Mary Powell Deborahs Diary | Page 4

Master Roger's, and
one of his Cousins, a stiffe-backed Man with large Eares, and such a
long Nose! Cousin Rose looked bewtifulle--pitie so faire a Girl should
marry so olde a Man--'tis thoughte he wants not manie Years of fifty.

May 7th, 1643.
New Misfortunes in the Poultrie Yarde. Poor Mother's Loyalty cannot
stand the Demands for her best Chickens, Ducklings, etc., for the Use
of his Majesty's Officers since the King hath beene in Oxford. She

accuseth my Father of having beene wonne over by a few faire
Speeches to be more of a Royalist than his natural Temper inclineth
him to; which, of course, he will not admit.

May 8th, 1643.
Whole Day taken up in a Visit to Rose, now a Week married, and
growne quite matronlie already. We reached Sheepscote about an Hour
before Noone. A long, broade, strait Walke of green Turf, planted with
Hollyoaks, Sunflowers, etc., and some earlier Flowers alreadie in
Bloom, led up to the rusticall Porch of a truly farm-like House, with
low gable Roofs, a long lattice Window on either Side the Doore, and
three Casements above. Such, and no more, is Rose's House! But she is
happy, for she came running forthe, soe soone as she hearde Clover's
Feet, and helped me from my Saddle all smiling, tho' she had not
expected to see us. We had Curds and Creame; and she wished it were
the Time of Strawberries, for she sayd they had large Beds; and then
my Father and the Boys went forthe to looke for Master Agnew. Then
Rose took me up to her Chamber, singing as she went; and the long,
low Room was sweet with Flowers. Sayd I, "Rose, to be Mistress of
this pretty Cottage, 'twere hardlie amisse to marry a Man as olde as
Master Roger." "Olde!" quoth she, "deare Moll, you must not deeme
him olde; why, he is but fortytwo; and am not I twenty-three?" She
lookt soe earneste and hurte, that I coulde not but falle a laughing.

May 9th, 1643.
Mother gone to Sandford. She hopes to get Uncle John to lend Father
this Money. Father says she may try. Tis harde to discourage her with
an ironicalle Smile, when she is doing alle she can, and more than
manie Women woulde, to help Father in his Difficultie; but suche, she
sayth somewhat bitterlie, is the lot of our Sex. She bade Father mind
that she had brought him three thousand Pounds, and askt what had
come of them. Answered; helped to fille the Mouths of nine healthy
Children, and stop the Mouth of an easie Husband; soe, with a Kiss,

made it up. I have the Keys, and am left Mistresse of alle, to my greate
Contentment; but the Children clamour for Sweetmeats, and Father
sayth, "Remember, Moll, Discretion is the better Part of Valour."
After Mother had left, went into the Paddock, to feed the Colts with
Bread; and while they were putting their Noses into Robin's Pockets,
Dick brought out the two Ponies, and set me on one of them, and we
had a mad Scamper through the Meadows and down the Lanes; I
leading. Just at the Turne of Holford's Close, came shorte upon a
Gentleman walking under the Hedge, clad in a sober, genteel Suit, and
of most beautifulle Countenance, with Hair like a Woman's, of a lovely
pale brown, long and silky, falling over his Shoulders. I nearlie went
over him, for Clover's hard Forehead knocked agaynst his Chest; but he
stoode it like a Rock; and lookinge firste at me and then at Dick, he
smiled and spoke to my Brother, who seemed to know him, and turned
about and walked by us, sometimes stroaking Clover's shaggy Mane. I
felte a little ashamed; for Dick had sett me on the Poney just as I was,
my Gown somewhat too shorte for riding: however, I drewe up my
Feet and let Clover nibble a little Grasse, and then got rounde to the
neare Side, our new Companion stille between us. He offered me some
wild Flowers, and askt me theire Names; and when I tolde them, he
sayd I knew more than he did, though he accounted himselfe a prettie
fayre Botaniste: and we went on thus, talking of the Herbs and Simples
in the Hedges; and I sayd how prettie some of theire Names were, and
that, methought, though Adam had named alle the Animals in Paradise,
perhaps Eve had named alle the Flowers. He lookt earnestlie at me, on
this, and muttered "prettie." Then Dick askt of him News from London,
and he spoke, methought, reservedlie; ever and anon turning his bright,
thoughtfulle Eyes on me. At length, we parted at the Turn of the Lane.
I askt Dick