Have Money, Will Dally
Just at the end of last week, I was asked to adjudicate on an important public debate: Do tragedies need to be based on true events, as Ben Johnson professes? Or is fiction better at conveying universal truths, as Thomas Rymer asserts?
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This came up during that meal I mentioned at The Bull Head, the dispute arising between my Lord’s lawyer and good friend, Mr Moore (who took Johnson’s side), and another of our friends from the voyage to bring back the King, Dr Clarke (who took Rymer’s).
Whoever I determined to hold the correct point of view would win 10s from the other. I had three days to decide, and my decision would be heard upon a return to The Bull Head to finish the sumptuous venison pasty we had started.
I of course ruled in favour of Dr Clarke. “Tragedies,” I declared, “need not be true. In fact, the less true they are, the more timeless they shall be.
“Take the famed William Shakespeare,” I continued. “Yes, there is a historical element to his tragedies such as Hamlet and Macbeth. But there is a supernatural one too, which challenges their supposed base in fact while emphasising the moral for audiences adventorial. For Hamlet, the dangers of obsessing over the past; for Macbeth, the dangers of succumbing to ambition.”
I was supported in my judgement by the author Dr Thomas Fuller, who joined us for the verdict meal on Tuesday. I was somewhat sorry to have put my dear Mr Moore 10s out of pocket, but I really couldn’t decide otherwise.
At least, I couldn’t in that moment. But how could I have predicted what lay mere hours ahead?
Prior to that Tuesday, the week had begun with me receiving the money for that noble voyage to Holland, fattening my purse handsomely. I decided to celebrate with the Crisps, who were themselves hosting a raucous send off for their son Laud before he accompanies my Lord on his voyage back to Holland.
Whilst there, Laud’s sister Diana began to be very… loving to me. And kind. Even then, I feared she was not so good as she should be…
I had further fortuitous news the next day: Sir Downing finally promised me the last quarter of my pay from him. Soon, my purse will be positively belching!
I could not celebrate this news from my former employer at that precise moment, owing to my need to see off my current employer for his trip to fetch the King’s sister. Ah, His Majesty did so kindly hug my Lord and cousin Sandwich. I was reminded of seeing my Lord despatch to the Mediterranean in 1656. How lucky am I to be enjoined to such a noble bearing.
I was to be occupied that evening also, working with Mr Moore to settle my Lord’s latest accounts. But I enabled my glorious wife to entertain my father, my Uncle Fenner, and my cousins, which she did nobly with wine and anchovies.
But then came the day for returning to Mr Moore and Dr Clarke. After this, to celebrate the agreeable reception to my verdict, I went to enjoy some time with my books still at Axe Yard, and there at the door found the young wench Diana.
She gave me an agreeable reception too, and readily accepted my invitation indoors. And upstairs. And to dally a great while…
Apparently nulla puella negat to a wealthy gentleman…
Having learnt this lesson, I returned home to find my wife requesting another of the music lessons she so fervently desires – and so fabulously excels in. Thus reminded of the true home of my heart, I determined the following day to reward her with a pearl necklace she had coveted for a while now.
Almost 5l that set me back. But I could afford it: I have a purse bursting with more than 200l!
Or rather, had. On our way home, I treated Elizabeth further to a purchase of the finest rabbit and lobster for our meal that evening.
So it may be that no girl says “No” to a wealthy gentleman, but then said wealthy gentleman will find himself never saying “No” to his wife – and is thus in danger of becoming just a mere gentleman…
Maybe there are immortal lessons in real-life tragedies after all…
Well, in an effort to display my newfound knowledge, I engaged help on Thursday to have my beloved books moved from Axe Yard to our home here in Seething Lane. True, I had to do so sometime soon anyway because of the impending arrival of Mr Dalton – but now it is done, I shall dally there no more.
That is, if I am as good at following the lessons of my adventures as I am at learning them…
Which do you think presents more timeless meaning, fact or fiction? And why?
I shall be delighted to hear from you! Please reply to this post so we can exchange our thoughts…
My purse
I am most lately 198l clear in my purse.
In return for the smiles you took from these words, please send them to a friend!
Your smiles will then be compounded twice: once for sharing joy with your friend, then again for my undying gratitude. {:-)
Which do you think presents more timeless meaning, fact or fiction? And why?