A Peep Into Pepy's Diary - 1632 Options

[RC James]

Rather than trying to repair the broken meter, I'll follow the suggestion that this is really a free verse in rhyme. I've converted it to free verse without rhyme, and I know it should be in the free verse forum, but this is where it started and, now where it's ended up in another form. RC (The original somehow disappeared, but the full text is in the comments, I think, in Eisa's section. )


(A Peep Into Pepys's Diary

My sweet children are tucked all under down,
there to dream awhile; you are on an errant
night)

After editing and including the original, Igot the above. I'll try now to add the revised version:



My sweet children are tucked all under down,
there to dream awhile; you are on an errant
night’s errand in full-blown chantilly elegance.
Dreams, as I often in passing mentioned, are
the darker, solitary side of our inventions.

Your thoughts in turmoil won’t alter matters,
anyone surveilling me will report no infidelity;
and humbly, with these amends I bow to thee.
I swear these flirtations have ceased, my penance
has swiftly begun; lacking your smile i’m a-fuddle.

Sophie’s off to a new house, dalliances I now abhor,
no more wenching nor desperate trips backstage,
you blossoming in my arms forever is all I truly crave.
Your form alone will hold me willingly in a gentle cage,
knight’s honor, cast me to the cellar if I so sin again.