"The Eve..."

[reg...@aol.com]

To celebrate Sam's role in the Carteret-Montagu wedding, the social
event of July 1665...(see www.pepysdiary.com)

The Eve...

“People.” Sam addresses the assembled staff with final orders.
“Attend.”.

“Lady Jem is getting married in the morning...

Ding-dong the bells are gonna chime...

You lads there look able...Lift her on that table...

We must prep Jem for the church on time...

You’re getting married in the morning... (Yes, Cousin Pepys...)

With ole Scott’s help you’ll be looking fine...(I don’t feel so good,
cousin Pepys...)

Mrs. Bagwell, come and kiss me...For this one day you’ll miss me...

For I must get Jem to the church on time...

If my Bess is sighing, this’ll bring her round...

Her Sam is the biggest man in town...

For Jem’s getting married in the morning...

And Samuel Pepys is sealer of the deal...

Look sharp you don’t mar her...Or Scott you’re a martyr...

For we must have Jem to the church on time...

If she be in pain, I’ll play the clown...

I should note here I am not paid a crown...

But I’m content that Jem’s married in the morning...

And I’ve played my role for the Montagu commonweal...

Thank God for my father, right now a tailor’s son I rather...

Fancy being to so as to know the feel... (Cousin Pepys? Why are you
wearing my wedding dress?)

If Jem needs dresses, I know the score...

I can even cut them on the floor...

Oh...

Jem’s getting married in the morning...

If Samuel Pepys has anything to say...

Scott, to your duty...Make her look cutie...

So long as she is to the church on time...

Now if I be flying, have Bess bring me down...

If I be wooing, get Bagwell outta town..

For...We’ve got to be there in the morning...

Spruced up and lookin’ in our prime...(I thought this was my wedding,
cousin Pepys?)

The plague cannot stop me...Now even Creed can’t top me...

When I get Jem to the church on time...

If Montagu-Carteret goes down for real...

All will be knowing whom did do this deal...

Yes, Jem’s getting married in the morning...

Be sure Betty Martin’s not allowed in town...

Set the wedding table...Girl, you look able...

For God’s sake, lets get Jem to the church on time...”

Early morning...Exhausted chorus of servants...

“My Bess is stumbling home to bed now...

Fuming I give her so little time...

The town she is waking...
Daylight is breaking...

Wake-up dear Jem, it’s nearly time...”

“I’m getting married in the morning...

To a bloke I barely know...It’s almost time...

My neck and back are aching...My heart is sorta breaking.”

“Enough my girl, you’re wasting time...”

Chorus:

“Jem’s getting married in the morning...

Mourning seems appropriate in this plague time...

Lift her on that table if anyone is able...Good luck, dear girl...

Good health...Good bye...”

Sam, staggering with weariness:

“Jem’s getting married in the morning...

Ding-dong...The bells are gonna chime...zzzzz...

Hey! Why didn’t they wake me! Cabbie there, take me!

For I must be at the church...So get me to the church...

For God’s sakes get me to the church...On...Time...!!”

Bess, running in, dressed... “Sam? Sam! Wait!!”

(“Sir?” “Drive on, I never told her she wasn’t invited.”)
***


Ding-dong those bells are gonna chime...(Plague or no plague)