Tales of Sam and Bess, 1660-1700
Tales suggesting famed 17th century diarist/naval adminstrator Samuel Pepys and his lady had more going on than even his famed daily diary let us know...
Note: The best way to know Mr. Pepys is through his magnificent nine year daily Diary...Which is now available on-line on a day-to-day basis at pepysdiary courtesy of the wonderful Phil Gyford.
I would also recommend "The Unequaled Self", a new biography by Claire Tomlin...Just terrific and fills in the gaps the diary leaves...
…
"Christmas…1666"
(Take a look at the Diary entry for December 25th,
1666... .com)…
Summary: Trying to sneak off to seek pretty women at a play on Christman Day
minus John and Bess, are we?
"Brother Samuel?"
"John?"
"Sam'l?"
"Bess…? What are you two doing here?"
"What are you doing here alone?"
"Checking to see if today's play is fit for you and our would-be
clergyman to see, of course. Now as to you two…"
"It's Act Three, Sam'l…Nice try, though."
"Sammmmueeelll, I'm back….Er, Mr. Pepys? Oh, hello…"
"You know Mrs. Knipp?"
"Too well…" grimly.
"I believe we were discussing why you and John were here? Together?
Without informing me?"
"You vanished for two hours on Christmas Day, and you're asking
questions like…"
"Must go and rejoin Christopher. Nice to see you again Mr. P…Mrs.
Pepys."
"You'll want your hat."
"Ah…Thank you, Mrs. Pepys. Must've dropped it when I stopped by
before."
"Are you wearing false hair again, Bess? You know what I've said about
false hair…"
"Pepys! That's the man! I wanna talk to you, Pepys…About my wife and
that new baby…"
"Mr. Martin? What the devil do you mean, sir, coming into our box in
this condition…?"
"What…Baby?"
"Now, Bess… John, where the devil did you get the money to take my
wife to a play?"
"I've got a right to speak with you, Pepys…About that child…Hic. You
gotta obligatin…"
"Get your finger out of my face, sir!"
"I paid for him. I've a right to some pleasure on Christmas Day,
Sam'l. And what…Baby?"
"Really must be going…Mr. Knipp is waiting on me. A merry Christmas,
all…"
"Perhaps I could escort you back, Mrs. Knipp?"
"Oh, that would be so kind, Mr. Pepys."
"John?!" Bess and Sam at once…
"See what bad habits your brother is learning from you!"
"Ummm…." forlorn look from Mrs. Knipp…
"I'm sayin…You gotta obligation, Mr. P…epys…"
"Unhand me, sir!"
Crash…
"Mr. Pepys!" "Sam'l!" "Brother?!"
"Well, that is certainly the best play I've seen here in quite a
while…" King Charles, watching from box to Lady Castlemaine.