The opening paragraph where Pepys reflects on death and our attitudes towards it may be the best passage — and wisest — that I have read in his diary. May we discover even more delightful highlights to come in this wonderful blog!
@Bill (& everybody too!) : i guess that here, “fain” is used in the OED meaning defined in A.2.b below:
FAIN (…) A.A adj. 1.A.1 Glad, rejoiced, well-pleased. Often in phrases, full fain, glad and fain. Const. of; also followed by inf. or subord. clause. Now chiefly dial. or poet. (…) 2.A.2 Const. to with inf. Glad under the circumstances; glad or content to take a certain course in default of opportunity for anything better, or as the lesser of two evils. (…) b.A.2.b This passes gradually into the sense: Necessitated, obliged.
A 353 year-old punchline? "This afternoon I hear that my man Will hath lost his clock with my tankard, at which I am very glad." Petty or not petty? Well, all i can say is that i burst out laughing when i read this! Thanks Samuel.
Comments
Second Reading
About Monday 19 October 1663
jpmrb • Link
The opening paragraph where Pepys reflects on death and our attitudes towards it may be the best passage — and wisest — that I have read in his diary. May we discover even more delightful highlights to come in this wonderful blog!
About Saturday 22 March 1661/62
jpmrb • Link
@Bill : Bravo, Bill, great detective work. That firing of guns thing was becoming silly!
About A new design
jpmrb • Link
Great new design i.m.h.o. Congratulations!
About Thursday 16 January 1661/62
jpmrb • Link
Very classy new design, congratulations!
About Wednesday 25 December 1661
jpmrb • Link
@Bill (& everybody too!) : i guess that here, “fain” is used in the OED meaning defined in A.2.b below:
FAIN (…)
A.A adj.
1.A.1 Glad, rejoiced, well-pleased. Often in phrases, full fain, glad and fain. Const. of; also followed by inf. or subord. clause. Now chiefly dial. or poet. (…)
2.A.2 Const. to with inf. Glad under the circumstances; glad or content to take a certain course in default of opportunity for anything better, or as the lesser of two evils.
(…)
b.A.2.b This passes gradually into the sense: Necessitated, obliged.
About Wednesday 24 July 1661
jpmrb • Link
A 353 year-old punchline? "This afternoon I hear that my man Will hath lost his clock with my tankard, at which I am very glad." Petty or not petty? Well, all i can say is that i burst out laughing when i read this! Thanks Samuel.