Samuel Pepys and the World He Lived In

For many a lover hastow slayn, and wilt;
Thi pourynge in wol nowher lat hem dwelle:
What? profrestow thi light here for to selle?
Go selle it hem that smale seles grave,
We wol the nought, as nedeth no day have!”

    Troylus and Cryseyde, book iii. ll. 1408–14.

128

This is so interesting a fact that I think Dryden’s letter to Pepys on the subject may well appear in full at this place:—

    “July 14, 1699.

“Padron Mio,

“I remember last year when I had the honour of dining with you, you were pleased to recommend to me the character of Chaucer’s “Good Parson.” Any desire of yours is a command to me, and accordingly I have put it into my English, with such additions and alterations as I thought fit.

“Having translated as many fables from Ovid, and as many novels from Boccace, and tales from Chaucer, as will make an indifferent large volume in folio, I intend them for the press in Michaelmas term next. In the mean time my Parson desires the favour of being known to you, and promises if you find any fault in his character, he will reform it. Whenever you please, he shall wait on you, and for the safer conveyance, I will carry him in my pocket, who am

    “My Padron’s most obedient servant,
    “John Dryden.

“For Samuel Pepys, Esq.,

At his house in York Street, These.”

In Pepys’s answer, dated on the same day, he writes: “You truly have obliged me, and, possibly, in saying so, I am more in earnest than you can readily think, as verily hoping from this your copy of one ‘Good Parson’ to fancy some amends made me for the hourly offence I bear with from the sight of so many lewd originals.”—Smith’s “Life, &c., of Pepys,” vol. ii. pp. 254–55.

129

Smith’s “Life, &c., of Pepys,” vol. i. pp. 169–81.

130

“Diary,” Nov. 28, 1663.

131

Smith’s “Life, &c., of Pepys,” vol. i. p. 343.

132

“Diary,” March 2, 1663–64.

133

“Diary,” Dec. 21, 1663.

134

“Notes and Queries,” 1st S. vi. 534.

135

“The little knowledge in music which I have, never was of more use to me than it is now, under the molestations of mind which I have at this time more than ordinary to contend with.”—Smith’s “Life, &c., of Pepys,” vol. i. p. 199.

136

“Diary,” Nov. 30, 1667.

137

“Diary,” Dec. 6, 1665; Feb. 23, 1665–66; Nov. 9, 1666.

138

Letter dated Sept. 25, 1679, in Smith’s “Life, &c., of Pepys,” vol. i. p. 200.

139

References to the “Diary” where the several instruments are mentioned:—

Lute, Jan. 25, 31, Feb. 4, March 18, 1659–60; Oct. 21, Nov. 9, 21, 1660; May 26, 1662.

Viol, Jan. 4, March 4, 6, Feb. 17, 1662–63; Sept. 28, 1664.

Lyre viol, Nov. 17, 1660; Oct. 16, Nov. 20, 1666.

Bass viol, July 5, 1662; April 17, 1663.

Arched viol, Oct. 5, 1664.

Treble, April 23, 1660.

Violin, March 6, 1659–60; April 6, 10, Nov. 21, 1660; April 23, June 6, 1661; June 15, 1663.

Theorbo, March 5, 1569–60; Nov. 24, Dec. 30, 1660; Oct. 9, 28, Dec. 7, 1661; Aug. 21, 1663; July 30, 1666.

Guitar, June 8, 1660; July 27, 1661.

Cittern, June 5, 1660; Jan. 17, 1660–61.

Bandore, Oct. 15, 1662.

Recorder, April 8, 1668.

Flageolet, Jan. 16, 30, Feb. 8, 9, 27, 1659–60; May 14, June 21, 1660; June 5, 1661; Jan. 20, 1667–68.

Triangle, March 18, 1662–63; April 1, 15, June 21, 1663.