The Ladies | Page 5

not in others, for, if you will have me a bold Slut, no doubt but I will do

my endeavours to please you," and so whiskte off, he sitting astonied.
And strange how men will like in otheres what in their own Wives they
love not but fear.
14th.--This day I by my Lady's desire to see the young Lady which is a
fine Babe and like to do well. But no word of Sam'l to stand Godfather,
and Sir J. Minnes and Lrd Brouncker spoke of, which is no more than I
thought, but will make Sam'l madd with his spoones. But no loss herein
if it do make him more biddable in women's matters. Her La'ship
observing that my Lutestring suit is well worn and do me no credit, I
did adventure to beseech her that she would break a word with Sam'l on
his next waiting upon her that he would give me a Gown of Moyre
which is now all the fashion, and this, with many good words she
promist very lovingly, desiring that I would come in a weeks time to
learn how she hath sped. So I home in good Tune as knowing he oweth
his duty to my Lord and Lady and will be said by her. In comes fayre
Mrs Margaret Wight to sup on a dish of Eggs and butter of Sparagus
that Sam'l hath ate with my Lord Carlingford and do highly commend.
And indeed it is rare meat. After, we dancing and very merry with Mrs
Margaret, and she gone, I take occasion to tell Sam'l of the Godfathers
like to stand for the young Lady. Whereat he in a great Tosse, but I
willing to smoothe all betwixt him and my Lady do tell him the
honourable words she have spoke of him to myself and others, the
more especially of his Velvet suit with scarlet ribands. The which
pleasing him, we fall to discourse of what to do with the Spoons and
Porringer, resolving the spoons do go to Betty Michell where certayne
it is I do stand Godmother, and the Porringer to Mrs Lane, whose name
I know not but will come at shortly, and he do cry her up for a sober
and God-fearing woman. So pleasantly to bed and good frends.
16th.--This day comes my new cook-Mayd, Jane Gentleman, and
heaven send she prove worthy of her name, for I am drove almost madd
with mayds that are not mayds but Sluts and know not diligence nor
cleanliness, to their own undoing and mine. And strange it is to
consider how in the olden days before my mother and Grandmother
(who suffered great horroures from the like) the mayds were a
peaceable and diligent folk, going about their busyness to the great

content of all housewives. But now it is not so. And it is only two days
sennight that I coming suddenly in did find Sarah with my new silk
Hood upon her Frowsy head and Will discoursing with her and
thrumming upon Sam'l his viallin. Whereat I did catch her a sound
souse of the Ear, but she never a whit the better of it and answering me
so sawcily that we parted on it, Sam'l upholding me in this, though it be
hard enough to fill her place the wench being a good Cooke-mayde,
though sluttish.
20th.--Sam'l to visit my Lady, who receives him with great content and
satisfaction, though she railed bitterly at my Lord that is so taken up
with his pleasures and amusements that he goeth not to Court as he
should, and she fears will be passed over and forgot for others that keep
more stir. Requiring Sam'l that he would deal plainly with my Lord on
this, making known to him that his Reputacion do hereby decay. But
this methinks is a difficult matter, and I do counsel Sam'l that he put
not his finger between the Bark and the Tree, lest it come by a shrewd
squeeze, but let rather my Lady deal with her Lord as a Wife should do.
But he would not harken, whereby I foresee trouble.
He then, pulling out of his pocket a little Packett, do say pleasantly,
"What, my Deare, shall you and I never go a-fairing again? What think
you I have here? And how many Kisses will you bid me for a sight?"
Much merriment and pleasure from this, he holding it high, and I
leaping for it like a Dogg. At the last he opens it, and lo a fine Lace of
the new fashion for my bosom, and I do well perceive that my Lady
hath been at him, and am well content I did break the matter to her,
though an honest gown had been more