o-morrow for the Duke, to bed. Indeed I
do find every body's spirit very full of trouble; and the things of
the Court and Council very ill taken; so as to be apt to appear in
bad colours, if there should ever be a beginning of trouble, which God
forbid!

20th. Up and in Sir J. Minnes's coach with him and Sir W. Batten to
White Hall, where now the Duke is come again to lodge: and to Mr.
Coventry's little new chamber there. And by and by up to the Duke,
who was making himself ready; and there among other discourse young
Killigrew did so commend "The Villaine," a new play made by Tom Porter;
and acted only on Saturday at the Duke's house, as if there never had
been any such play come upon the stage. The same yesterday was told me
by Captain Ferrers; and this morning afterwards by Dr. Clerke, who saw
it. Insomuch that after I had done with the Duke, and thence gone with
Commissioner Pett to Mr. Lilly's, the great painter, who came forth to
us; but believing that I come to bespeak a picture, he prevented us by
telling us, that he should not be at leisure these three weeks; which
methinks is a rare thing. And then to see in what pomp his table was
laid for himself to go to dinner; and here, among other pictures, saw
the so much desired by me picture of my Lady Castlemaine, which is a
most blessed picture; and that that I must have a copy of. And having
thence gone to my brother's, where my wife lodged last night, and eat
something there, I took her by coach to the Duke's house, and there was
the house full of company: but whether it was in over-expecting or what,
I know not, but I was never less pleased with a play in my life. Though
there was good singing and dancing, yet no fancy in the play, but
something that made it less contenting was my conscience that I ought
not to have gone by my vow, and, besides, my business commanded me
elsewhere. But, however, as soon as I came home I did pay my crown to
the poor's box, according to my vow, and so no harm as to that is done,
but only business lost and money lost, and my old habit of pleasure
wakened, which I will keep down the more hereafter, for I thank God
these pleasures are not sweet to me now in the very enjoying of them. So
by coach home, and after a little business at my office, and seeing Sir
W. Pen, who continues ill, I went to bed. Dunkirk, I am confirmed, is
absolutely sold; for which I am very sorry.

21st. Up, and while I was dressing myself, my brother Tom being t