The plague tightens its grip on London and as four thousand deaths are reported in one week, burial places become scarce. Yet, in the midst of all this there is still hope. Sam is asked to advise a nervous young bridegroom about the 'facts of life'. There's good news about the war with the Dutch - Lord Sandwich has taken several of their ships. Sam is so overjoyed that he joins some friends for a celebration. In spite of all the misery and fear around them, they sit up late, drinking and singing, and Sam confides to his diary that he's had one of the happiest nights of his life. Adapted by Hattie Naylor.

Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter. Historical consultant: Liza Picard
Sound by Nigel Lewis

A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. Show less