This morning comes one with a vessel of Northdown ale from Mr. Pierce, the purser, to me, and after him another with a brave Turkey carpet and a jar of olives from Captain Cuttance, and a pair of fine turtle-doves from John Burr to my wife. These things came up to-day in our smack, and my boy Ely came along with them, and came after office was done to see me. I did give him half a crown because I saw that he was ready to cry to see that he could not be entertained by me here.
In the afternoon to the Privy Seal, where good store of work now toward the end of the month. From thence with Mr. Mount, Luellin, and others to the Bull head till late, and so home, where about 10 o’clock Major Hart came to me, whom I did receive with wine and a dish of anchovies, which made me so dry that I was ill with them all night, and was fain to have the girl rise and fetch me some drink.
This morning comes
with a down purse,
with a brave Turk and a turtle,
with a good store of work.
I have the girl rise
and fetch me some.
Erasure poem derived from The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Monday 27 August 1660.