_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 courtship.--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 shipped 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 ships; 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! Buy oranges!--Buy courtiers, pray, And as ye drain their juice, Then, cast the poor outside away, A thing that's served its use; Why, courtier, pause; this truth translate, Imprinted in the rind; However gay the courtier's state, 'Tis yet of orange kind. Buy oranges! Buy oranges!--Coquetting fair,-- As sweet reproach come buy; And, as the fruit ye slice and share, Remember with a sigh-- A heart divided needs must cast The faith which is its soul; If, maidens, ye would have it last, Give none--if not the whole. Buy oranges! (_The by-standers all applaud._)