"Actress and singer in the Duke's Company from 1663; briefly in Pepys's service as a companion to his wife, Dec. 1662. There is an unflattering reference to her looks and morals in Scroops's *In defence of satire*" L&M Companion, 159.
Cornus, the kindest Husband, e're was born, Still Courts the Spark, that does his Brows adorn. Invites him home to dine, and fills his Veins, With the hot Blood, which his dear Doxy drains. Grandio thinks himself a Beau-Garcon, Goggles his Eyes, writes Letters up and down; And with his sawcy Love, plagues all the Town. While pleas'd to have his Vanity thus fed, He's caught with G[osnell], that Old Hag a Bed.
"... then to the Duke’s house, and there saw “The Slighted Mayde,” wherein Gosnell acted Pyramena, a great part, and did it very well, and I believe will do it better and better, and prove a good actor.
"The play is not very excellent, but is well acted, and in general the actors, in all particulars, are better than at the other house." So Gosnell was good on the stage. http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
5 Annotations
First Reading
Phil Gyford • Link
Her sister: http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
Terry F • Link
"Actress and singer in the Duke's Company from 1663; briefly in Pepys's service as a companion to his wife, Dec. 1662. There is an unflattering reference to her looks and morals in Scroops's *In defence of satire*"
L&M Companion, 159.
Terry F • Link
Cornus, the kindest Husband, e're was born,
Still Courts the Spark, that does his Brows adorn.
Invites him home to dine, and fills his Veins,
With the hot Blood, which his dear Doxy drains.
Grandio thinks himself a Beau-Garcon,
Goggles his Eyes, writes Letters up and down;
And with his sawcy Love, plagues all the Town.
While pleas'd to have his Vanity thus fed,
He's caught with G[osnell], that Old Hag a Bed.
John Wilmot 2nd Earl of Rochester(1647–1680)
In defence of Satyr. [by Sir Carr Scroope] ll. 92-100 http://www.lib.utexas.edu/epoetry…
Second Reading
Bill • Link
As dirk noted in an annotation on 6 December 1662 Gosnell (the maid) also is mentioned on 28 May 1663.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"... then to the Duke’s house, and there saw “The Slighted Mayde,” wherein Gosnell acted Pyramena, a great part, and did it very well, and I believe will do it better and better, and prove a good actor.
"The play is not very excellent, but is well acted, and in general the actors, in all particulars, are better than at the other house." So Gosnell was good on the stage. http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…