of Nelly's life, to the ribald personalities common to the stage in the reign of Charles II., but I am unwilling to stop the stream of my narrative by delating to relate the personal reference made by Nell, in the play of "All Mistaken," to the song and the incident at the Duke's House, which raised little Miss Davis to a "bed royal." The scene in "All Mistaken" which doubtless gave the greatest delight to the audience at Drury Lane, was that in the last act, where Pinguisier, the fat lover, sobs his complaints into the ear of the madcap Mirida.
Mirida.—Dear love, come sit thee in my lap, and let me know if I can enclose thy world of fat and love within these arms. See, I cannot nigh compass my desires by a mile. | |
Pinguisier.—How is my fat a rival to my joys! sure I shall weep it all away. [Cries. | |
Mirida.— | |
Lie still, my babe, lie still and sleep, It grieves me sore to see thee weep, | |
What a lump of love have I in my arms! | |
My lodging is on the cold boards, And wonderful hard is my fare, | |
Pinguisier.— | |
Then prythee don't harden thy heart still, And be deaf to my pitiful moan, |