Event Comment: The
Duke's Company.
Pepys, Diary: And my wife being gone abroad with
W. Hewer, to see the new play to-day, at the Duke of York's house,
Guzman, I dined alone.... I thence presently to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there, in the 18d. seat, did get room to see almost three acts of the play; but it seemed to me but very ordinary. After the play done, I into the pit, and there find my wife and W. Hewer...[and] here I did meet with
Shadwell, the poet, who, to my great wonder, do tell me that my
Lord of Orrery? did write this play, trying what he could do in comedy, since his heroique plays could do no more wonders. This do trouble me;
for it is as mean a thing, and so he says, as hath been upon the stage a great while; and
Harris, who hath no part in it, did come to me, and told me in discourse that he was glad of it, it being a play that will not take