I
think the young lady is very depressed, Shall I show her an herb
that can heal many ills?
HADDA PADDA. A lady-slipper?
HERBORIST. It is also called the love flower.... If you would gain
a man's heart you slip it under his pillow.
HADDA PADDA. Don't you see the ring on my finger? Don't you know
my sweetheart?
HERBORIST. Yes, certainly.--He was a handsome boy. [Plays with the
bag, as she hums.]:
"When love is the strongest, it leads to your fall, A maid's happy
longest, who heeds no man's call."
HADDA PADDA [drawing her scarf more closely around her]. Do you
hear the flies buzzing?
HERBORIST [looking deep down into the bag]. Yes.
HADDA PADDA. It is like the sound of a burning wick.
HERBORIST [does not hear].
HADDA PADDA. Now there is only one left.--It is buzzing around my
bead. [Putting her hand on the arm of the herborist.] Say
something to me, good healer.
HERBORIST. Pretty are her hands! Were they chapped or sore I would
heal them with yarrow ointment. [Taking up a yarrow.]
HADDA PADDA. Can that be done?
HERBORIST. Oh, yes, with finely cut yarrow, boiled in fresh new
butter.
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