Francisco Correa Netto
(around 1664) Portugal
Sacristain
Sacristan of the Cathedral of Silves, who in 1664 wrote a series of love letters to a guitarist and musical instrument maker named Manuel Viegas with whom he apparently had a brief affair, and with whom he was madly in love (these are the oldest surviving openly homoerotic letters in a modern European language). He also wrote love letters to Juan Pacheco, marquess of Villena.
Correa Netto's letters tell a tale of seduction, passionate lovemaking, and, ultimately, betrayal: Viegas deserts Correa Netto to marry a woman, Marie Nunes, and turns the letters over to the vicar of Correa Netto's cathedral; the vicar attempted to have Correa Netto tried by the Portuguese Inquisition, but failed due to a lack of required evidence in the carefully-worded contents of the letters, moreover the Inquisition required that two persons denounce a suspect, and only Viegas came forward.
Senhor Manoel Viegas:
If men sleep with me, it is not to find a pussy. They place the cock between my legs, and there they have their way. I do not achieve it. If Your Grace (Vossa Merce) would wish the same, dispose of me, I am at your service, to whom I swear unto death, to offer what is needed, and the losses are mine.
Francisco Correa Netto
Tender gift to me and longing of my senses, the tranquillity of my thoughts about you is the proof of how much I desire and love you!
Now I shall not have peace nor hope of having you, because I see that not even with the best argument will my pledge serve you, heart wounded to death, heart never to be released from my affection for you.
My love and bounty: my feelings cannot rest an hour, either by day or night, without bringing to mind your companionship and your sweet words that are continually reflected in my memory.
Mirror of my sight and joy, if I have any right to you, bring peace to my heart and confirm the news I received this evening, that you were betrothed to a niece of Francisco Luiz last Monday. I would have said that by Easter you would be betrothed to me. You implied that often, and you gave your word on it. But do as you please: in spite of this I shall not stop doing what I can to be at your service. And remembering your arms and the kiss you gave me, that is what torments me most! And you know this subject well, in that heart of your loins, it was that which desired me, with its craving to fly up. There was no Lent for that heart in your loins, when I touched it with my fingers, and instantly it sprang up!
And you, so evil, who did not want to do what comes so naturally!
Goodbye, my darling, my happiness, my true love!
My idea is that, even though you may be married, you do not have to break your promise to be the betrothed of your devoted Francisquinha. It seems to me you told Manoel da Costa that if I complied with your whims, even then you would not come to me, because you do not care, and it was all sham.
Here is paper to answer: Now you have no excuse not to write for lack of paper.
False Traitor!
False deluded love: with what words can I express this sentiment? After Your Grace (Vossa Merce) left, news came to me that Your Grace intended to possess Maria Nunes (...) she said that Your Grace gave her some [of the biscuits he had given Viegas], and she said there were none so perfect. So it seems that Your Grace has a great love for her, because she says that you come from your lovers, bringing her their gifts (...) she goes around telling everyone that she saw what you gave me on my finger (...) and I had to excuse this by saying that I had purchased the ring from Your Grace (...)
False and Flatterer:
If I could mock, scoffing at someone in love! But in the end, quem mais ama menos merece. For me there were only tears, tears caused by you and by so many skirts. Now she has what I desired. So often I have sent you word not to pay attention to me, but why do you dine with your women friends rather than with me, and then why do you send me notes that are lies? Those women were jealous of me because I wore someone else's ring. They said that I should return it to its owner. And here it is.
I don't want anything of yours in my possession. Do the same with what you have of mine, and that will give me much pleasure. Do not ever speak to me or look at me again. I return the ring to encourage the hilarity of your lady friends.
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