May 9th.—­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 all 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 Mistress 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 against his Chest; but he stoode it like a Rock; and lookinge first 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 stroking 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 all 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 who he was, and he told me he was one Mr. John Milton.

A SONNET
[Sidenote:  J.K.  Stephen]