Mary Powell & Deborah's Diary Part 10

whereas, _King_, in his Mischief, drew a fancy Portrait, much liker you, _Moll_, than the Incognita, which hit _Milton's_ Taste soe much better, that he was believed for his Payns; and then he declared that I had beene describing the Duenna! . . . Some Time after, when _Milton_ beganne to talk of visiting _Italy_, we bantered him, and sayd he was going to look for the Incognita. He stoode it well, and sayd, 'Laugh on! do you think I mind you? Not a Bit.' I think he did."

Just at this Turn, Mr. _Agnew_ stumbled at something in the long Gra.s.s.

It proved to be an old, rustic Horse-pistol. His Countenance changed at once from gay to grave. "I thought we had noe such Things hereabouts yet," cried he, viewing it askance.--"I suppose I mighte as well think I had found a Corner of the Land where there was noe originall Sin." And soe, flung it over the Hedge.

----First cla.s.s Geniuses are alwaies modest, are they?--Then I should say that young _Italian_ Lady's Genius was not of the first Cla.s.s.

_Oct. 19, 1644_.

Speaking, to-day, of Mr. _Waller_, whom I had once seen at Uncle _John's_, Mr. _Agnew_ sayd he had obtayned the Reputation of being one of our smoothest Versers, and thereupon brought forth one or two of his small Pieces in Ma.n.u.script, which he read to _Rose_ and me. They were addrest to the Lady _Dorothy Sydney_; and certainlie for specious Flatterie I doe not suppose they can be matcht; but there is noe Impress of reall Feeling in them. How diverse from my Husband's Versing! He never writ anie mere Love-verses, indeede, soe far as I know; but how much truer a Sence he hath of what is reallie beautifulle and becoming in a Woman than Mr. _Waller_! The Lady _Alice Egerton_ mighte have beene more justlie proud of the fine Things written _for_ her in _Comus_, than the Lady _Dorothea_ of anie of the fine Things written _of_ her by this courtier-like Poet. For, to say that Trees bend down in homage to a Woman when she walks under them, and that the healing Waters of _Tonbridge_ were placed there by Nature to compensate for the fatal Pride of _Sacharissa_, is soe fullesome and untrue as noe Woman, not devoured by Conceite, coulde endure; whereas, the Check that Villanie is sensible of in the Presence of Virtue, is most n.o.bly, not extravagantlie, exprest by _Comus_. And though my Husband be almost too lavish, even in his short Pieces, of cla.s.sic Allusion and Personation, yet, like antique Statues and Busts well placed in some statelie Pleasaunce, they are alwaies appropriate and gracefulle, which is more than can be sayd of Mr. _Waller's_ overstrayned Figures and Metaphors.

_Oct. 20, 1644_.

News from Home: alle well. _Audrey Paice_ on a Visitt there. I hope _Mother_ hath not put her into my Chamber, but I know that she hath sett so manie Trays full of Spearmint, Peppermint, Camomiles, and Poppie-heads in the blue Chamber to dry, that she will not care to move them, nor have the Window opened lest they shoulde be blown aboute. I wish I had turned the Key on my ebony Cabinett.

_Oct. 24, 1644_.

_Richard_ and _Audrey_ rode over here, and spent a noisie Afternoone.

_Rose_ had the Goose dressed which I know she meant to have reserved for to-morrow. _Clover_ was in a Heat, which one would have thoughte he needed not to have beene, with carrying a Lady; but _Audrey_ is heavie. She treats _d.i.c.k_ like a boy; and, indeede he is not much more; but he is quite taken up with her. I find she lies in the blue Chamber, which she says smells rarelie of Herbs. They returned not till late, after sundrie Hints from Mr. _Agnew_.

_Oct. 27, 1644_.

Alas, alas, _Robin's_ Silence is too sorrowfullie explained! He hath beene sent Home soe ill that he is like to die. This Report I have from _Diggory_, just come over to fetch me, with whom I start, soe soone as his Horse is bated. _Lord_, have Mercie on _Robin_.

The Children are alle sent away to keep the House quiete.

_At Robin's Bedside, Sat.u.r.day Night_.

Oh, woefulle Sight! I had not known that pale Face, had I met it unawares. So thin and wan,--and he hath shot up into a tall Stripling during the last few Months. These two Nights of Watching have tried me sorelie, but I would not be witholden from sitting up with him yet agayn--what and if this Night should be his last? how coulde I forgive myself for sleeping on now and taking my Rest? The first Night, he knew me not; yet it was bitter-sweet to hear him chiding at sweet _Moll_ for not coming. Yesternight he knew me for a While, kissed me, and _fell_ into an heavie Sleepe, with his Hand locked in mine. We hoped the Crisis was come; but 'twas not soe. He raved much of a Man alle in red, riding hard after him. I minded me of those Words, "The Enemy sayd, I will overtake, I will pursue,"--and, noe one being by, save the unconscious Sufferer, I kneeled down beside him, and most earnestlie prayed for his Deliverance from all spirituall Adversaries.

When I lookt up, his Eyes, larger and darker than ever, were fixt on me with a strange, wistfulle Stare, but he spake not. From that Moment he was quiete.

The Doctor thought him rambling this Morning, though I knew he was not, when he spake of an Angel in a long white Garment watching over him and kneeling by him in the Night.

_Sunday Evening_.

Poor _Nell_ sitteth up with _Mother_ to-night--right thankfulle is she to find that she can be of anie Use: she says it seems soe strange that she should be able to make any Return for my Kindnesse. I must sleep to-night, that I may watch to-morrow. The Servants are nigh spent, and are besides foolishlie afrayd of Infection. I hope _Rose_ prays for me. Soe drowsie and dulle am I, as scarce to be able to pray for myself.

_Monday_.

_Rose_ and Mr. _Agnew_ come to abide with us for some Days. How thankfulle am I! Tears have relieved me.

_Robin_ worse to-day. _Father_ quite subdued. Mr. _Agnew_ will sit up to-night, and insists on my sleeping.

_Crab_ howled under my Window yesternight as he did before my Wedding.

I hope there is nothing in it. _Harry_ got up and beat him, and at last put him in the Stable.

_Tuesday_.

After two Nights' Rest, I feel quite strengthened and restored this Morning. Deare _Rose_ read me to sleep in her low, gentle Voice, and then lay down by my Side, twice stepping into _Robin's_ Chamber during the Night, and bringing me News that all was well. Relieved in Mind, I slept heavilie nor woke till late. Then, returned to the sick Chamber, and found _Rose_ bathing dear _Robin's_ Temples with Vinegar, and changing his Pillow--his thin Hand rested on Mr. _Agnew_, on whom he lookt with a composed, collected Gaze. Slowlie turned his Eyes on me, and faintlie smiled, but spake not.

Poor dear _Mother_ is ailing now. I sate with her and _Father_ some Time; but it was a true Relief when _Rose_ took my Place and let me return to the sick Room. _Rose_ hath alreadie made several little Changes for the better; improved the Ventilation of _Robin's_ Chamber, and prevented his hearing soe manie Noises. Alsoe, showed me how to make a pleasant cooling Drink, which he likes better than the warm Liquids, and which she a.s.sures me he may take with perfect Safetie.

_Same Evening_.

_Robin_ vext, even to Tears, because the Doctor forbids the use of his cooling Drink, though it hath certainlie abated the Fever. At his Wish I stept down to intercede with the Doctor, then closetted with my Father, to discourse, as I supposed, of _Robin's_ Symptoms. Insteade of which, found them earnestlie engaged on the never-ending Topick of Cavaliers and Roundheads. I was chafed and cut to the Heart, yet what can poor _Father_ do; he is useless in the Sick-room, he is wearie of Suspense, and 'tis well if publick Affairs can divert him for an odd Half-hour.

The Doctor would not hear of _Robin_ taking the cooling Beverage, and warned me that his Death woulde be upon my Head if I permitted him to be chilled: soe what could I doe? Poor _Robin_ very impatient in consequence; and raving towards Midnight. _Rose_ insisted in taking the last Half of my Watch.

I know not that I was ever more sorelie exercised than during the first Half of this Night. _Robin_, in his crazie Fit, would leave his Bed, and was soe strong as nearlie to master _Nell_ and me, and I feared I must have called _Richard_. The next Minute he fell back as weak as a Child: we covered him up warm, and he was overtaken either with Stupor or Sleep. Earnestlie did I pray it might be the latter, and conduce to his healing. Afterwards, there being writing Implements at Hand, I wrote a Letter to Mr. _Milton_, which, though the Fancy of sending it soon died away, yet eased my Mind. When not in Prayer, I often find myself silently talking to him.

_Wednesday_.

Waking late after my scant Night's Rest, I found my Breakfaste neatlie layd out in the little Ante-chamber, to prevent the Fatigue of going down Stairs. A Handfulle of Autumn Flowers beside my Plate, left me in noe Doubt it was _Rose's_ doing; and Mr. _Agnew_ writing at the Window, tolde me he had persuaded my Father to goe to _Shotover_ with _d.i.c.k_.

Then laying aside his Pen, stept into the Sick-chamber for the latest News, which was good: and, sitting next me, talked of the Progress of _Robin's_ Illness in a grave yet hopefulle Manner; leading, as he chieflie does, to high and unearthlie Sources of Consolation. He advised me to take a Turn in the fresh Ayr, though but as far as the two Junipers, before I entered _Robin's_ Chamber, which, somewhat reluctantlie, I did; but the bright Daylight and warm Sun had no good Effect on my Spiritts: on the Contrarie, nothing in blythe Nature seeming in unison with my Sadnesse, Tears flowed without relieving me.

----What a solemne, pompous Prigge is this Doctor! He cries "humph!"

and "aye!" and bites his Nails and screws his Lips together, but I don't believe he understands soe much of Physick, after alle, as Mr.

_Agnew_.

_Father_ came Home fulle of the Rebels' Doings, but as for me, I shoulde hear them thundering at our Gate with Apathie, except insofar as I feared their distressing _Robin_.

_Audrey_ rode over with her Father, this Morn, to make Enquiries. She might have come sooner had she meant to be anie reall Use to a Family she has thought of entering. Had _Rose_ come to our Help as late in the Day, we had been poorlie off.

_Thursday_.

May _Heaven_ in its Mercy save us from the evil Consequence of this new Mischance!--_Richard_, jealous at being allowed so little Share in nursing _Robin_, whom he sayd he loved as well as anie did, would sit up with him last Night, along with _Mother_. Twice I heard him snoring, and stept in to prevail on him to change Places, but coulde not get him to stir. A third Time he fell asleep, and, it seems, _Mother_ slept too; and _Robin_, in his Fever, got out of Bed and drank near a Quart of colde Water, waking _d.i.c.k_ by setting down the Pitcher.

Of course the Bustle soon reached my listening Ears. _d.i.c.k_, to do him Justice, was frightened enough, and stole away to his Bed without a Word of Defence; but poor _Mother_, who had been equallie off her Watch, made more Noise about it than was good for _Robin_; who, neverthelesse, we having warmlie covered up, burst into a profuse Heat, and fell into a sound Sleep, which hath now holden him manie Hours.

Mr. _Agnew_ augureth favourablie of his waking, but we await it in prayerfulle Anxietie.