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THE STORY OF NELL GWYN.
oranges, (for 'tis below a gentleman to stand haggling like a citizen's wife,) and then to present the fairest to the next vizard mask."[1] Pepys, when challenged in the pit for the price of twelve oranges which the orange-woman said he owed her, but which he says was wholly untrue, was not content with denying the debt, "but for quiet bought four shillings' worth of oranges from her at sixpence a-piece."[2] This was a high price, but the Clerk of the Acts was true to the direction in the Gallant's Academy.
- ↑ The Young Gallant's Academy, or Directions how he should behave in all places and company. By Sam. Overcome, 1674.
- ↑ Half-Crown my Play, Sixpence my Orange cost. Prologue to Mrs. Behn's Young King, 1698.When trading grows scant, they join all their forces together, and make up one grand show, and admit the cut-purse and ballad-singer to trade under them, as orange-women do at a Playhouse.
Nor furiously laid Orange-Wench a-board
For asking what in fruit and love you'd scor'd.
Butler, a Panegyric on Sir John Denham.Butler, Character of a Jugler.Mr. Vain.—I can't imagine how I first came to be of this humour, unless 'twere hearing the orange-wenches talk of ladies and their gallants. So I began to think I had no way of being in the fashion, but bragging of mistresses.Hon. James Howard, the English Monsieur, p. 4, 4to, 1674.Mrs. Crafty.—This life of mine can last no longer than my beauty, and though 'tis pleasant now, I want nothing whilst I am Mr. Welbred's mistress,—yet, if his mind should change, I might e'en sell oranges for my living, and he not buy one of me to relieve me. Ibid. p. 10.
She outdoes a playhouse orange-woman for the politick management of a bawdy intrigue.Tunbridge Wells, a Comedy, 4to, 1678.In former times, a play of humour, or with a good plot, could certainly please; but now a poet must find out a third way, and adapt his scenes and story to the genius of the critic, if he'd have it pass; he'll have nothing to do with your dull Spanish plot, for whilst he's rallying with the orange-wench, the business of the
