They are the words that are designed to pull at the heartstrings. Now, a survey has singled out the most romantic lines from literature, film or television. Emma Knights reports.
It can be a fine line between striking the right, touching note and tipping over into cheesiness.
But now a new study has identified the most romantic lines ever uttered in literature, film or television.
The survey, conducted among 2,000 women, singled out these words in the number one spot – 'My heart is, and always will be, yours'.
They are said by Edward Ferrars to Elinor Dashwood in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, the classic novel which in 1995 was adapted for the big screen and saw Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson play the characters.
Thompson went on to win an Oscar for her adaptation of Austen's text.
Edward Ferrars's simple, heartfelt statement to the love of his life won the 'most romantic line' accolade after receiving 16pc of the votes.
Sophie Scott-Brown, programme manager at Writers' Centre Norwich, said she believed its beautiful simplicity was the reason it was so popular. 'This quote captures the very best spirit of love, spoken with Jane Austen's characteristic no-frills elegance,' she said.
'What Austen conveyed so well is that real romance is simple, honest and above all enduring. The most memorable quote is that which you do not have to learn but already know, and have always known, to be true.'
The quote topped a list that also featured heart-melting moments from Dirty Dancing, Titanic, Wuthering Heights, When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill, Ghost, Far From The Madding Crowd, Love Actually and Pride And Prejudice.
The lines were the top choice of 2,000 British women who were polled for the TV channel Drama. The TV station is launching its Leading Man Weekend for St Valentine's Day.
What's your most romantic line? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk
The Top 10:
• 'My heart is, and always will be, yours.' Edward Ferrars in Sense And Sensibility
• 'I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you.' Baby Houseman in Dirty Dancing
• 'Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me ... it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful. You must do me this honour, Rose. Promise me you'll survive.' Jack Dawson in Titanic
• 'When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.' Harry, in When Harry Met Sally
• 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.' Catherine, in Wuthering Heights
• 'I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.' Anna Scott, in Notting Hill
• 'I love you. I really love you.' 'Ditto.' Sam and Molly, in Ghost
• 'And at home by the fire, whenever you look up there I shall be. And whenever I look up, there will be you.' Gabriel Oak, in Far From The Madding Crowd
• 'But for now, let me say without hope or agenda to me, you are perfect, and my wasted heart will love you...' Mark, in Love Actually
• 'In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.' Mr Darcy, in Pride And Prejudice
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