beyond imagination."[1] The first lessons were highly successful; both master and pupil were full of enthusiasm.
Sat up late setting my papers in order, and my money also, and teaching my wife her music lesson, in which I take great pleasure.[2]
So home to my musique, and my wife and I sat singing in my chamber a good while together, and then to bed.[3]
So far they had sung only unpretentious airs. But Mistress Pepys, when she saw her husband engaging a singing-master for Italian music, felt her self-love wounded and wished to do the same:
This morning my wife and I lay long in bed, and among other things fell into talk of musique, and desired that I would let her learn to sing, which I did consider, and promised her she should. So before I rose, word was brought me that my singing master, Mr. Goodgroome, was come to teach me; and so she rose and this morning began to learn also.[4]
Here, then, we have her learning difficult French and Italian airs! What imprudence!… Pepys does his best to delude himself, but in vain; he is forced to admit to himself that his wife has but little musical talent.
Singing with my wife, who hath lately[5] begun to learn, and I think will come to do something, though her eare is not good, nor I, I confess, have patience enough to teach her, or hear her sing now and then a note out of tune, and am to blame that I cannot bear with that in her which is fit I should do with her as a learner, and one that I desire much could sing, and so should encourage her. This I was troubled at, for I do find that I do put her out of heart, and make her fearfull to sing before me.[6]
