Part 11 (2/2)

Counsellor Crowsfoot MR. BLANCHARD.

Stockfish MR. F. MATTHEWS.

Boy MASTER MACDONALD.

Nell Gwynne MISS TAYLOR.

Orange Moll MRS. KEELEY.

Mrs. Snowdrop MRS. DALY.

There is the following scene and song:--

_Enter_ NELL GWYNNE, _as orange girl, with orange basket. She carries a mask._

_Nell._ (_Sings._) ”_Buy oranges!_” Ladies and cavaliers, vouchsafe to look at my basket! Maidens, ripen my fruit with your glances; buy my oranges, as bright as hope and as sweet as courts.h.i.+p.--Though they look as hard as gold, they'll melt in the mouth like a lover's promise.--Their juice is syrup, and their coats as thin as a poet's.

Buy, gentlemen; or I'll vow that, being jealous, you hate yellow even in an orange.

_Betterton._ (_Aside._) It is--I'd swear to her face--the very girl!

_Charles._ (_Coming down with Nelly._) And have your oranges really all these virtues?

_Nell._ (_Aside._) So, my gallant mercer. All, and a thousand more;--there's nothing good that may not be said of the orange. It sets special examples to elder brothers, misers, and young travellers.

_Charles._ Aye? What example to elder brothers?

_Nell._ This; though full of age, it dwells quietly on the same branch with bud and blossom.

_Charles._ What does it teach misers?

_Nell._ That golden coats should cover melting hearts.

_Charles._ And, lastly, what may the young traveller learn of your orange?

_Nell._ This much; that he is s.h.i.+pped when green, that he may ripen on the voyage.

_Charles._ Prettily lectured.

_Betterton._ (_Aside._) The king seems dazzled with the wench.--I must secure her for the Duke's.

_Nell._ But, gentlemen, fair gentlemen, will no one lighten my basket?

Buy my oranges!

SONG.--NELL GWYNNE.

Buy oranges!--No better sold,-- New brought in Spanish s.h.i.+ps; As yellow bright as minted gold, As sweet as ladies' lips.

Come, maidens, buy; nor judge my fruit From beauty's bait--the skin; Nor think, like fops, with gaudy suit, They're dull and crude within.

Buy oranges!

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