Saturday 15 August 1668
Up, and to the office, where all the morning busy, and after dinner with my wife, Mercer, and Deb., to the King’s playhouse, and there saw “Love’s Mistresse” revived, the thing pretty good, but full of variety of divertisement. So home and to my business at the office, my eyes bad again, and so to bed.
Robert Gertz Link to this
So, scratch the tubes? Poor Sam. I know the feeling as cataract surgery looms. I note we hear nothing of Bess' reaction to this except the vague feeling that Sam has pulled in a little during this time of crisis and seems to be relying on her more. Still, just the fact that he seems to be drawing on her and home for comfort and can even consider losing his place with some degree of resignation suggests they have, in spite of their problems and his tendency to wander, built a fairly secure home life that he feels he can turn to.
Michael L Link to this
Robert: so if I hear you right, the tune he would be playing for her is "Bess, you is my woman now."
Robert Gertz Link to this
No, more "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To."
Terry Foreman Link to this
"busy"
Most often Pepys writes "Up, and to the office, where all the morning," -- but today he writes "where all the morning busy."
***
Has anyone else been struck by how often of late Pepys goes accompanied -- makes an appearance with his entourage -- at one of the theatres?
What started this? What of those oaths of old to ration such pleasure?
Mary Link to this
I had noticed, Terry, and also remarked how often he has taken Elizabeth with him of late. I wondered whether this practice was (partly, at least) aimed at pacifying his wife over the wretched time that she claimed to have had when rusticated to the in-laws' place earlier in the summer. That was enough to provoke her to threaten to leave Sam (for the second time that we know of during their marriage).
Robert Gertz Link to this
It must raise a few eyebrows to see Pepys strutting in with Bess on arm, the lovely (too bad she couldn't have been a Lucy) Mercer and Deb in attendance, often likely trailed by Tom Edwards, Will Hewer, and possibly others from the office, their presence considered too routine or insignificant by Sam to mention.
By now reaching Sam at times like this probably gets quite Byzantine... "Mr. Pepys is occupied but let me take your name, sir and he'll get back to you shortly. Ah, miss...Right this way. Mr. Pepys is waiting. Now, sir, if you would like to see Mr. Pepys on Thursday, I have an opening while he's at the King's playhouse during intermission...Though I could possibly squeeze you in today at the office when he returns, if the press of business is not too... Thank you, sir..." pockets bribe. "Yes...I do believe I can fit you in today."
Will Norton Link to this
Dear Friends,
This week there is an adaptation of some of Sam's diary on the bbc. The link is pasted below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0135qsk
Happy listening
Will
JWB Link to this
"...but full of variety of divertisement..."
We're all Aristotelian now...
"Essay of Dramatic Poesy" by John Dryden
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essay_of_Dramatick...
"An Essay of
Dramatick Poesie" By John Dryden
Edited by Jack Lynch
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Texts/dram...
Alan Link to this
"This week there is an adaptation of some of Sam’s diary on the bbc."
Alas, "iPlayer is only supported in the UK".
Interesting that the Beeb should have this dramatisation slotted against the "Women's Hour" programming.
Jim Link to this
I'm in the USA, and I was able to listen to the BBC reading of Sam's diary on the link provide by Will.
arby Link to this
Thanks, Will.
arby Link to this
Actually, Will's link didn't work for me either, I'm also a USian. But I was able to hear it by Googling "woman's hour drama bbc pepys". It's still Radio 4, and it's still the iPlayer, but it works.
Todd Bernhardt Link to this
Works for me, and I'm in the EuEssAay...
Robert Gertz Link to this
Very nice show, thanks Will.
Michael L Link to this
I just heard the first two episodes of the BBC Radio 4 production. It's indeed good, but I do wish they had played "Let Beauty Retire" as their opening tune instead.
Margaret Link to this
The link to the BBC radio program works just fine here in Canada. Thanks, Will.
Robert Gertz Link to this
Just hearing Capt Holmes calling our boy "Pepsy" is worth listening to the show.
Alan Link to this
Guess I'll need to try again!