Dryden, John, 1631-1700; English literature -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism
mind being in pain, Saunders after my wife and father, to
overtake them at their night's lodging, to see how matters go
with them. In the evening, I sent for my cousin Sarah and her
husband, who come; and I did deliver them my chest of writings
about Brampton, and my brother Tom's papers, and my journals,
which I value much; and did send my two silver flagons to Kate
Joyce's: that so, being scattered what I have, something might
be saved. I have also made a girdle, by which, with some
trouble, I do carry about me £300 in gold about my body, that I
may not be without something in case I should be surprised: for
I think, in any nation but our's, people that appear, for we
are not indeed so, so faulty as we, would have their throats
cut.'
'July 14th (Lord's day). Up, and my wife, a little before four,
and to make us ready; and by and by Mrs. Turner come to us, by
agreement, and she and I staid talking below, while my wife
dressed herself, which vexed me that she was so long about it,
keeping us till past five o'clock before she was ready. She
ready; and, taking some bottles of wine, and beer, and some
cold fowl with us into the coach, we took coach and four
horses, which I had provided last night, and so away. A very
fine day, and so towards Epsom, talking all the way pleasantly,
and particularly of the pride and ignorance of Mrs. Lowther, in
having of her train carried up. The country very fine, only the
way very dusty. To Epsom, by eight o'clock, to the well; where
much company, and I drank the water: they did not, but I did
drink four pints. And to the town, to the King's Head; and hear
that my Lord Buckhurst and Nelly are lodged at the next house,
and Sir Charles Sedley with them: and keep a merry house. Poor
girl! I pity her; but more the loss of her at the King's house.
W. Hewer rode with us, and I left him and the women, and myself
walked to church, where few people to what I expected, and none
I knew, but all the Houblons, brothers, and them after sermon I
did salute, and walk with towards my inn.... Then I carried
them to see my cousin Pepys's house, and 'light, and walked
round about it, and they like it, as indeed it deserves, very
well, and is a pretty place; and then I walked them to the wood
hard by, and there got them in the thickets till they had lost
themselves, and I could not find the way into any of the walks
in the wood, which indeed are very pleasant, if I could have
found them. At last got out of the wood again; and I, by
leaping down the little bank, coming out of the wood, did
sprain my right foot, which brought me great present pain, but
presently, with walking, it went away for the present, and so
the women and W. Hewer and I walked upon the Downs, where a
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