Poetry; but finding me loath to tell, sayd he doubted not I preferred Romances, and that he had read manie, and loved them dearly too. I sayd, I loved _Shakspeare's_ Plays better than _Sidney's_ Arcadia; on which he cried "Righte," and drew nearer to me, and woulde have talked at greater length; but, knowing from _Rose_ how learned he was, I feared to shew him I was a sillie Foole; soe, like a sillie Foole, held my Tongue. Dinner; Eggs, Bacon, roast Ribs of Lamb, Spinach, Potatoes, savoury Pie, a _Brentford_ Pudding, and Cheesecakes. What a pretty Housewife _Rose_ is! _Roger's_ plain Hospitalitie and scholarlie Discourse appeared to much Advantage. He askt of News from Paris; and Mr. _Milton_ spoke much of the _Swedish_ Ambassadour, _Dutch_ by Birth; a Man renowned for his Learning, Magnanimity, and Misfortunes, of whome he had seene much. He tolde _Rose_ and me how this Mister _Van der Groote_ had beene unjustlie caste into Prison by his Countrymen; and how his good Wife had shared his Captivitie, and had tried to get his Sentence reversed; failing which, she contrived his Escape in a big Chest, which she pretended to be full of heavie olde Bookes. Mr. _Milton_ concluded with the Exclamation, "Indeede, there never was such a Woman;" on which, deare _Roger_, whome I beginne to love, quoth, "Oh yes, there are manie such,--we have two at Table now." Whereat, Mr. _Milton_ smiled. At Leave-taking pressed Mr. _Agnew_ and _Rose_ to come and see us soone; and _Dick_ askt Mr. _Milton_ to see the Bowling Greene. Ride Home, delightfulle. _May 14th, 1643_. Thought, when I woke this Morning, I had been dreaminge of St. _Paul_ let down the Wall in a Basket; but founde, on more closely examining the Matter, 'twas _Grotius_ carried down the Ladder in a Chest; and methought I was his Wife, leaninge from the Window above, and crying to the Souldiers, "Have a Care, have a Care!" 'Tis certayn I shoulde have betraied him by an Over-anxietie. Resolved to give _Father_ a _Sheepscote_ Dinner, but _Margery_ affirmed the Haunch woulde no longer keepe, so was forced to have it drest, though meaninge to have kept it for Companie. Little _Kate_, who had been out alle the Morning, came in with her Lap full of Butter-burs, the which I was glad to see, as _Mother_ esteemes them a sovereign Remedie 'gainst the Plague, which is like to be rife in _Oxford_ this Summer, the Citie being so overcrowded on account of his Majestie. While laying them out on the Stille-room Floor, in bursts _Robin_ to say Mr. _Agnew_ and Mr. _Milton_ were with _Father_ at the Bowling Greene, and woulde dine here. Soe was glad _Margery_ had put down the Haunch. Twas past One o' the Clock, however, before it coulde be sett on Table; and I had just run up to pin on my Carnation Knots, when I hearde them alle come in discoursing merrilie.