enant," a play that
hath little good in it, nor much in the very part which, by the King's
command, Lacy now acts instead of Clun. In the dance, the tall devil's
actions was very pretty. The play being done, we home by water, having
been a little shamed that my wife and woman were in such a pickle, all
the ladies being finer and better dressed in the pitt than they used, I
think, to be. To my office to set down this day's passage, and, though
my oath against going to plays do not oblige me against this house,
because it was not then in being, yet believing that at the time my
meaning was against all publique houses, I am resolved to deny myself
the liberty of two plays at Court, which are in arreare to me for the
months of March and April, which will more than countervail this excess,
so that this month of May is the first that I must claim a liberty of
going to a Court play according to my oath. So home to supper, and at
supper comes Pembleton, and afterwards we all up to dancing till late,
and so broke up and to bed, and they say that I am like to make a
dancer.

9th. Up betimes and to my office, whither sooner than ordinary comes
Mr. Hater desiring to speak a word to me alone, which I was from the
disorder of his countenance amused at, and so the poor man began telling
me that by Providence being the last Lord's day at a meeting of some
Friends upon doing of their duties, they were surprised, and he carried
to the Counter, but afterwards released; however, hearing that Sir W.
Batten do hear of [it,] he thought it good to give me an account of it,
lest it might tend to any prejudice to me. I was extraordinary surprised
with it, and troubled for him, knowing that now it is out it is
impossible for me to conceal it, or keep him in employment under me
without danger to myself. I cast about all I could, and did give him the
best advice I could, desiring to know if I should promise that he would
not for the time to come commit the same, he told me he desired that I
would rather forbear to promise that, for he durst not do it, whatever
God in His providence shall do with him, and that for my part he did
bless God and thank me for all the love and kindness I have shewed
him hitherto. I could not without tears in my eyes discourse with him
further, but at last did pitch upon telling the truth of the whole
to Mr. Coventry as soon as I could, and to that end did use means to
prevent Sir W. Batten (who came to town last night) f