. Don’t tell me I’m too late, that the cherished feelings we had are gone forever. I give myself to you again with a heart more devoted to you then when you almost broke it eight-and-a-half years ago. Don’t you dare say that guys forget sooner than girls do or that their love dies sooner. I have loved no one but you. I may have been unfair, rotten and bitter, but never unfaithful. I came to Bath because of you. You’re the only one I think about and plan for. Haven’t you seen this? Haven’t you been able to figure out my wishes? I wouldn’t have waited the last ten days if I had been able to detect what you were feeling, as you seem to have detected my feelings. I can barely write. Every moment I’m hearing you say something that astounds me! Now you’ve lowered your voice but I can still hear your sweet words even if no one else can. You are too good and too awesome dear! You do understand us, your verdicts are good. You do understand that guys can be just as equally in love and just as faithful as girls can. Please believe me to be your loving and faithful 
F.W. 
I have to go now without knowing what the future holds but I will be back and follow you. A comment or a glance from you will be enough for me to understand whether I should go to your father’s house tonight or never see you again.”

Paraphrase 2:

"I can't just sit here quietly any more! I have to talk to you the only way I can. My spirit is broken, half of me is depressed, the other half is in the clouds! Don't you dare tell me I spoke too late, that your love is erased forever.I'm proposing again! I belong to you now, more then I did years ago when you completely broke my heart.
  Don't you dare tell me that men forget sooner then women! Or that his love dies first! I've loved only you.  I might have been unfair, I was weak and held a grudge, but I never loved another.You're the reason I'm in Bath. You're the motivation when I think and plan my days. Haven't you noticed?
  I wouldn't have even stayed in town for these last ten days if I could read your heart, the way I believe you've read mine. I can barely write.This very second I hear you whisper something which overpowers me. You are quiet but I can hear your voice when others can't.
  You are too wonderful! You give us due credit. You do believe a man can really love and be attached faithfully! Believe that mine is very faithful to you!"

   F.W.

I have to leave now, but I'll come back, or follow you, ASAP. Just say yes or smile, and I'll talk to your dad soon.

{Poll removed--results}

You get applause from me, everyone! It's been fun collecting your quotes. A little tricky though, too...if I missed any of yours, PLEASE let me know and I will do my best to correct my mistake.
It would be "awesome" if you'd comment and tell us what you voted for. =)