Sayth father, “With a fool’s cap and bells!”

Tuesday.

This morn I surprised father and Erasmus in the pavillion.  Erasmus sayd, the revival of learning seemed appoynted by Heaven for some greate purpose.

In the evening, Will and Rupert, spruce enow with nosegays and ribbons, rowed us up to Putney.  We had a brave ramble through Fulham meadows, father discoursing of the virtues of plants, and how many a poor knave’s pottage would be improved if he were skilled in the properties of burdock and old man’s pepper.

June 20.

Grievous work overnighte with the churning.  Gillian sayd that Gammer Gurney, dissatisfyde last Friday with her dole, had bewitched the creame.  Mother insisted on Bess and me, Daisy and Mercy Giggs, churning until the butter came.  We sang “Chevy Chase” from end to end, and then chaunted the 119th Psalme; and by the time we had attained to Lucerna Pedibus, I heard the buttermilk separating and splashing in righte earnest.  ’Twas neare midnighte, however.  Gillian thinketh our Latin brake the spell.

June 21.

Erasmus to Richmond with Polus (for soe he Latinises Reginald Pole), and some other of his friends.

I walked with William juxta fluvium, and he talked not badlie of his travels.  There is really more in him than one would think.

To-day I gave this book to Mr. Gunnel in mistake for my Latin exercise!  Was ever anything so downright disagreeable?

June 24.

Yesternighte, St. John’s Eve, we went into town to see the mustering of the watch.  The streets were like unto a continuation of fayr bowers or arbours, which being lit up, looked like an enchanted land.  To the sound of trumpets, came marching up Cheapside two thousand of the watch and seven hundred cressett bearers, and the Lord Mayor and sheriffs, with morris dancers, waits, giants, and pageants, very fine.  The streets uproarious on our way back to the barge, but the homeward passage under the stars delicious.

June 25.

Poor Erasmus caughte colde on the water last nighte, and keeps house.  He spent the best part of the morning in our Academia, discussing the pronunciation of Latin and Greek with Mr. Gunnel, and speaking of his labours on his Greek and Latin Testament, which he prays may be a blessing to all Christendom.  He talked of a possible Index Bibliorum, saying ’twas onlie the work of patience and Industrie.  Methoughte, if none else would undertake it, why not I?

June 29.

Dr. Linacre at dinner.  At table discourse flowed soe thicke and faste that I might aim in vain to chronicle it, and why should I, dwelling as I doe at the fountayn head?

In the hay-field alle the evening.  Swathed father in a hay-rope.  Father reclining on the hay with his head in my lap.  Said he was dreaming “of a far-off future day, when thou and I shall looke back on this hour, and this hay-field, and my head on thy lap.”