[Hester Thrale is giving an account of events during the days leading up to the death of her first husband, Henry Thrale, on 4 April 1781]

When I came home to dress […] I gave him [Piozzi] the Money I had collected for his Benefit 35^£ I remember, it was—a Bankers Note, and I burst out o’crying […] Just then came a Letter from D^r Pepys, insisting to speak with me in the Afternoon; & […] I burst out o’crying again, read the Letter to Piozzi who could not understand it, and threw myself into an Agony, saying I was sure M^r Thrale would dye.  The tenderhearted Italian was affected, bid me not despair so […] and then turn’d to me with a good deal of Expression in his Manner, rather too much—it affected me.—and sung Rasserena il tuo bel Ciglio &c &c