Armfield 
 Curious Herbal
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 The 
 
 OREENLEAF'tHEATRE 
 
 The Curious Herbal 
 
 BY 
 
 CONSTANCE SMEDLEY 
 
 *( - 
 
 SECOND EDITION

 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Curiosity tempts us 
 To fly to the tree, 
 But nothing exempt! us 
 From civil-it-ee."
 
 REENLEAF THEATRE PLAYS 
 
 THE 
 
 Curious Herbal 
 
 BY 
 
 CONSTANCE SMEDLEY 
 
 Telling of Mrs. Elizabeth Blackwell's visit to the 
 Old Chelsea Herb Garden in 1732. 
 
 ONE SHILLING NET 
 
 From all Booksellers, and the Publishers, Duckworth 
 
 »nd Co., 3, Hcnrietti Street, Covcnt Gardca, 
 
 Londan, W.C 2. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, \1922
 
 Mln, 
 
 m
 
 THE 
 
 Curious Herbal. 
 
 o o 
 
 o 
 
 TWO PROLOGUES— either or both may be 
 
 used. 
 
 We are now about to present a play in verse, 
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL, by Constance 
 
 Smedley. 
 
 ONE. 
 
 The Curious Herbal is the title of a book 
 containing a series of colored plates of herbs 
 and trees, published in 1735 or thereabouts, 
 the illustrations by Mrs. Elizabeth Black- 
 well with descriptions by her husband, Alex- 
 ander Blackwell. It can still be seen in the 
 British Museum, London, and is one of the 
 first published acfiievfements of a woman artist. 
 The hand-colored plates are said to be most 
 beautiful and accurate. 
 
 Mrs. Blackwell is not known to fame be- 
 cause immediately after her book appeared, 
 (and the preface shews how grievous an im- 
 propriety she considered her appearance in 
 public life as an artist), she retired into do- 
 mestic seclusion and was never heard of again. 
 Mr. Philip Miller, known in his day as the 
 Prince of Gardeners, was an equally remark- 
 
 1 I O/^^CQ
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 able character. His famous Dictionary of 
 Gardening was the first horticultural treatise 
 published which did not attach occult super- 
 stitions to plants and herbs. He reigned 
 over the Chelsea Herb Garden, which is now 
 as it was then, the property of the Society of 
 Apothecaries. Amongst its quiet lawns, wind- 
 ing walks and orderly beds of plants and 
 herbs, this play was written. 
 We have founded our production on a piece 
 of the famous old Chelsea China, wherein gay 
 little figures group round a hawthorn tree in 
 exuberant blossom. The further to promote 
 the spirit of those times, we beg your in- 
 dulgence for a rhyming prologue after the 
 fashion of the stage in 1732. 
 
 TWO. 
 
 Gentle friends for your content 
 We v/ould now a play present, 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL is its name 
 Which is the title of a book 
 Wherein, at pictured herbs you look 
 And read descriptions of the same. 
 
 And Chelsea Herb Garden's the place 
 Which Mr. Miller once did grace, 
 The leading gardener of his day ; 
 Trees he imported from afar 
 Most precious and most singular. 
 As for the manner of the play, 
 
 The author saw a china group 
 Where a small lady in a hoop 
 6
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Two stern professors did beguile ; 
 It stood on a museum shelf 
 Twixt mandarins and jugs of delf 
 And was so gay it made you smile. 
 
 Behind the lady was a tree 
 As green and flowery as could be. 
 This china group we now will show. 
 The tale is true, Mrs. Blackwell 
 Her piteous story once did tell 
 Where hawthorn trees in Chelsea blow. 
 
 So gentles, now for other days 
 
 When no female her eyes did raise 
 
 Without good cause, and spent her time 
 
 O'er kitchen fire or at her glass 
 
 Or with her needle, hours did pass — 
 
 As simple as the author's rhyme. 
 
 Characters : 
 
 Dr. Isaac Rand 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Blackwell 
 
 Mr. Philip Miller ' 
 
 Scene: 
 The Old Chelsea Herb Garden, 1732. 
 
 Agai7ist a heavy velvet curtain stands some- 
 thing very much like a china ornament. 
 On a raised base of white and gold is a 
 miniature mound of turf from w/tich springs 
 a luxuriant hawthorn tree spreading to either 
 side of the mound, artd laden with pinky 
 white blossoms. 
 
 7
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Before the tree, is a gilt seat with a high 
 back, accommodating two at a close pinch. 
 
 There is room for promenading a few paces 
 u<p and down on two miniature platforms 
 between the seat and the border of sober- 
 colored herbs which springs from the turf. 
 The high-backed seat and luxuriant tree form 
 a substantial back, from which at this mo- 
 ment come two figures^ obviously china. 
 
 The gentleman is clad in the straight black 
 robe of a doctor of Science, relieved by spot- 
 less white bands at his throat. His face, 
 though severe of feature, is smooth and pink, 
 his three-cornered black hat tops immaculate 
 white curls, he carries an iuory cane with a 
 scarlet tassel slung round his wrist, and a 
 small fat book. 
 
 On his arm is a lady in prodigious flowered 
 skirts, white, pink, mauve and blue, a gilt- 
 laced corsage from which depends a tiny 
 mauve apron, matching the maute fichu round 
 her white shoulders, and a lemon straw hat 
 caught beneath her chin with a narrow black 
 velvet ribbon. Beneath the wide straw hat a 
 close-fitting white cap with an infinitesimal 
 ruffle, emphasises the blandness of her doll- 
 like face with its rosy bwtton of a mouthy 
 moonish brows, and bright pink cheeks. 
 
 She carries a large portfolio, whose scarlet 
 corners match the heels of her buckled shoes. 
 They come round the tree, at the right side, 
 pacing regularly in step, and pause before 
 they reach the seat. 
 
 8
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 
 Here madam, I must ask release 
 For here your journey ings must cease. 
 
 S/ie places portfolio obediently on seat^ 
 folds ker hands and listens. He points 
 with his came to the right. 
 
 Beyond us the Glasshouses are. 
 Where Drunken Date and Great Macaw, 
 The Cabbage Tree and Tamarind, 
 Yuccas and Balsam you may find. 
 The Wood of Life, the Banyan Tree 
 And many a curiosity. 
 But these are Mister Miller's pride, 
 Mine are the physick herbs outside. 
 Here you will find them, Basil, Rue, 
 Potherbs aplenty, sweet ones too. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 {putting h.er hands together sweetly) 
 
 Good Doctor Rand, I'm in a flutter 
 
 To see these Trees w hose names you utter. 
 
 My forehead puckers. 
 
 W hat are Yuccas ? 
 
 And cabbages 
 
 On Trees? {archly) You quiz! 
 
 The Banyan Tree? 
 
 What can that be? 
 Dear Doctor, I must sweetly tease 
 To see such curiosities. 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 
 Madam, such things are not for you 
 Who are a woman.
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS BLACKWELL 
 
 {sighing and drooping) 
 Ah, too true I 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 
 Your plan to make a herbal book 
 My fancy and approval took. 
 With potherbs women are concerned 
 And so 'tis well their names be learned 
 For potherbs, indiscreetly mixed I 
 
 {He holds up his hand in horror.) 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 Oh sir; my gaze beyond is fixed 
 
 Where, underneath those glittering panes, 
 
 The learned Mr. Miller reigns, 
 
 Like Solomon, among his trees, 
 
 And several curiosities ! 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 Miller as Solomon is wise, 
 But turns on women no such eyes. 
 No Sheba, though she were a Queen, 
 With Mister Miller would be seen. 
 He is a stern and stately man 
 And women doth severely ban. 
 
 Mrs. Blackwell is visibly affected, even 
 to delicate tears, during this harangue, 
 but returns to her pleading, hands 
 clasped on breast. 
 10
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 Dear sir, I beg you let me pass 
 To see inside that house of glass I 
 No more can I contented be 
 Until I've seen that Banyan tree 
 And if its picture I can take 
 Oh what •' a stir abroad 'twill make 1 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 
 But Mister Miller never would 
 Allow a Female to intrude 
 And picture with her unskilled brush 
 His precious trees ! 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 with startled approach 
 Unskilled, sir? 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 
 Hush I 
 
 Madam, SO great a man is he 
 That when he wrote his dictionary, 
 The learned Sage, Boerha-ve penned 
 A letter, calling him Dear Friend ! 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL. 
 vainly trying to give some informatiGn. 
 Boerha-ve, Sir? 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 producing watch from fob. 
 The hour grows late. 
 11
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL. 
 
 Kind Doctor Rand, pray let me state . . . 
 She places her hand entreatingly on his 
 arm ; he retires promptly, holding up 
 his cane, like an angel with a flaming 
 sword. 
 
 DOCTOR RAND. 
 
 The hawthorn is rugged, 
 
 The hawthorn is stout, 
 
 The trails of the bindweed 
 
 Go winding about. • 
 
 The thorns tear the tendrils, 
 
 The thorns press them down ; 
 
 Convolvulus never 
 
 The hawthorn shall crown! 
 
 He pantomimes with cane. 
 
 So madam, in Science 
 The man stands alone. 
 No wiles of a wom.an 
 Shall conquer his throne. 
 He beats down her fingers 
 That pick and that pry 
 And guardeth his treasure 
 From feminine eye. 
 
 She approaches him pleading, her deli- 
 cate fingers on his arm : he draws away, 
 using cane. 
 
 The apprentices wait. 
 I bid you adoo ! — {adieu') 
 I shall not be late 
 In returning for you. 
 I trust you to stay here 
 
 12
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 This side of the tree, 
 
 Or the great Mister Miller 
 
 Enra-ged will be! 
 
 He bows and she curtseys in strict time 
 to rhythm as he passes behind her and 
 she revolves to centre. 
 Mrs. BlockweV remains centre, prostrate in 
 a low curtsey, facing audience piteously. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL. 
 
 Now why should a great man be furious 
 Because a little woman's curious? 
 
 All m.en are curious to see 
 
 The things that rare and novel be. 
 
 Their curiosity dem;ands 
 
 The trees be brought from foreign lands ! 
 
 Then gentlemen like Mister Miller 
 
 Write books on them, and gain much siller. 
 
 Some coloured pictures I must make 
 To sell for my dear husband's sake, 
 
 Of money I have such .great need, 
 My Curious Herb:^.l MUST succeed. 
 
 Around the left side of the trees comes 
 a stately gentleman, tortly but also very 
 Pinfi and white. He is clad in deep 
 orange stockings with gilt clocfzs, tawny 
 breeches, a lavender full-skirted coat with 
 the crinkled cr^py surface so often seen 
 in Chelsea china, a ruffle of white 
 13
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 beneath an enormous black silk bow, and 
 black cocked hat over his own straight 
 reddish hair which falls to his shoulders. 
 He carries a gilt trowel in one hand, 
 and in the other, a gaudy azure 
 blossoni, fiewly -picked from his famous 
 Glasshouse. This is Mister Philip Miller, 
 Curator of the Chelsea Herb garden, and- 
 Author of ttie Gardening Dictionary, a 
 monumental work which has brought him 
 world distinction . 
 
 He surveys the kneeling figure, for Mrs. 
 Blackwell has promptly curtseyed to the 
 ground. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 And who is this that sayeth MUST? 
 A worm that wriggles in the dust? 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 Nay sir for worms are well content 
 Their lives in darkness should be spent. 
 
 They wriggle to the light in vain, 
 See nothing, and descend again, 
 
 But I strain upward to the light, 
 Where Mister Miller reigns in might, 
 
 And ask to see, upon my knees, 
 His famous curiosities! 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 No women in my garden come. 
 The woman's province is her home. 
 14
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 SHU supinely kneeling, her hands clasped, 
 her mild eyes looking up appealingly. 
 I have no home, sir I 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 Find one then. 
 
 Turning from her and surveying audience 
 with cur li fig lip. 
 
 There are a-plenty foolish men. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 Grateful for a?iy words from the August 
 
 Personage before her. 
 A plenty sir, and so few wise ! 
 Yet wisdom only gratifies. 
 To happiness there is one path, 
 The one that Mister Miller hath. 
 I care not how he stands and glowers. 
 I ask to tread his path of flowers- 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 You are persistent ! 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 {persuasive , still kneeling, but letting her 
 hands drop sweetly over her full skirts). 
 
 Very, sir, 
 
 Until this favour you confer. 
 
 A modest artist here you see. 
 
 Who has alas, no botany, 
 
 Yet seeks to make a Herbal Book 
 
 Wherein the curious may look. 
 ' 15
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 What object could inspire your brush 
 Better than yonder hawthorn bush? 
 
 At this cruel re?nark, Mrs. Blackwell 
 starts to her feet, rolling her eyes with 
 deep reproach. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 A common hawthorn 1 Mister Miller I 
 
 No-one to see that will pay siller. 
 
 Kind Mister Miller, let me come 
 
 To see the Banyan in its home ! 
 
 Its very nam.e the mind doth please 
 
 Awakening savage images. 
 
 Apes and baboons do swinging go 
 
 Where banyans bend their branches low, 
 
 And hummingbird cerulean, shoots 
 
 Beneath the arches of its roots. 
 
 I see wild sights, I hear wild sounds, 
 
 There is a Banyajn in these grounds I 
 
 Like raging tigress I must pace 
 
 Until I reach its precious place I 
 
 She has turfied away from Miller, now 
 she reverses her pacing and hears down 
 on his surprised majesty. 
 He checks her with upraised trowel. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 Stay madam, 
 
 In a garden close, 
 There is repose. 
 
 16
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Stay madam, 
 
 All round we can see 
 Activity 
 
 From root and seed. 
 I now must plead 
 That you should heed 
 Your woman's need 
 Of quiet. 
 A diet 
 
 More inclined 
 To my mind. 
 
 He majestically waves her hack step by 
 step away from Jiis cherished Glasshouse. 
 
 Pray madam 
 
 Is a woman's task 
 
 With the bizarre? 
 Nay madam, 
 
 In megethlin cask 
 
 No strange herbs are, 
 
 But homely flowers 
 
 From garden bowers, 
 
 All sweets, no sours, 
 
 Give up their powers. 
 
 Such as you, 
 
 Herbs should brew. 
 
 So your mind 
 
 Was designed. 
 
 He sits on the exact centre of the seat, 
 still holding his flower and trowel vp- 
 raised stiffly. 
 
 Mrs. Blackwell droops in a chastened 
 way on the right. 
 17
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Madam ! 
 
 Imagination leads 
 
 Your mind astray. 
 Madam ! 
 
 A curious fancy feeds 
 
 In dangerous way. 
 
 Excited, it 
 
 Won't care a bit 
 
 At hom.e to sit 
 
 And sew and knit 
 
 But will out 
 
 And about. 
 
 Curious Eve 
 
 Much did grieve. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 recovering her determination and facing 
 him with great persuasiveness. 
 
 Sir, no woman's heart could harden 
 In the Chelsea Physick garden. 
 Never vagrant mind could flit 
 Where in such sweet order, sit 
 Herb and bush and plant and tree 
 As arranged in Botany. 
 
 Yet the warbling birds that fly 
 To the clouds direct our eye, 
 As they rise from Iris bud, 
 From the handle of your spud, 
 From yon spike of asphodel, 
 And our thoughts fly up, as well. 
 
 First of stomach do we think, 
 Brewing draughts of herbs to drink ; 
 Then to nose, our thoughts ascend
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 When the flowers' perfumes blend ; 
 Then the eye we next would please 
 With herbs,, m embroideries. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 rapidly taking off her hat and disclosing 
 her neatly whifecapped head. She sticks 
 one finger on the top, pointing down. 
 
 Ah but last sir, is the brain. 
 Surely great would be our gain 
 If instead of cards or rout 
 Women troubled to find out 
 Nature's curiosities. 
 We were meant to think on these. 
 
 And the pain within our breast 
 Dulls, as knowledge gains in zest. 
 Aching hearts find som.e release 
 Wonder makes our tears to cease* 
 Lifted from the earth are we. 
 Divine curiosity I 
 
 She gradually elevates on tiptoes, her 
 hands, spread out on either side, her 
 head and eyes turned up ecstatically. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 Divine in man, but not in woman. 
 Her curiosity's but human. 
 A female can but stand and stare. 
 Not her's to find out why things are. 
 19
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 ( su U'siding sub missive ly ) . 
 Had I great Mister Miller's brain, 
 A deeper knowledge I might gain, 
 Yet does not Providence impart 
 Some wisdom to a woman's heart? 
 
 Although her mind may be perplexed 
 With Latin names: and she be vexed 
 Through ignorance of botany, 
 She still has sensibility. 
 
 And sensible she is of good 
 And sensibly she doth intrude 
 On Nature's beauteous mystery. 
 I pray you, shew the banyan tree I 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 True, madam, sensibility 
 Is not for man, too Avise is he. 
 Man never weeps, man never feels ; 
 He asks that you should cook his meals. 
 Then, nourished, to his labor goes 
 While at his shirt, the female sews. 
 Why is she curious? Because 
 'Tis one of heaven's well-known laws, 
 That man to understand was meant. 
 But no /(^male's intelligent. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 No man is curious; or feels? 
 Oh sir, someone before you kneels 
 Who, on some points, is wise as you 
 And such harsh words, must prove untrue! 
 20
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Why do I weep? Why do I raise 
 My hands to heaven in your praise.? 
 Why sir, do I refuse to go? 
 The answer, sir, you do not know. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 It is indeed a mystery. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 Oh sir, who am I ? This poor she, 
 Prone at your feet in such a plight? 
 
 She has placed her arms before her 
 on the ground, bending down in a woeful 
 attitude. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 Upon the riddle, I've no light. 
 Within this Hcrbary, no miss 
 Nor m.adam interrupts our bliss. 
 None ever sought before to peep, 
 Much less around my feet to weep. 
 W^ho are you, I'd much like to know, 
 And I will too, before you go ! 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL. 
 {meekly raising her eyes). 
 I am. not going. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 But you must. 
 
 21
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 going back on her heels to a sitting 
 position and folding her hands in her 
 lap. 
 Sir, I am rooted in the dust. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 Have you no female bashfulness? 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 {^tearfully) 
 No. I'm a female in distress! 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 {bendifig down to examine the phenomt}- 
 non) . 
 
 {with his trowel, turns her head). 
 There are tears in your eyes. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 My grief to them flies. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 {staring at her, puzzled) 
 trowel under her chin) 
 You come here for Science? 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 {using her handkerchief) 
 My grief makes alliance. 
 
 22
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 {bending low to scrutinise her and thun- 
 dering) 
 
 There's a mystery here I 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 {shrinking fro^n him) 
 You have guessed that? Oh dearl 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 What here do I see? 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 {pointing and rising in a sweeping curt- 
 sey) 
 
 Curiosity, 
 As human 
 As woman's. 
 
 Mister Miller drops down to lowest 
 platform, and remains, his back turned 
 to her, breathing out his indignation. 
 She plaits her fingers together and con- 
 tinues artlessly, standing on the right. 
 
 The reason why with brush I come, 
 To paint the Banyan in its home, 
 Is my poor husband. 
 
 {:She draws kerchief from her bosom and 
 touches her eyes) 
 
 23
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 {fiendishly sarcastic) 
 Aha madam ! 
 Never was Eve without an Adam 1 
 
 MRS. BLACKVVELL 
 No Adam he, no Eve am I, 
 Within the Fleet, sir, doth he lie. 
 His creditors have placed him there 
 In prison, to our great despair. 
 .A.nd so a Curious Herbal, I 
 Would make for curious folks to buy. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 {jumping round as if electrified by the 
 vulgar word ' buy ') 
 Never, never shall you pass 
 To behold my house of glass. 
 \Miat? You would make vulgar gain? 
 The mere thought excites a pain. 
 Traffic in soap and jelly 
 For eyes and nose and belly 
 But leave alone 
 The throne 
 Of Botany 
 And ME. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 {springs up, knee on bench) 
 So 1 You would stay in groves Elysian 
 And leave my husband in his prison 
 Concerned in no way for his plight? 
 Sir, you are a most heartless wight 
 
 24
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Why should mankind its belly stuff 
 
 With delicates as light as fluff 
 
 And not indulge in food for thought? 
 
 My Herbal should be widely bought. 
 
 From my intention I'll not swerve 1 
 
 Who made those wonders you reserve? 
 
 Did you invent them? Did they grow 
 
 At your command? Not so, Sir. No. 
 
 They grow, they flower, give fruit and seed 
 
 Because of beauty all have need. 
 
 {stamps ad lib through above) 
 Here is my pencil. Here am I, 
 To limn them for all men to buy. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 {stamping ad lib) 
 Bold mistress, hence I 
 Such impudence 
 Was never known. 
 Those trees fve grown 
 They have waxed fair 
 Through my fond care. 
 Your pencil, pooh 
 Has naught to do 
 With work like mine. 
 The kitchen's thine. 
 
 {lie increases the stamps) 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL. 
 
 {qIso stamping) 
 
 I will not go 
 
 Though ever so 
 
 You scold and rate. 
 
 25
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 Pray let me state 
 
 {Tke stamps subside) 
 My hisbar.d's nnme 
 Once kno-wn to Fame. 
 A. Blackwell wrote 
 Boerhave's note. 
 He was his scribe, 
 And now, . . . you jibe 1 
 
 {turns away unth handkerchief) 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 Blackwell, I wist 
 A herbalist 
 Of whom I've read. 
 I thought him dead. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 Nay sir he turned 
 From herbs and learned 
 The printer's trade 
 Your work to aid. 
 
 Miller turns to her, visibly startled. 
 
 Printed must be 
 Your dictionary 
 Of gardening. 
 He did that thing. 
 He worshipped you ! 
 
 i^weeps amay from him) 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 My printer true 
 Who so well wist 
 My crab-bed fist? 
 
 26
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 My fortune, I 
 
 Gave willingly. 
 
 But husband dear 
 
 Apprenticed ne'er 
 
 Had been: he taught 
 
 Himself and bought 
 
 A printing press 
 
 So, merciless 
 
 Was the whole Trade I 
 
 Vile plots they made I 
 
 Miller leaps into the air. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 Our paper, they 
 Did take away. 
 For ink we paid. 
 It was delayed. 
 Then came more men 
 With bills, and then 
 To gaol he went 
 For work well meant. 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 drawing out a spacious handkerchief 
 
 7m th his back to her. 
 My heart you touch 
 Ma'am overmuch. 
 My printer friend 
 To have such end, 
 He served me well 
 Shall I repel 
 His tender spouse 
 From my glasshouse?
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 You feel, sir, you? 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 in a -paroxysm of remorse 
 
 Madam I do, 
 I feel for you I 
 Boo-hoo, hoo-hoo I 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 
 Rising with astonishing rapidity and 
 slinging on her hat 
 
 Then sir before you con-duct me 
 To see the Famous Banyan Tree 
 My drawings I would like to show. 
 They are in this portfolio. 
 
 Oh brush, oh pencil, how you fail 
 Whfen on sweet nature we'd regale, 
 And yet sir some have said to me 
 That I draw mighty carefully, 
 And do excel, some artists state. 
 When drawing on the copper plate. 
 
 He seats himself, she beside him. 
 Behold this bright nasturtium ! 
 When it's exposed, the insects hum 
 Taking it for reality. 
 So simple is the honeybee I 
 And here's germander, nicely blue ; 
 And here's a little clump of rue 
 Which grew upon my window-sill, 
 I trust you find them not so ill? 
 
 28
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 Delightful I Taken to the life I 
 Madam, I see more than a wife, 
 I see an artist of great skill. 
 I beg you, draw what trees you will. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 What sir, I have intelligence? 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 
 gallantly presenting flower 
 Too much, madam, to take offence. 
 So to the Glasshouse let us go 
 And see what novelties there blow. 
 
 He rises and hands her up, keeping the 
 
 portfolio. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 Oh noble Prince of Gardeners 
 That such a blessing kind confers, 
 With Doctor Isaac Rand I came 
 And said Pd wait here for the same 
 As advised. Here he is 1 
 How surprised ! 
 
 Doctor Rand enters Right, reading his 
 little book. Beholds Mrs. Blackwell on 
 Mister Miller s arm and throws up his 
 hands, amazed. As he enters 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL 
 {calling) 
 Doctor Rand ! 
 
 29
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 MISTER MILLER 
 He will quiz! 
 
 ( discomfited aside ) 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL. 
 Here I stand 
 
 Underneath the hawthorn tree 
 As you have ad-vi-sed me, 
 But kind Mister Miller here 
 Now will lead me to his sphere 
 He /lands her across, Left 
 Where in regions of pure light 
 Of his trees I shall have sight I 
 
 DOCTOR RAND 
 Then madam of me 
 You no longer have need. 
 
 MRS. BLACKWELL. 
 Oh pray forgive me 
 That I tripped with such speed. 
 Curiosity tempts us 
 To fly to the Tree, 
 But nothing exempts us 
 From ci-vil-i-tee. 
 
 Miller hands her back and she curti eys 
 to Ra?id. She then stands beneath the 
 tree, between the two men. 
 
 W^hen kind Mister Miller 
 Extended his hand, 
 I thought of the siller, 
 Such drawings I've planned. 
 
 30
 
 THE CURIOUS HERBAL 
 
 My Curious Herbal 
 Dear sirs, I must sell I 
 
 She holds up her hands, pathetically yet 
 
 triumphant. The men take off their 
 hats, and go down on one knee on eilher 
 side of her. 
 
 DOCTOR RAND and MISTER MILLER 
 
 We are quite agreeable, 
 Dear Missis Black-ze/^// 1 
 
 The curtain descends on the little china 
 group, immovable. Mrs. B'ackwell smil- 
 ing a mild sweet doll-like smile.
 
 ARTHUR'S PRE« 
 
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 eiiorary 
 
 from which it was borrowed. 
 
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 BiomjjUg^^ibraty 
 
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 SftUEG^r'Vi^
 
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